Mixed Media Card Challenge November: Christmas with STAMPlorations!

Happy All Saints' Day,

I can't believe how fast this autumn has gone. Wasn't it still summer a few weeks back? But when leaving to work on chilly cold mornings you really get reminded that winter is almost here. And it's just bit over seven weeks to Christmas!

Many card makers have already started making Christmas cards, and when going through paper crafting blogs you get inspired by their beautiful creations. Every year I decide that I will start my Christmas card making project early enough, but each year that plan has failed, and I end up making my cards on the first week of December. Well, maybe this year will be different, as I now have already made my first card - in October! lol!

For this I have to thank our lovely MMCC host Shery, who gave us the perfect theme for November card challenge: Chistmas!

For our November challenge we have a great sponsor, STAMPlorations!
There are two fabulous prices drawn:
One winner (randomly drawn from all entries) will win a choice of stamp set from select categories, and pne winner (randomly drawn from entries with optional element 'Bells') will get a $15 gift certificate to STAMPlorations shop. How cool is that!

The MMCC design team used a STAMPlorations stamp set 'Holiday Sketches, Christmas Bells'; a beautiful set of stamps you can use in so many various ways! I suggest you hop over to MMCC blog and have a look at the gorgeous projects the team has made with these stamps!

Here's my card:

I started with die-cutting a circle from scrap paper (with this die set), and using that circle frame as my stencil for the image background: I placed my stencil over grey cardstock and dabbed white acrylic paint over the stencil. Once dry I placed the thin metal die over my white circle and pierced a frame around the circle.

The leafs I die-cut using the Tim Holtz die 'Festive Greenery' by Sizzix. For making the leafs bit more dimensional I folded them in half, and glued down on the card front.

The sentiment stamps are included in the STAMPlorations 'Christmas Bells' stamp set.

The bells are stamped on heavy watercolor paper and painted with grey and gold watercolors. The bow I stamped twice on white cardstock and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. I cut out the bow and layered them on the bells using 3D foam stickers. Red berries are different sized seed beads.

Now it's your turn. I'm hoping to see lots of beautiful entries for our November challenge. I'm sure those will get my creative juices flowing, and who knows, maybe this year I'll finish my Christmas cards on time?!?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!