Holly Jolly Christmas

It's one of my favorite times of the year – the Ellen Hutson Twelve Tags of Christmas.  I've played along with all twelve challenges since this challenge first started (it was originally the Feminine Tags of Christmas as a counter-point to the Tim Holtz Twelve Tags of Christmas).  I love how it has morphed to being inspired by holiday songs.

 

 

First up is Holly Jolly Christmas with Carissa Wiley.  I always go read the lyrics and see what might be inspirational – for this song it was "Now I don't know if there'll be snow but have a cup of cheer".  That lyric seemed perfect for the Caffeinated Christmas Challenge of Coffee + Snowmen (however I got notified that tags are not eligible for the challenge … unfortunately, I made the tag into a card, but I've already mailed it, so it's been removed).

I chose my new Hero Arts Merry Snowman, since his hand was perfect to hold an Eyelet Outlet Holiday Coffee Cup Brad (which you know has a bit of Kahlua added in for some cheer).  I colored him in traditional red and green to coordinate with his coffee.

 

 

When I was thinking about my tag design, I decided to use both the design & sketch from the Fusion Card Challenge.  This is their final challenge, which makes me sad.  My time as a Design Team Member for that challenge blog is filled with wonderful creative memories. 

 

I found this white on black stenciled design in my stash that reminded me of the chalkboard technique in the inspiration photos, so I die cut into a tag with my Nested Tag Dies, sizing it for my snowman.  Then I used the retired Carta Bella Christmas Words on green cardstock and cut it into a circle for the sketch element.

I searched for a Holly Jolly sentiment, but had to settle with just Jolly from the Hero Arts Ho Ho Ho Santa Stamp Set.

 

 

My cute little Snowman is also linking-up at the Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge – The Great Outdoors.