Christmas in October

Hello again friends & followers!  I had a fun and crafty day, and have three more cards for your viewing pleasure, all with a Christmas/winter theme.  The first I created using this week's Sweet Stop Sketch SSS129 from Sweet n Sassy Stamps using their Christmas Joy stamp set and some yummy papered from Echo Park's Season's Greetings collection (both new items):

I had so much fun coloring this BEAUTIFULLY illustrated cardinal with Copic markers.  I added some platinum Stickles (LOVE this color!0 to the edges of the paper poinsettia's and, although it does not show up well in the photo, I went over the pine cone with a Copic Spice pen to give it a subtle sparkle as well.  In addition to SNSS's sketch challenge, this card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:
Wild Rose Studio Festive Frolic Blog Hop - Make a Christmas card,
ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Unused Stash (the stamp set and the paper pack were brand new, gifts from hubby - Thank You Sweetie!!),
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Things with Wings,
Ribbon Carousel Challenge 24 - Make a card with sparkle & ribbon or twine.
My second card was created with two challenges in mind: (1) Stamp TV's Free-for-Friday Challenge by Suzanne Dean to use red & kraft cardstock, and (2) Bridget's 'Things are Looking Up' HYCCT09 challenge on Splitcoaststampers - you are supposed to incorporate something you can see when 'looking up'; I used snowflakes, which can be seen falling from the sky on a snowy day.  :)  Here is my card:

I went with a CAS approach and stamped the snowflakes from Gina K. Designs' 'Warm & Wonderful' set in white and sponged the edges in white as well, inspired by the way snow collects on the edges of your windows when it is falling.  The sweater and hat are embossed with white EP onto Real REd cardstock and I added a pom pom to the hat for additional dimension.  In addition to these two challenges, this card also fulfills the requirements of Creative Inspirations Challenge 133 - to make a one layer card.
I stuck to the CAS style with my last card as well, based on Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge SSD97 and Wanda's Hope You Can Cling To Challenge HYCCT1108 - Hang in There! - to incorporate something that 'hangs' into your card - I selected an ornament, which hangs from the bough on your Christmas tree:

The ornament & sentiment are from SSD's 'Christmas Swirls' set and the ribbons are both from a recent score at the Offray Ribbon Outlet in Hagerstown, MD (if you live within driving distance, totally worth checking out!).  In addition, this card fulfills the requirements of the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 139 - make a card with an Ornament,
Creative Inspirations Challenge 133 - create a single layer card, and
ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Unused Stash (both ribbons were recently purchased but this was the first time I had used them).
(Holiday Card Count - 45, still shy of where I like to be by this time of year)
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!  I will have more creations for you to see tomorrow.  have a good night!
~Crafty Math Chick