ABC Christmas Challenge = Z for Zero Time Left and A BLOG HOP!

Well here we are, at the end of the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE alphabet for another year - which means we are only 10 days away from Christmas!  Hope you are more organised than I am, lol!!

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Yuletide challenge, as always you produced some stunning entries and choosing the Top 3 is going to be a tough task for the team.  Do check back to the blog to see who the overall winner and the Top 3 are - it might be a day or two before these are posted so please be patient.

We have something a bit special for you for this challenge.  First of all the theme for Z is Zero Time Left, so this is your last card with us this year and we would like you to reuse your favourite ABC challenge from 2010.

And we are having a Christmas BLOG HOP, so there is even more at stake this time!  And we are proud to have two sponsors for the Challenge and the Hop in the shape of Simon Says Stamp

and Stamp Fairy

So, the rules, starting at ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE (if you have come to me first then you need to head back to the Challenge Blog) work your way through the Team and Sponsors, leaving a comment with each one as you go, and collect a letter along the way.  Once you have collected all your letters, work out the phrase, and then head back to ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE to leave a comment with your answer and your entry for Z!  Simples! 

This challenge is going to run until 10pm (UK time) on 1 January so you will have plenty of time to craft and enter.

You should have come to me from the lovely and talented LORRAINE and once you have done your bit here with me your next move is back home to ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE to leave your answer.  There will also be hidden candies along the way so do remember to leave your comment as you visit each blog, you never know, you might find you have won a nice surprise.

And my letter for you?  It is G.

Here is my card for the Z theme:

Techinically this qualifies for two 2010 challenges: F for Frosty and P for Presents, so maybe I'll have a new one of FP for Frosty Presents!  I adore this Lili Of The Valley James The Bear stamp, in fact I think he qualifies for my favourite stamp of the year.  I've painted him with Distress Inks and matted him using Nestabilities for the circles and the loop edged square.  Blue paper is Dovecraft, red is Anita's and I used an EK Success punch for the snowflakes.  The gorgeous circular sentiment is also Lili Of The Valley.

I think that's it then - thanks to each and every one of you who has joined us for all or some or only one of the challenges this year, we couldn't have made it this far without you all and we have loved seeing your amazing work.  I really do hope you are able to join in the Hop and see you in January 2011!!

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

ABC Christmas Challenge - Q for Quick & Easy Sketch

Seems strange to be thinking about Christmas in the middle of August but it is scary how time is marching on and before we know it, it will be December and we'll all be in a panic about cards - so now is your chance to get a head start!

This time over at ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE we have reached the letter Q and our lovely Samantha has come up with a Quick & Easy Sketch for us

How gorgeous is this?!  And the extra this time is to make more than one card using the sketch.  Our sponsor for this challenge is Lacey from Stamp and Create and there is a $20 voucher for the winner.  Can it get any better?

The DT have come up with some cracking examples for you so please do check out their blogs.  Here is my offering:

I've used the ultra cute "To Have And To Hug" stamp from Penny Black, coloured with Copics.  Papers are from the Dovecraft Christmas Collection and spots were done with a hole punch from waste card.  Quick, and very easy!

Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful entries.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - M for Mistletoe & Wine + BLOG HOP

Hi all - well here we are at halfway to Christmas (ooh no!) and to celebrate, the ABC Christmas Challenge is having a little blog hop.

All you need to do is work your way around the blogs of the DT members in alphabetical order - you should have arrived here from Samantha (if you didn't then please start at the main ABC blog).  When you leave me, your next step on the hop is over to our wonderful GDT, Sharon.  Remember that you need to answer each question posed by the DT to be eligible for the candy!

Once you have done all that, head back to the main ABC Christmas Challenge blog to answer the final question and post your challenge card.

Some of the DT members will be offering candy but it's being kept a surprise as to who and what so you had better make sure you remember to leave a comment with your answer to each question!

And so to this fortnight's challenge which is Mistletoe & Wine with an optional extra of sewing (real or faux) and our wonderful sponsor this time around is STAMP AND CREATE.

Here's my card

I've used Rodney from Pink Gem Designs with his mistletoe all ready for his kiss.  Paper is from stash.  And the wine? Well, the colour of the paper, his scarf is coloured with a Burgundy ProMarker and the sentiment (which is more of a whine - geddit?!)

And finally my question:  Where do you hang your stocking?

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - L for Lights (+ tree)

2nd of June already - where is the year going?!  And as it is the 2nd June, it means it is time for another challenge from ABC Christmas Challenge which this time around is being hosted by Lorraine.  Lols letter is L and our theme is LIGHTS with the optional extra of tree and our sponsor is the wonderful Simon Says Stamp

Before I show you my DT card, I must just thank everyone who puckered up and joined in the K for Kisses challenge - don't forget to check back to the blog to see who has been selected for the Top 3 and the overall winner.

So, here we go then

I've used this adorable image from Penny Black which, for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of, coloured with Copics.  Cardstock is DCWV Bright Stack and the papers are an old DCWV Christmas Stack.  Martha Stewart border punch and a little bit of (disasterous) Glamour Dust.

Hope to see you all over at the challenge - remember you have two weeks to get your creations entered!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for Ice

I'll keep it brief (hurrah I hear you cry) as I'm meant to be "reducing" keyboard time (yeah, right, tell that to the office) so here we go again for another fabulous fortnight that is the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and this time we have a challenge hosted by the ultra-talented Jayne.  Our theme is I for Ice and Jayne has chosen the optional extra of snowflake.  How brilliant is that?

We are sponsored this time around by Stitchy Bear Stamps and the prize is your choice of three digital images from the Stitchy Bear Stamps store.  The DT have been issued with a selection of images and boy have they been busy with them - please do take time to visit their individual blogs, it means a lot to know you appreciate all their hard work.

Here is my DT card

I chose the penguin image called "Yikes", so what else could I do with him other than let him slip over in shock at the size of those snowflakes heading his way!  This was the first time I'd coloured a digi image with ProMarkers so was a bit cautious of the ink blurring but it seems to be ok.  Cuttlebug Ice Crystal snowflakes and Martha Stewart punched snowflake, all papers are from Christmases past and have lost their ID now.

So even though it is warm and sunny out, no reason not to be ice cool indoors and show us your wonderful creations at ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx