Christmas in July Handmade Card 2021

 

This is my first Christmas card for the 2021 holiday season. July is almost over so I thought I had better get started on my Christmas cards. 

This card features the PRE-COLORED digital stamp "Ragged Winnie" designed by Maurie J. Manning of Mo's Digital Pencil. I usually color the images myself, but this image is so beautiful that I had to have it. I die-cut the image and red background with a Spellbinders "Fancy Edged Ovals" set.

The background paper and sentiment are from a Tim Holtz Christmas paper pad.

I will enter this card in the following challenge;

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #305

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Card

Christmas sweaters are fun for people of all ages. Ugly Christmas Sweater parties have become popular over the past several years.

My card was designed to bring a smile and a bit of joy to it's recipient.

These are the materials I used to make the card:

A blank kraft cardstock card that measures 5" by 6 1/2".

Background cardstock from "Snow Village" Paper Pack by Pink Paislee LLC (2014).

The digital stamp "Corgi and Bess - Ugly Sweaters" from Mo's Digital Pencil. I printed the image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic Sketch markers. I made some snow in the background with light blue ink.

I used Dymo embossed labels for the sentiment "Let It Snow".

I finished the card with a piece of multi-color ribbon.

I will enter this card in the following challenge:

Weekly Christmas Card Challenge #2

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Abominable Snowman Holiday Card

The weather outside is frightful, but this cute Abominable Snowman is cozy warm in his Christmas scarf and hat.

I used the following materials to make this card;

A blank kraft card that measures 4" by 5 1/2".

Background striped patterned paper from "Christmas Cheer" paper pack by Provo Craft.

The Abominable Snowman clear stamp and tree from the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" set by Inkadinkado. (#60-31358) I colored the snowman with Copic Sketch markers and stamped the tree with Tim Holtz "Forest Moss" Distress Ink.

I stamped the "Let it Snow" sentiment with a Recollections rubber stamp. 
(#115464)

I used a Zig Real Brush Clean Color marker to watercolor the sky background.

I punched the snowflakes and added some sparkle with my Clear Wink of Stella pen.

Challenge:
Simon Says Stamp: Ice Inspiration Challenge

Thank you for taking a look at my card. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Handmade Fairy Snowman Christmas Card

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This is my first handmade Christmas card in 2014. I will enter this card in Mo's Digital Challenge #242 - Snow.

I started with a blank kraft cardstock card that measures 4" by 5.5".

The background is a piece of pretty patterned paper from my Paper Studio stash.

I used the Spellbinders "Square Swatches" die to cut and emboss a piece of red cardstock for the background.

I chose the new Fairy Snowman digital stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil. I colored the image with Copic Sketch markers and added highlights with Stickles glitter glue.

I used the Spellbinders "Lacey Circles" to cut and emboss around the snowman image.

I used Spellbinders "Framed Tags One" to cut and emboss the tag from kraft cardstock. I stamped the word "Rejoice" on the tag and heat embossed the word with red embossing powder.

I embellished the card with a green Christmas tree brad (Recollections) and wrapped it with a piece of red raffia ribbon.

Thank you so much for taking a look at my card. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Kindle Books for Kids: Snow Man Is My Friend

Snow Man Is My Friend, written and illustrated by Steven Novak, is a poignant picture book about a lonely young boy and his quest for comfort and companionship. The boy is the son of an alcoholic father and an emotionally unavailable mother. He feels alone even when surrounded by others. The snow man understands.

Many children will understand this boy's plight. This is an excellent book to introduce children to the problem of substance abuse in the family.

About the Author
Born in Chicago Illinois, Steven Novak has spent the whole of his life creating. After attending The Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus Ohio for four years he moved to California where he married his wife, Tamara. While working as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist, he produced several successful blogs and began to slowly piece together the story that would eventually become "Forts." His work can be found online at www.novakillustration.com

A Sad and Lonely Boy
This is a story about a boy named Jacob who lives in a dysfunctional family. His father drinks and his mother stays in her room and cries. He feels lonely and hopeless, even when he is surrounded by children at school.

One cold winter night, Jacob runs away from home. He runs through the snowy forest and stops to notice the quietness of the trees and the frozen water in the lake. He is cold but he doesn't mind the cold. He rolls one ball of snow and then another and still another.

Jacob makes a snow man and shares the secrets of his heart with his new best friend. The snow man listens and does not judge. Jacob needed a sympathetic friend and he found one in the most unlikely place.

My Thoughts
I can only think of one word to describe this ebook: SPLENDID!!!
Mr. Novak has done an amazing job portraying the emotions and feelings of the boy in this story. The black-and-white illustrations complement the text and add in-depth emotion to the story. I love the close-up illustration of Jacob's face with such a sad, lonely look. A picture is truly worth a thousand words.

The first word of each line of text is in bold print. I think this adds more drama and emotion to the story. The formatting is very professional and the story has a great flow from text to illustration.

The subject of substance abuse in the family is often swept under the rug. I am very grateful to Mr. Novak for writing this top-notch children's book. I am giving the book a 5 STAR RATING, but I wish I could give it more. Excellent choice for children of all ages.

FYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com when it was offered as a free digital download. Please check the price before ordering.

Pease share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.