Sweet Christmas Wishes

This is my eighth card from the Totally Lovin' Christmas kit designed by Liz Thayer.  By the way, this was the card I saw that made me want to purchase this kit and assemble the cards, either exactly as they were designed or modifying them to make them more pleasing to me for whatever the reason.  Many times there is just a creative spark that gives me an idea of a little change and other times it is the inclination to add so many changes, it no longer even looks like the original design.  This one is another mini additions and tweaks without changing the basic Thayer design.

I love the stamp and dies set used in this design, plus I love the rustic feel of the card design.  For some reason, my patterned strips were missing from my kit, so I began immediately to search of papers that would give me that rustic feel.  I found non-Stampin' Up papers that incorporated strips in red and white candy stripes, as well as a green ivy sprigged stripd that ended in an eyelet scallop.  I thought  this piece would work really well, especially with the candy cane die cut.  I layered my chose stripes from the paper together to form my own sequence of stripes, whcih set off numerous ideas to tweak and modify the card design here and there.

I incorporated a total of six changes in all, as follows:1) I wanted to enlarge my card to my favorite A6 size, so I added a new Shimmer White cardstock for the base.  2) I added my new Christmas striped paper talked about in paragraph two above, ending with three striped colors layered together, making my paper striped pieces wider.  3) I changed out the Crumb cake cardstock to a golden brown Kraft paper by Recollections.  4) I changed the smooth card front by adding a woodgrain dry emboss texturizing, plus I added ink-distressed aging on all edging.  I really liked these added texture and distressing features.  5) I changed the sentiment ink from Cherry Cobbler to Gumball Green, and I removed it from the card front flat surface.  I stamped the sentiment on smooth Kraft cardstock that matched the card front.  6) I added a curvy, fancy-edged rectangular label die of Cherry Cobbler cardstock as a mat layer peeking out below the stamped sentiment and popped this twosome up off the card front.  7) I substituted Shimmer White cardstock for the peppermint poinsettia mug.  8) I twine-tied and arranged my ribbon pieces at an angle and tightness that suited my eye appeal.

I was really happy with the results of my card...take a peek below at the finished card, inside and out.

                                                                             

Recipe Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Shimmer White, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red.  Ink--Gumball Green.  Stamps--Cup of Christmas (2019 Holiday/ p. 34).  Dies--Cup of Cheer (2019 Holiday/ p. 34), Stitched Circles (1-7/8"), Labels Collection (retired).  Embossing Folder--Woodgrain.  Ribbon--3/8" Shaded Spruce, Gold Metallic, 5/8" Polka Dot Tulle (halved), 3/8" Red Cotton.   Other:  Recollections--Kraft.  May Arts--Hemp Twine.  Christmas Cane Striped dsp--unknown.  Ink Distressing--Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Paper Technique: Clear Embossing for Sheen.  Size-A6 = 4-1/2" x 6-1/4."  (Thank you to Liz Thayer for the inspiration from "Totally Lovin' Christmas 2019" card designs with my additions and modifications).