Joyful Christmas

During my recent crafty play date, I managed to make two Christmas cards. This one is for two challenges. The sketch is from Sweet Sunday Sketch:

and I'm also entering this in the current Jingle Belles Rock challenge to use something new.  Here's my card, then I'll explain:

I momentarily broke out of my teal + red + yellow rut and chose this pretty piece of paper from my pal Tina's stash. I love it when the paper does all the work for you! I cut the banner from a piece of distressed red from the same paper pack, and also die-cut a circle from another piece.

For my "new" element, I used my OMG I NEED TO OWN THAT Hero Arts Birds & Branch Christmas stamp set. I wanted to emboss the sentiment, but Tina doesn't have any pigment inks ... I might have bought them all from her last year. But never fear!!! We have skills!! I luckily remembered you can make any dye ink embossable by first inking your stamp with Versamark, then immediately (no stamping yet) inking it in the dye ink, THEN stamping it. This puts the dye ink on the paper with the Versamark on top. You add clear embossing powder and emboss away.

Here's the glaring photo that shows it works:

I added an enamel dot to the center of the die-cut circle, and my card was complete.

I'm off to link up, then I'll share my other Christmas card that may or may not be teal + red (no yellow).

Thanks for stopping by!

Stuff I used: Doodlebug enamel dots Fall Assortment, Neenah Classic Linen card stock (Ivory), and the following:

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