At the advice of a virtual friend and blog reader, I participated in Shelli Gardner's November Demonstrator Blog Challenge (Shelli is the owner of Stampin' Up!) I gave it a whirl with this card (previously posted) and was selected this morning as one of the winners. I'm honored and thrilled (closer to freaked out) to think that the owner of SU was checking out my Stampin' Pretty blog and enjoyed my little creation. Big smile.
Today's holiday card relies on this week's Taylored Expressions sketch challenge (TECC43). It's both simple and chic. I inked Stampin' Up!'s Scandinavian Season tree in VersaMark and stamped on Old Olive card stock. The tree dazzles when heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. Three proud gold brads line up in the top left corner. TIP: For precise alignment, I use a template and paper piercer to set the holes for my brads. I matted this layer on Bravo Burgundy card stock.
The panel below is a Tangerine Tango pattern from Stampin' Up!'s Haiku Designer Series Paper. It's layered on Bravo Burgundy and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals to a 4.25 x 5.5 card base of Whisper White.
I stamped the floral portion of the tree a second time, VersaMark on Bravo Burgundy. After heat embossing with Gold Embossing Powder, I snipped out and adhered the flower with Stampin' Dimensionals. A slip of Stampin' Up!'s beautiful Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon with an accent of fun, orange buttons trumps up a little pizzazz. TIP: I have the best luck attaching buttons with Stampin' Up!'s Mini Glue Dots. They really stay put.
The sentiment is from Season of Cheer Rub-Ons. Save 20% on all Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons with a $20 purchase until November 30. Click here for details. TIP: Try using a Bone Folder to transfer Rub-Ons. It's smooth sailing.
GET READY, GET SET! Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Extravaganza Sale begins Nov. 26 and ends Dec. 1. Avoid the crowds and shop on-line here (wearing your jammies and fuzzy slippers if you want). Better yet . . . save 20 to 50% on selected Stampin' Up! product bundles. I'll have all the details ready for you when they are released on Nov. 26. I have personalized gift certificates available, too.
CLICK HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7!
Stamp Set: Scandinavian Season (111774)
Paper: Haiku Designer Series (112470), Old Olive (100702), Bravo Burgundy (105123), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: VersaMark (102283)
Cool Tools: Heat Tool (100005), Paper Piercer and Template (104310, Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit), Bone Folder (102300), Stampin' Up! Mini Glue Dots (103683)
The Perfect Touch: Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (109053), Season of Cheer Rub-Ons (112843), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), Gold Brads (104337), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Various Orange Buttons (Non-SU)
I’m not one bit surprised that you made Shelli’s top list. The colors in this card are beyond fabulous!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! You are the best. I am so glad that you received this wonderful recognition. Well deserved!
Absolutely no wonder in my mind as to why you and your creativity was chosen by Shelli! You’ve outdone yourself again – what a truly beautiful card!!!
Congratulations on your card! It’s gorgeous!
Wow! I’m so happy for you that you are a winner! You deserve it. Your cards are always wonderful. I’ll bet Shelli put your site on her ‘favorites’ list and will visit you more.
Jen
Your colors are fantastic together. I’m not surprised you won! Good job, keep it up. I love seeing your cards because they inspire me to be bold and create.
Congratulations Mary! I’m so happy you got recognized by Shelli. I really think you have a great website – chic, classy, and elegant. SU! probably thinks the same. They probably have a team of people who monitor the best sites out there that promote and use SU products well. You’re one of them. Keep it up!
Mary,
I’m not surprised at ALL that Shelli Gardner would be impressed with your work! That’s ’cause your work is always stunning! I am so, so happy for you!! Well deserved, Mary!
Congratulations on the win; not surprising as the card you entered was gorgeous! As a Stampin Up demonstrator, you used all the ‘bells & whistles’ on it, too, with the die cuts, etc. The Christmas card today is striking; non-traditional colors and, as always, eye catching with heat embossing. I must remember to do that more often as it impresses the heck out of non-stampers; they think I’m magic to be able to do that! lol
Well of course Shelli was checking your blog out, you have one of the best one’s out there! I’m on it every day seeing what you’ve done, which is always great stuff!
Laura
http://www.creativestampinup.co.cc
Congratulations Mary! That is very exciting. I am sure they just loved your blog as well. You always do everything so classy and are so loyal to SU! You should be very proud of your blog and your creations, they are fabulous! Thanks for sharing and it is always so nice to hear from you after leaving comments, that makes it so personal and I hope that I can grow up to be just like you…LOL…a little fun there..thanks again Mary and you totally deserve it!!!
I’m not surprised that you won, but I am happy for you. That card is stunning. Stampin’ Up is quite fortunate to have such a talented, skilled, dedicated and hard-working demonstrator! I have purchased many items, and made good use of SU items I already had, after looking at your inspiring projects or tutorials.
Congratulations on being recognized for your lovely work!
Pretty card! I just love embossing.
Congrats again! You should feel very proud.
I’m sure that Shelli would be thrilled with your blog…you are so faithful to Stampin’ Up! And your card is lovely…beautifully simple design as I think a Scandinavian design would be!
Mary, I am thrilled for you! I am doing a tag class this Saturday and may copy, with credit to you, the gold embossed tree. I LOVE this stamp set, with the last name of Olson ;), and the gold gives it a very different look than the more Scandinavian red, green and white inks I’ve been using.
Congrats Mary!! What an honor!
Well, I think your winning the challenge requires a party! Congratulations. I keep telling you Mary that your SU site is top notch and one of the best on line. So – share – what was the prize? I hope it’s something great and, I too would be freaking out if the owner of SU liked one of my cards. LOL
Way to go, Mary!!!
One of those “…it’s up…it’s going…it’s…it’s…GOOOOD!!! And the crowd goes wild!” {Insert huge stadium cheering} Now pull your fist down in a great big “YESSSS!”
Too much football, I know, but you get the idea! So happy for you!
Really like the gold ep today. And another fresh color combo for Christmas!
Mary,
Congrats!! You deserve it. I love the idea of popping up the flower.
This card is absolutely STUNNING Mary…I just adore it!
Congrats for being chosen by Shelli too…what an honour 🙂 But I’m not surprised, your stuff is always gorgeous!!!
Congrats to you, what an honor!! Love this card!!
Gorgeous, Mary!!! It is absolutely beautiful and congratulations on your recognition by Shelli! Do you mind if I CASE your card from today? I just finished one of my Scandinavian Season card sets and was planning to do a set with gold EP so this is perfect inspiration.