The Greetery Merry Makings Release Countdown Day 2

Hello and welcome to day 2 of the Merry Makings release countdown from The Greetery!! Thank you so much for ALL of your sweet comments on yesterday's day 1 post! You are so sweet! I've got two projects to share with you today using a twist on some of your favorites that I know you're going to fall in love with! Up first is the new Destination: North Pole! If you loved the Destination Collection that was released earlier this year, this is the PERFECT Christmas companion! I've had so much fun putting together this postage themed card using this new set paired with some older favorites as well! You can head to The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet" for each of today's showcased products! I'll include the links to the other designers' blogs at the bottom of today's post! Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win one of the prizes!

When I began this particular design, I was planning on just creating a map style card like the ones I made for the Destination: Summer release that you can see HERE, but as my card progressed, it evolved into more of a graphic vintage postcard feel, which I just love!

I pulled out the fabulous Postal Frames Dies and die cut the larger panel using grey cardstock. The base is also made from the same grey for a cohesive look. I toyed around with a teal or red card base, but in the end, the grey won! I cut a slightly smaller panel of white cardstock that would fit just inside the pierced detail of the Postal Frame. I used one of the Destination Map Stencils and added some light ink blending to create the subtle background. I also used one of the included snowflake images from the Destination: North Pole stamp set to stamp here and there for some added detail.

I die cut two of each of the included elements to add to the map and used my MISTI to get them stamped assembly line style. The "North Pole" sentiment is die cut and stamped in teal and red for a vintage feel. I stamped the "Greetings from the" and "Love, Santa" sentiments directly to the stenciled background using red ink.

From there, I had such a fun time adding all of the sweet little details here and there, including the stamp and postmark images from the Pretty Postmarks stamp set. I added the cute little polar bear pair tramping across the top and then added the wavy "postage cancelled" image to give it an authentic look. Of course there's a sprinkling of coarse crystal glitter on the tops of the letters, greenery, candy canes and roof tops for some holiday sparkle!

My second and final card for today uses the new Snowflake Soiree stamp set and coordinating stencil set! This is just like the previously released Pinwheel Party that is so popular, but this time with a holiday/winter twist! Rather than create something similar to my Pinwheel cards, I chose to use the sentiment as the focal point with a few stenciled snowflakes to accent and highlight. I couldn't resist making a weathered wood shiplap background with a Nordic Frame for a rustic, European look!

I die cut the shadow portion of the "Be Merry" sentiment and then die cut the "Be Merry" words using silver glitter cardstock. I carefully added it to the shadow portion using liquid glue with a precision applicator tip.

The background was created by die cutting the shiplap panels out of Soft Stone cardstock and adding some Weathered Wood Distress Oxide ink using a finger dauber. I added these to a white panel using liquid glue for stability. I like using the glue because it gives me a little "wiggle room" to get the pieces lined up properly.

The frame is added over the top using foam squares as well as the Be Merry sentiment at an angle. The "& have a happy Christmas" sentiment is also from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set and is stamped in black onto a strip of Soft Stone cardstock and notched at the ends.

I die cut the snowflakes and then added the different shades of blue Distress Oxide ink using the coordinating stencils and a blender brush. I added some jewels to each of the snowflakes as well as a few sparkling clear sequins here and there for added holiday shine! I hope you've enjoyed today's full reveals! Don't forget to head to the other designers' blogs to see the creative ways they have used these products! Thanks for fluttering by!

Kay Miller

Laurie Willison

 Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Keeway Tsao

Angelica Conrad

Kelly Lunceford

Norine Borys

Wanda Guess