Let's Trim the Tree for Challenge #103

 

Hey there! Yes, it's Tree Trimming Time here at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge. Try saying that quickly, I dare you!

Our Elf for October was the lovely Loll from Stamping With Loll. Thanks so, so much Loll, it's been such fun having you as our guest and getting to know you backstage. 

Folk, if you're ever looking for inspiration I'd strongly suggest a trip over to Loll's beautiful blog as she is one seriously talented lady! 

Loll picked a great theme for us and we had a rather amazing ninety-one entries as we played:

Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

You guys really created some stunning cards and Loll and I were blown away by the gallery for this challenge. Loll's short list for our Top Picks and Winner started at fourteen and mine was nearly twice that, but somehow we whittled it down. Doing the whittling was very, very tricky and I'm very grateful to Loll for her help with this. 

Our Top Picks for this challenge are:

#55 - Pauline and #69 - Pauline

It was so interesting to watch how Pauline developed this 

beautiful bauble design to create a whole range of fabulous cards. Just look at her drop-shadow.

#83 - Marcia

Marcia has created a whole street of cuteness! 

#87 - Cindy B

Such a joyful card!

Our Winner and Star on the Tree for this week is:

#37 - Crystal

We both love the colour palette Crystal used and her layering of pretty papers. 

Congratulations to you all, I hope you'll enjoy flaunting your blog badges for all the world to see!

Last, but not least here's Rudolph to announce the Winner of his Random Raffle Draw!  

 

# 12 Purple Princess Kathy K... It's you!

Congratulations, Kathy, please email me a dottypudding (at) aol.com with your snail mail address so I can connect you with your prize. 

Once again, many thanks to Loll, and also to everyone who played along with this challenge. There's a brand new challenge underway and yet another talented elf to inspire us with their work. Please drop by and join the fun! 

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers!

 

I'm delighted welcome a new elf to our Challenge... Please say 'Hi' to the very talented Vicki Ruta!

"Hi everyone!
I have been a passionate paper crafter for around ten years, and this wonderful hobby continues to bring me so much joy and creativity. I love connecting with fellow crafters and sharing inspiration - especially through Instagram Hops, which I am completely addicted to!

My husband and I run a small business selling my handmade cards on our website and at local craft fairs. When I’m not crafting, I am filming videos for my YouTube channel or spending time with our two cats, Maggie and Twiggy, who are always close by in the craft room.

I am a huge Craft Roulette fan – I have completed 250 consecutive weekly cards, been a Guest Crafter twice, and even crafted live on World Card Making Day 2025!

By day, I am a Teaching Assistant, and crafting is my creative escape. My style is punny and playful - I love a good sentiment that makes people smile! Lawn Fawn features heavily in my projects, as their cheerful designs perfectly match my style.

I am thrilled to share my love of cardmaking with this wonderful community!"

Welcome, Vicki, it's great to have you as our elfin muse this month!

Here's the theme that Vicki has chosen for us...

Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers!

Yes, it's time to Add Antlers to you cards! We think you can play this theme a few different ways and we'd love to see a deer or two,  or you can add antlers to anything you choose.

Here's what Vicki has made to get us started...

Anyone else squeal with delight when this card appeared? I know I did as it's completely adorable! Thanks so much, Vicki!

Here's what I created to get the party started. I do love this little IO girl and her fabulous headwear. It was so much fun to get her inked up for this challenge. 

Finally, here's our favourite reindeer dude, Rudolph, with his Random Raffle Prize for this month.

Vicki and I can't wait to see what you create for our challenge and really hope you'll share your Antler-ed cards with us this month!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Reminder

 

Welcome back, card fans, it's time for our Reminder here at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge. 

We're so lucky to have the lovely Loll as our Elf this month, she is one talented lady!

Our theme is:

Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

Loll kindly created a second card to inspire us for our challenge, which I'm sure you'll all agree is beyond cute. Please head on over to Loll's blog to find out how she made this little beauty and to leave her some love.

And isn't it fun? I love it. If you've not already visited Loll's blog I really urge you to do so and take a look at this amazing card she's just made for the PB Challenge. 

Here's a quick reminder of Loll's first card for our challenge.

I really love this card and had so much fun spending time looking at all the gorgeous details. Loll's colouring is awesome and the scene is just perfectly balanced and put together, but I decided to steal her fabulous signature paint splashes and that great torn paper effect. here's the result:

Rudolph has another fun prize for this challenge and I'm delighted to see so many of you in the linky gallery thus far. Don't forget to read the challenge guidelines to be eligible for Rudolph's Random Raffle Prize!

Have fun, and both Loll and I hope you'll come and play along! 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

Anyone got SNOW yet? 

I'm delighted to welcome the very lovely Loll from Stamping with Loll as our elf for this month. Please take time to drop by and take a look at Loll's blog - she is one seriously talented lady!

"Hi everyone.  I’ve been having fun with this amazing hobby for 20+ years, sharing my cards on my blog, Stamping with Loll for the past 14 years.  This hobby has brought many wonderful people into my life, and I am truly grateful. 

I spend some time creating cards most days, with my sweet dog Jessie by my side.  I am a CAS (clean and simple) girl at heart, but I also enjoy learning new techniques, so my style of card making has changed over the years.

My favourite cards to make are for Christmas.  I try to make at least 80 Christmas cards a year to share with friends and family, as well as donating to charity.  I start in January, creating throughout the year.  Challenges play a big part in my card making by keeping me motivated and inspired.

I’m so excited to be Guest Designing this month at Christmas Kickstart!  Thanks for inviting me, Jo! "

Loll has picked a fun theme for our challenge together:

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Snow Alert

This month we'd like to see some snow on your cards. You can have snowflakes or drifts of the white stuff - the choice is yours and we can't wait to see what you create!

Here what Loll made to get us in the creative mood:

 

You can read all about how Loll made he beautiful card by heading to her blog here. The more I look at this card the more I love it!

I went monochrome for my first card for our Challenge. 

I like how pleased with him/herself the little bear looks. 

Finally, it's time for our favourite reindeer to share his Random Raffle Prize for this month:

 

Loll and I both hope you'll come and play along with us for our snow-themed challenge. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Let's Trim the Tree for Challenge #102

 

Our October Challenge doesn't start until Tuesday next week so this gives me plenty of time to Trim the Tree for Challenge #102. 

Before the prizegiving begins I'd like to say a huge thank you to the very lovely Leslie for being our Elf this month. 

 

We had some really beautiful cards for this challenge and once again you guys just crafted your hearts out. Thanks goodness Leslie and I could share the responsibility of picking just a few to showcase.

Our Top Picks for this challenge are:

#7 Michele

Isn't Michele's Santa Mouse just the sweetest!

#12 Silke

We both loved Silke's simple, but oh, so effective design and fabulous colour palette.

#14 - Loll

Just look at the snow on Loll's card, and her beautiful colouring too.

Our Winner and Star on the Tree for this week is:

#15 - Trina

The light from that beautiful moon in Trina's fun card is simply stunning!

Congratulations to you all, I hope you'll enjoy flaunting your blog badges for all the world to see!

Here's Rudolph with the result of this month's Random Raffle Drawer... 

The Reindeer!

 

The Prize!

#12 - Silke...  It's you!

Congratulations, Silke, what a good day for you! Please email me a dottypudding (at) aol.com with your snail mail address so I can connect you with your prize. 

Once again, many thanks to Elf Leslie for her inspiration and total loveliness. There will be a brand new challenge starting next Tuesday so please drop by and play along!

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #102 - Reminder

Welcome back to Challenge #102 here at The Christmas Kickstart. We're in very talented company this month as we have the lovely Leslie from Running with Scissors as our Elfin muse!

Leslie has very kindly created another super card as we continue to play:

Challenge #102 - Santa in September

Isn't Leslie's card just so much fun! You can find all the details of how Leslie made this beauty over on her blog here. 

Here's a reminder of Leslie's first card for our challenge:

And here's my Inspired by... creation:

I loved that Leslie had used a die cut Santa image and so I decided to do the same. I included design paper, a shaped window, an embossed snowy background, gifts with bows and a die cut sentiment from Leslie's original. I felt that Santa needed some googly eyes and I'm so glad I had some in my stash.

Finally, here's Rudolph with his September Random Raffle prize. 

Don't forget to read the Challenge Guidelines before linking up, please. 

Leslie and I are looking forward to seeing your Santa creations!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter