Christmas Day Be Merry Card - 52 {C}CT Nov Sketch Challenge - Attempt #2!

Now this is more like it!  I'm SO much happier with this card than the one I originally made for the 52 {C}CT November sketch challenge.  If you want to see my original card, the blog post is HERE.

I popped into my local craft shop, the Glitter Pot, on Saturday afternoon as they had a few demos going on.  While browsing the store I saw a card made using the 'Christmas Date' stamp and a light bulb went on as I realised it would work really well for this sketch.  Of course, I really didn't HAVE to buy a new stamp for the sketch but it was only £3.99 and a new stamp obviously kick started the mojo!  I also love that the stamp is versatile in that I can just use the holly portion of the stamp.

Paper piecing is a fab technique and I haven't done it for a while - and the same goes for heat embossing with white powder.  I really like how these techniques look with this stamp.  I was chuffed to find the red pearls in my stash were the perfect size for the holly berries - little things like that can make me happy LOL!  I popped the holly up and filled in the snow dots with a silver Stardust pen.  The card is a side opening A6 size and was made with a thick textured CS.

Here's the inside of the card.  Oh dear, something else from the store just happened to fall into my basket!  I love my Fishtail Flags dies and when I saw the Sizzix Banners dies were similar to those but shorter and thicker I just couldn't resist.  The dies come in a set with matching clear stamps.  They were designed by Paula Pascual for Sizzix and Paula was at the shop demoing - she is so talented, so very sweet and always inspiring! I layered two banners for the sentiment and added some holly - I trimmed off a leaf and a couple of berries.  I used the largest hole punch on my Crop-a-dile to punch out circles from SU! Red Glimmer Paper so I have sparkly holly berries inside the card.

For the front of the envelope I used a Fishtail Flag die to cut a strip of the fab SU! Snow Festival DSP.

So why do I like this card so MUCH more than the first one I made?  I think it's because it's fresher, cleaner, crisper and more contemporary.  Maybe it's just more in keeping with my style.  Anyway, I'm just pleased that I made a card using this fab sketch that I'm happy with!  I hope you'll join us at 52 {C}CT this week and make a card using this layout, I look forward to popping by your blogs to see what you've made!

Supplies:
Stamps: Woodware 'Christmas Date' clear stamp, 'be merry' from Hero Arts 'Jolly Christmas' clear set, inside sentiment Penny Black
CS: Craftwork Cards Softies 'Alabaster' CS, SU! Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green & Old Olive
Patterned paper:  SU! Snow Festival DSP
Ink: VersaMark
Tools: MFT Fishtail Flags Stax dies, Sizzix Banners dies, Crop-a-dile
Embellishments & accessories: white embossing powder, red pearls, Sakura Silver Stardust pen, 3D foam pads