Sunday, November 7, 2010

Paper Players Challenge #23--Snow Friends

Happy, happy Sunday! I am so super-excited for this post, as it is my first post as a guest designer for the month over at The Paper Players. Lesley's challenge for the week is all about "Snowmen". I don't know about you, but I just love Snowmen. They are such happy little folks! For my card, I decided to get a little "punchy" and create my own little snowy friends. 
I used a trio of circle punches to make these little friends. I tried to add lots of little details to make them "shine". I have to admit, I was channeling my inner North Dakota vibe on this one. (I lived there for 3 years.) Even though it has been chilly here in Texas lately (33 degrees at night), NOTHING reminds you of a blustery winter quite like North Dakota. That was my inspiration for the layered, sparkly snow. I have vivid memories of a -55 degree wind-chill (brrr!) in that part of the country. Guess what? When it is THAT cold and windy, snow always sparkles. Not kidding! 
I wanted to try a different ribbon treatment then the usual knot or bow and somehow it came out looking like that Ribbon Candy that used to be so popular at Christmas time. Remember that? If not, here is a link from Wikipedia. Also there is a close-up of my punched heart with  added glitter and a "top-coat" of Crystal Effects. I was trying to mimic the polka dots on the DSP. 
I also embossed the snowflake patterned DSP with the Perfect Polka Dots folder then lightly sanded the raised dots to create some "flurries" in this snowy scene. The photo below really shows the sparkle from the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz I sprayed on the snowflake background and the 2 snow-friends. I found that if you spray enough, it actually gets some dimension and starts to look very much like "real" snow. Of course, it was also all over my hands by this point and the effect started to become more "itchy" then "snowy" on me! Eeek! Quick trip to wash, wash, wash...
...and I'm BACK! Here is the view of the card, inside and out. Thanks to that fantastic, polka dot DSP, it was perfectly coordinated. 
Below is a close-up shot of the inside. Perfect for a little note to send to a special friend.
Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White card stock and Candy Cane Christmas DSP (Holiday Mini)
Ink: Real Red Craft ink
Accessories: 3/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Corner Rounder punch, Word Window punch, felt snowflake (retired), Heart to Heart XL punch, Double Circle punch (retired, for eyes and snowman buttons), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Jewels, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Crystal Effects (snowman buttons, eyes and heart), Clear Embossing powder, The Tearing Edge, Fine Galaxy Glitter in Red, Jewels and felt snowflakes (retired). 
Non-SU! Accessories: black twine (snowman arms), snowman "noses" are completely my creation (Eeeek!)  and red ribbon

Thanks for taking a peek! Please take a moment to share a comment and let me know what you think. I sincerely appreciate all of your feedback and it truly makes my day! Please come play along at The Paper Players this week with YOUR snowman creation! 


Happy Stampin',

19 comments:

  1. Hi Anne Marie,
    I LOVE your sweet little snowy friends! They really do shine in the light! Thank you for channeling your Dakota Winter memories, you have created such a sweet card!!
    Smiles,
    Lesley

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  2. LOVE THIS - everything about it!!!! I am on my way in to the Stampin' room (after pancakes of course) and I will be trying out the snowman challenge!!

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  3. How fun your little punched snowmen are. I like your ribbon treatment.

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  4. Congrats on being a guest designer Anne Marie - you deserve it! Your snowman are so precious - so sweet! And I love the combination light blue and red - one of my new favorite combos!

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  5. That ribbon really does look like ribbon candy (so yummy!). Love this card. Your snowmen are just wonderful.
    Lynn

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  6. Adorable, Anne Marie! Welcome to The Paper Players!

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  7. So bold and pretty!!

    Thank you for sharing!

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  8. Ok girl, you so out did yourself on this and congrats on your first post, awesome job, 5 stars! This card is so cute and I love how you did the ribbon. Have a great day.

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  9. adorable snowbuddys...and i understand the brrrr...lived in s. dakota for 5 yrs...blizzards are fun huh?...NOT

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  10. Love your card, and the ribbon so reminds me of ribbon candy! Great work!

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  11. What a great card for your first GD post! Love your snow friends and all the little details you do so well. Love that little crystal effects heart! And the inside is FAB too!

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  12. Cuteness doesn't even begin to describe this gorgeous card! I love the blue and red together - I love using that combo, they play off each other so well! You've done a wonderful job as your first post on the GDT and can't wait to see the rest of the weeks ahead!

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  13. this is lovely inside and out! When I see cards finished off I berate myself for skipping the insides as it really does complete it so nicely. Great idea for making the snowmen.

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  14. This is so super cute! I love all the added details! Great job with the challenge and CONGRATS on being a guest designer!!

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  15. Awww - this card is just DARLING! I love your color combo and all the thoughtful wonderful little details. WOW and CONGRATS!

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  16. Oh gosh!! That is THE cutest little snowman card i've seen in a while. Love the color combo and ribbon, but those little guys are just too cute! They steal the show...

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  17. This is fabulous, love the snowmen and you used one of my fave colour combos.

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  18. So cute! I saw this on the Paper Players blog and loved it.

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