Carrot Tree, 4 Challenges

Usually one does not immediately think of Orange, Kraft and Green as a Christmas color palette; but I have had a really enjoyable time this afternoon making this Carrot Tree Card:

I've used Sketch 140 from Card Positioning Systems:

And here are the other challenges:

2) Stamp Something "Cute and Fuzzy"

3) My Time to Craft "Scallops"

4) Daring Cardmakers "Punches"

I am not normally a humongous House Mouse fan, but the Happy Hoppers do make me smile.  It think it's their lack of little claws!  I like how the Martha Stewart snowflakes on this card also remind me of the frilly foliage on the tops of carrots (I suppose you'd have to be a gardener to think of that, really...or a rabbit! ;)

My latest favorite tool has been the X-Acto blade (as some of you may have noticed!).  It's amazing what getting some new, sharp blades can do for you!!!  I hadn't meant to cut around these little guys for this card... but almost every time I go ahead and do a close cut, just for experimentation's sake, I am pleased with the result.  You never know unless you try; the worst thing that could happen is that you'll have to stamp and color the image again.  I find that the close cuts just add that much more detail, and focus your attention more keenly on the most interesting elements.

As for Kraft paper, it's quickly becoming my obsession; I LOVE its look!  So versatile, so simple, so very krafty-fab!  Sadly, however, I think this card used up my last sheet--unless I am very lucky and have some hiding out somewhere.

Materials used on this card:

Kraft cardstock and Kraft White Paisley from Making Memories

Forest green cardstock

Basic orange paper from My Mind's Eye

White cardstock (for stamped image)

"Carrot Tree" from Happy Hoppers 2006 collection by Stampabilities

Image stamped with Archival Black ink and heat embossed with Ranger Superfine clear powder,

Colored with Crayola pencils and BIC Markit Marker (Key Lime), for the tree

Martha Stewart snowflake punch

Brown buttons from stash

Butcher's twine (find this in the painting & tools section of WalMart)

X-Acto blade

Nestabilities scalloped circle dies

Cuttlebug machine and Divine Swirl embossing folder

Thanks for visiting, happy crafting all and have a wonderful day!

--Kathryn