Mittens and Candycanes

Am I in the Sound of Music and starting to sing "These are a few of my favorite things"? Well, no,   I'm describing the subject matter of my  cards today - both made for challenges, and although, as I stated in a past post, I'm done with this years' Christmas cards -  I have created two more - and they will go in the box for next year (unless I need one suddenly for a new card exchanger! i.e. not on my list!)

I had a lot of fun making these rather whimsical cards today.   The Merry Monday challenge this week was to use mittens or a mitten shape for your card and the Seize the Sketch challenge had a fun banner on it.

And here's my card combining the two challenges.   I bought this cute banner die from Savvy Stamps  last year on sale at the end of the season and forgot to get it out for this year until now, thanks to the challenge!  When I went to look for mittens - I found I had several stamps to choose from - who knew!  I decided to go with these stitched mittens from Waltzingmouse that I paper pieced.  The stitched flag sentiment strip is from Lil' Inker Designs and the stamped sentiment is from My Sentiments Exactly.

I made my second card for a new challenge I came upon while visiting blogs - it's called Sunday Stamps and this week it's a sketch challenge.

And this is the card I created using the sketch.  More stamps from Waltzingmouse and  WMS dies as well.  I colored in the stripes on the candy cane with a Red Spica pen so it's a little glittery IRL

Here's the inside - continuing the peppermint theme!

Don't forget to check out the WMS Inspiration Blog -  where the Design Team posts something every other day that is sure to thrill and inspire you!   I'll be posting the 15th of each month over there so I hope you'll take a peek!

We had our first appreciable snowfall today -  I actually had to scrape it off the car in the lot I park in where I get the subway to work.  And they are predicting really cold temps in the 20's and more snow in the next few days - 2" - 4",  so no blizzard but enough to shovel!

Mittens
Stamps:  Sewing Box Christmas - Waltzingmouse,  sentiment - My Sentiments Exactly
Paper:  White, Hawaiian Shores - PTI, DP Sn@p - Simple Stories
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  maraschino twine - the Twinery, Happy Holidays Banner Die - Savvy Stamps, stitched sentiment flag die - Lil' Inker Designs, glue Pen, foam dots.

Candy Jar
Stamps:  Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, Merry Christmas from Alpine Christmas - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White - PTI, Basic Grey - SU, Dp Sn@p-Simple Stories.
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Memento Love Letter
Accessories:  Red Spica Pen, foam dots, Enamel dots - My Minds Eye, Jar Essential dies - Waltzingmouse.