ABC Christmas Challenge: U & V

The first Wednesday in October means that it's time for the latest instalment of ABC Christmas Challenge! We are getting closer to the end of the alphabet... which means closer to Christmas. This month's themes are U for Upcycle and V for Velocity. 

I often save a few of the Christmas cards we are sent with an eye to an element that could be used for a card of my own. So I went through my collection and selected two that I thought had potential. Of course it was only as I was cutting them up that I realized "before" photos would have been a great idea. Sorry! My first card: 

Upcycled elements: fussy cut bird and holly, silver and red circles (all from one card). New elements: white panel, red card base, sentiment. 

Using more parts from the first card plus some from the second card, I also made a couple of tags:

Upcycled elements: red die cut trees, silver backing, white tag base, ribbons and cord (not from the cards I selected, but from my stash). 

New elements: Black tag base, silver-embossed sentiment. 

I even have elements left that I can use for more cards or tags!

Next up, V is for Velocity. I (very) briefly considered making an interactive card for some literal velocity, but then decided that wasn't where my crafting skills lay that day. ;) So here's my figurative velocity scene instead: 

This set from Ellen Hutson is perfect for a velocity scene! The mountains and skiers are coloured with Copics, and the sky blended with tumbled glass distress ink. The main mountainside is cut with a Paper Smooches die. I added a few puffy white-embossed snow dots and a sparkly-embossed sentiment. 

The ABC Christmas Challenge design team have some great examples of upcycling and velocity, so be sure to visit! Now that it's October, let us inspire you to make some Christmas cards and play along!

Supplies: (upcycle card) Neenah white & Stampin' Up ruby red cardstock, Simon Says Stamp Peace on Earth stamp, Versafine onyx black ink, Wow clear sparkle embossing powder, Spellbinders circle & Winnie & Walter Katharine cutaway dies; (upcycle tags) Recollections black cardstock, Essentials by Ellen Mountain Holiday stamp, Versamark ink, Ranger ultra fine silver embossing powder, CUTplorations manilla tag die scrap ribbon & cord; (let it snow) Neenah white & Stampin' Up basic black cardstock, Essentials by Ellen Mountain Holiday stamps & dies, Versamark, Versafine onyx black & tumbled glass distress ink, Wow clear sparkle & white puff embossing powder, Copic markers, Paper Smooches Borders 1 die, foam tape