Christmas in the Antipodes

When I saw TGIF's Challenge #173:

I thought of Christmas - because, since I'm in New Zealand, it could well look something like this. I loved that rainbow umbrella and wanted to use those uplifting colours, as well. 

Ingredients:

Stampin' Up! ink (Real Red, Tangelo Twist, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover, Pacific Point, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Pool Party), card (Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Whisper White, Gold), Stamps (Making Every Day Bright), Punch (Christmas Bulb Builder).

Other: Simon Says Stamp Merry Christmas Dies (SSSD111305), Kaisercraft DSP (Coastal Escape)

Southern Christmas

I loved this week's CAS(E) this sketch challenge - #193 (see below) , and used it to give shape to my thoughts about Christmas cards here in the Southern Hemisphere. I do love 'traditional' Christmas cards with snow etc, but it always seems a bit odd to be exchanging them while wearing togs (a swimsuit to all you non-New Zealanders!) and eating summer foods.
I gave this card a New Zealand flavour by including the five stars (four big and one little) of the Southern Cross, which appear on our flag (also see below). I sponged the background with various shades of blue to suggest the light shining from the stars, but otherwise kept the colours very simple.

Made using:
Stampin' Up: Night of Navy and Whisper White paper, Pictogram Punches stamp set, silver embossing powder, Delicate Ornaments Thinlits dies, Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Dapper Denim and Night of Navy Ink
Other: Versamark Embossing ink, Simon Says Stamp Christmas 3x4 stamp set