A New Series! Christmas in July...

For about the next week, I'll be showcasing cards for a new series called Christmas in July. Not only will I be talking about Christmas, but I will be using (mostly) non Christmas stamps to show you that you can work with what you've got!

Today I'm featuring a card using the oh-so-popular Lovely as a Tree stamp set. Check it out:

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pool Party, Midnight Muse
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Merry Messages
Tools: Heat Tool, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Accessories: Jewels
Technique: Heat Embossing

So, the sentiment is from the long ago retired set Merry Messages, but the main focal image is from a stamp set that is not specifically Christmas. This is one of two images that can potentially be used from this set, so the possibilities are endless!

After making this, I thought the evergreen would look pretty sweet if I had used Pool Party embossing powder, but I'm happy with the result. Perhaps I'll give that combo a try next.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the second post in this series...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Frosty Friends for Sketch Week at Sunday Stamps!

It's sketch week over at Sunday Stamps! Monica has prepared a good one this week...

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Festival of Prints DSP
Ink: Island Indigo, Black, Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps: Frosty Friends, Merry Messages (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Layered Labels Framelits
Accessories: Whisper White Sweater Trim, Jewels

I veered slightly away from the sketch this week, but I think it still works! This is the first time I've gotten a chance to ink up Frosty Friends. Such an adorable Á la Carte stamp. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I stamped on a piece of printed vellum (with snowflakes on it), coloured the image and then puffed up the snowmen for a 3D look.

I added some texture with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF and what better accent than Sweater Trim?!

Hope you'll play along with us this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Folded Tree Tags

I made so many of my mini folded trees (see the tutorial here) that I was sick of making cards with them... so here are some tags!

Paper: Jolly Holiday, Be of Good Cheer, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Stamps: Merry Messages
Tools: Merry Minis Punch Pack (star)
Accessories: Baker's Twine

I created the tag in MDS because I wanted to make multiples of them and it was a quick and simple way for me to measure and cut them all out. Instead of a tag hole at the top, I used the star from the Merry Minis Punch Pack which is also the star at the top of my tree. I added a "snow bank" at the bottom with ripped paper and a simple sentiment from the retired set, Merry Messages. There is plenty of space to write on the back.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph