CAS(E) this Sketch #243 - merry

I made another holiday card using the sketch for this week's CAS(E) this Sketch (#243).

Here's Donna's modern-esque sketch:

I turned the sketch 90 degrees.

While making this card, I was reminded of the importance of going beyond your first thought (thinking out-of-the-box). 
This is what I mean:
The first half of the card-making process was easy and smooth. I used the embossing folder for the background, made my own holiday stripe strip using the background stamp, and die-cut the sentiment. Then I was at a loss what to do with the rectangular space on the left side... I tried matching it with different colors of cardstock, but nothing seemed to click. So I took out several kinds of vellum sheets. OK, the vellum with gold squares seemed to match well.
I didn't want to add anything else to the space because the space already looked busy with the patterned vellum, the red enamel dot, and the fact that it was right next to the red stripes. But something was still missing. I ran out of time, and I literally slept on it. I'm sure you all have this kind of experience. 😉
The next morning with a fresh mind, I started thinking about adding something to the space even though it was not my first instinct. Well, the pine needle die-cuts actually fit. That space is busy but somehow it looks better with the pine needles.
You never know until you actually try it out and look at it - a good reminder for me. It's not always easy, but I enjoy this process!

Thanks for visiting!


Stamp: Diagonal Stripes Background (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green (Stampin' Up!), Patterned Vellum (Recollections)
Ink: Real Red (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Grid Embossing Folder (Spellbinders), Expressions Thinlits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Take a Bough Dies (Concord & 9th), Home for Christmas Enamel Dots (Stampin' Up!)