Christmas Stockings 2 Ways (Curtain Call CAS-ual Christmas, Less Is More, TAWS)

Hello, again!  I'm so excited to share the cards I've been working on the last few days.  Inspiration struck very clearly for this card.   I was completely inspired by CAS-ual Fridays and Curtain Call's combined challenge.  The combination of rustic and sparkles, the monogram stockings hanging from the mantle, and the blue in the inspiration photo just begged to be made into a card.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and I knew exactly who I wanted to make the card for...one of the kindest card bloggers I know. :)  The only trick was I didn't quite have the tools I needed....so I improvised.  I don't have a stocking die, so I drew a template.  I don't have a scrawly Merry Christmas sentiment, so I wrote it.  It's far from perfect, but I feel like it adds to the feeling of wanting this card to come from my heart.  

This card makes me smile over and over because there are so many little things I did specifically with the recipient in mind including the use of my brand new (yay!) Lil' Inkers rectangle stitched mats.  Though I had the idea for this card first, I was too nervous to make it right away (that happens sometimes when I really want something to turn out well), so the next card was actually my practice run to prepare me for this one.

For my second card, I used the same idea but switched the stockings up a bit with added inspiration from the TAWS Be Inspired #41 photo (polka dots) and the Less is More Challenge to use designer paper in a CAS way.  And I suppose this might even be more suited for the CAS-ual Fridays part of the combined Curtain Call and CAS-ual Fridays Challenge because it is a bit more CAS that my first card.  I have the sweetest neighbors across the street, and their daughter is one of my son's best buddies.  I just love them, so I made this card with them in mind.  The patterned stockings reminded me of the stockings I sewed last year...can't wait to get them out in a week. :)

Burlap Stockings Card Supplies

Stamps: Sans Alphabet (CTMH), Trees Company (TAWS)

Ink: Bordering Blue, Garden Green (SU!), New Leaf (PTI)

Cardstock: Rustic Cream (PTI)

Dies: Sketched Shaped (PTI), Stitched Mats: Rectangles (Lil' Inkers)

Other: white gold, florentine gold, sterling, and lapis lazuli glitter (Martha Stewart), burlap (Hobby Lobby), Zing! gold embossing powder (AC), hemp (CTMH), hole punch, embossing pen

Patterned Stockings CardSupplies

Stamps: Alphabet Soup, Trees Company (TAWS)

Ink: Cranberry (CTMH), Garden Green (SU!), New Leaf (PTI)

Paper: Merry (MME), Stamper's Select White (PTI)

Other: Linen & Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Grey Flannel Marker (CTMH), hole punch