Collecting the tree ... for Sweet Stampin'

Good morning to one and all.  What a week it has been - snow everywhere, more to come, and lucky me I got a pretty nasty virus on my PC.   I was searching for a new Christmassy look for my blog, and looked at one site that has their own backgrounds and lists other blogs with free backgrounds as well.  I started going down the list, and opened one blog that has quite obviously had been hacked into or deliberately placed, and it was full of the most disgusting porn with the virus lurking.  It took me virtually all day to clean my PC.  Although I have all the standard anti-virus applications, none of them worked against this, because everytime I tried to do a scan this virus prevented it, until a free download from Microsoft called Security Essentials did the job.  This sort of thing makes me so angry.   I did email the blog concerned, and they have removed the offending link - it was not their fault.  Enough of the rants

Anyway I have a background I just had to have - the birds are my namesakes so what is a girl supposed to do when she is a Robin as well!!

On to this weeks' Sweet Stampin' challenge.  We are sponsored by LadyBug Crafts Ink, and I know there is a yummy prize for the winner.  We woud like to see your backgrounds created especially for your card - that means no branded DPs, but you can create one of your own.

I have done something fairly simple and have stamped and embossed with Winter Wonderland embossing powder straight on to my base card because I did not want to detract from this beautiful image from Lili of the Valley.  For the trees in the background I followed a project in the December issue of Craft Stamper  by Kay Carley for a technique using copics.  i thought it looked so effective so gave it a go.  The tree stamps I have had for years, and I have never used them, but they just suited this, and after colouring I added some Diamond Stickles..  For the sky I brushed some Distress Ink through a Spellbinder Impressabilities.  To finish I just mounted the whole thing on some Bazzill and finished off with a toning satin ribbon.  No greeting as I am not yet sure who this is for.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

• Winter Wonderland - Christmas and penguins or polar bears
• The Stampman - Christmas and only 3 colours
• Stamp Something - Christmas colour combo
• Raise the Bar - Trees
• Woodware USA - Anything goes
• Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes
• Paper Cupcakes - Anything goes
• Dutch Dare - Christmas card or tag
• Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Christmas animals
• Stamp and Create - 'Tis the season

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments.  Thank you each and every one of you.