Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone and for those of you that celebrate - I wish you a very Merry Christmas .  Thank you for all your wonderful visits and comments, I appreciate each and every one.

We've been through a challenging few days here in Ontario, Canada with freezing rain for more than 48 hours.   Driving has been dangerous, we have a thick coating of ice over everything.  Unfortunately older trees suffered and have broken limbs or are completely down.   Hydro has been out all over the province, but we were lucky to have to have it working for periods but then leave us again.  Each time it comes back we are hopeful it will stay.    We took a careful walk and were amazed at the magical ice land that is around us.   Because it was so dark the photos didn't turn out well.  If the sun comes out, I'll try again.

I'm showing the last two Christmas designs for this year which feature Chocolate Baroque's beautiful Big Bold Background - Holly.



The Holly background was stamped with Pine Needles and Evergreen Bough Distress inks.    The sweet robin is from Chocolate Baroque's Christmas Song.   I stamped the bird with red dye ink and the rest with Evergreen Bough DI.  I spritzed a little water before stamping. 

I used the same Holly background below:



I stamped the Holly background with several shades of green memento inks.    Merry Christmas is from the Warm Christmas Greetings clear set.   The poinsettia die is by Spellbinder and the Holly Flourish is by Cheery Lynn.    I used white card stock to create the flower which I coloured with Distress Inks and added lots of glitter.  The center is a button with glitter around the edge and a large rhinestone in the center.


Season's Greetings !
Shirley

37 comments:

Shirley said...

Both are so beautiful Shirley but as usual I have a fave and it has to be the little robin. Just a sucker for cute and he is sooo pretty. Beautiful as usual.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas x x

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful cards, the ice storm must be very disruptive, stay safe and have a great Christmas! Valerie

Crafting Queen said...

Keep safe. Love your two cards they are super. Have a wonderful Christmas!

chrissie said...

Sounds like awful weather you have there Shirley. Stay indoors and craft because it is always wonderful to see what you have made.

Have a very Happy Christmas

Love Chrissie xx

Unknown said...

Gorgeous cards and my last blog run for the year...wishing you a lovely Christmas and thanks for being a fab buddy and hope to continue our friendship next year..
Don't forget my candy....luv aNNIe xx

marg said...

Beautiful cards Shirley!
I hope power is restored soon and you have a wonderful Christmas!
Love Marg

Paula (PEP) said...

Take care all of you in those conditions. We have high winds & driving almost horizontal rain at times but nothing like you are experiencing. I'm amazed at how different these two are using the same background stamp. The way you have coloured & glittered the flower in the second sample is beautiful - especially with the a lovely jewelled centre.
Keep safe & have a peaceful restful Christmas.
Paula (PEP)

Felicie said...

Wow Both cards Are absolutely beautiful Shirley.
I Like them a Lot.
Greetings
Felicie

Elaine said...

Two beautiful cards Shirley. As Paula said, you have achieved quite different results with the same stamp. Great inspiration here.

I hope your weather conditions settle down, it sounds pretty dramatic. We have some dramatci rain and very high winds forecast today and through tonight. We are surrounded by huge trees so it is a little scary, we are keeping everything crossed! Stay safe and hope you can all look forward to a relaxing, warm Christmas. Elaine x

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Wow, gorgeous Christmas cards, Shirley!
Merry Christmas! and take care :)

sheila 77 said...

Your first card really caught my eye with its lovely background. These big bold backgrounds look so useful, I very much appreciate the links you give us.
I expect your crafting assistant is relaxing in the warmest part of the house.
Merry Christmas, Shirley, and I look forward to seeing more of your exquisite art in 2014.

Nan G said...

Gorgeous cards, Shirley. The two differing color ways really shows off the background stamp. Well done. Happy Holidays!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Wonderful christmas cards, love the whole designs.
Yes we heard in the news about your ice storm, that must be horrible!
I wish that all works well again soon. However all the best for the next days and Merry Christmas for you and your beloved.
Warm wishes Anja

Annette P.-L. said...

Both cards are very lovely. Especially I like the first one with this cute little birdy! Merry christmas to you and yours and take care!!

froebelsternchen said...

wonderful cards are these!
Stay safe dear Shirley and have
a Very Merry Christmas!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two beautiful cards Shirley. We heard about you weather as we got off of the ship, some of the group were returning to Toronto and we're delayed. Hope you are keeping safe and warm, and have a wonderful Christmas. Sue xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Two beautiful card again dear Shirley , the backgrounds are gorgeous, CB , has indeed wonderfull stamps!!! And be careful with your crazy weather, I'm glad that I don't live in Canada with these temparatures, (I hate cold weather) but your summers are much better than ours I think , than you can injoy, while we are sitting in the rain!!!

Greetings and injoy the season!!
maria

Anonymous said...

So beautiful.
The holly backgrounds bring a gorgeous traditional air to your cards.
Festive Wishes
Lynne

Wendy said...

Beautiful and festive Shirley! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, big hugs! xxx

Patricia said...

2 Beautiful cards!!!
Happy xmas days!
Greetz Patricia

Gerrina said...

Love the combi of modern backgrounds and classic images! Beautiful! Have a good day, Gerrina

Creations by Shirl said...

They both a so beautiful Shirley....
Have a very Merry Christmas!

Shirley said...

Shirley, your cards are beautiful as always. You have such an artistic talent for backgrounds that are stunning. Your main images for both cards are beautiful. I always learn when I visit your blog. So good to be back doing it on a regular basis again. Thank you for talking about your weather. It was like that 10 years ago when I first moved here to NC. A freak ice storm in the country with only well and no electricity. I will be sending running water thoughts your way and have a safe Merry Christmas and New Year, Shirley!!

Greta said...

These are both gorgeous, Shirley! Stay safe & warm & have a lovely Christmas.

Pat said...

I love both these cards Shirley. The colours are lovely, and the big bold backgrounds from CB are gorgeous. I also love the holly die. Here in the UK we have had strong winds, driving rain and localised flooding, but those ice storms sound horrendous, so hope the weather soon improves. Hope everything is good for Christmas. x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, you've been a busy bee. Wonderful pieces to see.
Just coming around to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a blessed year 2014.

Bianca said...

Wow beautiful cards!!

I wish you a Merry Christmas

Eileen said...

Beautiful cards, gorgeous as always ... have a fantastic Christmas and all the very best for 2014. Carry on crafting!
Eileen xxx

Sandy said...

So pretty with the prettiest colors. You always use good colors. I love your Poinsettia!
Merry Christmas!!!
sandy

Janny's Cards Creations said...

Beautiful Cards. Merry Christmas and alle goods for 2014. Janny

Saakje said...

Beautiful cards Shirley.
I love the way you layered the spellbinders. The colours are really really nice
Thank you so much for sharing this and for your inspiration..
"lieve groetjes" Saakje.

Donna Ellis said...

Shirley, what a WOW card this background image makes! I like what you have done with both cards, but especially the first one - looks so rich and Christmasy! hugs, de

Cole Meyer said...

Breathtaking!!!!!

Jeannette said...

WOW Shirely.loove your both christmas card,very beautifully,pretty colors,stamps and backround,wonderful,the little red birdie its my favorit,so cute.
wish you a happy new year with many health and happyness.

greetings jeannette

Alex said...

Shirley, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all the best for the following year!
All your cards are so beautiful, I can't decide which one I love best.

MaryH said...

Shirley, I hope that by the time I'm leaving this comment, your power is restored. I was wondering how you fared as I saw all the problems up in Canada & the USA NEastern states. Loved each of these cards (but you know my fav had the little birdie)...it's amazing how you created such a different look with the same background and the colorways you chose. They are just beautiful. Stay warm, be safe if it's icy. Hugs & TFS

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

PRETTY!
Happy new Year!