Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge #2 - Winter Birthday and Blogaversary

***This is my three year blogaversary and I have some blog candy up for grabs.  Details at the bottom of the post***

I am so excited that people are starting to learn about our new Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge.  We had several people play along with us for SSBC#1 and look forward to seeing even more participate in the coming weeks.  Our challenge this week was extra fun for me as I really needed a card which perfectly fit this week's theme...Winter Birthday.  My husband Warren's birthday is Dec. 29th.  He says it has never bothered him to have a birthday so close to Christmas, but it does seem that each year his special day gets lumped in with Christmas when we see so many of our family.  I can't tell you how many times his gifts have been wrapped in Christmas paper, but this year, I have made a special card for him that is totally HIM.  Here's a picture to set the scene for you:

This was taken in October at our little Montana cabin.  Warren loves all the deer that come up to our porch waiting to be fed...this guy actually ate right out of the bucket Warren was holding.  I was inspired by all the deer in the background and foreground,  as well as the pretty trees and mountains in the distance.  Lucky, I have a Serendipity stamp (Winter Doe) that totally reminds me of this scene, minus Warren and the plaid pj's of course.

Starting with a piece of woodgrain-embossed kraft cardstock, I cut a window frame with my craft knife and matted a green frame behind it.  I layered it over Winter Doe stamped in brown ink.  I added a decorative edge to the kraft panel and layered it over some green plaid paper.  The cute deer are by Memory Box, Deer Trio.  The sentiment is a combination of two Serendipity stamps, Winter, from Spring, Summer, Winter, Autumn set and part of Happy Birthday, Simple.  They were stamped on a PTI die Strawberry Patch and stitched by hand with embroidery floss.  I wrapped a little twine around it all and since it is a Winter card...I had to add at least one snowflake for embellishment.  This is the first card I have made for Warren that I am absolutely certain he will like!

How about some more Winter Birthday inspiration?  The Serendipity Stamps Design Team has created cards perfect for that person in your life who has a birthday this winter.  After you check them all out, I hope you will all join us and make a card for SSBC#2 with the theme Winter Birthday.  You can use anything you want on your card as long as there is one item from Serendipity included.  Don't have any Serendipity Stamps yet?  This week Serendipity is having a great special...40%off the highest item in your cart and it runs from Dec. 19-26th.  Why not spend some time looking through their store.  It is a great way to spend some time with a nice cup of coffee.   The challenge runs for two weeks and the person who knocks our socks off with a spectacular card gets to display the SSBC winner badge, and a randomly-drawn participant wins $20 off their next Serendipity Stamps order.  Looking forward to seeing what you all make!

My three year blogaversary is just a couple of weeks away and I am having a giveaway of some great Serendipity products.  I have had a little sneak peak of the theme for the next six months of Serendipity Blog Challenges and am giving away some stamps and die cuts that will be perfect for someone to play along with every challenge.  Just leave me a comment on this blog post and I will draw a random winner on Dec. 22.  The winner should have their stamps in time for the next challenge!

Jeanne

Marybeth

Jenny

Pauline

Helen

Winter Doe

Spring  Summer Autumn Winter

Happy Birthday Simple