Hi Everyone. Happy Saturday night.
It's the fabulous LeAnne's turn to host the Paper Players challenge this week and she has a great theme for us.
Now, evergreen can, of course, mean trees/forests, etc. But it can also mean enduring, "perennially fresh", flowers that bloom all year. I decided that the one thing that remains perennial in our woodland are the birch trees. We don't have many, but their white bark is prominent in the landscape all year, even when everything else has lost its leaves.
When I saw this die from Taylored Expressions, I knew that I wanted to use it on a Christmas card. When I saw the challenge across at Merry Mondays, I decided that it would be a white on white card.
The two challenges together determined how this card would turn out and, I must admit, I'm pretty happy with the results.
I die cut the birch trees and then took a silvery/gold gel roller and created the knots and striations that the tree bark naturally has. I then used versamark and Heat and Stick powder to make all the trees nice and sticky. I then liberally applied Distress glitter to give them a touch of winter frost.
I stuck the die cut down onto the white card base using double sided tape cut into very thin strips and placed underneath the trees. The snowflake was die cut and given the same glitter treatment.
I loved the idea of the touch of brown on the element and the sentiment, as suggested by the Merry Monday challenge. Black would have been far too harsh, silver would have been too soft. The Chocolate Chip was just perfect.
Here's my card:
The lighting was good, but I still didn't get a great photo! I managed to get outside whilst there was a little sun and the wind had dropped. I had just enough time to take the photos, but didn't get to go back to get a second chance, so, this photo looks just a little out of focus in the bottom left corner and in the middle of the sentiment! I hope it doesn't distract too much from the card.
We hope that you will join us at the Paper Players again this week – and I know that Lesley and the team at Merry Monday would love to see you play along, too.
Don't forget to check out the fabulous inspiration cards from the design team.
On a personal note:
Well, it's been nice having a couple of days off work and having time to spend in my craft room playing with my old – and new – goodies! Today, Lou and I almost managed to finish decorating the outside of the house. It's not quite finished yet, but all vestiages of the Fall decorations have gone. The Christmas trees have been put up on the front porch and on the deck. Father Christmas has taken his pride of place at the front door and the new cedar trees will be draped in lights.
I bought a couple of decorations on sale at the end of last season and I'm really excited to see them being put up this year. I promise to take some photos when we are finished. Tomorrow, I begin decorating the inside of the house. I really do love this time of year and can't wait for the snow to fall – and settle – so that it really feels like winter.
How about you, have you started – or finished – decorating yet? What's your favorite decoration that has to make an appearance every year? For me, its Father Christmas and the life-sized nutcracker. Oh.. then the reindeer…. oh.. and the new trees we bought for inside last year…. oh… and the mason jars we got last year…. oh… and the fancy birds we got last year. mmmmm… maybe I shouldn't be asking you to let us know what your favorite decoration is, when I can't choose one! 🙂
Well, I'll be back tomorrow with another card. In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe – all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
- Card stock: Whisper White. Gina K #120
- Stamps: In the Meadow (PTI)
- Inks: Chocolate Chip
- Tools: Birch Tree cutting die (Taylored Expressions). Heat and Stick Powder. Versamark. Ranger Rock Candy distress glitter.
16 Responses
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the simplicity of this card. Birch trees are so beautiful.
Stunning card Jaydee. Like what you had done to the birch trees and the sentiment is perfect
Enjoy remainder of the weekend
Jaydee!!!
It’s a beauty!! . . . so much inspiration . . . At home I am surrounded by Xmas boxes . . . three days helping at the Caritas Xmas bazar (from 08H30 to 19H00) . . . I am half alive!!
Today I will put up some decorations and I will tell you later about how I manage to decorate my home . . . but the spirit is there!! First day of December . . . all the best for you and your followers.
Love,
Marina . . . from far Africa!
Now that’s embossing! I love the birch trees and it’s simplicity. Outstanding. Since I will be have outpatient surgery on my knee Wednesday I am going to put up some of the decorations today, wrap all my presents and just let the family do the rest. LOL My favorite decoration is the 5 ft. Santa holding a bag of toys that sits on my enclosed front porch. He’s a beauty.
Lovely and elegant Jaydee. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week.
Fantastically gorgeous card. My favorite Christmas decoration is an ornament that my mother received from her first teacher in 1904. Through the years it has become so fragile that it now is under a glass dome in our hutch year ’round. Not the most beautiful ornament ever, but by the far the most cherished. Mom passed away in December of 1960. One side depicts the shield of the U.S. and the other the U.S. flag. Have a wonderful holiday season. Looking forward to all of your pictures.
This is stunning, Jaydee! I love the birch tree die cut and how you added your touch to it.
Wowza! This is gorgeous!
What a gorgeous card, Jaydee! Love the birch trees and the texture on your card! I am so happy you joined us this week!!!
Hugs,
Lesley
Hi Jaydee. Gorgeous card. I love the white birch trees with the glittery accents. LOVE your sentiment and the snowflake decoration with the pearl center. The white on white card is perfect for a snowy scene and yours is truly beautiful.
We have finished decorating both the outside and inside of our home (minus the large fresh tree which we put up around the 20th of Dec.). I love this time of year too and couldn’t wait to get the Christmas decorations out. My favorite (and it’s not just one), is my “angel” tree. I place it in the entrance so it’s the first thing visitors see when them come in my front door. It is filled with all different angel decorations and has a gold beaded garland and also gold and white beaded snowflakes (which I made).
Look forward to seeing the pictures of your decorated house. Loll xx
Jaydee, I think this is one of the most beautiful cards you’ve created, and I am glad you thought a wee bit outside the box with your gorgeous trees. The sentiment is beautiful and the whole scene just brings a sense of peace and calm. And no, I haven’t even begun to decorate a THING at our home!!! Thanks for sharing this beauty with us and making my challenge sing!
Jaydee, I love these icy trees and that gorgeous snowflake! And that’s the perfect sentiment! Thanks for sharing this with us at Merry Monday!
Breathtaking! The white on white is perfect. This year I am decorating my local library display with my Santa collection. My favorite is the tall, old world,garden Santa with all the accouterments including a separate squirrel to place at his feet. I can’t wait to see pictures of your front porch this year. Enjoy! Nancy B
Absolutely stunning card, Jaydee. I love, love, love your glitter treatment! Thanks so much for joining us at Merry Monday.
This card is amazing Jaydee! I can tell how much work went into creating those fabulous frosty trees. Congrats on your win at Merry Monday, too!
What what a gorgeous die and the white-on-white design is so crisp and elegant. Perfect for the season! Lovely card, Jaydee!