When I shared a project with the Wise Men from Afar stamp set several months ago (you can see it here), I shared that my brothers and I were often the simple choice for the nativity at church. We were, in fact, three Kings, so… As such, it seems like a natural choice when my Mom chose Wise Men from Afar for her World Card Making Day swap card. Here’s her card:
- Wise Men from Afar. I love the style of this new Wise Men from Afar stamp set – I love the design of the three kings and the fonts used for the sentiments. And what’s not to love about those trees? This is such a great set, so I’m glad Mom chose it for her swap cards. Here’s a look at Wise Men from Afar:
- The Other Stars. While there is a star in the Wise Men from Afar stamp set, Mom wanted a larger star that she could pop up with Mini Dimensionals (she’s been reading my blog and knows all about the tiny dimensionals that were introduced in the Annual Catalog). The star from Night in Bethlehem was perfect – it’s bigger and comes with a die. Yippee! Here’s a look at this awesome bundle:
Mom also knew she wanted the Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper for her project – she’s a decisive one. 🙂 Here’s a look a this gorgeous paper:

- Color Combination. What surprised me most by Mom’s requirements for her WCMD swap? She wanted to feature a non-traditional light purple on her Christmas card. Wow! I suggested So Saffon and a fun pairing, and she got to work making her card. I think her choice was lovely! If you like this combination of Wisteria Wonder, So Saffon and Basic Black, please save this:

Stamp Sets: Wise Men from Afar, Night in Bethlehem Papers: Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Basic Black, Whisper White Inks: Archival Basic Black Accessories: Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Bethlehem Edgelits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals
What would a swap post be without an infinity shot? Since Mom made so many of this card, I’m excited to share the infinity shot of her project:
I know Mom watches this site like a hawk when I feature her or anything she’s made. She was really excited to share this card with the attendees at our World Card Making Day event – I hope you’ll leave her some kind words about her project.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
Who doesn’t love a Buy 3, Get 1 free promotion? You don’t want to miss Stampin’ Up!’s sale – going on until the end of October! What fun! Click this banner to see all the papers that are a part of this special:
One-for-One Card Swap. I’m hosting a 2017 Holiday One-for-One Swap. For information about the swap and how you can participate, please click here or on the picture below:











Your Mom did a beautiful card! I would never think of combining that DSP with that stamp set. But it’s perfect together! And I love the color combination.
Thanks for your comment, Susan! She came in, knowing what she wanted. 🙂 I know she appreciates your comments.
Wow, your mom’s card is amazing. I can see where your talent is from. Go mom!
🙂 She’s a super-talented lady – I only grabbed a little bit of her skill. <3
Beautiful work!
She did a great job, huh? So glad you like it, Cindy. Thanks!
Great job Mom!! Beautiful card!!
So glad you like it, Lucy! She was really proud of her card – with good reason.
A beautiful card and I love everything about it. Great layout, colors, dsp and the highlight…..that star. Well done.
She stamped and cropped a lot of those little stars. Thanks for your comment, Leah!
Beautiful card!
Thanks for your comment, Candy! I’m sure she appreciates it. <3
Your mom’s card is gorgeous and so elegant.
Love the pattern paper she used, it’s perfect for this image.
It’s no secret you got your design talents from her, my dear.
Beautiful card, mom.
Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.
Maria – If only I had all of her talent… Thanks for your comments – I know Mom appreciates it. <3
I loved this from the moment I saw it! I was so happy I received one of Mary’s cards in the swap. The details are awesome!
I’m so glad you got one, too, Jackie! It’s a super-sweet card, huh? Thanks for your comments!
I was so happy to get one of Mary’s swap cards…love the layout but the purple base was the hit for me!
First thing I told Mom – “Windy Elllard is going to love this card!” 🙂 Thanks for your comments, Windy! I know she was excited to share this card with the event attendees.
The colors!! Love your mom’s card and the nativity scene story!
Thanks for your comments, Carrie! I know she will love reading all these kind words.
Excellent job “Mom”, I love how you matted the music paper. I’m sure everyone that received your swap were delighted.
Thanks, Katrina! She knew from the start that the music paper would be front-and-center on her card. She was happy to share this card. Appreciate your comments.
Beautiful Mary! I would of never thought of putting the colors together for Christmas. It totally works. Wish I could of been one of the lucky recipients. Have any extras 🙂 Always love seeing your work!
Hey Lisa! She done good, huh? I love the colors she chose, too. I’ll work on her to see if she has an extra. 🙂 Thanks for your comments! I know she appreciates it.
Mary, I LOVE your card! Colors, DSP – it all works together so perfectly! Thank you for sharing your beautiful swap!
Thanks so much for your comments, Elisha! I’m sure she’s loving all this positive feedback.
What a gorgeous card!! I love that color combo! Well done!
On behalf of Mom, thank you, Ellen. I am so glad you like her card.
Your moms card is so creative! And….so appropriate! Thanks for telling the story that inspired the card.
Thanks for your comments, Kim! I’m so happy I was able to share her card. Glad you like the card and story behind it. <3
Very lovely card. Your Mom did a great job. Simple & elegant.
Thanks for your comment, Dianne! She may have used up all my Wisteria Wonder cardstock, but I’d say it was well worth it. 🙂
Beautiful card, Mary. It shows how “out of the box” colors can make a stunning card. Thanks, Brian, for showing her card today. Have a great Saturday!
Happy to share, HJ. I agree – the colors are so unexpected but work perfectly. Glad you like it.
Mary, this is absolutely beautiful! Great job!
Awww…thanks for the comment, Vicky! I know she’ll have fun reading through these comments. <3
Fantastic. I love Christmas cards in non traditional colors. Love to see how your mom’s style is a reflection of yours – or perhaps it is the other way around? Either way, great job Mom!
🙂 She’s a talented artist in her own right, Becca. She asked a few “what should I do here” questions but mostly did all of this by herself. I enjoyed having her stamp with me. Thanks for your comments.
Oh Mary – I know why you had 3 boys – the church needed 3 kings for the Christmas pageant and really – that is probably the only church that had 3 REAL Kings in it! LOL You did a fabulous job with your card swap and they must have taken forever to make with all the great detail! Speaking of detail, when are you going to grace us with a new video, it’s been forever?
🙂 Thanks for your comments, Grace. I know she’ll appreciate the kind words. She had plenty of time for all of the details while she was visiting the week before the event. Glad you like it. We’ll get her in front of that camera next time she’s here. 🙂
The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree 🙂 I see now where you got your talent. Beautiful card, Mom!
She’s super-talented, right? If only I had more of her talent. Thanks for your comment, Pamela! <3
Beautiful card. Wisteria wonder and so saffron are a favorite combination. Works so well with this holiday card. Very creative.
Thanks for your comment, Robyn! I was so happy she chose these colors – they look great together. I know Mom will appreciate your kind words.
Mrs king I love your card. It states the Christmas message.
Thanks for your comment, Margaret Ann! I know Mom appreciates it. <3
Great story and beautiful card!
Thanks, Pam! <3
Love the colors, love the card. Mom has a great eye. It must be fun to share a hobby with your mom.
Thanks for your comment, Judy! I love when Mom comes to visit – we spend a lot of time in the Fungeon (that’s my stamping basement) when she’s here. Such fun!
What a pretty card, Mary! I love the colors you chose!
Thanks for your comment, Mary Lou! I know Mom appreciates it. <3
Lovely and such fresh new color choices !! A great card full of creative inspiration !
Thank you Brian for sharing Mary`s Masterpiece !!
I’m so happy to share her card, Sonny! Thanks for your comments! I know she had a lot of fun designing it.
I too am a fan of using non traditional colors for my Christmas cards, in fact I used wisteria wonder on last year’s card. Lovely card!s
Thanks, Sharon! What a great color – it has a touch of the regal, royal purple without being bold about it. Thanks for your comment!
Beautiful card! Everything from the colors to the images to the patterns is so well balanced. Love it!
Thanks for your comments, Barbara. I’m sure Mom appreciates your recognition of her design. I have to agree with everything you’ve said here. <3
Beautiful card Mom! I absolutely love the choices you made, especially using the purple. I may need to pull out my wisteria wonder! 🙂
I’ve had to add Wisteria Wonder cardstock to my next order, Dana, because Mom used up every last bit. 🙂 I like her choices, too! Thanks!
Mary’s card is gorgeous and it was such fun seeing her again
Thanks, Robbye! I know she had a great time and enjoyed sitting with you at the event and the dinner the night before. <3
Thumbs Up, Mrs. King! Love it!!
Thanks, Joann! Her card gets my thumbs up, too. Thanks so much for your comment – I know she’ll love seeing it.
Just gorgeous!! BRAVO!
Thanks for your comment, Barb! I know Mom will love reading through all these comments. <3
I like it!!
🙂 Thanks for your comment, Rene! <3
Hi Mary! This is one gorgeous card and I am so glad I got one in the swap! I love it! It was great to see you again and get a chance to chat!
It’s just me, Linda, responding on behalf of Mom. 🙂 Thanks so much! She had a great time at the event and loved seeing you, too. Promise. 🙂
Hi Mary! This is such gorgeous card! I LOVE your color choices for this card, I get kind of bored with red and green sometimes and I think purple is a great choice for Christmas. It’s so regal and perfect for your three kings! Your musical paper background also has me humming “We Three Kings” and now I’m in the mood for Christmas!
Yay! Glad Mom’s card has FINALLY put you in the mood for Christmas. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kinds words, Natalie – I know Mom appreciates them. You are so kind.
Wow! These Wise men are gorgeous! Your story made me chuckle. Beautiful card!
🙂 Thanks so much, Angela! I’m so glad I could entertain a bit while Mom wows you with her card. <3
What a fabulous card! I also love the three Kings comment too. How fun! Please tell your mom that her card is stunning! We know that two Kings are super talented!
🙂 Thanks so much for the comment, Jackie! I know Mom’s reading the comments, so “thanks” from her. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about me, too! <3
I just love your Mom, Brian!
Her videos are the best.
Beautiful card, just like your sweet Mom.
Thanks so much, Robin! She’s pretty awesome. So glad you like her card. <3
I adore this . . . right down to the Mary King (mom) watermark. Such a delight to combine with the music paper.
So glad you like her card, Mary! I’m sure she’s thrilled with the positive feedback. 🙂
Please tell your Mom the card is gorgeous. Love the colors.
So glad you like it, Kathy! Thanks! I know Mom is having fun reading these comments. <3
Mom, you handed down your talent well!!!!! Stunning Christmas card!!!! (you made Brian look really good!)
Thanks for the comments, Bette! Mom handed me down 1/10 of her talent. So glad you like her card.
I would never have thought of that color combo for that card but it’s beautiful!
Thanks so much for your comment, Dawn! I’m sure Mom is reading through every one of them. I enjoy this color combination, too!
Mary, sorry I missed seeing you this year. Sure love your card!
So sweet, Peggy! I know she would have enjoyed hanging out with you, too. So glad y’all met last year. Thanks for your kind comment about her card. <3