Neutral Noel:take 2!

Hiya crafty peeps and friends, It is the SECOND week of the "Neutral Noel" challenge at Jingle Belles! I am the Guest Star for this challenge, and I am challenging YOU to make a holiday card with only neutral colors! That's right, here's the info:

***Create a holiday card which embraces the neutral colors:  white, cream, ivory, ecru, black, grey, charcoal, obsidian, brown, tan, kraft, oatmeal, sienna; use them all together, or choose one and rock the monochrome!  in whatever way you desire, if it's NEUTRAL, it's *IN*!!!  and yes, for the record, we consider gold and silver to be the "bling" equivalent of neutrals, so you may use them all you like!  

When I came up with this prompt (as the Guest Star we have the option to choose the challenge), I was really thinking about how I *love* color and normally use as much color as possible on my cards. However, recently I've found myself really digging on all-neutral cards. When you lose one of your "go-to" tools for adding interest (in my case, color) then you are forced to look elsewhere for ways to add interest. Texture, pattern, metallics, and glitz are all ways to do that without adding color.

I wanted this card to be rustic and elegant with a touch of whimsy. This card has lots of fun layers to add to the interest as well. I started with a chocolate brown card and dry embossed it with a texture plate. Following an older sketch, I cut an acetate scrap printed with snowflakes and a crackle print scrap of DP with the same die. I adhered them together with no adhesive showing by running the acetate through a Xyron. The rectangular panel was created with a scrap of kraft DP that has a woodgrain print on it. Cute Mr. Snowman was paper pieced onto that panel from a subtle snowflake DP. His nose and heart were colored with a copper pen (to keep it neutral!) and then some Stickles for a bit of added interest. The final accent is made with a glittery silver snowflake and a stamped banner for the sentiment. 

This is the sketch I used, an older retrosketches #15.

The stamps are Paper Smooches: Warm Hearts and Christmas Sampler. 

I really hope you like this card and you can come play my challenge at Jingle Belles.

A HUGE thank you to Lauren and Stef for being just as awesome as ever! Love ya, girls! :) 

Hugs, Noelle