PCCC #115, SSC87 --- Love the Nutcracker

*Thrilled to be a Top Pick at the Sunday Stamps Challenge*

Originally I bought the Santa Stache stamp set simply because I loved the idea of putting a die-cut moustache onto Santa's face.  And that's what I did with several cards.  I completely ignored and neglected the Nutcracker.  Well that isn't happening any longer.  I made a little Nutcracker gift box for my blog hop post last week and fell in love with the wonderful colours that can be used on him.  Santa really doesn't invite any colour experimentation, after all.

There are two challenges for which I've created this card:  the Paper Craft Crew Challenge

 and the Sunday Stamps Challenge.

The first one because of the sketch and the second one because of the colours.  The challenges were perfect for another opportunity to play with the Nutcracker.

I decided to use Naturals White for my base and then added a layer of Cherry Cobbler and another layer of Naturals White.  At the bottom of the Naturals White layer, I added a strip of the plaid pattern from the Trim the Tree Designer Paper Stack and the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon.

For the bottom rectangle, I used Cherry Cobbler embossed with the Argyle embossing folder and mounted on a narrow base of Naturals White.  For the upper rectangle, I used Whisper White onto which I stamped the Nutcracker and mounted on a base of Tempting Turquoise.  I used my Pumpkin Pie and Skin Colour Blendabilities to colour his face, hair and moustache.  For his uniform and hat, I used the Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Markers.

To finish the sketch, I stamped little stars from the Holiday Home stamp set using Tempting Turquoise ink in the upper right corner.  Then I added a strip of Silver Glimmer paper and a Daffodil Delight button (retired).  In the lower right corner I added three stars cut from Daffodil Delight using my Confetti Stars punch.  For my sentiment I stamped "merry christmas" from the Holiday Home stamp set, cut it into a tag, sponged it with Cherry Cobbler, and attached it to the Seam Binding Ribbon using a safety pin from the Vintage Trinkets (retired).  A small heart in Red Glimmer Paper attached randomly near the top of the Nutcracker's rectangle finished the card.

For more cards that use this sketch, check out the Paper Craft Crew Challenge.

For more cards that use these colours, check out the Sunday Stamps Challenge.

For a Christmas card challenge where anything goes, check out Christmas Card Challenge as well as Completely Christmas.