JB12-02: take two

one of the things i'm especially loving at JINGLE BELLES this year is the opportunity to have TWO GO's at each prompt! because whilst i am constitutionally unable to mass-produce, i nearly always have several ideas for any theme, and sometimes it's hard to choose. so here again is miss kirsty's sketch, just to remind you of its fabulousnesss (fabulosity?):

and now here's my second card:

(vintage "cozy corner" story book scanned, reduced to 50%, and printed on photo paper; patterned paper & alphas: reminisce; other stickers: echo park, karen foster, october afternoon; chipboard: fancy pants; red cardstock: dcwv; ink: colorbox; adhesives: tombow monorunner, 3m foam tape, sewing machine)

the inspiration for this one--apart from the gorgeous sketch and a few new papers i scooped in the post-holiday sales-- was one of my favorite christmas presents, a drool-worthy vintage copy of the night before christmas that my girl gina gave me which i absolutely adore:

before you even ask: NO, OF COURSE I WILL NEVER EVER ALTER OR HARM THIS BOOK!!! yes, i do use genuine vintage things in my work, and in my ephemera packs; and yes, i think in the right circumstances it's absolutely fine to do so (which basically, for me, involve the books being in a condition already past the point where people would be able or want to read--much less collect--them!) a subject i've discussed both recently and historically. that doesn't mean i just indiscriminately destroy beautiful old books, especially ones in lovely condition! this is a treasure, and an instant favorite out of all my copies*, and the fact that gina remembered i collect these is yet another reason on the very long list of why i adore her! thank you, missus! ♥♥♥

ok, so being PRECIOUS, i needed to scan it; and being that the original book is also about 9x9" i also reduced the size considerably before printing it out on photo paper; i could have--and in future probably will--use a matte finish, but the book does have a faint (if slightly aged) glossiness to it, and also i just think the fidelity of color images is better on photo paper; plus a variety of surfaces add interest to a card, in my opinion. when it was printed, i used it just like any other element... with the sketch to guide my placement... and card #4 for 2012 is in the bag--wahey! 

once again i remind you there is still almost a whole week left in which to make and link up a version of kirsty's sketch and get a shot at that fabulous prize! c'mon over and GET YER JINGLE ON  today!!!

*yes, i totally meant to take a photo of the different copies i have before we put the xmas stuff away, and NO, i didn't remember to do so. i will do it in december, i promise!!! :)