Monday, January 2, 2012

My First Card for 2012

...and it's a Christmas card! Go figure, right? When I saw that my friend Lesley had posted a Christmas sketch challenge on her blog, I was immediately inspired to create. She's calling it "Merry Monday" and the goal is to make a Christmas card every week this year to get a head start on your holiday cards. CLICK HERE for all the details. Lesley's sketches ROCK!! Admittedly, I was getting a bit tired of Christmas cards, but MY cards were late this year. Some still need to be sent off, actually..shameful, I know. I think I can really benefit from Lesley's challenges. 

Here is the Merry Monday sketch for the week: 
Although this is a Christmas card, I tried to shake it up a bit with some non-traditional colors. I used the (ret.) Jolly Old Saint Nick stamp set paired with some new goodies from the upcoming SU! Sale-A-Bration event, which begins January 24th. You can earn the Everyday Enchantment DSP and Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack for FREE with a qualifying order. How cool is that? 
I colored the image in with markers and then dressed it up with some sponged edges and Dazzling Details glitter glue. It's tough to see but the buttons have a pop of Crystal Effects on them as well. All of the supplies used are listed at the end of the post. Here is a quick shot of the inside of the card, too: 
Before I go, I wanted to share a cute gift I received this Christmas from my blogging friends Shirley and Terry, from A La Card Monkey. Shirley makes these absolutely adorable owls (click her name above to check out her blog) and it was such a sweet surprise when I found him in my mailbox. I have affectionately dubbed him Owen and he is proudly displayed in my stamp studio. He's SO cute!! Thanks gals, I love him! :) 
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you get the chance to check out Lesley's blog and play along in her Merry Monday challenges. Have a very HAPPY day! 


Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick and Petite Pairs
Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Very Vanilla card stock
Ink: Basic Black and Crumb Cake (for sponged edges) Classic ink 
Accessories: Small Oval (ret.), Scallop Trim Border punch, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack (SAB), Basic Pearls, Stamping Sponges, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Basic Gray Stampin' Write Markers, Dazzling Details glitter glue, Crystal Effects and Stampin' Dimensionals 
Non SU! Accessories: frosty blue marker for the "sky", oval and scalloped oval die cuts 

21 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous way to start the year! I love it! I'm still cooking up some ideas in my head; I can't believe that I'm even THINKING about a Christmas card!

    Owen is super duper adorable! I love him!

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  2. Hahaha...laughing at Rita's comment. Your card is so wonderful! Love the new DSP and the mix of old and new! This is really cute AM, as is your owl...wow I am envious, you know my whole classroom is all Owls...just saying! Thanks for joining me and for getting ahead in the Christmas card race!
    Hugs,
    Lesley

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  3. So cute! LOVE all the pearls on this and also that beautiful brad. Very pretty card.
    And you're one jump ahead of a lot of us on Christmas cards now!
    Lynn

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  4. This is a cutie! Love seeing the new stuff! And that Lesley is amazing - great idea to get started early because I never am ready for the holidays!

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  5. Adorable card, Anne Marie! I love this new DSP!

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  6. I really must get on this snowman stamp thing they are pretty cute, great card and I like the fun colors.

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  7. Beautiful and a wonderful way to show the versatility of this DSP! While I really need to join you in this, I think I need the mental break from Christmas for about a month (that only puts me 4 cards behind, right?)!
    Your owl is adorable! Such good friends! My oldest DD LOVES anything owls!

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  8. So cute. Love the really non-traditional colors. I like this idea. I tend to get burned out right before Christmas when I have to do card after card after card ..... Spreading it out over the year sounds like fun.

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  9. This is so cute and I just love little snowmen. Love the layout and the colors. The sponging and the sparkle and so perfect for this little guy.

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  10. Love it, the colors are fabulous! I am very envious of that sweet owl, very cute!

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  11. Love it, Anne Marie! The snow is just fantastic! Isn't Lesley Wonder Woman Extraordinaire? I hope to play along with her challenge later this week (or tonight, if I have time).

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  12. Hi Anne Marie!
    Your snow man card is so cool with the Dazzling Details snow. Another AM original.
    I'm so loving your gift. I love owls! He's so cute I had to Pin him. Happy New Year!

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  13. Oh what a great card! I love the sparkly snowdrift and the pearls too! I love the owl!! How awesome! What a great gift! I don't make a ton of xmas cards but that challenge looks great! Maria

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  14. That's a great idea to build up your Christmas card stash! I love your card, especially all the pearl accents you added.

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  15. What a cute card! And you have a start on your cards for next year! So Clever. So are you going to keep it up and be all set next year before the season begins? :)

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  16. Happy New year to you, Anne-Marie! I hope your holidays were wonderful and filled with many blessings!

    Your card is just divine, as always! Such wonderful and happy cards you make :) TFS!

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  17. This card is really pretty - gorgeous paper and ribbon!! I love that cute image too!

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  18. Love the Snowman Card. I also love that new paper and ribbon bundle. I just love the Pic of Owen, I am glad you love him so much. I am sure he is Happy in his new Home!!

    Hugs
    Shirley

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  19. Ann Marie this little guy is such a cutie. I really like the nontraditional colors too. Love the dazzling details to add some sparkle to the "snow"! So cute.
    Your little owl is adorable.. and you know I like owls. What a great idea to make a card a week for a year.
    PS: I know what you mean about being 'done' with Christmas cards, but you are going to be sooo darn happy next year!
    Hugs

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  20. your first Christmas card for 2012 is adorable!! love the dps and colors.

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  21. Pretty card Anne. I do love the glitter on the snow below the snowman.

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