CAS Christmas Card challenge .......

Happy Wednesday ......

I hope you're having a good week.  It seems ages since I was here, there's been quite a bit going on what with family get togethers, and a couple of nights out.  A crafty meet up with the girls which was fun, a trip to the dentist (oh joy!) and of course the schools on the island have all gone back today ..... yeah!!! so we won't be seeing as much of the little man. 
We've also booked a family Staycation seeing as we haven't had our usual family holiday this year.  We're leaving the motorhome at home and we're spending a week with everyone, in a cottage overlooking the sea, somewhere near Kirk Michael ..... I think.  Fingers crossed the weather is kind ..... it's lovely today but, we don't go for 10 days so anything can happen before then!

I've been spending my week in the craft room, busy working with some new stencils, which can only mean one thing ....... yes, Lucy is back on the TV next week with some brand new Sweet Poppy Stencil designs.  I'll fill you in with all the details and show times later in the week. 
For those of you that can't wait though, check out the New Products section on the Sweet Poppy website for a sneak peek at the new designs.

I've been trying to get into the festive mood recently ...... it had to happen at some point ..... so I thought I would play along with this month's CAS Christmas Card Challenge where they want us to use a Christmas Tree ........ I do like a nice tree!

I also like large sentiment stamps so this one is perfect!

Heat embossed in gold on a piece of green cardstock ......

I then inked around the edges using shades of green Distress Inks  ........ such a simple thing to do but I love the effect you get, it sort of gives the tree a glow

I added a few splatters of gold ink to the background, and made a tub for the tree to sit in from a piece of kraft cardstock coloured with Distress Inks

A few red gems here and there add a touch of sparkle to finish off

I think it's something like 107 days until Christmas ....... eeeek!  It won't be that long before I'm decorating our actual Christmas tree ..... Ho! Ho! Ho!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
We're off out this evening, it's the first of the new Wine Down Wednesday Wine Tastings ..... try saying that at the end of the evening!!
It's all about Bordeaux this month ...... one of our favourite regions, so we're looking forward to it.  We've also got a table booked for dinner afterwards so it could be a late one!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (My Favourite Things)
Inks: Versamark ink; Distress Inks - Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso (for the tub), Delicata Golden Glitz (for the ink splatters)
Others: Gold Detail Embossing Powder (WOW!); Red Self Adhesive Gems from my stash