...Couldn't resist - pun intended

Good morning! I hope you enjoyed the recent release, I took a wee break from shipping last night because I especially wanted to play along with this sketch challenge.

It's the Waltzingmouse Fanatics challenge No. 25 and with being so busy it had been a week or two (ok well maybe a little more) since I'd had a chance to pop over and see what the ladies have been  up to. Well I scrolled back through the last couple of challenges and I was wow'ed! The ladies have a small following, but that small following is BIG on talent, I was pinning inspirational cards like crazy.

Anyhow, here's my take on the latest challenge - I started with some patterned paper and used the fabby Heirloom patterns stamps to create a diamond pattern - I clear embossed the diamonds and then rubbed on some brown ink, the clear embossing resists the rubbed on ink and lets the original pattern show through clearly this gives a nice texture as well as age to the paper. If you have your magnifying glasses on you will see that no, I certainly did not line up my diamonds perfectly, this was totally intended (lies) as I was hoping to give it that homey, homemade feel. (damned lies - I really, really like things to line up, I'll stress about it for an hour but then I'll give up and call it 'homey').

I folded the top down and stitched. I used a sentiment from Say it Loud Winter Holiday and stamped it with a tired old memento ink pad, sometimes I love the faded look of an old worn out ink pad more than a juicy new one. A little more trimming and stitching and a rummage through the cupboards for some embellies. It's a simple card, but I think it feels warm, which is what Christmas should feel like, all cosy and warm.

So, if you are a lose end today - why don't you play along!! Click Here.

Hope it tickles!