Thursday 1 December 2016

Christmas Magic vintage style

It's the new challenge for December at Country View Challenges and we end the year with the season that many of us love best - "Christmas". Well I do anyway. The Brown household celebrates in style with family gatherings Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing day, we just love the family atmosphere of being together at this special time of year. 


To get us started on the challenge I have made a mosaic easel card with a special person in mind to receive it, but I'm not gonna spoil the surprise by saying who it is.


I made one of these for Tim's June remix tag - which you can fine here and did this design as a project for a workshop recently. I didn't get mine finished and used a few different embellishments by the time I came to complete it but I love how it turned out.


Using Tim's mosaic die and his techniques this came together quite quickly.


All the little pieces are from my Christmas craft tub except for the pen nib which was just the perfect size for the recess I added it to.


I used this card for a workshop last week, the ladies had great fun making it up and using their embellishments to decorate it. I always love it at the end when you see the similarities and differences in their designs. Choosing different colours and stamps can create very different designs.





I hope you will be joining us at Country View Challenges for the last challenge of the year and with the title Christmas I'm sure you're all good to go.



The first Sunday of advent was last weekend, we were celebrating the start of our Christmas celebrations at Center Parcs Winter Wonderland, it was a very happy, magical time.


 It is now the time for the preparations to begin and I have already been buying presents, decorations and cards but it is also a time for reflection remembering the year past and not forgetting the real meaning of Christmas. A time for for love, a time to help others and a time to share what we have and feel blessed.

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.” 

take care

hugs Brenda xxx

31 comments:

Annie said...

Totally love your mosaic Christmas card Brenda xx wonderful details /embellishments x looks like the class was a great success too as the ladies makes are amazing xx wonderful family photograph of you and Ken & family, bet you had a great time xx
Tfs and hugs
Annie xx

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful mosaic! Love the idea of the cut outs but flat enough to use on a card front. Gorgeous design. Love your family photo!

Gio said...

Such beauty, Brenda, so festive and full of lovely details. Gorgeous samples from the ladies, too!

Patty O'Malley said...

These projects are fantastic, Brenda! I wasn't sure what to do with the mosaic die but now feel inspired!

diane said...

They all came out so wonderfully.
I didn't realize there was a mosaic die. I must look for it.
So many possibilities.
Thanks for sharing.
diane @ thoughts&shots

Evelyn Walter said...

Love your mosaic, Brenda! What a great way to use all the leftovers and it is so versatile! The ones of the other ladies are great too!
xxx Evelyn

SewPaperPaint said...

Brenda, your love and joy came through in every word of this very special post. I'm so happy to read each and every thought and feel the warmth of your heart shine through! Your project is equally lovely and such a fun class! The students each did a marvelous take, what fun! Hugs, Autumn

Monika Gulyas said...

Oh Brenda, I love your vintage style Christmas card! Whoever gets it will be very happy with it! Lovely details! And not to forget it, you have a beautiful family!!! Enjoy the December! xx

Tee said...

Your card is absolutely stunning! Magical.

Redanne said...

Wow Brenda, you are one great looking family - it is such a lovely photo too!

I love your mosaic easel card with all the wonderful little elements added and it is so lovely to see how your ladies interpreted it too. You make me want to use this die more! Hugs, Anne xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

That is just too gorgeous Brenda, love it. Happy crafting, Angela x

Meggymay said...

Its a gorgeous special card. Thank you for sharing your lovely, happy family photo.
Yvonne xx

rachel said...

an amazing piece Brenda - I adore what you have made! I love your photo too - how lovely for you all! Big hugs rachel x

Craftyfield said...

I always wondered what the mosaic die was for, now I know! Fabulous keepsake idea. Your students did so well!

sarascloset said...

Brenda what a lovely card that truly is a work of art! Your class looks like it was a blast, and those ladies sure were great students! I love seeing the photo of your gorgeous family and reading that quote! I do wish I lived closer--I think I would have so much fun taking your workshops! (Now I've added that collage frame die to my wish list!) Sending hugs!

Corrie Herriman said...

That is one gorgeous project Brenda! you are so talented !
Corrie x

Jackie PN said...

Such a festive piece Brenda! thanks for sharing the other gals pieces as well! Well done everyone! xx

Carol said...

Wow - awesome card all the elements gorgeous Have a lovely weekend :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Stunning card and it's great to see how others made it too! Great family photo! Hugs, Chrisx

froebelsternchen said...

A really magical make Brenda! Just beautiful and so nice to see your family photo! Wishing you a lovely season of Advent!
oxo Susi

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow Brenda what a fabulous card. I love how you created a special card full of Christmasy things to really set the holiday season. Love what your ladies made too. That Die looks a must, on my Christmas list now hehe. Hugs Debsxxx

Paula Cheney said...

favorite thing I have ever seen using this die! LOVE it!

Rea' said...

Wow these cards are amazing I love each detail and how each of you share your take :)

txcn363@yahoo.com said...

I'm SO happy that Tim shared your STELLAR idea, for using that due, Ms. Brown! I'm officially your newest fan!

Barbara said...

Genius! This project is outstanding! love it! Barbara

Astrid Maclean said...

A wonderful piece Brenda and a fantastic post!! I couldn't agree more with your thoughts about Christmas!! A super family photo too!May your fastive season be peaceful, blessed and full of magic my friend! xxx

A Pink said...

Fabulous easel card , Brenda . Lovely to see the work from all the ladies at your class too . Lovely photo of you and your family looking all snuggly warm and happy.
Hope you have a lovely christmas together
hugs x

Mrs.B said...

Gorgeous mosaic Brenda, looks like a great fun workshop too.
Lovely family photo, and a lovely way to start off the Christmas celebrations.
Avril xx

Hazel Agnew said...

I loved reading your post Brenda. I love your creation and the selection of beautiful artefacts. So pleased that you also enjoy Christmas and lovely to see your family.
AlwYs enjoy sharing your wonderful art! Xx

Julia Aston said...

What beautiful designs using Tim's mosaic cut outs Brenda - I love how you have filled each space and decorated around the edges - so fun and festive! Julia xx

Words and Pictures said...

A fantastic mosaic card - each element selected, altered and positioned to perfection. Lovely to see all the variations created by the class too. Very glad to hear you had a fab time at Centerparcs. We were sort of trying to work out going some time at the beginning of next year, but have pretty much ground to a halt with too many unknown knowns and known unknowns to calculate.
Alison x