A Storied Holiday

We're still celebrating all of our cherished stories of Christmas, whether they be in book, film, or television form, and we're loving the cards in the gallery so far! Here's what we made this week:

Irene's Other Card

...is based on a wonderful book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg; which has also been made into a film starring Tom Hanks.

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "For me, another must-watch Christmas story is A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I found this digital image on a sheet music cover and built my card using this week's Paper Players Challenge Sketch.  The sentiment is CatsLife Press."

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "Stephanie and I are pretty close to the same age, so we share similar tv-watching memories from the 1970's. As a kid, I went back and forth (still do, actually!) between favorites; usually a tie between A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The latter may have had a slight lead because it was the first stop-action animation I had ever seen (not that I knew it was called that) and I was fascinated by trying to figure out *HOW* it was being done. My brother, however, had one consistent favorite every single year: Frosty the Snowman. So I dedicate this week's card-- which is based on Retro Sketch #120 and uses an October Afternoon Miscellany card as focal point-- to Frosty, and also to brother Bill!"

Remember, you have until Wednesday at 6pm EST to share your Christmas story with us.

A Christmas Story

This fortnight we are lucky enough to have a lovely guest star with a most inspiring prompt! The very talented Irene Sprick... (whose blog, A Serendipitous Retirement, you really need to check out!) ...wrote in to suggest we base our cards on one of the many wonderful holiday books we all adored in childhood... and secretly, I think we all still love them now, as adults, don't we? Just in case reading isn't your thing, we've expanded the idea to also include the films and television specials which have become beloved over the years. After all, they're all Christmas *STORIES* aren't they? So whether you love "A Christmas Carol" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or "It's a Wonderful Life" why not sit down and consider how that could be embodied as a greeting card, and then c'mon over and link up with us! (Be sure to tell us what book or film inspired your card!)

Irene's Card

Irene says, "As a retired elementary school librarian, I have always enjoyed children’s books. Each year I still read through the holiday stories I love. Why not start making cards to go with these stories? This card is from The Wild Christmas Reindeer, by Jan Brett. I love her illustrations and the realistic portrayal of the reindeer, as well as the countdown calendar in the signature borders on each page."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "I've mentioned before that as a child I adored Clement C. Moore's poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and as an adult I collect vintage copies of the book. For this card I've scanned one of my favorite pages, made it small enough to fit on my not quite 5x7" card, and added some papers and embellishments to match. I think I'll save this card for my niece and nephew, who love the story as much as I do!"

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "Growing up, I couldn't wait to watch the annual Christmas Specials on television (can you imagine in this world of DVDs & DVRs only getting to see them once a year) ... especially Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ... and as an adult, I still love Bumble the Yeti.  I found a foam ornament featuring both of them and created my card around it using the layout from Wanna Sketch?"

Now it's time for you to start thinking about ♥YOUR♥ favorite Christmas stories and what sort of card they'll inspire you to make! Link up here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, July 2nd. Keyword for galleries and our Flickr group is JB:14:13.

An InLinkz Link-up

Resplendent Red and Gorgeous Green!

We had a bumper crop of lovely cards which featured the traditional colors of Christmas! If you haven't checked out the Red and Green Gallery, a scroll downwards is highly recommended. Meanwhile, here are a few cards we found especially enchanting:

Julie Gearinger of Stamping with Julie Gearinger

...combines digital magic with real life stamping virtuosity to create this gorgeous collage!

Meg of Bits and Pieces

...proves that clean and simple can also be bold and beautiful with her wonderful punched wreath!

Pat Knowlton of Stampin' with My Furbabies

...started with the most adorable hedgehog imaginable, and found the perfect sketch to make him a star!

We'll be back at midnight with a brand new prompt and a lovely guest star! Hope to see you then! ♥

Red and Green, Redux

We're still loving the traditional red and green palette of Christmas, and judging by the gorgeous cards in the gallery, you are too! There's still plenty of time to link up your masterpieces, and we hope you will! Meanwhile, here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Second Card

Stephanie says, "Making a holiday card when you've just moved and your entire studio is in boxes is a new challenge for me ... but I managed to pull it off, even if it is very simple ... and I had to take my picture with my phone (I know I'll find my camera eventually).  Thankfully I found my scrapbox and a few embellishments ... I will be so glad when I have my studio back in order.  My layout is from Stick it Town Tuesday Sketch Challenge."

Lauren's Second Card

Lauren says, "One of the best parts about working with the traditional Christmas colors is how verrrrrrry much choice there is amongst one's stash. Because EVERY Christmas line ever produced has used at least a little red and green... and it can all be made to work together! Don't you just love it when that happens?!"

Remember, you have until Wednesday, June 18th to link-up your Red & Green creations.

Red & Green & Christmas All Over

For this prompt we're celebrating the traditional colors of Christmas - Red and Green - so we'd like you to make a card that primarily features those colors.

Here are our Red and Green creations:

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "Sometimes I get so involved in trying to make new and original Christmas cards that I forget how beautiful the traditional red and green combination actually is! Using complementary colors (those directly opposite each other on the color wheel) always provides plenty of contrast while still being harmonious to look at; I've also gone a bit wild in terms of texture, which always makes me happy!"

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I combined Red & Green plaid paper with a Red & Green Border Sticker from another paper collection ... I love how using a cohesive color palette allows you to combine different product lines.  I finished with a piece of Christmas Flair and some Word Stickers."

And now it's your turn to embrace Red and Green in whatever way you'd like! Link up between now and 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, June 18th. Keyword for galleries and our Flickr group is JB:14:12.

An InLinkz Link-up

Peace and LOVE!

What could be more wonderful than a whole gallery of peaceful, beautiful, amazing cards? Nothing! So without further ado, here are a few that made us especially happy:

Brenda Barton of Brenda's Crafty Corner

...captured the perfection of a "Silent Night" with her gorgeous hand-drawn scene and embossed snowy background! 

Tracey Fehr of Today's Beautiful Moments
...proved that peace, love and joy can be mixed exquisitely with color, pattern and texture!

Jessi Fogan of One Crafty Mama

...combined a serene white background, a soft focal image and a lovely sentiment in her uniquely beautiful card!

We'll be back at midnight with a new prompt that we hope will color your world! Hope to see you then!