Thursday, November 18, 2010

Gate Fold Holiday Greetings

Hello and Happy Thursday! I hope this week has been going well for you out there. I have been wanting to try out the Technique Challenge over at the "Just Us Girls" blog since they posted it but just couldn't get motivated on exactly WHAT I wanted to make with it. Today was the last day to play in the challenge so it was now or never: 
As I sat at my desk trying to come up with an idea, I saw this week's color combo at The Color Dare and was immediately inspired to make a non-traditional Christmas card. I probably have mentioned before that I LOVE Melon Mambo, right? :) I wasn't so sure about Pacific Point at first (I never have gravitated towards that color) but the three colors work really well together.
Color Dare #85
Pacific Point
Melon Mambo
Blushing Bride

Gate Fold cards are actually pretty easy to make. Never tried one before? The gals at JUGS shared a link to a great tutorial from Splitcoast, you can find it here. I thought it would be fun to try to NOT use any patterned paper on this one, to keep the focus on colors and the Snow Swirled tree. I did add some Smooch Spritz to the polka dot layer for some added sparkle. (One of my layers is a little unevenly cut, as well...oops, just caught that!) For the sentiment I just inked up the "Merry Christmas" portion (with a Pacific Point marker) of the sentiment from the Best Yet (ret.) set. I then decided to use a ribbon to tie it closed, so I kept the ribbon ends a little longer then usual. 
The picture below, is the card all opened up. I added some stamped snowflakes with glitter to the side panels to dress it up a bit more. What do you think?
For those of you inquiring about "Schnauzer-Gate 2010", nothing has changed. The little dude is still here with no responses to our many posts all over the city. Yesterday morning, I was downstairs when I realized it had been some time since I had seen either Ozzy or "the Schnauzer" (that's what we have been calling him). That is usually an indication that they are sneaking a snack of the forbidden kitty food. When I finally found them, in our bedroom, I caught them snuggled up together keeping an eye on the neighborhood through the front the window. Oh, these dogs... 
Stampin' Up! Supply List:
Stamps: Snow Swirled, Best Yet (retired, outside sentiment)
Ink: Pacific Point classic ink and Blushing Bride classic ink (sponged around the tree)
Paper: Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride and Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Melon Mambo polka-dot ribbon (ret.), Small Oval punch, Medium Oval punch, Smooch Spritz in Vanilla Shimmer and Pacific Point marker
Non-SU! Accessories: Oval and Scalloped Oval die cuts, 2 colors of pink jewels, silver star, pink glitter glue, lace border punch (inside) and sentiment stamp on inside of card. 



Thanks for visiting! 
Have a HAPPY day! :)

17 comments:

  1. How cute! I love the color combo! Yet again another lovely card! = ) I absolutely love your work!

    And about those dogs... makes me wish I had one! LOL

    Happy Thursday!

    Courtney

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  2. So pretty! LOVE those different colors you used for this....a beautiful blue tree! Love it.
    The pups look like they're best buds now!
    Lynn

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  3. I love it! The non traditional Christmas colors are amazing! Great job!

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  4. Gorgeous card!!! Love the blue tree with the touch of bling and gatefold cards are my favorite, they look so nice and love how they open. Your puppies are so cute and now Ozzy has a friend to pal around with. Look so cute together.

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  5. this is just breathtaking!!! I've always have a hard time perfecting a gatefold card but yours seems effortless. Plus, I'm loving all the non-traditional Xmas colors...just as long as you're not sending it to an aunt like mine. *wink*

    P.S. Your doggies are too adorable! I'm having so much fun reading about them and your gorgeous kitties on the side bar.

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  6. Very pretty, love the pink and blue color combo.

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  7. This is fantastic!! I haven't made a gate fold card for a long time...they are fun!

    You have just the right amount of detail here...interesting and pretty, but not overwhelming.

    Funny about how we gravitate towards different colors, isn't it? ;-)

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  8. Love the non-traditional colors on this holiday card! And now that the boys are best buds, how can you possibly part with "The Schnauzer"!

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  9. WHat a sweetie! He looks like he is part of the family :) I have been in your "paws" (lol) of looking for a sweet pups owners and letting them grace our home while waiting - its' a hard spot but I know he will be in wonderful hands while he waits along side your fur babies!

    ANd your card! Gahhhh! Such loveliness wrapped up in paper! What a beautiful swirly tree image and perfectly designed in this gorgeous fold - you always do such terrific cards!

    Have a blessed weekend! x0x0

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  10. Gorgeous card! I love this color combo and the bit of bling.

    I looks like the schnauzer has settled into your "pack" just fine. They look so cute together.

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  11. This is a beautiful card, I love the color combo; it all works so well together.

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  12. Gosh, this is pretty. I love the non-traditional colors for Christmas. Awesome card.

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  13. You made these colours sing, Anne Marie. That snow swirled tree is lovely and the touches of bling and star on top are great. Wonderful use of this week's colours. Thanks for playing the Color Dare this week :)

    How the kitties are okay with your new resident (he is a cutie).

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  14. I love the colour combo in this card, beautifully made as always. Your doggy guest looks so at home by the way.

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  15. That card is just beautiful - I love the way the Swiss Dots echo the spotted ribbon (or does the ribbon echo the background?!)

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  16. So pretty! Great layout. Thanks for playing along with the Color Dare!

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  17. Very pretty. Love the fold and your work on the inside and out! Thanks for playing along with the Color Dare.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Have a great day! :)
Anne Marie