mama elephant november challenge: holiday cards and tags

This is 2 of 2 posts for today.  For my Avery Elle challenge post, please click here.

We were simply blown away by the entries for October's Mama Elephant and Me challenge, and I have a feeling we're going to get a lot of amazing entries again this month.  November's theme is Holiday Cards and Tags.

I recently got the Instalove die set, which I instantly loved (heh heh!).  I thought the main die in this set -- the long and narrow picture frame -- would make a fun shaker...the teeniest, tiniest shaker in the land.  Here's what I made...

This tag used Polar Pals stamps and dies, as well as the partial die cutting technique, and yes, I had to channel my inner Pamela Ho in order to make this.  The process was like a crafty GRE question...from the analytical section to be exact.  I had to figure out where to set my die cutting plates so that I could cut some pieces and not others.  After several attempts, I finally got it right.

I had an extra glittery Tags a Lot tag that from Mama Elephants 2nd anniversary party (read all about it here), so I used it for the back.  Initially, I had thought of having a solid background for the shaker element, but I really liked the way the glitter tag sparkled, so I opted instead to make this a clear shaker.

  

  front                                                                  back 

I don't really like to toot my own horn, but this is honestly one of my most fave things I've ever made:)  Its so tiny and cute.  It has a bell and so it jingles.  Its clear, so its kind of cool to see the glittery background...and when you shake it, it appears that the sequins are dancing around magically.  Oh well...toot toot!

The Mama Elephant and Me challenge team has created some amazing holiday cards and tags that are sure to inspire you.  Make sure to check out their projects and join the fun.

Some guidelines for playing along:

• Your entry must use at least one Mama Elephant stamp
• Your entry must be based on the challenge/inspiration source provided
• Your entry must link back to Mama Elephant and Me blog post along with the graphic image
• Winner gets featured here and a stamp set of choice
• Deadline is November 28th
• Link up using the Inlinkz on the bottom of Mama Elephant and Me challenge post
• Have fun, stamp, stamp, stamp!!!

Hope to see your creations!  And, thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Polar Pals
Dies: Instalove, Polar Pals, Tags a Lot

AEI♥U November Challenge: Holiday

This is 1 of 2 posts for today.  For my Mama Elephant challenge post, please click here .

Its the first of the month, which means its time for a new AEI♥U Challenge.  For the month of November, our theme is holiday.  

I hope you've already seen all the new holiday stamp and die sets that Avery Elle released in September.  There are a lot of cute and festive images that will help you to make some fantastic wintery and holiday cards.  I worked with the Noel set and made this...

The set has a couple large sentiments, which I cut apart (gasp!).  I like having the flexibility to build and change the layouts of sentiments so that they take center stage, and this stamp set allowed me to do just that. 

I embossed the sentiment in white, stamped and colored the birds and their accessories, and with a bit of masking, blended distress inks to make the gradient sky.

I added some glossy accents, which can take a card from simple to sophisticated.  Here's a close-up...

I hope you find some time to join us fun ladies over at the the AEI♥U Challenge.  Please check out the the AEI♥U Challenge blog to get some inspiration from our design team, see the rules for playing, and link up your projects.

Avery Elle Supplies:
Stamps: Noel
Paper: Birch Woodgrain Heavy Card Stock