Moody Mauve Christmas

Hello everyone!  Hope you're having some lovely weather like we are here in Boiling Springs.  It's crisp and sunny with gorgeous blue skies.  I just love autumn!  But today we're sticking with some Christmas card ideas.  I made one of these in blues, then another.  Then I decided I really needed to use some different colors for Christmas and get out of my comfort zone.  There's just a serenity about blue and white that it seems to fit for this holiday.  But there are so many other options out there and today I'm sharing something different.  If you hang around to the end though, I will share the two blue and white cards that I made first.  And for those of you loyal Hostess Club members, you're getting this packet in the mail this month so you can make it too.

Aren't these colors just gorgeous?  Instead of a playful card, this time it's definitely more elegant.  But the fun fold is still so easy to do that you'll want to make this type of card often.

Start with a piece of Moody Mauve cardstock that measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.  On one side, score at 4 1/4" to make a regular size card when folded.  

There is a piece of the awesome Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper.  I just love the watercolor look of the prints - just my style!  I started with a piece that measures 6" x 5 1/4".  Then two strips of 1" each are cut from this to leave a piece that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  Just right for a card front.

One of the DSP strips is attached to the front flap using adhesive.  Remember this is the backside of the entire piece of DSP.  Open the flap and add adhesive to the inside of the flap.  This will hold the DSP in place for the card front.  Line up the edges nicely with the right edge of the card.

The Basic White sentiment piece is die-cut using the Deckled Circle Dies.  This is the 5th smallest die.  Use the next largest die to cut a Moody Mauve circle to frame it.  Stamp the sentiment that is from the Night Divine stamp set with Pretty Peacock ink.

Set these aside while the bits are all die-cut.

The branches are all from the Magical Meadow die set.  The larger evergreen die cuts both the Pretty Peacock and the Lost Lagoon branches.  The berry (?) is cut from Moody Mauve.  I debated about adding something in white and/or silver but decided to keep it understated.

Put adhesive on the back of the right side of the Lost Lagoon branch.  Curve this around the front of the sentiment circle and attach.   Add adhesive to the backside of the sentiment in that area and add the Pretty Peacock branch behind.  Angle the branch to be seen.

Attach the Moody Mauve die-cut circle behind this to frame it nicely.  I used adhesive for this.  Use Dimensionals to attach this to the card front close to the center of the card.  At this time, I added the Moody Mauve berry branch over the others using adhesive on the center stem and some of the right berries to attach it.

A bow is made from the Silver & White Sheer 1/2" Ribbon.  I used about 8" or so to make the bow.  It's attached to the card front using Mini Glue Dots.  With a bow this size and so sheer, I usually use 2-3 Mini Glue Dots to attach it securely.

The inside of the card is rather plain at the moment.  I couldn't decide on which sentiment to use for this card.  I'll come back to that later and use Pretty Peacock ink to finish.  If you'll notice, the second 1" strip that was cut from the DSP in the beginning is used here on the right side of the Basic White layer.  It coordinates nicely with the back of the DSP that shows from the card front.

Well, if you've stuck it out this long, I have a few more pictures to share with you.  Not too much dialog on them, but the dimensions and info are pretty much the same.

This uses a print from the same Winter Meadow DSP pack.  The cardstock on this is Misty Moonlight.  The circle die-cuts are the same as the first card.  

The holly and snowflakes are die-cut from the Snowflake Magic Specialty DSP in the Mini Catalog.  This paper is just beautiful!  There are also Misty Moonlight holly leaves tucked in for some contrast.  The holly die comes from the Magical Meadow dies and the snowflakes come from the Wishes All Around die set found in the Mini Catalog.

Ok, next one.  There are a few more changes on this one.  The biggest change was using Blueberry Bushel for the card base.  It's amazing how much this changes the feel of the card in person - much brighter and cheerful, I think.   

The die-cuts are still from the Magical Meadow die set.  One stem is cut from Basic White and the other is from More Dazzle Specialty Paper.  What a pop that gives this card.  There's also an evergreen stem from the same set cut from Basic White cardstock.

The bow is made from double strands of the Simply Elegant Trim in the silver color.  

Lastly, the gems come from the Adhesive-backed Sparkle Gems.  They are such a glittery addition that helps to make this card really sparkle.

Ok, I've given you several ideas for using this fun fold card.  It's funny I started out with the idea of making a fall card using this fun fold and you can see I went a bit off the rails here.  Hope you enjoy these ideas and make a card with your own choice of materials.  I think this fun fold is so perfect when you don't want to cover up the back of your DSP.  Some of these prints are so gorgeous I have trouble cutting into them!  

In case you didn't know, Stampin'Up! is have a 3-day free shipping fest on all orders of $75 or more.  It's only October 9-11th.  Hope you can take advantage of this!  Happy shopping!  Get a head start on your Christmas card making or get some of those special gifts for friends.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon