Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 24

This card was the result of my youngest daughter asking me what the shiny paper was for, while holding up my remaining piece of glossy paper and sitting on my craft table. Something she knows is not allowed.

While I was conveniently looking for a new card idea, I showed her the alcohol ink marbling technique.

The resulting paper reminded me the way Christmas lights look through a snow storm or a thick fog. Perhaps that's my poetic art side talking, but nonetheless that's where the paper led me.

Alcohol ink marble technique on glossy paper, die cut with snowflake boarder die. Die cut "Merry Christmas" greeting from sparkly paper set on a shimmering background with micro accent gems.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 13

In making this card I wanted to capture a little bit of the fun that comes with winter. The winter season can last up to six months in Alberta so winter activities are as much a part of our lives as summer walks and flowering gardens. Even spring bunnies need to find something to amuse themselves for the rest of the year.

This bunny is making the best of his time while wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Shimmering "Merry Christmas" background with stitched hillside boarder snowbanks and copic coloured winter rabbit.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 9

Sometimes, I can sit and stare at blank paper for hours waiting for the piece to 'speak to me' (as it were). Then suddenly it is like a floodgate opens in my mind and the card becomes completely formed.  It is a lucky day when the paper reflects exactly what my imagination saw. Today was one of those days. I was about to give up and then there it was.

This card features an embossed snowflake background, framed with shimmering navy boarder and raised gold embossed greeting focus with navy gem accents.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 7

Once more the chill of blue and snowflakes called to me in this card. As a card maker, it is sometimes difficult to remember that less is more.

While it can be very tempting to use several techniques on a single card, that doesn't mean it will be better. There are times when even the smallest thing can be very technically challenging even though it looks ridiculously easy to do.

Gold embossed, raised greeting focus over embossed snowflakes on a blue centre-fade ombre background with gold strip accent.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 2

I'm sure it is becoming very clear that I adore Snowflakes. They are featured on nearly all my winter/Christmas cards. There is something about their beauty and delicacy that appeals to me. Each one is unique just as people are.

Raised and embossed shimmering snowflakes add a perfect backdrop for a bold and sparkling Merry Christmas greeting. The above card has the greeting in deep red, below the greeting is in blue.