The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - February 2021 Edition

Hello everyone!  It's the 25th of the month and that means a new Crafty Elf post.  Welcome to the February Edition of The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas. As usual, Debra, Lisa, and I have been busy this month (and it's a short month too) making 4 new holiday cards to share with you.  My cards are below and links to Debra's and Lisa's blogs and Instagram accounts are at the end of this post. 

Now, on to my cards...

Card No. 1

These three stamps from Impression Obsession have been hanging in front of my work desk for months. Mocking me.  Begging me to use them.  And I finally have!  LOL

• I made a 6" square card base using white cardstock.
• I stamped the Cover-a-Card Holly stamp on to another piece of white cardstock using a Pine Green ink pad by Marvy Matchables (old and from my stash) and then I embossed it with clear embossing powder.  
• I trimmed it to a 5 5/8" square, layered it on to a piece of black cardstock leaving a sliver of a border and then on to a 6" x 6" piece of red cardstock.  Then I adhered this to the card front.  
• On another piece of white cardstock, I stamped the Birds on Holly image and, the word "celebrate" from Express Yourself stamp set (sadly, discontinued).  
• Then I colored in the image using my Ultra Fine Tip BIC Intensity markers. 
• I die cut the Birds of Holly image using a stitched square die, layered it on a piece of black cardstock leaving a very tiny border and then on to a piece of red cardstock.  I trimmed the "celebrate" and layered it on a piece of red cardstock.  
• I adhered the birds in the stitched square the card front, in the center, and then I adhered the word "celebrate" between the holly leaves.  
  
• Lastly, I colored in the berries where they could be seen. 
  

Card No. 2

As I continue cleaning up my stash of more than 30 years, I am coming across stamps never used but still fun.  Found these two to make this card.  Fluffles Tree (Q122) from Stampendous and a Season's Greetings stamp from Studio G/Hampton Art.  

• I made an A2 top folding card from white cardstock.  Then I adhered a piece of decorative paper from the Merry & Bright 6x6 paper pad from Fancy Pants Design.  I chose a design with little trees on to go with Fluffles Tree.  
• I used the 2 largest dies from the Double Pierced Rectangles die set by Avery Elle to cut the corresponding red paper frame, from the same paper pad as the trees.  
• I did the same thing as above but with a piece of white cardstock.  Using the inside piece, which I knew would fit into the red frame, I stamped the cat image and then I stamped and embossed the sentiment.  I colored in the cat using some markers.
  
• I cut a piece of fun foam to fit behind the cat piece, adhered it to the center of the card and, lastly, added some crystals from my stash.  Oh, and two little googly eyes to the cat, which is sure to annoy my other Crafty Elf, Debra.  

 

Card No. 3

 

 

This card uses a fun but naughty Santa stamp.  I hope this does not offend anyone but, since there is a "naughty or nice list", I think my card idea works perfectly with this image. 

 

• I started with a top-folding A2 card base of red cardstock.  I also cut a piece of white cardstock using a stitched rectangle die, which I adhered to the inside for the message.
• I did not have any good sentiments for this image so I came up with my own, printed it on to a piece of white cardstock, and then stamped Flashing Santa from Viva Las Vegas Stamps just above the sentiment.  
• I die cut it using a stitched rectangle die, layered it on a piece of gold mirrored cardstock and then on to the card front.
• I wanted some 3D on this card so I stamped the image again, fussy cut it and then colored him in.  I used a Tombow Marker No. 800 on the skin and then Rambunctious Red BIC Intensity marker on the hat and coat.  Not much else to color.  
• I added some glitter glue to the coat, hat, and boots and set aside to dry completely.
• Lastly, I added some pop dots behind the image and adhered it right over the first one I stamped. 
  

Card No. 4

This card uses another very old stamp from my stash that had never been inked up until this month.  I got it when I was a demonstrator with The Angel Company and, sadly, I cannot find it's name. I love this stamp because it's just such a simple image to color and make a card with.

• I started by making a top-folding A2 card base out of red cardstock.  
• I stamped the image on to a piece of white cardstock adn then cut it out using a stitched rectangle die.  
• I colored in the image using BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip Markers and then I adhered it to the card front.  
• I also used Stickles on some of the images to give some shimmer and shine.  
• Lastly, I cut another piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die, adhered it to the inside of the card and stamped a holiday sentiment.

February is done and I really hope you enjoyed these quick and fun (and naughty) cards.  Have you started making any holiday cards this year?  Would you like to join us one month as a guest?  If so, leave a comment below and I will contact you.  

Please remember to check out the other Crafty Elves to see what they have come up with for February.  Links to their blogs and IG pages are below. 

Debra's Blog - Meticulosity

Debra's IG - djdavison814

Lisa's Blog - Life of a BZscrapper

Lisa's IG - bzscrapper

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today.  Let me know if you have a favorite card.  You can also check out my IG page - worldofmichaeltrent - pics of cards, food, dogs, and life in Brasil.  Until next time...

Hugs from Brasil!

 ~Michael