Hi and welcome to my blog. It’s theme week at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown, and we’ve been set a challenge of creating a card with bells. I ended up making two cards, as I wasn’t completely happy with the first one – this is version two …
I decided the bells needed to be the main focus, so used a square die from Stampin’ Up to create an aperture in the centre of the card, then stamped the holly images to frame it …
It took time to colour the holly, but it was quite therapeutic and very relaxing …
I popped up the front panel so the jingle bells would have a space to hang …
This is the first version – I felt the bells didn’t stand out enough, even with the addition of wink of stella glitter and crystal effects, and as the theme is bells I thought it best to start over. I still like it though, with the cute little mouse image from the Penny Black Jolly Follies set, another card to add to my growing collection, and it sweetly fits with the challenge over at Merry Monday for Christmas critters…
And, as bells are our theme for this week, I thought I’d share a couple of pics from my recent Iceland trip … this is part of the pretty square where our hotel was situated … look at the size of that Christmas bell! So pretty with all those twinkling Christmas lights …
The whole square was very Christmassy and had such a wonderful atmosphere …
I hope you like my cards for this week. The rest of the Design Team have created lots of lovely cards to inspire you too, so do pop over to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown to take a look. We hope you’ll join us too.
stamps: Christmas blessings, four the holidays, Jolly Follies (by Penny Black)
inks: black stazon, stampin’ write markers in real red, certainly celery, always artichoke, crumb cake, daffodil delight, smoky slate;
cardstock: whisper white, real red;
punches and dies: square die;
accessories: blender pen, real red satin ribbon, stampin’ dimensionals, crystal effects, wink of stella clear, jingle bells, glue dots, narrow red ribbon from my ribbon box.
All supplies from Stampin’ Up unless otherwise stated.
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Thanks for dropping by today
Lily-by-Gilly 
Just love the second one with that ever so cute mouse! x
Awww thanks Peg! He is cute isn’t he? xx
I’m with you the first card is nice but without the WOW factor x
Glad you think so Annette xx
Gill – both cards are lovely – the little mouse is very cute. But I absolutely LOVE the jingle bells on the first card! And the photos from Iceland are lovely – I will visit one day! Great take on the challenge xx
Thanks for your lovely comments Deborah – it means a lot. The jingle bells one is my favourite too. And you must visit Iceland – it is truly an amazing place xx
both cards are beautiful but the idea to put real bells on your card is so creative
Thanks Tanja. I like using these little jingle bells on my cards, usually as embellishments, but this week they took centre stage xx
The first card is so fresh and pretty but I do like the swinging mouse too. He makes me smile!
Glad I made you smile Alison (he is a cutie, huh?) xx
Such a stylish card, Gill! I love the mouse card too, April Xx
Oh thanks April. Both very different cards but with very similar supplies – so glad you like them xx
elle est très élégance Gill, très jolie interprétation du thème, biz
Merci beaucoup Fabiola xx
This is Stunning Gill, love your photos too.
Hi Faith. Thanks! So glad you like them xx
Love both of your cards. The first one highlights the jingle bells perfectly and the critter is so cute in the 2nd one! Thanks for playing Merry Monday with us this week!
Both of your cards are awesome! LOVE the little mouse hanging from the bell. Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday!
I love the first one – I still have that set and will now have to CASE that frame! The second pic with the swinging mouse is just sooo cute – it’s tough to decide which is the best! – Jacqueline xx
Beautiful and I love the little mouse stamp. Just too cute!xo
Gill, both of your cards are terrific! You’ve definitely made the jingle bells the star of the show, hanging from the perfectly tied bow, on the card you used for your DT sample. But I do have to agree that the little mouse swinging from the bells on your original card is super adorable! I really like the holly image you’ve used, too – it’s classic but casual.
Both cards are wonderful Gill. I must say though that the second card you made to showcase the bells more is just brilliant! Great stamping on that border.
Two amazing cards as always Gill. Love Debs x