I am not swinging full force into Christmas cards yet but I have had this idea rolling around in my head since I received the Eyelet Stocking die. My husband told me it was way, way too out of proportion with the great big stocking and little mantle but I didn’t care. I had fun making it and that is really all that counts. LOL! I actually had the whole mantle and fireplace and attached to different paper with a embossed brick wall inside the fireplace but it was way too dull. I yanked it all off and mounted it on the all green. I thought the white popped off the green beautifully and the tiny red flowers and evergreen gave it more Christmas color. 
I started creating the fireplace by cutting a piece of cardstock to the size I wanted and used a rectangle spellbinders die to cut the center out. I layered over the base with cut and crimped white cardstock to create the appearance of a wooden fireplace and mantle. I attached all the pieces with mounting tape to create dimension.
I cut the stocking out of paper that would coordinate with the background and a crisp white eyelet topper. I punched lots of cedar sprigs and created an arrangement of evergreen and tiny poinsettias. (we can pretend those mini daisies are poinsettias…..right??) I attached the stocking to the mantle and finished with a tiny red bow. The tiny white pearls added to the center of each flower was the finishing touch. 
I would sure love to hear if anyone has a good suggestion for what I could have done with the bottom of the card where the hearth should be. It looks empty. Leave me a comment by Wednesday, August 22 at noon and you will have a chance to win this fun and brand new Memory Box Ribbon Candy Border.
Thanks for stopping in today. I am off work today and am going to enjoy a three day weekend with my husband. I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.
Paper: White, Red, Old Olive, Designer Paper Accessories: Memory Box Eyelet Stocking, Punch Bunch Large Cedar Sprig, EK Success Mini Daisy Punch, Crimper, Pearls, Grosgrain, Glossy Accents, Mounting Tape, Stylus, ATG,
what a pretty and elegant card! your creations are always so beautiful, love the poinsettias and pine boughs! just gorgeous! 🙂
First of all I love the card, but for the hearth idea, what if you used the fence die from Impression Obsession and created a screen effect in the front and then put behind it rolled pieces of brown paper to resemble logs in the fireplace!
its a lovely card
The card is very pretty and I’ve been having a great time playing with your “kitty” (even though I have six real ones here at home!). I believe it’s QuiKutz who has a fire die. Theirs is more of a camp fire, but I’m sure the logs could be arranged a bit more fitting for a fire place fire. There are also rectangular doily dies that could be used as a screen. You could also make a brick background made with a fine line pen and whatever color you’d like the brick to be. Of course, it’s always easy to come up with ideas after someone else has done all of the hard work of designing and creating a card, but I hope you like the ideas!
I love this stocking card more than the first one!! I just got my big shot a couple of months ago and I am slowly collecting dies so I hope I win this one, thanks for the chance!
Prachtige kaart !
Geniet van je weekend !
Groetjes van Marleen
Hi Kitty, I think the poinsettias and greenery are terrific additions to your card. It looks great! As for the hearth, I would cut the sides of the fireplace down about 1/2″ to 3/4″ and remove the bottom piece that’s there now. Then I would add the wood and fire (as others have suggested) and a plain rectangle (or flip the “mantle” upside down and don’t crimp it) for the hearth – it would look like the window sill in your bunny nursery card. If you don’t like the fire idea (might be too much with the stocking), you could cut out a couple of bunnies and sit them on the hearth. Thank you for all that you do and share!!
Hi Kitty, I think your fireplace card is precious! Since you don’t have a fire in the fireplace, perhaps you could remove the white bottom piece and use the bicycle die as a Christmas gift waiting in front of the fireplace with a big bow on it! Your card would have to be a bit taller to add the bike, though. Just a thought.
I think the mantle die turned upside down wold look lke a hearth.
Hi kitty!!!
The card is so beutiful, as always!!!
For the bottom of your card you can add a tag, a Christmas wishes.
Who wouldn’t want a big stocking for Christmas goodies?!?!? Your ‘poinsettia’ spray looks so pretty on the mantle.
I’ve made fireplaces and hand-cut and sponged fire for the inside. Or, perhaps a Christmas sentiment in the fireplace opening.
I don’t think the stocking and fireplace is “way, way” out of proportion. Afterall, not all fireplaces are the same size and if you’re single or widowed like me, you hang one stocking so you may as well make it a big one, right? Hee! I was thinking it might serve as a stocking hung in a window, as well as a fireplace. If you did want to make it a fireplace, and didn’t want to put logs/fire in it, how about candles? Lots of people do that. Or you could put a fireplace screen in front of it. Perhaps you could even use a section from one of your beautiful, ornate gates? Just thrown out some ideas here. Didn’t have time to read all the comments so if I’m duplicating suggestions … oops! 🙂
Your card is beautiful as usual – love the arrangement on the stocking – so delicate and pretty. I think all it would need is a few ‘logs’ at the bottom – nothing too much to detract from the pretty stocking, or a nice Christmas sentiment. Thanks again for sharing your great ideas !
Love your card! For the fire I would use a thin wrought iron style fence die and a wave die for the fire effect. Also using a tree die to cut logs. Hope this makes sense, it’s easier to do them describe! Lol x
Hi Kittie,
Beautiful work, as always – you inspire me on a daily basis and I always check to see if you have a new card posted. I think I love detail as much as you do! To create a hearth, I would start by stamping a small piece of kraft or rust coloured cardstock with your brick stamp. (I can’t remember which one you have – maybe Tim Holtz?) Next, I would cut and colour a couple of the Memory Box Tall Birch trunks, cut them to form logs and round them to create a 3D effect. I’d stack a few “logs” and add tissue paper flames. Then as a finishing touch, I’d trim and fold the Memory Box Estate Fence or Rounded Fence out of black cardstock to form the grate in front of the fire.
Hi,
I’d like to see Santas legs coming down the chimney! I love your work- Thank you
Love the large stocking. Inside fireplace should be brick in distressed light tan (embossing folder bricks from Tim Holtz), then logs on the bottom. Add hint of gold glitter to pointsettia flower petals.
Very beautiful. How about just piling up some cylindrical logs that look like birch wood. White logs distressed slighly with light grey and then some dark “arc” lines to make them look like birch….or…at Christmas time, we put potted poinsettias at the base of our fireplace…lots and lots of them.
You could make the fireplace a little smaller and then add a small Christmas tree in front of the mantal. It could be decorated with all those beautiful “poinsettias” you create and for added texture more evergreen… perhaps a few little packages under the tree and some logs in the fireplace As always, your cards are beautiful!
I would put a longer planter (to look like cooper) full of your gorgeous flowers and sprigs, could even be a basket, or else just some varied sizes of cute snowmen. So love your work Kitty, so no matter what you put it will be creative and AWESOME!!!!!!!!
We have candles in our fireplace year round (live in Florida). Just thinking you could do something with that and a nice glow in your fireplace.
I love the big stocking, just more room for gifts right? Maybe you could fashion some small logs or a fire in the bottom of the fireplace. Even some small twigs from your yard would look cute. Thanks for the chance to win the new die, I don’t have that one!
Love your card Kitty. Don’t think the fireplace is out of proportion. The poinsettia spray is just wonderful. Just had thought . Could you use the window box die and and take out the window panes and use for the fireplace. TFS
I think its gorgeous! I think a basket of logs or coals or even a flower spray as some people place those in non-working hearths for decoration so the fire place doesn’t look dull.
You could even have a little pet lying in front of tge fire if the hearth was a tad higher (don’t want the pet IN the hearth lol just in front!)
Your card is beautiful, as usually is the case. I would just put a simple sentiment at the bottom. Seriously, that is all it needs.
I love the stocking hanging by the fireplace! For the bottom section you could have used a gate die to make a “fake” fireplace screen and had crumpled tissue paper for flames amongst rolled up brown paper “logs”. At least your stocking would not singe and leave burn marks like mine did as a child. I think the fire got a bit too hot one year. Oh well, we got nice new bigger stockings the next year, so it all worked out in the end! ~Gin~
This is beautiful. For the bottom you could put a tiered stand to hold pillar candles or just put Merry Christmas.
Kiitie,
Just love this card and I am so inspired by your creations.All the ideas for an addition to the hearth make sense. a small fire, or some logs or maybe a couple of andirons on either side. It will be fun to see what other amazing cards you share
Love the card as it is but if you wanted you could create a small fireplace screen with some andirons off to the side.
I’m so glad you have started your Christmas cards! Your inspiration has accumulated quit a file in my computer!
The only thing I would consider adding to your card is a small Christmas mouse/mice. Just for a little whimsey.
A pet — dog or cat with a pretty Christmas ribbon around its neck. I just have to say Kittie I love you blog; your creations are always stunning.
Fabulous card as always, your cards always look like a piece of fine art. As for what else to add, really nothing, it is perfect just as it is. I disagree with your husband too, I love the size of the stocking on that beautiful fireplace.
I just LOVE this stocking…and your wreath…GORGEOUS!! It looks great on this fireplace mantle. And I really think a punch art fire would look FANTASTIC in the fireplace!!! I might even put some little poinsettia flowers or pine branches along the bottom of the fireplace just to pull the whole thing together. I always love your cards and this one is just another in a series of beautiful cards, but something at the bottom would definitely be the cherry on the top of this beauty!!
Beautiful card, very clever how you did the fireplace. I check your blog every day and you have the most beautiful, gorgeous cards. I wished I could make the flowers look like yours they look so real. have a great day!
Beautiful flowers.
The inside of the hearth would not be the same color as the wall. I would use a dark brown or black. Then build a fire with cuttings from some tree limb dies that you have or put candles in the fireplace (of course you don’t want to catch the stocking on fire). You have used before some iron fencing and I would adapt that for a screen.
Marjorie from TX
Kittie, Kittie, Kittie
Your inspiration to create not only affects me but all that see your beautiful creations each day. With the holidays just around the corner it is wonderful to see fabulous ideas from someone so talented
I love your card as it is, But answering your request, I’d put some brown fire logs at the bottom. Thans for all the inspiration and for the chance to win.
I love your card, beautiful as always. The suggestion I have would be to place stamped image of a small fire or you could also use candles. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful cards with us.
Good Morning Kittie, I love this mantel and stocking, If I suggested anything it would be to script write Merry Christmas in white in the middle. Just an idea. I love it as it is too. ……hugs.
You are the Queen of dies and punches. There isn’t anything I don’t love on your blog (especially the kitty). How about a basket of those cute pine cones you make. BTW thanks for the great tutorials.
I can see the ocean waves die cut in orange-then sponge the edges in red to look like a fire…I love this idea…dar
Great idea and lovely card, as usual. I think without remaking the card maybe just a few pretty packages placed at the bottom would be sweet.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
Hi Kittie, Just want to thank you for the inspiration to get started on my Christmas cards…your beautiful cards are always a joy to see! Maybe putting candles in the hearth would be nice, if not logs?
Hi Kittie,
What about warm winter wishes at the spot of the fire? Beautiful card by the way, love all the detail.
You always make the most beautiful cards! They always blow me away! I hope that you enjoy your weekend off with the hubby! Thanks for the chance to win some blog candy.
jellybeankahler@yahoo.com
Lovely card as always. How about removing the bottom strip and adding some sprigs to resemble fire. the die cuts could be done from a piece of watercolor paper that has been painted and blended with yellow and orange to resemble fire.
Pretty!!! How about 2 potted poinsettias in front of the mantle columns? I think that would blend in perfectly!!
Love the card! It looks great to me as is…. the only thing I can think of is a strip of a darker colored paper (maybe a woodgrain design) going all the way across the bottom of the card? A piece of brick paper inside the fireplace would look nice too. Your cards are always a treat!
DeniseB
I think a fire and logs would look nice. Yes, take off the bottom piece of white. Bricks in the background would be nice, too, and a gift of some sort in front. If you use the bike, a tag on it could say “Merry Christmas!” Love the whole idea. Your cards are always so pretty. I’ve taken your ideas with the tiny flowers and sprigs and done some really nice cards for friends and family, so thank you!
Beautiful card and that flower cluster is stunning!!! It’s great the red flowers picked up the red from the stripe in the stocking! Hmmmm…. for the bottom of the mantel…. maybe fashion a little fire. Or for humor…. Santa’s bum going back up the chimney! lol
Oh I have it!! It is actually what we have near our fireplace during Christmas … AND you just used it on a recent card….
Use a reindeer die cut or punch. I have an EK Success reindeer punch (she’s such a cutie). Punch out of kraft colored card stock or something woody – OR – you can make her a happy green like the wall paper. Put a cheery red scarf or bow with greenery (like your recent reindeer) and stand her up next to the fireplace as a lovely holiday décor item. If she doesn’t look right standing on her own you could create a base like a wooden stand for her to stand on (like a merry go round post from the bottom only). The truth is we have two of these wooden reindeers and they flank the fireplace (along with a large Mr. and Mrs Claus). If only one seems off balance you could use two as little sentries awaiting Santa’s arrival!
As for the fireplace I thought you were going to explain that it was a Madison window with the bottom cut off and the panes cut out. It looks like a fireplace mantel that way!
Thanks for ALL the great ideas and explanations from your posts. I really, really enjoy opening them up to see a new creative treat each day. Continued good luck with your krafting endeavors …
Kittie, as always, you provide great inspiration for us all. I have your cards as a pinterest category. I think the inside should look like blackened bricks and maybe some logs at the bottom. Of course, a small teddy bear to adorn the outside of the fireplace would be a super finishing touch.
i have a chritsmas fire gard with a small santa snowman and riendeer on the front, i think i wouid put dark paper behind the fire place.
your cards are so inspiring i love them all
I love all your cards and appreciate the time you take to tell us how you create them. I love the idea of creating logs and a screen in front of them.
What a beautiful card . . . .as always! You can put a sentiment on the bottom of your card . . . .
Some mini topiaries on either side of the mantel and some gifts in front of the mantel on the floor are my suggestions. Although you really did an outstanding job, as usual. I just love your work and am so inspired by it.
Love your creations, Kitty.
As for the fireplace, grate and fire were my first thoughts but i see many of your creative readers have made fabulous suggestions. Just to add, perhaps a little mouse peeking out.
You inspire me, Kitty. Thank you!
Dear Kittie, I love your stocking mantle card. I made a similar card last year for a Christmas card for my daughter and son in law. I did not have any dies but I cut stones out of card stock and sponged them so they looked like they were three dimensional, for the back of the fireplace I made a brick design to look three dimensional again. I then cut strips and made them look like logs. Using the stampin, up punch blossom petals builder I used the smallest leaf and turned it into fire. In last year’s holiday mini their was a stocking builder punch with stockings just a little smaller than your stocking. I used MS branch punch for foliage on the mantle that I made and added candlesticks that I cut out. This brings me to your card which is just adorble. You could add a hearth with logs and andirons sitting on the stone hearth. Your work has insired me to go out side the box and go beyond my comfort zone. Thank you so much. With a great deal of respect for you and your work and visions.
Your cards are always so gorgeous and detailed!! Love this one too, but if you wanted to add something to the bottom I would definitely go with logs and flames! Traditional and cozy!! Thanks for your giveaway!
I am absolutely in awe of what you create, and cannot imagine I could add to that, but would suggest a fire from maybe a poinsettia leaf punch in yellow and gold, and maybe a cat or dog on a braided rug out front. Perfect as it is tho! Congrats
Hmm, looks like great minds think alike! 🙂 My ideas were a few logs waiting for a fire or of course a small kitty curled up or sitting with a small bell on her neck.
I would use the brick embossing folder, lightly sponged with brick ink behind the mantle, take out the bottom piece, set logs on the hearth (but no fire – don’t want to burn that gorgeous stocking! Then take narrow red ribbon and wrap around the columns on the mantle to simulate candy canes. Your work is always gorgeous and inspirational.
Hi
First of all all your work is so impressive. I check your blog most days to see whats new. As for for fire place ideas you could make the background inside the fire place a dark grey or black as they always look dark when you look into them and then add another layer of a stamped fire /logs if you have a stamp like that. The fire would look great and the dark color behind your stocking who make it stand out nicely. I love all your ideas using the window and flower box from memory box.Nice to see so many different ideas for the same die cut so that you get lots of use out of it. Debbie
Very cute card; I think a cat in front of the fireplace would make it complete. Thanks for sharing
Love this as I love all your cards!! You could have a Santa coming out of the fire place….
Hi Kittie,
Your card is lovely. If you’re looking to add a hearth, that is the place to use some of your brick background. A fireplace screen from a gate die would be a nice touch. And because I belong to the “more is more” club…I think some Christmas topiaries on either side of the hearth woold make it complete!
Thanks for sharing your time and talent with us. I’m a frequent visitor to your blog. It’s always a delight!
love your work, as always…your attention to details is always inspiring…thanks for teaching me so much…thanks for the opportunity.
Kittie.
I love love love your cards. I can’t wait every morning to open my computer so I can see what beautiful work of art you’ve created for us today. You always give so much attention to each detail in your cards. Thank you so very much for sharing your time and talent with all of us.
Kitty,
I think the stocking looks fine on the fireplace. If it was very small, you wouldn’t see it, and it is the focus of the card. I thought you could make logs with the wood embossing die and have some flames coming off of them to provide the fire. Thanks for the opportunity to win the blog candy.
First off…what do husbands know anyway? Second, I love your card, it is perfect just as it is, but if you had to put something along the bottom, maybe a couple of wrapped packages?
Who wouldn’t want a big stocking on the mantle for Santa to fill to the brim with goodies? 🙂 As for the rest of the opening, I thought maybe “logs” with a wood-grained stamp or embossing folder. A screen across the opening would also be cute. Thanks for all your inspiration and great instructions!
I always love your cards – I check in daily . Some logs using wood grain would add to the scene. Love your creativity and your instructions 🙂
You could always have a little puppy/dog on a pillow in front of the fireplace. A Scottie maybe. Some of the other ideas above are great too! Also, the birch tree die could be used to make “logs” for the fireplace.
Its beautiful and creative….I would leave the bottom white piece off and add a small section of fence maybe to look like a fireplace screen, and then use your brick idea behind that…I think it would work then…and the bricks maybe a gray and the firescreen black…just an idea…but I have to say, it is gorgeous the way it is…and I love the size of it!!
Just love the scene. Your cards are gorgeous! Your blog has been a major source of inspiration for me and it also empties my pocketbook!!!
Kittie, I love your cards and like many others, I look forward, every day, to seeing what you have created. You are a “very” talented lady. Thank you for all of your wonderful creations and the explanations you give as to how each card is created.
Great minds think alike? I see several others have also suggested a laid fire in the fireplace, all ready to go. Do love everything you create and appreciate your generosity in sharing
Your creative work still blows me away! This and your newest card with the tiny birdhouse on the branch is ..just incredible! I aspire to reach your level of card making one day. or at least I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards with us!
jellybeankahler@yahoo.com
Your cards just get better and better.I love the way you make them come alive.Your work is a joy to behold and is my ‘ pick me up ‘ every day. God bless for sharing your talent.You have a die hard fan in India !!!
Kittie –
I am just amazed at how beautifully you put things together. You also floor me with how tiny your work. I think this is just a wonderful piece. Perhaps a fireplace screen could be used if you wanted, personally, I love it!
Elaine Allen
I wonder if you could fashion a stool of some kind in front of the fireplace with a sleeping kitty or dog on the stool. You are definitely the queen of these cards so I’m anxious to see what you come up with on your next one like this. Always get so much inspiration from your blog. Thanks so much!
I think your card is quite lovely the way it is. You can purchase some of that crinkly “faux carnival glass” paper & place it in the “fireplace” to simulate flames. I think that would look pretty cool. I so enjoy all of your creations, Kitty. I really appreciate all of the hard work and effort you put into them and then sharing them with all of us. You really inspire me!
I also love your cards and the scenes you create, and look forward to seeing what you have created next. You are a great inspiration to me.
Love the poinsettia spray on the mantle! Maybe remove the bottom piece and add embossed bricks and a fireplace screen? Thanks for sharing your beautiful works of art!
Lovely card! There are some great suggestions here. I can’t wait to see which ones you used.
I enjoy studying your cards so much! I learn a lot!
One possibility would have been to create a few logs and flames. I would use Stampin Up’s Word Window punch for the logs and the wing from the bird punch for the flames. Lots of sponging!
Thanks for sharing your talent!
Lots of wonderful suggestions. I also would cut the fireplace down and add a group of presents on one side and maybe a basket of logs on the other side. Your work is so amazing. I’ve already copied your 3 stocking idea and added a few of my own touches. I get inspired with everything you make. I sure hope you are getting free dies from Memory Box because I have been spending a fortune on their dies because of your inspiration. By the way, I never tire of your Christmas cards.
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA
Love your cards style! Learn a lot from your tutorials and check your posts every day! Thank you for a great blog!
Hello Kitty….I LOVE your cards; you have such great depth to them and creativity. Keep ’em coming, I check in EVERY day to see what is new.
Hi Kittie, Greetings from Omaha! I’m not sure how you would improve on perfection! You know I love your cards; especially your outdoor scenes. If you thought your fireplace looks empty at the bottom, how about trying some Christmas packages.
Enjoy your weekend away with your hubby!
Oh, Kittie…this is adorable, as usual! I love kittens, and think a cat would look cute on one side. My grandparents…and then my parents…had a brass “basket” that was always filled with pinecones next to the fireplace. I have that basket now and use it for magazines as I don’t have a fireplace. (:<
Hi Kittie,
The only suggestion I have is to put some “logs” in the fireplace and perhaps a small saying like “Your love fills my stocking with warmth and happiness.”
Really love your creations!
Hi Kittie, another wonderful card! I really love your projects. Love the bunch of flowers on your fireplace and the stocking. I think make the fireplace smaller, a sentiment or firewood w/ fire below. 🙂
I love how you create such gorgeous cards using such few products. You are so imaginative and creative, and an inspiration to me. When I google certain cards, I always seem to find your blog and it always catches my eye because you make such lovely cards! Thank You for sharing!