Gearing Up for Winter at the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up

Autumn is finally here, although Mother Nature has thrown in a few days in the 80s (F) just to keep us on our toes here in Chicago. So who's to say she won't surprise us with a blizzard next week?!
Whether she does it next week or in a couple months, it's time to head to the back of your closet and dig out your long underwear and other winter gear. So I think you get the connection between that last sentence and this month's optional theme at the 12 Months of Christmas Challenge Blog, "Gear Up for Winter".

The guest sponsor is Pattie's Creations, and the image I used from her shop is called Penguin Igloo. I have the perfect sentiment on the inside of my card: May your home be warm with Christmas cheer, and Peace be yours the whole year through"  That is a rubber stamp from Stampin Up. I decided to lighten up my card by using alight pink/coral coloring and pretty much kept it monochromatic. I also played around with the placement of my image, finally deciding to keep it off-center of the frame layers I built up. For shimmer, I added Stickles to my penguin's hat and the cuffs of the mittens on my background paper; Liquid Pearls to the snowflakes and the snow on the ground; and Liquid Glass to my penguin's beak and feet. AND I am keeping my promise to make two cards instead of one each time so that I have a double stash going!

So, in order to have a chance at the prize from Pattie's Creations, you need to create a card that features warm winter clothing or other winter accessories (hats, mitts, muffs, scarves, sweaters, boots, etc.). The items MUST be attached to a person's body, like skates, skis, snowshoes, etc. AND  it must If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for 3 images from the Pattie's Creations store.

Of course, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards at the 12 Months of Christmas Challenge Blog and earn a free paper each month or for a chance to win the featured paper set from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. Just if you want to try your chance at the 3 free images from Pattie's Creations.

Challenges I am Entering:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything w/a Critter Goes

Classic Design Team - Anything DT Make Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything w/an Animal Goes

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything w/patterned Paper Goes

Creations in  Pink - Anything Mainly Pink Goes

Love to Craft- Anything Goes

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes

Mix It Up - Anything Goes w/optional Monochrome

Monochrome Magic - Monochrome or Monochrome w/a Ribbon

Sparkles Christmas - Christmas is for Kids

The Creative Crafters - Anything Goes