PPA139, Paper Play Challenges and Simply Stampin Challenge

Happy Saturday friends!  Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me - I'm sure glad that you did!  Hope that you are having a fine weekend! 

This card is based on the great sketch this week from Pals Paper Arts #139.  I just loved all the different strips to use my patterned paper with and the fun circles at the corners (I immediately thought buttons for some reason).  Here's the sketch:

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges for the first time:  Paper Play Challenges Week 29 - Christmas in July, and Simply Stampin Challenge #69 - Vintage.  I love to make Christmas cards and Vintage and Shabby Chic is a style that I want to practice more as I really admire it.  I really like how this one turned out - it does seem that the more you practice something the more comfortable you become with it (of course a great sketch and stamp help a lot too - lol).  Here's a couple more views of this card:

I'm delighted to share with you that this card is that second one I've made with a stamp set that I had previously never used. You might remember that I had made a card a few days ago with one of the other stamps from this set that I've had for ages but had not been able to envision how to use it. Seems that once I got over that "block" I can now see other uses for this set :o).

I found these new challenges by following the blogs of a couple talented ladies. I saw their cards for these challenges and was so inspired that I had to give it a go too. This is all part of the fun of sharing our creations on our blogs and entering challenges. It would just tickle me pink if I inspired some of you sometime to try a new challenge or technique or product :o).  So let's get on to the details in case you are wondering what I used for this card.  Til next time - Hugs to all of you!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso.  Stamp - Bells and Boughs, colored with my SU markers in Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Summer Sun.  DSP - Deck the Halls (retired).  Buttons from a retired stash and natural hemp twine.