Christmas with Merriest Moments Hi. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Team 2021 Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. I have 2 cards to share for this week's projects, both featuring the Merriest Moments bundle. I am fascinated with the hybrid embossing folder and love the coordination of the more intricate die cut and the embossing folder which covers most of a standard card front. Given the embossed detail, a sentiment on the centre label and some stamped/die cut poinsettias & leaves are all that are needed. The colour scheme I used is inspired by the gorgeous Whimsy and Wonder Speciality Designer Series Paper (just using a few of the colours). As time is short this week my cards will be simpler than my norm. I created two cards with similar layouts and colour schemes to be able to asses the different effect of plain embossing against the addition of a die cut and embossed layer. Both cards are mainly Basic White with touches of colour from the leaves, flowers and sentiment. I love the clean look of white expanse. Card 1: This first card just uses the embossing folder for the card front's base layer, ie the Basic White card-stock card was embossed with the Merriest Moments Hybrid Embossing Folder and then adhered to the Thick Basic White card base. The sentiment was stamped on Basic White card-stock in Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' ink and die cut with the stitched rectangle from the Merriest Frames dies. It fits the centre embossed panel beautifully and was added with some Dimensionals. The poinsettias were stamped in Blushing Bride ink or die cut from Blushing Bride card-stock. The tiny die cut poinsettias had some White Craft ink added to the petal tips. The larger poinsettias were formed with 2 or 3 layers. Some leaves were stamped with Mint Macaron ink and the Holly leaves were stamped with Soft Succulent ink. The flowers and leaves were arranged and the design finished off with Opal Rounds embellishments at the flower centres plus another one so there was an uneven number of embellishments. I had some Soft Succulent holly leaves left over so they were added to a Basic White card inner. I also plan to add some Blushing Bride berries but forgot to add them prior to photographing the card. Please imagine they are added. 😉 A C6 Basic White Envelope was stamped with some of the pine fronds to coordinate with the overall design. Card 2: The second card's Basic White card-front was also embossed but a second piece of Basic White card-stock was used to die cut the leafy frame and this was passed through the embossing folder. It created such a beautiful effect. The centre panel was adhered to the underneath embossed panel leaving the frame of leaves free to add more dimension. As with card 1, leaves were stamped in either Mint Macaron or Soft Succulent ink and the larger poinsettias were stamped in Blushing Bride ink. A different sentiment from the Merriest Moments Stamp set was stamped in Soft Succulent ink and die cut with the stitched rectangle from the coordinating die set. The leaves and flowers were arranged and adhered in place with either Multipurpose Liquid Glue or Dimensionals. Opal Rounds embellishments were added at the flower centres and elsewhere. I love their subtle sparkle with that touch of pink. While not showing in the photographs, some Wink of Stella was added to give subtle all over shimmer. I also had a couple of Mint Macaron pine fronds left over so they were added to the Basic White card inner. Sometimes a little decoration is all that is needed. A C6 Basic White Envelope was stamped in Mint Macaron ink with some of the same fronds to coordinate. I always enjoy creating to share with you and I certainly had fun playing/experimenting with the Merriest Moments bundle from the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue. I am pleased with both cards and while I love the addition of the extra die cut and embossed frame layer, the card with the single embossed layer is also effective and would be great for creating in batches or for a simple card class. After creating with the soft and subtle colours, which I love, next time I must also play with more traditional Christmas colours. I have a number of ideas. The Merriest Moments bundle is delightful. If you are in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. Also, please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. There is so much more Christmas creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click on the "onto the next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of an amazing and talented person, Tina Gillespie. I always look forward to checking out Theresa's creations as well as everyone else's. Hope to see you next week for another AWHT Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. There is so much Christmas inspiration to share using Stampin' Up!'s products and preparing early for Christmas will minimize some of the stresses of the silly season. Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. Andrea XXX As mentioned, it is always a delight to see everyone's creations and the way they each use the amazing Stampin' Up! products. I am sure there will be gorgeous Christmas projects on show. Don't miss checking out each blog. If at any time you find a broken link and the next blog doesn’t come up or you started part way through, please head to the blog of this week’s host for the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop, Sharon Davern, and she will have the list of all Art With Heart Team members who are participating in this blog hop. #heartofchristmas #heartofchristmas2021 #awhtheartofchristmas