Home from my hols .... and one stamp, two ways

Just got back in the early hours of yesterday from a week's holiday in Crete. Sitting here today looking out of the window at the teeming rain, it's already difficult to remember the fantastic weather we had most days, but here are one or two pics both to show you and to remind me of the great time we had :-)

Our hotel - the Minos Beach in Aghios Nikolaos - really was right on the beach ....

.... but also had a lovely pool area ...


Me squinting into the camera whilst standing beside the "bottomless lake" in the centre of Aghios Nikolaos ....


... and raring to go for a night out!

Anyhoo, I have the rest of this week off both to catch up with my laundry and to get a little r&r - it is the first time for several years I have had a full 2 weeks holiday from work and I'm loving it! So today I have had a rare full on craft sesh, and having sorted out my DT work I also managed to make 2 very different cards using the same darling LotV Christmas image. Yep ... now the holidays are over the Christmas rush really does start here lol!


I made my first card using an image I actually coloured about 2 weeks ago ... it's the first time I have tried a "tatty teddy" look in shades of grey and I'm rather pleased with it so I think you will be seeing some more like this.

This card is for the following challenges:

Cupcake #108 - Sketch

Crafty Cardmakers #29 - Clean & Simple
ABC - D is for Distressing
(I have distressed the edges of my image with smokey blue and lilac ink)

... and here's a closeup. The Stickle I have used actually has both blue and purple sparkles so is pretty handy for Chrimbo tinsel.


Recipe:
Main image: LotV "James the Bear with Tinsel", coloured with Promarkers and decorated wtih "blueberry ice" Stickles;
Sentiment: Peel off from my stash;
Papers: main background is white pearlised card embossed with Cuttlebug "Snowflakes" folder; blue snowflake paper by Crafty Creations (I think):
Supplies: silver gems by Papermania;
Tools: large and small circle and large classic scalloped circle nestabilities; "decorative photo corners" shapeabilities; Martha Stewart "embossed snowflake" edge punch.

My second card is a more traditional colour scheme to give a totally different kind of look ...

I made this card to fit this week's Sketch Saturday #120

and also for the following challenges:

Fussy & Fancy #19 - Christmas Colours
Totally Gorjuss #47 - Flower


Recipe:
Main image: LotV as before - coloured with Copics & Promarkers, and decorated wtih burgundy Stickles;
Sentiment: Craftwork Cards;
Papers: Papermania "Silent Night";
Supplies: flowers and gold leaves from Prima Christmas bubble; pearl brad, gold spacer and pearls from The Hobby House; ribbon from Hobbycraft; lace from my stash;
Tools: large classic scalloped square nestabilities.

That's all for now ... hope I can manage to make something else in time for tomorrow!