Scrapdragons contest and Blog candy

Scrapdragons is having a paper piecing contest: "Create a layout featuring your own handmade, layered funkalicious paper piecing!What you need to do is create a paper piecing by hand. We're not talking your classic tear bears or Disney paper piecing, we're talkin hand made, layers, stamping, 3D and funkalicious!How about a hand drawn bird? A really cool stamped image that you layer, stamp, ink, paint and embellish?Have fun and be sure to link your layout in the comments by April 30th. The winner will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to Crop Addict"
Okay, here is my paper piecing at work:

1) The "Christmas" is a die cut that I layered on green dp to coordinate with the photo mats. Then I cut it out with my Xacto knife. That took a loooooong time.

2) I hand drew the comment ballons and used MM rub-ons "better not pout" and "Let it snow!" (Julia's funny expression should probably be, "Bah, humbug!")

3) I embellished the store bought paper piecing stocking, wreath, present, and santa. I used Button-Ups buttons and eyelets to make the stocking, wreath, present, and Santa 3D. I also hand drew with my black marker give santa more depth.

4) I hand drew the list! I am most proud of this. I was terrified of ruining the layout. Then I could not figure out how to get the list in Santa's hand and behind him (I cut a slit in the list with my Xacto knife and slipped his arm through it...see the end of the list curled up behind him on the right side?) I used a MM rub-on for "Dear Santa", then tried to mimic the font in my own handwriting for our names.

Thank you, Scrapdragons, for having this contest. It gave me the push I needed to complete this layout!

Blogoversary candy winner...me! My blog friend, Sarah, had a 3-part blogoversary contest and I was one of the lucky winners! This is my first time winning blog candy. She even sent me one of her beautiful cards :) Check out Sarah's gorgeous cards:http://creationsbysarah.blogspot.com/