The Last Day In December - It Must Be Challenge End Day

Hello there, after a few shaky moments we have come up with a creation for our Christmas Carol challenge. We were all unwell over Christmas and had the dreaded bug, we think our Christmas visitors - who, incidentally, haven't left yet- brought a street-bear bug with them.
I (Horace) decided to brave the craft stash, and try to create something. After all, it's a bit much if you post a challenge hoping others will join in, then neglect to make something yourself, isn't it?
Talking of people joining in, before I show you my creation, I'd like to thank Lauren who posted her piece super-quick in order to join in with us, and AJ who took time out of her Yule celebrations to join in with us. Also, thank you to Ike for her contribution to our challenge.

We love your creations, and we really appreciate the fact that you took time out of your busy schedules to join in with the fun.

If anyone has a last minute entry please feel free to post a link and we'll add it to our list.

Onto my disastrous attempt....I think my mood was a little dark initially, as my first attempt produced this awful piece..




Which I scrunched up and deposited in our furry bin! Next I decided I would be a little creative, and made this....




Which I thought I could link to the Christmas Carol challenge by the fact that it was made entirely with our new 'Christmas presents'!!!!!!

But finally I decided I should make one last effort (just call me Horace the Brave for my valiant efforts despite my malaise).

Before beginning my task, I fortified myself with my favourite snack of Pom Bears.




Then I set to using the bears' Sizzix, which was our lovely Christmas present.




I die cut some corrugated card hearts, which I sanded, then stained with Tim Holtz seasonal distress stains, to match my stained background page.




I used a few stamps and inks




Which were stamped in my own inimitable way




To produce this.








I deviated slightly from Scrooge's quote, to fit in with my journal theme, which was basically the wish that the so called spirit of love and generosity associated with Christmas could be applied to the rest of the year. Wouldn't the world be a nice place if it was?




Scrooge's ledgers feature as a border, to link back further to the challenge. The Christmas tree links with Scrooge's intention to honour Christmas, and the inked hearts because I, Horace, believe that there should be more love in the world. The quote was chosen because it illustrates the theme of love and generosity, as suggested in the initial challenge.

I've yet to adhere my hearts to the page. I decided to try out a crackle glaze effect, which I think should have been attempted on something other than inked card, as one it isn't drying, and two it just looks like gluey blobs. Ah well, art is all about ex'bear'imenting, isn't it?

Hopefully the bears will be back to their usual furry selves soon, in the meantime, bear (did you see what I did there?) with us while we sit in bed and feel sorry for ourselves.

I even look ill, don't I? My fur is a funny colour!




With love from the bears.