Winter scene

Just in time to join the latest craft-alnica challenge, I thought I'd create what the ladies wish to see: a Christmas card following a sketch. I certainly haven't done any proper cardmaking lately, and no sketch challenges in ages, but I guess sometimes you just need to push yourself out of your laziness comfort zone and get busy. 
Honestly, it took me quite a while to figure out what to do with the sketch, and once I knew exactly what I wanted, I couldn't find the one essential washi tape without which the original card made no sense whatsoever. 
However, since I've already cut and glued the cloudy background paper to the cardbase, I had to come up with a plan B, and come up with it fast. As I'm traveling back and forth between student's home and "home home" quite often lately, I'd have no access to my crafting supplies until a couple of hours before the chalenge would end, so, whatever I wanted to do, I had to do before leaving, then take the card home for some proper photoshooting and prepare the post. 
But then again, there was this cloudy background that made no sense, and searching through my stash didn't  bring the result I wished for. For a moment, I even thought that maybe I was just really wishing for the washi without actually buying it, and maybe it was just this strong wish that was playing with my mind... but I couldn't get rid of the feeling that the tape must be hidden somewhere near me.

Obviously, I needed a plan B and I needed it quick.
With the only other option being to abandon the whole thing, I decided to save what I could, flip the sketch and create something completely different. 
Instead of washi tape, the lines of the sketch would be represented by silver stars, the white curve that was now on the bottom of the card became a snow-covered surface, the central embellishment grew in height rather than in width, and if I put everything together as I thought, I might even be able to squeeze in a tiny sentiment to make the sketch complete.
Long story short told, this is the result:

As the missing washi tape made no point in keeping the main motif, I thought I'd place a snowman or Christmas tree on the snowy ground, or even just a bunch of flowers. Then, however, I remembered some paper cut-outs I had left over from last year and picked this adorable couple.
I enhanced the patterned paper by gluing it to another layer of cardboard, and before placing it on the card base for good, I thought I'd add a heart-shaped cut-out in the background. The handwriting paper is from my stash, the heart shape comes from a wooden heart that I replicated on paper before I cut along the lines.

The silver star stickers bring just the right amount of bling...

... and while the whole card is rather empty, I couldn't help myself adding a few embellishments: a couple of punched branches alongside with shimmering red rhinestones to resemble holly, as well as a tiny bow to cover up the nasty part of the glued branches.

For another layer of bling, I placed some leftover silver lace to the very bottom of the card, which should give a little contrast to the embossed polka dots in the snow. 

Finally, I printed a holiday sentiment, placed it on a layer of dark brown cardboard, and added it to the winter scene. Not exactly the card I had in mind when I started, but I think considering the circumstances it didn't turn out that bad in the end. 

A little contribution to the December collection of Create in Austria - artwork created by Austrians and/or in Austria.

challenges:
- 4 crafty chicks: ribbons/bows
- 613 avenue create: ATG
- a bit more time to craft: ATG
- alphabet challengeblog: S for season's greetings
- basteltraum: winter/Chistmas
- brown sugar: winter scene
- C.R.A.F.T.: Christmas
- cardmania: Christmas
- city crafter: snowflakes
- craft-alnica: sketch
- crafting with an attitude: ATG
- crafty calendar: Christmas time
- crafty catz: ATG with optional twist "glitter & shine"
- crafty gals corner: ATG
- crafty sentiments: celebrate
- craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: ATG as long as it's Christmas (optional twist "gems/pearls")
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper
- creative moments: ATG
- do-all kreatives: Christmas/New Year
- everybody art: Christmas
- friendship challenge: ATG
- fussy and fancy: winter/Christmas
- inkspirational: ATG Christmas
- love to craft: ATG 
- love to scrap: season's greetings
- pennys papertake: ATG
- ribbon girl: any image
- scrapping4fun: Christmas
- 12 months of Christmas: ATG
- ribbon girl: ATG
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- winter wonderland: ATG Christmas
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- pinspirational
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG

And since Christmas is only a few steps away, I'm sure most people are currently busy with winter decorations, or even have everything prepared already. Not being in "the mood" yet, I don't think I'll set up anthing this year, but I like to see that mom has found joy in trying different combinations of greenery all around the house. A little different than last time, I think this little bouquet looks even more winter-ish, but as I was walking past some blooming bushes yesterday, I just had to pick a couple of blooms. I don't usually sneak things from other people's fences, but these just had to come with me - oops!

A contribution to the Friday Flowerday at Holunderbluetchen.

In the very end, you have three guesses on what I found when I was looking for the last embellishments to add to my card. I've absolutely no idea on what prompted me to store washi tape rolls into a container of wooden pearls that is placed in the only drawer I didn't open because I knew it contains the container of wooden pearls. 
Oh well... I guess I won't forget where the washi is in a while!