Silver and Gold Christmas Challenge

Hi Everyone

I got to thinking about Christmas because really it is just a month away after all and thought back to my favorite things about the holidays and I have to admit that one of my favorite things is to send and recive cards especially if they are hand made, the ideas that my crafting and artist friends come up with are just breath taking and it takes me back to when I was a child and opening gifts...there is a bit of magic to opening that first Christmas card of the season.
One of my favorite looks is when people use metalics to make their cards. I love working with metalic shimmer papers, stickles, embossing powders and metalic colored ribbons, it is a elegant way to create cards. So I was thinking not only will I share a few of my designs with you but thought it might be fun to hold a challenge and see what you all come up with. So all you have to do is create a card using metalic colors i.e. Gold, silver, copper, pewter...you get it and place a link to this posting so we can all see you design. then on December 15th one lucky person will win a stocking full of Blog Candy....including some of my favoite things like Authentique papers, Viva Pearl pen, stickles, B & J Stamping embossing powder, Gecko Galz Digital Stamp Disc, flowers from Flying Unicorn, and ribbons and lace galore. So start dreaming of a silver and gold Chistmas for a chance to WIN!
Please enjoy my cards and the free images for you to play with...who knows maybe the free ephemera images will inspire you to make a card...or tag...or gift card holder...

MY DESIGNS

Mother Mary Card

To make this card I used silver shimmer paper for my card base, reflective gold paper torn to create the belly band (I got this paper at JoAnnes, Gold and Silver pearl pens (you can get these from Scrappy Land), Metalic Antique Gold acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby that I distressed the edges of the ephemera edges, and finished it with a piece of Gold organza ribbon from May Arts (which Gecko Galz will be selling soon).

OVER THE RIVER CARD

I started with an Antique Gold shimmer card stock for the base and embossed it using the Sizzex Christmas embossing folder (you can get it at Hobby Lobby it is a two pack) and embossed the top of my card base. then I took a ephemera piece and pop dotted it to the center of the card and place decorative silver and gold ribbon at the top and bottom (I got this at Hobby Lobby). I finished it off by adding silver pearl pen to the center of the embossed flowers and gold stickles to the frame around the house scene (you can get stickles at scrapbook.com).

LET IT SNOW CARD

So for this card I started with silver shimmer card stock and using Versa Mark Ink I stamped snow flakes all over the front of the card (I used Gecko Galz Garden Mandela Clear Stamp Set for my snow flakes and center madallion) then using Rangers Ultra fine silver embossing powder I embossed the snow flakes then I took a 4"x4" square of gold shimmer paper and embossed the large snowflake using the ultra fine gold embossing powder. I cut it out and using pop dots put it on the top of my card then used silver and gold pearl pens to decorate the inside. I wanted to tell you a little trick for the pearl pens make sure you hold them at an angle like you would a pencil and squeeze lightly for small pearl shapes, the harder you squeeze the larger the pearl. Then I took Paper Studios large adhesive pearls and put them on the circles along the outside. You can add a piece of ribbon if you like but I thought it distracted from the center piece.

REINDEER GAMES CARD

I started with Antique Gold shimmer card stock as my card base and took my star hole punch (I got mine at Hobby Lobby) and punch stars on the right side edge randomly. Then I took the reindeer digi stamp from Gecko Galz and using Wild Honey Distress ink by ranger and my inking tool I cover the stamp image then I ink the edge with red radiant rain ink in Hot Cinnamon. Then I layered image on a piece of cool steel shimmer card stock and gold. Then place on left side of stamped area. Then I used the same cool steel and cut a piece to go behind stars. I finished it off with some gold and silver  ribbon I found at JoAnnes. Last add silver pearl pen in between the stars.

SIMPLE JOYS CARD

Start this card with silver shimmer card stock and emboss it using the other Sizzex embossing folder from the Christmas set. Then take your brushed metal card stock (I got this at JoAnnes) and cut a 2.5" strip to place down center of card front. Then take your Joy Domino image (this is a Stamp Antonio exclusive set by Gecko Galz) and using pop dots adhere to center of silver piece. Then using your gold pearl pen add pearls down each side of the silver strip and on the crown.  Then tie around the a piece of decorative ribbon around scroed edge and tie in knot.

ANGEL OF PEACE

Start with gold shimmer card stock for your base and your angel image (I used a piece from Gecko Galz "Angels" set ) and using antique gold acrylic paint (I got mine at Hobby Lobby) and a bristle paint brush and distress your edges with the paint and streak in down image, this will create a vintage freso look. Then take a piece of cool steel shimmer paper and streak it with the gold paint as well then adhere to left side of card. Take a piece of sliver organza ribbon and using glue dots (or gloobers) and string across the card base then ties a bow out of the same ribbon and place on right side of card with a glue dot. Cut a gold and silver mat to place behind the angel and place it in the center of your card. then using your silver pearl pen and place pearls around the right side of image.

I hope you enjoyed my cards and here are some fun images for you to create your own wonderful designs!

Have a happy scrappy day
Leanne