Mistletoe and Greetings of the Season

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday night.

Well, from the title of the blog post, I am guessing you realized this was a Christmas card! :-)

I combined three challenges for this card:

Freshly Made Sketches - who are celebrating their 1 year anniversary! I used sketch #18

Cas-ual Fridays - color challenge - Black, White and a color of my choice

MoxieFab World - Cath has a great challenge - The Focal Point Challenge

It's not often I get to combine challenges, but when there is a color challenge I generally go looking for a sketch.  The Focal Point Challenge was an added bonus for me and really forced me to ... well, focus on my focal point!

I got a fabulous Digital Stamp from SU called Mistletoe.  I thought it would be great for this challenge - especially with the black text on white card stock.  However, I needed to be able to get another color in there.   MDS2 was the perfect solution.  I paid for my upgrade and, voila, you can now use multiple colors on your digital stamps!

I know I have said this before, but I really am in love with Gumball Green.  That was the color I decided to incorporate for the Cas-ual Fridays challenge.  

Here's my card:

I had to lift the horizontal layer just a tad as I needed to cover up the words between "mistletoe" and "holly".    I colored just three words in the Gumball Green and left the rest in Basic Black.  I added a button, some satin stitch ribbon and a couple of rhinestones.   I was really happy with it and think that it incorporates all of the challenges.  I really love that MDS2 now allows you to color individual elements.

On a personal note:

I did manage to get some time in my stamping space today.  However, it does seem to be taking me forever to get cards made.  Instead of being completely in the zone and focused on the card, I find my mind wandering off going through the list of things that need to be done, or that I should be doing!

Lou and I were so happy to see this guy on our stump today.

He's an immature Red Headed Woodpecker.  It's a really great sighting for us as it means that the adults have been nesting.   This particular woodpecker is declining in nearly all of the areas in which it is found and is classified by the IUCN as Near Threatened.  I need to do some digging around and see what we can do to make them more comfortable in our little neck of the woodlands.  You can read all about the Red Headed Woodpecker on the Cornell site HERE.  I can tell you that he is very adept at catching insects!  He was using the stump as his landing zone and was on and off that stump very often as he caught insects in flight.  It was pretty late in the afternoon, so the lighting wasn't that great, but I think you can get a decent look at him.

As always, thank you for stopping by my little neck of the woods.  I do appreciate your visits.  Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Have a wonderful Monday

Hugs

Jaydee

Comments

[Cath]

Hey Jaydee! Thanks for linking this up to the Focal Point Challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

[Karen Dunbrook]

how lovely....great layout for your classic card.

[Deb]

Gorgeous Christmas card! Love it! Thanks for playing along this week at CAS-ual Fridays!

[Lynn]

Awesome, awesome card. Love the variety of fonts. Thanks so much for playing with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

[Rach]

Gumball Green is such a perfect Christmas color--this is delightful! :o) And, every time you use it, I keep thinking I'm going to HAVE to get the MDS software. ;o)

How utterly delightful to see that little guy! Isn't it wonderful sighting threatened and endangered wildlife in their natural habitat? Hooray!

Happy Monday, friend!
Hugs!

P.S. Hello, Lou! :o)

[Jen Brum]

Jaydee! I love this card! Great job using MDS! I would never have even known it was digital! I love it! The rhinestones are the perfect addition! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

[Jen Timko]

Jaydee, I just love this card! The rhinestones add a really special touch! Love your little woodpecker. What a fabulous picture! So glad you joined us for this special week at FMS!

[Kelly Wentling]

HI Jaydee! What a happy Christmas card, so bright and cheery. Wonder when I'll jump on the mds train? lol.

Your woodpecker has quite a story on the site you provided. He sounds like a little bit of a stinker with nests and eggs. Very beautiful to look at and how neat that you have a young one so close. It was such a wise decision to leave your stump!

[Lesley]

Cool card Jaydee and that bird is amazing! You need to make a MDS book of all your bird photos...Thank you for joining us for our first anniversary at Freshly Made Sketches!
Hugs,
Lesley

[Ann Schach]

What a fabulous card, Jaydee! I LOVE this digital stamp! I am glad you were able to join us at Freshly Made Sketches!