Sunday 14 December 2014

Secret Santa @ AVJ

Hi Everyone....It's lovely to catch up with you here at my little corner of Blog Land.
As you know I am one of the Creative Guides over at A Vintage Journey Blog. I am so very proud to be part of this amazing team of uber talented crafters, many of whom I have met. We all have a love of Tim Holtz products and style in common and it's wonderful to see the diverse range of Mixed Media creations that are posted on AVJ for your inspiration/enjoyment.

This is our very first Christmas and we decided to have a Secret Santa, which meant that we received the name of another DT member, for whom we had to make a Christmas Gift/Card.

Below is my creation, which was posted to the most sweetest address I have ever heard of and is the home of  the very talented Sandy Diller, of My Crafty Life Blog :-)

First of all I created an 8 by 8 Tri-Fold Card, which I covered with Tim Holtz Seasonal Stash Papers.
These truly are the most gorgeous papers and very sturdy. The papers were edged with Distress Ink In Vintage Photo and Walnut Distress Stain.
I had some Burlap Ribbo in my stash, which I applied to the holes punched with my WRMK Cropodile.  Some Jingle Bells were added for effect xx
One of the papers in Tim's Paper Stash has the most lovely Santa verse, which decorates the sides of the interior. The papers were again distressed and then matted on black card.
You can also see some Ice Skates, which were gifted by my mum.............if anyone would like to know whose die this is I can find out for you so please email me............button on side bar :-)
The Right hand side, once again matted on black card, having been aged with Vintage Photo DI
The main photograph is a real favourite and reminds me of the 1960's when I was a child. Many of the photographs were still printed in black and white and I loved their appeal.
There is a lovely verse on the back for Sandy and her family, wishing them the most loveliest of Christmas's. 

Then, there was the  beautiful Secret Santa gift that I received from the lovely and very talented Jennie Atkinson of
Jennie met with mum and I earlier this year and we had a lovely crafty day. She kindly shared how she makes her renowned flowers and we just laughed and chatted.....it was so nice x

Here are a couple of pictures of Jennie's make, which I am sure she will be sharing in more detail on her blog





A beautiful gift to treasure and you can never have enough candles x

If you would like to see some more of our Secret Santa Gifts then please hope over to the AVJ blog HERE

There is also a  Christmas Giveaway.................and depending on the amount of entries who comply with the rules there may be more than one !!!.............Please see details below or click HERE to go to the AVJ Blog

I would also like to take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2015

Thank You so much for all your wonderful comments and support throughout the year, it really does mean a lot to me.  xx

Huge Hugs


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50 comments:

  1. What fabulous creations Annie. Love your card and all that goes with it. Jennies box is indeed beautiful, the colours on both gifts stand out and will adorn your Christmas themes. . Hugs Mum xxxxx

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  2. Anonymous12/14/2014

    Gorgeous card you made for Sandy. I'm loving those Tim papers, haven't got those ones yet. The little pair of skates are just divine too. Karen.x

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  3. wow you Vintage Journey girls are truly amazing...love both gifts...treasured keepsakes for sure...hugs kath xxx

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  4. Fabulous card Annie. Love the photo inside and the skates are wonderful add.
    Wishing you the most Happy Christmas and Happy New Year too;-))m

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  5. What a special Christmas trifold card Annie! I love the aged feel and the clever idea of adding the mini skates inside. I bet Sandy is thrilled with this. Jenny x

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  6. This is such a beautiful card, so vintage and lovely images and quotes. Truly a gift to be treasured and cherished. Merry Christmas to you. Hugs. Rupa

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  7. A gorgeous make Annie full of wonderful festive imagery and lovingly created. I know you also sent some other bits with it which is so kind of you. So glad you managed to take part with us at this busy time for you. hugs xxx

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  8. The card is absolutely stunning, Annie - I adore the central photo, and the fabulous chic matted layers on the flaps too. The mini-skates are charming, the perfect little extra, and I adore the vintage colour scheme. We saw a sneak peek of the amazing canvas you sent too - looks amazing!
    And what a gorgeous gift box from Jennie.
    Alison xx

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  9. Your tri-fold card is stunning. Love the vintage feel of it.

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  10. What a gorgeous card Annie! I love the tri-fold layout and the image in the middle is fantastic! Such a fabulous gift to send someone and what an amazing gift you received as well...everyone loves candles! holiday hugs :)

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  11. Your card is lovely, will be a treasured keepsake, I am sure. So nostalgic.

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  12. I can only echo what others have said, your card is gorgeous, I just love those vintage images and the wonderful papers you used. Your gift from Jennie is equally beautiful and you are right - you can never have too many candles! Hugs, Anne xx

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  13. Annie, your Christmas tri-fold card is gorgeous! Love all the pretty layers of Tim's seasonal paper and the way you tied it all up like a package! Wonderful gift from Jennie. Happy Sunday!

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  14. Annie this is just so beautiful and so perfectly created

    Have a wonderful Christmastime

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  15. Fabulous card Annie, a great design and the photo and papers work together perfectly! Love the little skates on the inside too!

    Your candle box from Jennie is stunning as well!

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  16. Gorgeous card, love those vintage papers such festive colours
    Beautiful words and image is perfect
    The canvas is fabulous too

    Fantastic candle gift card from Jennie

    Jools x

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  17. Stunning card Annie - just love the imagery and papers - an absolute gem. Nikkix

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  18. What beautiful tri fold card, it is simply lovely, I just adore the great paper you have used and it looks really good!!! and what a lovely surprise to receive a beautiful box of red candles from Jennie, you are both so talented, and hope you all have a great Christmas!!!!











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  19. What a beautiful card Annie, something to be treasured always! And your gift from Jennie is so lovely. Thank you for sharing them with us and wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  20. I love your card, the skates look fab hanging there. Your gift is gorgeous, you lucky peeps! Merry Christmas x

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  21. Beautiful project!
    ♥ Monica

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  22. Wonderful projects and such a lovely idea to have the Secret Santa.
    Yvonne x

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  23. Love your Wonderful card and also your gift......

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  24. What a beautiful card to receive! The candle box from Jenny is also a great gift!
    Merry Christmas!!!

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  25. Such a loveable tri-fold card Annie!
    greetings, Alie

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  26. Wow, real christmas spired in a stunning vintage style you've made! Love it! And what agreat idea to surprise everyone on your team and endulge us by this hop! Inky greetings, Gerrina

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  27. I just adore that paper! Great fold too! Fab card!

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  28. This is such a gorgeous card, just beautiful Annie! Ruth x

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  29. Your vintage card for Sandy is beautiful and the skates suit it beautifully. You can clearly see a lot of love went into making it.
    What a fabulous present to receive from Jenny.
    Julie x

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  30. Trying this! I haven't made a trifold card but will this weekend! Your colors are off the chain and perfect! TFS! ~Niki

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  31. I adore your card you made for Sandy--it too reminds me of that magical time of my childhood! We are giving away our ages! How sweet to use the ice skates...a perfect touch and another reminder of my childhood (we skated our hearts out everyday of the winter, and my childhood dream was to become an Olympic skater!!! Ha, ha!). What a lovely piece of nostalgic art you have created! Speaking of art...I'm just a little curious about this other gift you made Sandy...we only got a glimpse of it, but it looks beautiful! Maybe a future post???

    Of course, I know you love the gift you received from Jennie! I bet the candles smell divine! And the two of you chose the same color palette! Amazing grace! Merry Christmas!

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  32. Hi Annie!! I just love the tri-fold card you made for Sandy!! It looks like there's a Christmas party going on inside, it's sooo fun :) Just love the beautiful Secret Santa gift you received from Jennie! I don't know what I'd be more giddy about--the handmade box or the candles!! ;) I love boxes and I love candles :) Fabulous!! Merry Christmas!! XOXO-Shari

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  33. The tri fold card is beautiful. I love the papers and colors and you added a pic of yourself. She will love it~

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  34. Hi just bought the skates die, inspiring inspiration, love it! x

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  35. Such a beautiful project, I'm joining your give away too :)

    Love
    Maarit

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  36. What a fantastic vintage card, loved how you altered the seasonal paper, beautiful present!

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  37. Love the vintage look here but must say those cute skates are such a lovely addition! Love your candle box too! Hugs, Chrisx

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  38. Hi Annie

    I just love my gift(s). The verse on the back of the lovely card is so sweet. I shall keep and treasure it for years to come. The canvas has already found a special place in my studio to reside, each time I see it I shall think of my talented friend and team mate.

    S@ndy xx

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  39. The Secret Santa is such a beautiful idea.
    Annie, this is such a gorgeous gift you created with you managing to evoke such an authentically vintage feeling with the way you so expertly aged the papers.
    Candles, so gorgeously presented, what a wonderful idea.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  40. Lovely card, perfectly depicting Christmas. Those ice skates add to the beauty. Beautiful card.
    Cheers :)

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  41. I love this fabby trifold card! Using the red, black and kraft color palette was truly inspired! It has such a great vintage feel...and the texture is fabulous! I found you via Sara Emily's blog (saras closet) and I'm so glad I did! I'm adding you to my reader! Merry Christmas!!!

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  42. Annie - you have made 2 beauties with these gorgeous papers. Bet Sandy loves them. Jennie's gift to you is also wonderfully pretty. Great that it can be refilled and used over and over. Nicola x

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  43. Wow! This would make the most gorgeous Christmas gift. TFS!

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  44. This card is incredibly wonderful, vintage at it´s best! Sandy will love it!

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  45. Gorgeous, I'm sure you are both very happy with each other's gifts, Santa's!

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  46. I love your tri-fold card...what a beautiful gift. I love the vintage feel and colors...the papers are lovely.

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  47. a beautiful make Annie and I love the make you received too - I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas - all the very best for 2015 - big hugs Rachel xx

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  48. Beautiful project, Annie!

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  49. Gorgeous, Annie! Love it! So very stylish and beautiful! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you the best for 2015! Hugs, Sandra

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  50. Hello Annie!! I am so sorry that I am just now getting to your blog and thanking you for the very sweet comment you left on my blog! Extra time is just crazy these days. I hope that you had a very very happy holiday season and that your 2015 is starting off perfectly. :) Your Secret Santa gift you received from Jennie is so pretty! Love the vintage red and white. The gift card is adorable and I love how Jennie put it all together. Your gift that you made especially for Sandy is beautiful! I can tell you took such great care in creating it. I am sure Sandy was thrilled to receive it. The Secret Santa idea among the design team members is a wonderful one! I hope that ALL of you had a very Merry Christmas and that 2015 will bring many many blessings. <3 Candy

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Thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog. I really do appreciate your comments and will always do my best to return them.

Annie x