Hope Springs Eternal

These little guys really "hope" they get a bit of that fabulous pudding!  Not the traditional use of "hope" at Christmas... but relevant all the same, lol. 

As soon as I saw this gorgeous image from Lili of the Valley, I KNEW I had to have it!  So.... I bought it, and about thirty to keep it company, lol.  So far I've coloured up this one, sigh
Anyways, I digress... I coloured the image with Copic markers, added some Prismacolor pencil shadows and highlights and coloured the cutlery with a metallic pencil... gives a a good finish.  I added glitter to the dots on the green scarf... which you can't see in the pic, Glossy Accents to the "cherries" in the pudding... which you can't see in the pic, and Stickles  to the "snow"... which you can't see in the pic unless you reeeeallly try, lol.  But they're all there, honest

I used a kraft card base because I liked it with the vintage-y feel of the image (though I've fiddled around making a 'bright' version and it doesn't look vintage at all, lol) and I used papers with the same style... I think they're both Kaisercraft, but the tartan strip may be Basic Grey
I used red glitter card that I bought in a pad (because I couldn't get any of the one I usually use) and it is BRILLIANT!  It doesn't shed at all and even the tiny little scallops (from a set I bought from Ali Express... which I LOVE) cut cleanly

The image was popped up on two layers of foam dots, the tartan strip on one... it does look 'flat' in the pics but good IRL.  The "Hope" sentiment is a stamp from a set I have had since my very first days of cardmaking... I bought the set for the flourishes that came with it and have only 'seen' the sentiments (there are only three one-word sentiments) since I reorganized my stamps - I put sentiments together and in theme - and have them more readily accessible.  

I used Coffee Archival Ink for stamping, to continue in the vintage/homegrown vein.  I stamped my all-time favourite (I use it on at least half my Christmas cards!) stamp for the sentiment inside the card.  This is a very old stamp, I got it from my sister... it was wood mounted, but not any more :-) and she got it from her friend years before that; that's what you call upcycling, lol
That's it for today's card.  I'd like to enter in the following challenges:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Y is for Yummy

As You Like It CASE a DT's card… and say Why; I CASEd Brenda's… Adding sparkle is my "go to" for Christmas cards :-)

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge Use Patterned Paper

Aud Sentiments Christmas or Winter Sentiment

My Time to Craft Winter Scenes… this is a "scene", hope it is "scenic" enough

Cardz 4 Galz Cute Christmas… this cute card is for my friend Mirella; she is my biggest fan now my lovely Mum has gone :-)

Simon Says Challenge Traditional Christmas (I've used traditional Christmas colours

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Anything Christmas Goes, option: Use something beginning with "R"; I have Running mice, Racing to the pudding because they're Really hungry :-)

Send a Smile for Kids Happy Holidays-  or Anything Goes - for kids

Winter Wonderland Anything Christmas Goes

Cuttlebug Mania has Christmas

Creatalicious Challenges, Anything Goes, Opt: Winter
Addicted to  Stamps, Through the Craftroom Door, Digi Choosday, Crafty  Creations, Creative Fingers, Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends, Polkadoodles, Gem of a Challenge, A Perfect Time to Craft and Cute Card Thursday All have Anything Goes

It's been six WEEKS since I posted anything on my blog... there's been a lot going on.  
Don't know what it is with my family, but the drama continues.  The latest is my nephew Craig's house burnt to the ground on Wednesday (well it's been condemned, the roof has collapsed etc)  $300,000 worth of damage to the house, and most of his possessions ruined by smoke or water if not fire.  He was NOT insured.  
Of course my sister is devastated for him; he bought the house from the proceeds of a Workers Compensation payout for an accident in which he lost his right arm... he will not be in a position to buy another house, ever.  He has no money, we have all chipped in what we can to get him the basics... we don't really know what the next step is towards getting the house sold (the house needs to be demolished to increase the value of the block of land it sits on, ironically) all we know is it will cost big bucks 
It has put a damper on Christmas... usually my favourite time of the year.  If you are so inclined say a prayer for him, or appeal to the stars.  
I hope to be back soon, I have SO many cards to 'blog'
Until then, Happy Crafting (and pay your house insurance!), Donna x