Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Over The River And Through The Woods

My Christmas Card Club Challenge number 7 is to use a stencil and/or an embossing folder.  I am so glad Carol picked this for us because I am weak in both techniques.  This was my first time to use a stencil.

 I used an embossing folder on the card  then embossed the sleigh.







This is the inside of the card ..




My first journey into using a stencil .. oh my - I have a lot to learn.





The lamp post has been embossed.





My apologies to the ladies in my CCC - I am three days late in posting.   My daughter and her four kids were here for a week and we even went to Disney in Orlando for two days.  At least it wasn't hot - a lot of walking - a lot of people - a lot of junk food.  But it was a lot of fun being with my daughter and watching her kids.  I think I am still recuperating!!

This looks like a mighty dark card but is much lighter in real life.  I think I learned a lot from this - I do like to experiment and I have to remember to really check before I put something down with my double sided tape.  I tend to go down on the right hand side and do not notice it until it is done.  I am learning and I am having fun!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and look at my pictures! (leaving a comment is very much appreciated)
Sandy xx


49 comments:

sarascloset said...

I'm so happy you are having fun, Sandy! It looks like I have some catching up to do! I have signed up for e-mail delivery of your blog, but I haven't seen it lately. Probably those old eyes of mine! cough, cough, old enough to wear the jumper, dear! Ha! ha! But not in high school! I had streaks in my hair in high school if that gives you any clue! Tee Hee!

Awesome work on the stencils! I can't believe you've not done that yet! that sleigh card and those grungy hearts are my favorite! Big hugs, Sandy! I'm happy you got to go to DW with your family--I do not care for Disney, and happy my Mom is over that!

Mrs.B said...

A gorgeous vintage card Sandy, love the textured hearts. And the inside - well its good enough to be a card in itself. Love the atmospheric background for the stenciled trees.
Sounds like a fun time away and no doubt many precious memories.
Avril xx

Mrs.B said...

A gorgeous vintage card Sandy, love the textured hearts. And the inside - well its good enough to be a card in itself. Love the atmospheric background for the stenciled trees.
Sounds like a fun time away and no doubt many precious memories.
Avril xx

dutchess said...

Hi Sandy....it's lovely....and I love that you have done the inside as well...really special....they are great stencil and have made a really vintage looking card....I know what you mean stencils and me need some practice too....xxxx

Rainey's Craft Room said...

Thanks for the get well wishes Sandy, feeling a bit battered and bruised but otherwise ok.
Your card turned out great, love the stencil and little scene you have created. Always good to use something new and try a new technique.
Lorraine

Myrna said...

Love all your texture on your card Sandy. It looks like you did just fine with your stencil. Another beautiful card! Having fun is what's it's all about.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your daughter and grandchildren!

Redanne said...

Sandy, I think this may be my favourite card to date, I just love the sleigh and horses and the embossing on the card is beautiful. I also love how you finish off the inside of your cards, they look so much more professional that way.

Hope the recuperation is going well, sounds like you needed it! Hugs, Anne xx

lilian said...

That is lovely, well done Sandy

Lilian B

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Those are very pretty and I like the vintage type look for Christmas cards. :)

Darnell said...

I think you did a fantastic job, Sandy! It's wonderful to hear in your voice how much you are enjoying the process of making cards with new techniques! There is ALWAYS something to learn in this hobby! I also enjoyed reading about your fun vacation with your daughter and grandkids!! Enjoy your day! Hugs, Darnell

LesleyG said...

embossing and stencilling....hard tasks, but you did a great job, love your vintage card with lots of texture, and fab detail inside xxx

cathylynn said...

Having fun is what it's all about!! I love this card. You are a fast learner! Fabulous inside and out! I'm so happy that you are participating in this. Sure gives me something to look forward too! Keep up the fantastic creating and I'm sending you huge hugs!!! Cathy

MaryH said...

Fantastic work with this one! Doesn't look like your first time at this technique, and I love the background embossing, and the wonderful sleigh silhouette. Rolling the corners, adding in the dimensional embellies on the front, added so much interest to vintage look of the focal point as well. Of course I'm going to like the inside probably just as much, and I bet you'll know why. This is just one beautiful card, and it's well worth the wait. So glad you got to enjoy Disney the way it should be done: with kids! TFS & Hugs too.

Candy said...


Excellent card Sandy! I would never have known it was the first time for you to use a stencil - you are ahead of me!!
I have lots of plans but never the time :o(
The inside of your card looks like two other fabulous cards.
You did a lot of work on this one and it is terrific.
Love,

Valerie-Jael said...

Your card is great, ou seem to be good at all techniques. Glad you had a fun time in Disneyland, and now you can rest and recuperate. Keep well, hugs, Valerie

Christine Harrop said...

This is fabulous Sandy. First attempt? Well you can go straight to the top of the class!! I think I would have made two cards because the inside is too nice to be hidden away. Glad you enjoyed time with your fanmily and had fun. Hugs Christine xx

Sarn said...

Hi Sandy . . . sounds like you've been having lots of family fun and you're recuperating with some fabulous crafting.

Brilliant work on the embossing and inking.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Annie said...

I adore this great looking card, Sandy! None of your insecurities show...not one little bit. Love those curled edges, and the bit tucked behind, and the great hearts and the button!!...such great details. Simplicity with Christmas attitude. And then we get to the inside. I love all the added interest to the inside of your card. That's right up my alley.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi there Sandy, and my goodness you might have been late with your card but it is certainly worth waiting for, and for not having stencilled before it is fabulous. A lot of work gone into this creation me thinks. It's just lovely and a super insert too.
It's good that you enjoyed the process, i's what it's all about isn't.
Now to answer you question about "a black pudding roll". Black pudding is made from sheep's blood and cereals, all mixed together into a sausage shape which is then cut into slices. It can them be fried, grilled or cooked in the oven. It is then put into a bread roll, don't know if you have them in the USA. Not everyone likes offal, my son would rather stick hot pins in is eyes than eat black pudding, liver, kidney and the like.
If I have something quite substantial to eat at lunch time than I don't have much in the evening, maybe some soup.
Sounds as if you had a great time with your family, more important than making Christmas cards, and don't worry about catching up with the commenting, sometimes you just need to step back, it takes such a long time to visit folks blogs, and we understand when life takes over. Take care, Kate x

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Sandy this is gorgeous both inside and out I love the embossed sleigh it has such a wonderful vintage look to it that I love so much, excellent creation
hugs
lorraine x

Pam Sparks said...

I love Winter silhouette images! I think I own this one too! Gorgeous/handsome card Sandy! I always love lamp posts too... I always think I need them all! waaahhhh lol Happy playing and glad it wasn't hot those days!!!

cotnob said...

A fabulous card Sandy, such a lovely silhouette image and you have decorated the inside beautifully as well.
It sounds like you had a lovely time with your family, how nice for you all.
Pauline
x

Patricia St Martin said...

Sandy, So glad you got to see your family and how fun to go to Disney Land, I know it is a lot of walking and to do it all in one day is impossible. You did a wonderful job with the stencils, the sled is beautiful and love the silhouette and the extra touches. The inside turned out wonderful, love the tree with the Cardinal looks like it is snowing and the bottom half is perfect space for your message. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Pat

pam said...

This is a fabulous card Sandy, would never know it`s your first time doing these techniques, love the silhouette image and inside decoration.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time with your family.
Pam x

Mrs A. said...

I love your card Sandy, The embossing folder along with the stencil sleigh looks really classy. I think the colours you have used are fab. hugs Mrs A.

Granmargaret said...

Lovely work.

Sharon Caudle said...

Beautiful card, Sandy!! I love the embossing and beautiful distressing! And those hearts are amazing!! Glad you had fun with your family!!

Lisa Minckler said...

Testing, testing...could of sworn I left a comment here yesterday...

Lisa Minckler said...

Well weird...I was here and I did stalk you yesterday and I did swoon over your collectibles and I was immensely impressed with ALL your Christmas cards and I especially love your quilted card too, but this horse drawn sleigh is my all time classic favorite image. It reminds me of when my grandpa would take me to the Kansas City Plaza with grandma and him and we'd ride in the carriage at Christmas time and look at all the lights as the snow fell. Wonderful times and your card took me back.
Big hugs to you Sandy!!!
Lisa
Happy weekend and I'm so glad you got to squeeze all your kiddos :)

Rahmat said...

I like the embossing on the background Sandy, and you did great with the stencil, and the embossing on the sleigh and the lamp post have come out well too.
P.S: Thank you for always leaving me some encouraging words, I will post a pictorial on the soft rolls, whenever I make those next :)

Lau W said...

Oh so good time with your family, so fun days !!!
Your card is fabulous, love the stencil, the hearts are beautiful !
Have au super week-end my super Sandy ! xxx

Gibmiss said...

Fabulous cards Sandy...
You have done a grand job...
Hugs Sylvie xx

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Sandy
Classic looking card and nothing wrong with your stencil technique.
Sounds like you had a lovely time with your family.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Sandra said...

Gorgeous Christmas card, Sandy! Love your stenciling work! The die's and stamps are so pretty! Love the stunning hearts too! Great to hear you've had a wonderful time in Disney! Hugs, Sandra

KandA said...

Hi Sandy, thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left me. Things are beginning to get back to normal now. Glad you've been having so much fun with your family.

I think you've done a fabulous job of this card with the embossing and stencilling xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful card Sandy, you did great using the stencils, I don't think there is a 'right' or 'wrong', just have fun with them. Enjoy the weekend, Shirleyxx

Neesie said...

It's sounds like you are having lots of fun with your artwork and learning as you go. It's all about the journey and not just the destination. You've created a beautiful card Sandy.
Rest up and enjoy your weekend xoxo

Bonnie said...

You did a great job on the stenciling, Sandy! I love the vintage look and that wonderful sleigh and lamp post!

Pat said...

Absolutely gorgeous Sandy, the stenciled image is beautiful and I love the way you have distressed around the edges, looks really good.

Pat xx

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful card Sandy

I did not know if you saw it on my blog Sandy but this is the stamp you ask for from who it was.
white christmas MPL907214 [ Tall Urban Stamps ]

I always put the materials under my card what I have use.

Gr Karin

Craftychris said...

Fabulous card! I think your stencilling is fabulous! I am glad you had a lovely time with your family! xxx

sam21ski said...

Absolutely fantastic, and I can't believe that this is your first time stenciling, your card looks brilliant, looking forward to seeing more xxx

Anonymous said...

I think this card is wonderful! And the lucky recipient will also LOVE it!! Its fun to experiment because that's the way we learn! I'm jealous on Disneyworld! Even though I went to Disneyland at Christmas, I could go every day of the week! I'm so glad that you had fun with your daughter and grandkids!!!

scrappymo! said...

Well done, Sandy! I like your foray into stencils and embossing.

You had mentioned earlier that you were wondering about this one...well, you made a wonderful card. That card front topper silhouette is so lovely...

I like the insdie of your card too. I think it is so important to get them finished inside now as it reduces the work at Xmas time...yet I still forget to finish mine at times!

I did not get round a to my card this fortnight as Mum had a heart attack and now I am home nursing my eldest who has come home to recoer from ankle surgery. She is keeping me hopping....lol

Lori said...

Absolutely fantastic, Sandy! Beautiful inside and out!

Paula said...

I bet your Grandkids had a blast at Disney!! I wanna go next time ;). Your card looks fantastic, love how you are trying new techniques. I need to try my hand at these too.
Oh and I'm sure the girls will forgive you for posting late...this time:)

Words and Pictures said...

Really delightful, inside and out - the sleigh is gorgeous on its shabby neutral background, and I just adore those stencilled trees and the soft misty look around them.
Alison x

Carol said...

So glad you had fun using a stencil for the first time Sandy! Your card is wonderful...don't be so hard on yourself. Carol x

Sue said...

This is really lovely Sandy, I like your corners, really unusual. As for straight, that's just so last season darling lol. (I'm totally incapable of straight) Glad you had a fun time at Disney - I bet you packed a week into each day :-) xx