Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Marbly, Sparkly Thanks....Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop and Half-Way Challenge Reminder (Sparkle)

Hello,

I'm counting down the hours in ecstatic glee (which I'm trying to curb somewhat so as not to drive everyone around me crazy) for the arrival of Christmas break (Friday, noon!) and with it, a trip north to see my family!
Thank heavens for this marvelous hobby to keep me busy (and quiet-ish *grin*) over the next couple of days.

Let's dash right in, shall we, to the Serendipity Stamps December Blog Hop and Reminder, where this month's theme is Thanks; perfect timing to express our gratitude for the various gifts - be they of the gift-wrapped or time-spent variety - coming our way.

The DT have composed a lovely array of thank you-themed cards, which also feature this month's challenge technique: sparkle. When you hop along with us (you should have arrived here from wonderfully talented Miriam's blog)  you'll experience the uoy of seeing marvelous inspiration AND the opportunity to win$20 gift certificate to one commenter randomly selected from all the blogs. You can leave comments through to midnight Dec. 25th; the winner will be announced on Mary's blog on December 26st. Christmas gift opportunity! Here's the hop order:


Did you know that Serendipity Stamps carries a wide range of pretty, detailed background stamps? I didn't, however, a wander through the shop brought me to this marvelous Marble Cells Background that I *had* to have!  Recently, several designers in the community have been using background images - like the one you'll see here - in all make-and-manner of fashion: simply inked; inked and copic-coloured; embossed and water-coloured...and so on.  I opted for white embossing with distress ink sponging (Picked Raspberry, Worn Lipstick, Festive Berries), to create a canvas for my sparkly silver paper Thanks die cut.

Two views of the same card in an effort to catch the shimmer of the paper (and minimize the bend-wendie of the embossed panel. I need heavier cardstock for embossing...or a hotter heat gun. Hmmm...think I'll stick with opting for heavier paper. Seems a tad 'safer', given how clumsy I can be!).  Hopefully, you can overlook the slight warp and focus on the marbleized details. I wonder what the effect would be if I used zigs to colour the cells? On my 'do' list, for sure!



Before you head off hopping, a trio of important items:

  • Sale Alert! From now through Dec. 25th, you'll receive 40% off the highest priced item in your cart. Use code " 40fromhigh1216". Happy Shopping!
  • Have you played in our current challenge yet? We're inviting you to join us at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog #62 with projects that include at least on Serendipity Stamp image AND *sparkle*!
  • A reminder of  December's 50% off stamp-of-the-month: the lovely, tranquil Winter Doe scene.

Wishing you all the joys of this festive season and a most MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for sharing part of your day with me; your visit brings me joy!



24 comments:

Jeanne said...

Gorgeous, Carol! Absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful background stamp and the colors you chose help show off the shapes in the image beautifully. Love the font in the thanks die, too. Oh how exciting that you'll be with your beloved family this Christmas. I know I don't have to say it, but I sure hope you enjoy that special and magical time with them. Big, happy hugs and Merry Christmas!!! :)

Carole said...

Beautiful background..so very classsy! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and new year my friend. Take care on those travels. xx

Pat R said...

What a sharp looking background....love the heat embossing and the color!

Brenda said...

Oh my, what a beautiful card Carol! Looks like you used the shaving cream technique! I love this background stamp, it looks so gorgeous embossed onto the pink paper. I also love the "thanks" die. Well done my friend! Only 2 more days of construction! Yay! Enjoy your family this Christmas!!!

Dmorgan said...

I love your background! It is lovely and soft looking--like satin. Definitely a heart-felt thank you to whomever you send this card.

*Vicki* said...

Wow Carol, you've done it again with yet another stunning design!! LOVE the embossed pink background with the classy look of the image! Your sentiment is the perfect fit for this elegant card!! HUGS

Michele K. Henderson said...

I love these gorgeous pink and white colors! So pretty!
Holiday Hugs!
Michele

Dana said...

Wow!! Gorgeous background!! Lots you can do with it!! I like the pink with the simple sentiment!!

nancy dempsey said...

Simple but STUNNING! I love it!

Renee's ramblings said...

Thanks, Carol, for the reminder to use my background stamps for a classic card.

Denise Bryant said...

Awesome background! The 'thanks' sentiment looks great against the design!

Aileen said...

You are just getting tooooo excited about Christmas break and forgetting to spell check and check what your saying. 40% off on highest priced item on your card???? Your as bad as me, which I am pleased to see. What a brilliant background stamp this is. I can see it in all mixed colours too (couldnt work out how to spell the word) . Looks so pretty in pink, beeeutifull

McStamper said...

What a pretty background. Love the thanks die.

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Beautiful background. Perfect with the large sentiment. Merry Christmas to you

D.Ann C said...

That Marbled background is so fabulous on your lovely card!!

Kim Heggins said...

Just so beautiful Carol...love your wonderful background.

Shelly said...

Oooh, beautiful!
Have a wonderful trip north and enjoy all your holiday festivities! Merry Christmas, Carol! Hugs

Bobby said...

I can imagine a lot of possibilities with that stamp, Carol, but it's lovely as is. I'm with you on the warping. I have heavier paper and haven't used it. I usually just put the card between some copy paper and run it through my Big Shot. Sometimes it flattens it and sometimes it doesn't.

Mary Holshouser said...

Love the marbleing.
the pictures are great - much
better than those I take.
thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year

Julie- justwritedesigns said...

So pretty in pink & white, Carol! Love those marble bgs. Merry Christmas!

Anita in France said...

Such a lovely, soft, pretty in pink background, Carol ... the perfect spot for that gorgeous twinkly, shimmery die cut ... fabulous! Hugs, Anita :)

Marlena M. said...

Carol, this is beautiful!!! I'm with you~a REST with family is in order. Enjoy yourself, friend~

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Sure looks like a marbled background - you fooled me there for a minute! Glittery thanks - perfect!

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Oh my Carol, you are killing me. I went right to Serendipity and bought two of these marble background stamps. GORGEOUS card, and I can think of a million ways to use these gorgeous BG's. The soft background and sparkly sentiment look fabulous together!