My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Sunday, September 02, 2018

The Impossible Christmas Card

Hello, Blogging Friends! Merry... Merry... Merrrrrrry...
sigh - I just can't bring myself to say it! We're still in the mid 90s here. How can I possibly say Merry Christmas in that heat? Unless I was living in Oz, then I could do it. LOL


Today I'm featuring "The Impossible Card" fold. Our swap group decided to make the fold, and this is my exchange card. Having been especially inspired by Sandy's Video and samples, I gave it a try. 

After creating the 5x7" base, I trimmed and distressed some vintage Christmas DP. I stamped the Happy Holidays sentiment with VersaFine Clair Pinecone (dark brown) and heat set with Gold Detail embossing powder. Set it aside to cool before die cutting with Mixed Edge Rectangles die set, and distressing with gold ink. 

Using one of my favorite old dies (SB Labels Twenty-three), I cut out two white panels. One is heat embossed with Gold Detail embossing powder, the other is dry embossed with CB Swiss Dot folder. They were both adhered to the little "pop up" portion of the card, and then adhered to each other with dimensional tape (back to back).


Each of the snowflakes (and border) are coated with Starfire Ultrafine Glitter.
The snowflake border was cut out 4 times and glued together for stability.

 

The sentiment is pretty as a focal point, or on the hidden side.



Products Used:

Challenges I'm supporting:


  1. Crafty Calendar Challenge "Unusual Folds" (the impossible card fold) 10/1
  2. My Time to Craft "Christmas in August" 9/8
  3. Merry Little Christmas #2 Anything Christmas Goes 10/5 sep post
  4. Merry Christmas Challenge #Aug15 Anything Christmas Goes 9/15
  5. The Twisted Challenges #4 Celebrations + Monochrome (front side of card is gold and white)(1 mo behind in sep post) aft10/1
  6. Jingle Belles (Aug24) "Shape-Up for the Holidays" - Shaped card 9/6
  7. Winter Wonderland (Aug 31) "Christmas Joy" (my stamp includes GLADNESS and CHEER) 9/14 (sep post)
  8. Holly and Ivy Christmas #35 "Anything Christmas Goes" 9/8 sep post


impossible hugs,

46 comments:

Beebeebabs said...

Wow absolutely beautiful as always - love the layout and everything about your lovely card - you did a great job as always my friend.

brenda said...

Your comments made me smile Donna, as you might know we have an an exceptionally good summer for the UK and temps well up in the 30's so my thoughts were much the same as your's when I was crafting for Christmas TV shows, it just didn't seem right somehow. I do love what you have made, both the shape and the luxurious gold embossing which really makes for a stunning creation.

B x

Sue said...

Hi Donna, That is stunning. Think it is ok to say Christmas, now we are only about 16 weeks away from it.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Sue

Chris said...

SHHH! It's September already, the kids are back at school and the leaves are very gradually beginning to turn colour...'it' will be here before you know it Donna!
Your card is a stunner, elegant with a real air of luxury ...and what an amazing design!
Have a great week
Chris
x

crafty-stamper said...

Our local co-op shop has the tins of Christmas chocolates in already and app already have the paperwork for easter eggs to come into store Boxing Day!!!as if the year wasn't going fast enough already.Beautiful card and love the embossed sentiment--they are so easy to make these cards-don't you think?
Carol x

DIANA L. said...

Gorgeous Donna!! Have a blessed day
DIANA L.

DL.ART
DIANA L.

cotnob said...

A beautiful card Donna, a wonderful sentiment and such a fabulous fold.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

pam said...

Stunning work as always De, made me laugh with your weather, so hot here in UK, cooled of last week! but back again.
Hugs Pam x

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW Donna both stunning creations....I have yet to try one of these!!
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Pia S said...

The embossed sentiment has a beautiful metallic finish. And the sledge, wow, it’s very Christmasy and lovely. Your design looks gorgeous.

*Vicki* said...

You have done a stunning design with your impossible card my friend!! I just LOVE the strip of snowflakes and your vintage sled is so festive and fun! The added details with the gold embossing really pushes it over the top!! Yes, I know the "C" word is coming VERY VERY soon!! :) HUGS

Verna Angerhofer said...

How regal and elegant looking is this card you made. I am in awe of it's beauty. You certainly have created a masterpiece and I am so glad you shared it. I love all of it.

Chris said...

Hi Donna... just popped back to thank you for sharing this beautiful card at Crafty Calendar, it's a perfect fit for our challenge this month.
xx

NanaConnie said...

Absolutely incredible, Donna! I do love the gold embossing. Your snowflakes are marvelous and, of course, the sparkle is amazing (but expected from you!) Beautiful sentiment.

Sam Squires - A Crafting Niche said...

What a beautiful card. Thank you for taking part in the "My Time To Craft" #378 challenge. Sam x

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Donna, what perfect embossing on your greeting. I love the gold and white and the sled -- all look beautiful together. You make this look so easy.

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my goodness how stunning is that, I love the gold with the white snowflakes and that sled is just stunning too, such perfect pattern paper to go with it! it is a bit hard to make Christmas cards in the summertime but I do know we will be thankful come Christmas time, I love what you have done with this fold!!

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, stunning!! Wow, Donna, this is so amazing!! I love the fun fold!! I want to try it!! The details you added are perfect!! I love, love this, my friend!! It's spectacular!! And I'm so not ready for summer to be over :( But Christmas will be here before we know it!! Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jean Bullock said...

Love the sentiment and the card design. White and gold and sparkle look great together. Love the layers and die cuts you used. Well done as usual, my friend!

AO Creations said...
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Bunny said...

These are beautiful. Love the shaped die. [Bunny]

Margarets designer cards said...

Wonderful card, stunning design and I like the shape of your card,

Evelyn said...

That looks like a really interesting design! I love how you decorated it with snowflakes bridging the gap between the two side pieces and that gorgeous sled image.

Thanks for sharing with us at The Merry Christmas Challenge Blog!

Evelyn
http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

Linda Simpson said...

This is stunning Donna, love the design and gorgeous image.
Hugs
Linda xxx

KraftyKoolKat said...

Stunning & beautiful as usual my sweet friend.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Linda Vich said...

Wow, Donna! Amazing card!

Shona Erlenborn said...

Another gorgeous creation, my friend! Love this fold, thanks for the inspiration and tutorial, I particularly like that you put the back on it too. The gold embossing is truly gorgeous!

KarinsArtScrap said...

elegant and beautiful cards Donna

gr karin

Leslie Miller said...

You made the impossible possible and, oh, so beautiful! All the gold and the surprise on back and those beautiful snowflakes -- love! I'd have a hard time thinking of Christmas in that heat, but it's a must if I'm to enjoy the season when it comes. Sunny, but a bit chilly and windy here. Stay safe in that tropical storm you're getting. I'll be seeing it on the news.

Monica said...

I love the first card very much, Donna. The second is lovely too but the first one is so charming and magical.

Hope you are well, my friend,

Monica with love

Sue said...

Donna, I have seen others do this fabulous fold, but have not yet tried it yet. LOVE the gold and the beautiful sled and ivy image. Something about winter images that are so beautiful. Lovely card, a must try in my future.

Hugs
Sue

mum of two said...

Stunning! Thanks so much for playing with us at The Merry Christmas Challenge. Hope to see you again soon :)


michelle (The Merry Christmas Challenge DT)
Purple Monkey Moments

SmilynStef said...

What a fabulous fold ... and that gold embossed sentiment is stunning ... so glad you *shaped-up* with us at Jingle Belles.

Valerija said...

It's an adorable card! I love it!
Valerija xx

Janice said...

A lovely, elegant card, great design and I love the gold embossing. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Winter Wonderland Christmas challenge - Janice DT

Darlene said...

What a clever design ... just gorgeous DE! Thanks so much for playing in our Merry Little Christmas Challenge! Good Luck and I look forward to seeing you again next month!

Darlene
Merry Little Christmas DT
MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit.

lauren bergold said...

what a beautiful and elegant holiday card and a terrific use of a fancy fold. such a lovely addition to our shape up gallery at JINGLE BELLES!

Lori Kobular said...

Such an elegant Christmas card! Love it!

sarascloset said...

I, for one, cannot stand the heat of the summer and am so looking forward to a cool day. My husband insists it's not been a hot summer, and I wonder what planet he is on. But your card warms me in a good way! I love the beautiful gold embossing and that tricky fold! Looks challenging! Hugs!

Donna said...

Gorgeous and elegant, I like how you continued the snowflakes all the way across the front!

Donna Phelan said...

OH how glorious! Don't you love this style of card, they always look amazing! I love the golden glow of it all. The snowflakes are light and delicate and sparkle! But it's all of that golden goodness that draw my eyes! If you can't say it go with, Merry Merry....has worked for me all of these years lol

MaryH said...

Never too early to start with Christmas cards, and this one is a real beauty. I love the gold & white combo, but the surprise was the lovely sled of holly on the reverse. Lots of texture and glam on this pretty card, Donna. TFS & Hugs

Cards By MI said...

A great looking card with lovely classic colour combo. Looks wonderful. Thanks for joining my Christmas Joy challenge over at Winter Wonderland.
Love n hugs
Marie

Saumya said...

Truly gorgeous cards Donna...Thanks for joining us at The Twisted Challenges September theme.

Dr. Neha Sanwalka said...

Such a pretty card. Thank you for joining us at The Twisted Challenges Blog

Leslie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.