O Holy Night

Yes, it's true. Most everyone else has moved on to flowers and hearts, thoughts of love and wishes for spring. And I continue to enjoy the Winter offerings and my card share remains Christmas. Since one of the purposes for this blog is to treasure the everyday, this design needed a place in the Attic. It was the only other Christmas card made this year (see this post for the first card).

Ever have a vision for a card and when finished, it's exactly what you imagined? I have a lot of visions, but rarely, oh so rarely, do vision and reality ever shake hands and say, "glad to meet you!" But this was one of those cards - couldn't have happened any easier or met my dream any more completely. Although, I do believe this one is a record holder for most time spent in one creative endeavor! I was creating and time went on, unnoticed; the day was grey and cloud banks were threatening snow, Christmas music was playing and the scent of mulberry filled the air from the candle burning on the antique chest. Abbey napped contently under her blanket and roused only  occasionally to see if any help was needed. Thoughts of to-do's were put away for some other day and replaced by memories of past Christmas Eve's in church; windows reflecting candlelight and banners hung on stone walls, the warmth of friends gathered in, and occasionally a treasured snowfall on the way home. The memories of Christmases past and anticipation for those yet to come.

While making this card, I fell in love. Head over heels, totally smitten, happy and giddy, in love! Tim Holtz Ideaology Frosted Film - love! I am so excited to have this product - the effect is amazing. The glisten in the above photos doesn't begin to compare with the real glimmer. When holding the window to the light, it glistens and sparkles like frost covered glass. How I wish you could see the sparkle! The film has a removable backing, similar to Contact paper. Before cutting the inside window layer, I placed the film on a piece of transparency. Just like with Contact paper, it's important to adhere the Frosted Film slowly, working out any air bubbles as they occur. Once the film was adhered, I cut the inside of the window. Using removable adhesive, I adhered a template of the Grand Gothic Luminary to the transparency side and colored the openings with Sharpies. Here is a video from Summer CHA 2012 with Tim Holtz describing other ways to use the product. This film certainly eliminates a lot of the glitter issues Abbey and I have on the craft desk since we're a bit challenged in keeping glitter contained - and she's such a helper! But we do love our sparkle and this is an easy way to keep us happy! 

New love discovered and a blissfully content way to spend a day preparing for Christmas. A memory to recall and hold dear, one for the Attic archival treasures. I hope you're enjoying some time to cherish the holidays past and welcome the Winter offerings of reflection and renewal into your spirit this day!

Blessed be,

Materials: Stamps: Hero Arts CL559 Greatest Gift, PaperTrey Ink (PTI) Nativity Silhouettes (inside sentiments); Dies: Memory Box Grand Gothic Window and Grand Gothic Luminary; Punches: Martha Stewart Branch; Paper: Neenah Solar White, Bazzill White,Gold, Little Yellow Bicycle Winterings WI-101; Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection ; Inks: Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink, PTI Enchanted Evening; Tim Holtz Sizzix Bricked and Woodgrain Texture Fades Embossing Folder; Other: Tim Holtz Ideaology Frosted Film; Transparency;Ranger Adirondack Paint Dabber Snow Cap; Rock Candy Distress Stickles; Prisma Glitter; Crystal Stickers Glitter Dome White, Sharpies