One Challenge, Two Cards

I'm continuing to build up this year's supply of Christmas cards by playing along with some of the many challenges out there in blogland. Today's challenge is courtesy of CASology: 

Since I wanted to make a Christmas card, and I didn't particularly want to "festify" a generic vehicle stamp, I used the same car image as design team member (and talented friend) Tracey did. It's the only vehicle besides sleds in my Christmas collection.

Here's my first try: 

I masked the bottom portion of the white cardstock and sponged some light blue ink around the edges, then added some stencilled snowflakes to the upper sky. 

Before I stamped and coloured the three vehicles, I lifted the mask... and it stuck a bit to the card base! Grr. So along came the patterned paper base. As I was deciding where to put my sentiment, I realized there was a SPELLING MISTAKE on the paper!!! The sentiment panel now camouflages it. But I do like the placement; it seems to add to the overall feel of movement. 
As I pondered my finished card, I realized it wasn't overly CAS (clean and simple). I liked it enough to make another, with a little less *stuff*. 

This time the cars are grounded with washi tape; the sentiment is stamped directly on the main panel; and one little flurry of stamped snowflakes replaces the embossing paste and adds needed balance to the card. In both cases, I edged the panel with the blue ink to add contrast without bulk. 
So thanks to one challenge, I've got two more Christmas cards! 

Supplies: Spectrum Noir cardstock, Echo Park Winter Wishes patterned paper, Essentials by Ellen Tis the Season & Hero Arts Decorate You stamps, Memento tuxedo black, Versafine onyx black, Stampin' Up real red & tumbled glass distress inks, Zing clear embossing powder, Spectrum Noir & Sharpie markers, silver gel pen, Memory Box tiny winter snowflakes stencil, Dreamweavers glossy white embossing paste, Little B washi tape, pop-dot tape