Hello. A new challenge has begun at The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge. As the theme is ‘anything goes as long as it’s Christmas related’, there is always a lot of scope for creating.

Here is my card:

I have recently received an order from Stampin Up from their new Christmas catalogue – I really had to restrain myself – but not too much!

The holly background is a two layer stamp which I stamped repeatedly around a piece of card stock. I used Concord & 9th mini ink cubes – these are very juicy inks so a little light tapping is required but that also means they stamp well (if you line it up correctly!!!) on new stamp sets from the beginning – you don’t have to prep your stamps.

I decided to fill in the gaps with a green and red dot using my Copic markers – varying the size of the dot by the pressure on the pen. The clump of dots is from another stamp set.

Once that was done, I stamped the deer in Gina K amalgam ink, then coloured with Copics – warm grey for the deer, and a couple of greens for the bow/ribbon around his neck, cool greys for his feet, and a couple of browns for the antlers.

The three tags were cut using Concord & 9th card stock and MFT ‘Trad Tags Stax‘ dies, so they matched the inks I had used for the background.

The ribbon is a new purchase – some shabby ribbons – I think to be used mainly for mixed media, but when I saw them I ordered quite a few colours as I think they would be perfect for traditional card making and also as ribbons for presents etc……there are lots of colour variations – from bright to shabby chic – here’s a link to the shop:

14 Craft Bar

I fanned the tags as you see and stuck the bottom of them down with glue, but the tops down with a little 3D foam pad.

I enjoyed making these tags so much that I can see some more being made ready for the present giving season.

I hope you can come and join us for this challenge, I love to look through the gallery and always end up bejng inspired by the makes – I hope to see you in our gallery. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday – inky

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge – anything goes Christmas

Crimbo Crackers – anything goes Christmas

INTAAS – include and animal