The countdown to Christmas begins

Wahooo it's the first of December today and the real count down to Christmas can begin. I have one of my vintage advent calendars up and I am ready to open the first window. I chose this one for 2016

 I just adore the illustrations.........

so much nostalgia, I am transported right back to my early childhood in the 1960s.

As it is the first of the month it is also my DT post for Country View Crafts so today I will be sharing my card I made for this months challenge. It's an easy peesy theme this month............Christmas. You can share any handmade craft, it doesn't have to be cards or tags it could even be a handmade ornament as long as it is Christmas themed. There are no limitations to the number of other challenges or the number times you can enter. You can win a £20 voucher too so it's win win in my books! All the details can be seen here

I decided to take one of my favourite ever Christmas stamps and show 2 completely different colourways and designs for Christmas carda. My first is today and the second will be in my follow up DT post which falls on 21 December.

I adore this Stampendous stamp and it has been used on many of my Christmas cards.

For my first colourway I wanted a really "Let it snow" card. I stamped onto watercolour paper and coloured a few areas with distress inks and used a ruler to rip the edges

I embossed a snowy background

 and die cut a selection of festive images. To the corrugated tree I added some bling

 It was them time to put my card together.

I would like to enter my cards into the following challenges;

That's Crafty 2/2 All grungy
An inky mess2/3 anything mixed media
Time out 3/3Christmas with an optional twist of glitter/shimmer I added the twist with my shimmery tree and mirror card sentiment.
Winter Wonderland 2/3poinsettia or snow is falling I have gone for snow is falling
Christmas card challenge 2/3anything goes #50
Moving along with the times 2/3 anything goes with Christmas
Simon Says stamp Monday O christmas tree
Simon Says Wednesday anything goes
Simons Says Work it Wednesday 1/3 use dies
Mod Squad 1/3 dimension
The Artistic Stamper 1/3 Christmas

I have lots to get done today as tomorrow I will be selling my cards and jewellery at Dotty's Teahouse Christmas market in Carshalton... and yes the card above is up for sale there.
I will be there from 11am - 9pm. Please tell any friends and family who might be in the local area and if you are around do pop in and say hi. It would be so lovely to see you there.

I also have one last very exciting piece of news...I have been published again. Yes I am in the current edition of Craft Stamper. It's a very special edition as it's their 200th

and here is a sneak peek of my published card

I might have to pop into WH Smith to take a peep whilst I wait for my copy to arrive ;0)

Must dash, lots of last minute things to pack.  I really hope to have lots of eager customers at Dotty's tomorrow. I will be back with a report and hopefully photos, if I get a chance, very soon.
The window down there is just perfect.....

I'm checking that list......................
Happy December everyone.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x