ABC Christmas Challenge: W and X

As the year is winding down, so is the alphabet at ABC Christmas Challenge - we are all the way to W and X! I am hosting the challenge this month, and if you pop over to the challenge blog, you'll see the little prizes I have on offer for two participants this time. 

We have a classic for the first theme: W is for WREATH. I have a favourite wreath set, but managed to pull out a different wreath set that I haven't used as much: 

This is my kind of two-step stamp image... once you stamp the wreath, there really is no wrong way to add the ornaments! Of course I had to emboss them with sparkly red embossing powder. After fussy cutting the wreath, I combined it with stamps and dies from two other companies to complete my sentiment. 

Somehow, the *other* wreath set ended up out, too! :D I tried to do something a little different than I usually do, at least: 

This too is a layering set, with three levels of foliage. I stamped the base layer, then went right to the top layer, inking it with Versamark and adding clear-with-gold-sparkle embossing. It still seemed to need a little something, so I added some sparkly gold crystal ornaments, too. (Obviously I stencilled the light grey bricks first.) 

Our second theme this month is X is for fauX! I don't use a lot of faux techniques, but remembered one from Jennifer McGuire for faux textured metal and used it for a snowy winter look. 

The metallic sheen that the combination of distress inks, Perfect Pearls and snowflake embossing give seems to be impossible for me to catch properly in a photograph. It's quite pretty in real life. 

Adding snowflakes to my card means I can enter it in the current Christmas Kickstart challenge: snowflakes. 

Lots of inspiration to be found on our challenge blog - there might even be a faux technique or two you'll want to try! Time to be inspired and join us! 

This is the first of THREE posts today! I'll be back soon

with Day 3 of 25 Days of Christmas Tags! 

Supplies: (joy) Neenah white & Stampin' Up real red cardstock, Stampin' Up real red glitter cardstock, Basic Grey Aspen Frost patterned paper, Winnie & Walter In Bloom: Hollie's Festive Florals & Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words: Joy stamps, Memento bamboo leaves & Memento Luxe love letter ink, Wow clear gloss & (?) red sparkle embossing powder, Lil Inkers Jingle Joy dies, foam tape; (warmest wishes) Neenah white & Stampin' Up garden green cardstock, Hero Arts Color Layering Wreath stamps, Versamark, Stampin' Up garden green & hickory smoke distress ink, Wow clear gloss & clear gold highlights embossing powder, Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous bricked stencil, Studio Katia gold sparkle crystals; (merry) Neenah white & (?) blue cardstock, Winnie & Walter In a Word: Merry stamps, Versamark, tumbled glass, salty ocean & chipped sapphire distress inks, Wow white embossing powder, Poppy Stamps jumbled Merry Christmas die, PTI (I think?) snowflake impression plate, Perfect Pearls (in perfect pearl)