ABC Christmas: L & M

Here we are, the first Wednesday of June already! And that means it is time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge - with the letters L for Letters and M for Mistletoe. 

My first thought for L for Letters was to use alphabet letters on my card - perhaps a large MERRY die, or lettered patterned paper - and then as I looked through my papers, I found one that made the Christmas twinkle lights go on: 

Mail! That kind of letters! Once I had that straight in my brain, I found some mail-related ephemera and created a simple collage on the paper, die cut with a postage die. I embossed a sentiment in gold on dark red cardstock, and used the same for the card base. 

Here is my M for Mistletoe card: 

I decided to go a little experimental with this one, embossing both my mistletoe and sentiment in verdigris embossing powder. It's one of my favourite embossing powders, but I almost always use it for Christmas trees. I'm not sure I would emboss a sentiment with it again, but I do like the effect on the sprig. (Mistletoe, the parasitic plant that people kiss under at Christmas. :D) The leaves are coloured with a Copic marker, and the berries with a white glaze pen, so they would stand out from the cream cardstock panel. Bonus: the patterned paper background is the reverse of the letters paper! 

I'll just remind you again how happy you will be making Christmas cards throughout the year when December rolls around! Lots of inspiration on the ABC blog to whet your creativity. I hope you'll join us! 

Supplies: (Christmas greetings) Recollections red cardstock, Kaisercraft Twig & Berry patterned paper, Cavallini Vintage Christmas stamp, Versamark ink, gold pearl embossing powder, Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Christmas ephemera, Simon Says Stamp postage stamp edge die; (merry kissmas) Neenah natural white cardstock, Kaisercraft Twig & Berry patterned paper, (?) gold glitter paper, Winnie & Walter In Bloom: Elsa's Flora & Simon Says Stamp Big Holiday Wishes stamps, Versamark ink, Wow verdigris embossing powder, Copic marker, MFT stitched square, blueprints 29 & The Greetery Speed Tagging dies, Gelly Roll white glaze gel pen