Cozy Fire

Phew . . .it's the middle of October already!!  That means it's time for our mid-month inspiration for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  It's always anything Christmas-related goes.  You have all month long to play along with us.  Here is my inspiration for you:

 I have had this card base for at least 12 to 15 years.  Someone was cleaning out their stash and gave me a whole bunch.  The window was already cut and I've been looking at it for several months now thinking it would make a really fun card, but not knowing what to do with it.  And today, for some reason, an idea popped into my head and I went with it.  I started by using some rust colored ink and a brick wall stencil to create the outside of the "house".  Then I stamped the wreath image 4 different times so I could fussy cut the different layers of the bow to give it dimension.  You can't see it in the photo, but there are 4 layers to the bow, counting the center knot.  Glued them all in place and fussy cut the wreath out so I could "hang" it from the window.  Then, I had fun stamping the little scene inside the house.  Each element is separate, but it was much easier using my new mini MISTI.  I totally forgot about this set, but I might need to pull it out and use it again, the scenes you can create with it are so fun!  I used a sheet of acetate behind the cut out to create a window and placed a piece of patterned paper behind the upper half of the "window" to create the look of a window shade.

I hope you will play along with us.  Christmas is coming, and fast!  And it's never to early to get started on those Christmas cards.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions: "Wreath"; Clear Dollar Stamps "Home is Where the Hearth is" all scene elements and sentiment

Challenges:

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--anything goes

Crafting with an Attitude--anything goes

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge--anything goes

ABC Christmas--U is for unlimited

Tuesday Throwdown #364--stencilling

Addicted to Stamps #126--holiday

Crafty Creations #352--anything goes

The Merry Christmas Challenge #38--anything goes

Art Impressions #219--stamp a scene

Hanna and Friends #284--stars (I used star brads on my sentiment strip)