Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Copic Creations Challenge #40 plus a Blog Hop

I have two cards to share with you today. The first, as you may have guessed is for a Blog Hop to honor the "Reason" for the season. I am honored to have been asked to participate in a hop to remind us all to keep the real meaning of Christmas before us as we go through this very busy but festive month of December. I wanted to do an image that conveyed "From the Cradle to the Cross" since that is the reason that our Great Saviour left the glories of Heaven and took on the form of a human to come to this sin-cursed earth....to die on the cross for the sins of all who believe in Him. I hope I captured this great truth with the embossed "shadow" of the cross. I purchased the Spellbinder's Dies Crosses and found that one of the dies fit well over this star. My image is a digital download from "Karen's Doodles". For the sake of the message of this hop I Photo-Shopped the sentiment on top of the image.
The hop starts here with Heather. You should be arriving at my post from Kadie's blog here, and your next stop is Kelly's blog here.
There are 3 sponsors offering prizes:
Fresh Brewed Designs: 4 Christmas/Faith digital images plus 2 of winner's choice
Simply Betty Stamps: Jude & His Shenanigans Crew Christmas Collection (6 digital images)
The Stamping Boutique: 2 Faith digital images plus 4 images of winner's choice
Three winners will be chosen (one for each store prize above) so be sure you make your way around each stop and leave a comment, and thank you for hopping with us.


It is also December 1 and time for our 40th Copic Creations Challenge. Where does the time go!? Our sponsor this time is Whimsy Stamps and the image I chose is called Holly Cheer Cocoa. The theme of the challenge is to color your image assuming a particular light-source. I hope you can tell where I decided my light is coming from. You'll find some tutorials listed on the challenge page so be sure to check them out. My DP's are Webster's Pages "Waiting for Santa & Sweet Season" Collection Combo Pack. Those are some gorgeous papers. My sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse's Very Vintage Christmas. I hope you get a chance to challenge yourself with this coloring theme. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful week and don't forget the real Reason for the season.

40 comments:

Simply AJ said...

Beautiful card... love the way you embossed the cross. Thank you for sharing and for keeping Christ in the true meaning of Christmas!

Stacy Morgan said...

Beautiful Karen. Your coloring is wonderful and the perfect card for Christmas.
Your Christmas hot cocoa is yummy! Both cards are wonderful.

Barb said...

Both of these cards are just stunning!

Tami B. said...

I was so busy admiring the baby Jesus that I almost missed the embossed cross. Beautiful card!

dolcreations said...

Karen your Reason for the season card is stunning.I really like how you embossed that cross..and the image is breathtaking. I love your hot chocolate mug! Lots of colouring with that image...but you did a beautiful job!
My daughter is heading down on the 14th of December for a holiday with her girlfriend...how is the weather????

Debbi said...

Such pretty cards! I love the "Jesus is the Reason" hop!!
*smiles*
debbi

Anonymous said...

Great cards! The image on that first one is ADORABLE!

Maria Matter said...

oh what a lovely image Karen, the embossing around the star is wonderful! great job on both cards!
hugs & blessings!

Trina said...

That embossed cross is perfect!

I can definitely see where your light source would be on your 2nd card...

grandmalee said...

WOW! I love how you made Karen's image of the baby Jesus even more wonderful with the addition of the embossed cross! Fabulous inspiration! What a gorgeous card, and your coloring is fantastic! Thanks for helping to remind people what the season is really about!

Rhonda Miller said...

Your cards are lovely. TFS.

Meera said...

Your cards are gorgeous x

mycardz said...

Hi Karen! Wowza, both of your cardz are amazing. I especially love the first - what an awesome idea to emboss the cross, very, very creative my friend! And, of course, I love your cocoa card - beautiful coloring and papers. Thanks for sharing a reminder to everyone about this season we are beginning! big hugz, Mary

April said...

Wow..I'm taken basck by your card. Your so right...from the cradle to the cross...great way to express that!

Tabitha said...

Love that cross from spellbinders. Goes perfectly with your card. Thanks for sharing the only reason for all seasons.

kadie said...

Karen, both of your cards are just beautiful and so well put together (they always are)! But I have to say, your first card is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!. What a beautiful tribute to Jesus! Hugs and Happy Christmas!

Amanda said...

Karen, both of your cards are incredible! Excellent job!

Sammi said...

Gorgeous work! That cross looks great! Love the idea behind your card and the end result!
Sammi
xxx

Kristine said...

Oh wow! LOVE how you embossed the cross nestie behind the star!! And what a cute baby Jesus there too. Lovely cards =) Very nice of your sponsors to give for this hop =) Hope you all have a very blessed Christmas season!

*Susan* said...

Wow, your Reason for the Season card is beautiful! I love how you created a warm glow around the embossed cross. Glad to be able to share in this special hop!

Your Copic challenge card is equally beautiful and so festive! Gorgeous coloring and wonderful mix of patterns & layers!

Lorie said...

Great cards, Karen! Your Reason For The Season card is stunning! Beautiful... absolutely beautiful!!

Hugs,
Lorie

Jami said...

these are both AWESOME Karen!! I just love how you embossed the cross behind the image!!

~Paola~ said...

ohmygoodness Karen!
Both cards are awesome,but your first card totally took my breath away!!...the sentiment truly says it all and the digi image implemented with the spelllbinder's cross is absolutly STUNNING!! thank YOU for sharing such beautiful,truly wonderful paper creations!

Paola

Thea said...

Thank you for the beautiful inspiration...and your focus on Christ. Your card is truly meaningful, and beautiful.

Gin Oak said...

Love your combination of the cross and the manger. I had my scripture students make cross ornaments to hang on their trees to help remind them that Jesus came with a purpose and didn't just stay a baby. Thanks for sharing your "Reason" card.

Like the layout and positions of your other card. :-)

sammi said...

Great cards! your reason for the season card is stunning!

Heather said...

Hi Karen, two gorgeous cards, stunning colours and papers on your CC and brilliant colouring of the Holly Ceer Cocoa, love the embossing and stamped star on your first card - truly inspired.
hugs Heather xx

Rachel said...

Omgoodness Karen i LOVE your Reason for the Season card it's so beautiful!!! both of your cards are just stunning!!!
hugs,
Rachel

Catherine said...

Wow, Karen! I love you "cradle to the cross" message, and you illustrated it beautifully with the embossing! Your coloring is gorgeous and I love the papers you used, especially the embossed gold!
Thank you so very much for being part of this. ((((HUGS))))

Wishing you all the joys of the season,
Catherine

PS - Your 2nd card is DELISH!

Ms. Earlgrey said...

I love, love this card, especially the embossed cross.

Angie said...

Beautiful cards!! Love them!

BUZZY BEE DESIGNS and GRAPHICS said...

I'm a follower come and visit me
http://buzzybeedesigns.blogspot.com
Beautiful card... love the way you embossed the cross
Rebecca Minor
buzzybeedesigns(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Leslie Miller said...

Karen, on your first card the star is so beautiful superimposed on the cross. What a brilliant idea! I love the cocoa card, too. All that warmth and color just makes me feel cozy and good! I'm thinking I have some cocoa and candy canes... Guess you know what I'm having for a Friday night treat!

Becky said...

Both of these are beautiful Karen. Love the colorful cocoa cup. :)

Heather D. ~ Fresh Brewed Designs said...

Karen,
your cards are lovely. The baby Jesus card is perfect with that embossed cross. It melts my heart. Thank you for sharing this hop with me and for helping spread the love of Christ to others.
Merry Christmas.

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

WOW! Beautiful cards! I am having so much fun on the Reason for the Season blog hop! Thank you for being part of it, reminding us of why we celebrate at this time of year!

Stacy said...

Both of your cards are just Beautiful! I was so touched by the thought put into your first card, it is truely special!

Vickie said...

Cute card

Unknown said...

Such a darling cards! :)

RoseC said...

I've enjoyed my visit to your blog today. Love your presentation of the "reason for the season" through the first card on this post. Your hot cocoa and cup for the second card is very nicely done. Thanks for sharing.