Christmas in July
Christmas in July has always been popular with me. When I was a kid at summer camp I got our cabin to pick that theme for the cabin decorating contest--can't remember if we won! This year there are lots of blog features & challenges with the theme, so more to come. Actually, I made a Christmas card for last week's PTI MIM challenge & here's my entry for PTI CAWU. I really loved Laurie's black, white & gold card & was inspired by the gold on white die cuts, gold frame & contrasting card.
As you can see, I used Pure Poppy cardstock instead of black. The die cuts from Spruce & Sprigs are stamped in Delicata Golden Glitz--my favorite gold ink. I made the frame with AJVD Polka Dot Backdrop rectangles & sponged with gold. The sentiment from Botanical Blocks IV is gold embossed & I couldn't resist adding a few small PPP gold sequins. The panel is mounted with fun foam to the card front, so will need a bit of extra postage. I'm also entering HLS Christmas challenge, Die Cut Divas & Word Art Wednesday.
Next is my first card using a brand new die from CASual Fridays. Haven't been letting myself buy new stamps or dies, but couldn't resist the bell dies in the retirement sale. I didn't have any bell dies, so that's my justification--haha!
So fun to use the shape of an object for a shaker window & I tried out Stephanie's technique of stacked layers instead of foam--great when the opening doesn't have straight lines. The shaker mix is white seed beads & Stampendous Shaved Ice. I have 2 Lawn Fawn plaid paper pads that have hardly been used--love the look! The PPP bow was the perfect size to top the bell & I added an iridescent gem that ties into the mix. The sentiment from the first card was still in my Mini MISTI & was the right size, so I stamped it several times in DI pine needles which closely matches the cardstock panel. I'm entering CAS-ual Fridays, CCCB, CropStop, HLS Anything Goes with Dies, SSS Wednesday & Die Cut Divas. I'm slowly catching up on blog reading--thanks for your patience. Enjoy the weekend!
Edited to add: Joining the Summer Link Up at Merry Monday using #241 (red, green & white) or #240 (bell)--thanks for the suggestion, Linda.
Two lovely cards Greta. I love the colour combination on the first card. I'm sure you'll find lots of use for the bell and I do like that lovely plaid paper. Barbxx
ReplyDeleteBoth Christmas cards are gorgeous, Greta!! I don't blame you for grabbing up that awesome bell! I love that you made it a shaker and, of course, I am swooning over the Christmas plaid!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteGreta, love them both. The gold and red is a fabulous combination and the plaid bell is a super festive card as well.
ReplyDeletetwo fantastic cards Greta! the plaid one is my favorite - that bell makes a wonderful shaker card.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun shaker card for your Christmas in July theme! I have a hard time "getting in the spirit" when it's so hot outside, but I'm enjoying seeing what everyone else is creating!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to the Cropstop blog -- always love seeing what you've been up to!
Oh they are both lovely, Greta! I really like you fun shaker card. I struggle with them and yours is perfect!
ReplyDeleteTwo darling Christmas cards, Greta! Especially love the bell with the plaid - you should like it up to the Merry Monday Christmas in July challenge. We had a bell challenge earlier in the year that this card meets!
ReplyDeletefabulous set of Christmas cards, greta!! the first one is a wonderful take on Laurie's card!! love the shaker element on the second!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are GORGEOUS Greta! I love your Pure Poppy card with the gold framing sprigs...CAS perfection!! And your shaker card in the bell shape is SO cool and I love the plaid background too! You could enter both of these into the Merry Monday Summer challenge too...$15 Starbucks gift card up for grabs for one random winner! :0)
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning cards Greta - I like the classic elegance of the first one with the deep red and gold and the bell is pure Christmas magic. Of course you needed that die! It looks so festive as a shaker with that gorgeous tartan paper.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely cards again Greta! You've made a great start to your Christmas card supplies! Happy Sunday to you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great take on the original with your first card. So classy and love the tones of the colours you used x Fun second card, love the plaid and that cute shaker x
ReplyDeleteTwo more cute cards to add to your Christmas stash! The red one is pretty and the plaid really catches my eye. What a great bell die and shiny shaker card.
ReplyDeleteTwo wonderful cards! You're going to have all your Christmas cards done in no time! Fun shaker card!
ReplyDeleteI also LOVED Laurie's card and your case of it is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty Christmas cards, Greta!! Love the red and gold. It looks perfect! Second card is so festive and fun with the bell cut out and shiny elements!
ReplyDeleteSuper cards. I love the richness of the reds and golds on the first one. Thanks for playing at HLS Christmas challenge.
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards Greta...love that gorgeous red background on your first card, stunning look.
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant card, love the plaid shaker card as well.
ReplyDeleteTwo great Christmas cards. I think shakers are always impressive and the bell is an unusual twist. Thanks for joining in at City Crafter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute shaker! I love the plaid.Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers!
ReplyDeleteYour link on Die Cut Divas doesn't bring me here. This is a perfect us of a die. The card is darling. Om my gosh. How perfect - a tree card, literally. Love it. So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas.
ReplyDeleteWonderful red and gold card too. Om my gosh. How perfect - a tree card, literally. Love it. So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas.
ReplyDeleteLove both your Christmas card but the Plaid Christmas shaker one is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThank your for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
luv
Debby
You have given me a much needed idea for a bell die I am struggling with using. It's always a pleasure to visit and I never fail to be inspired! Thank you dear, another beauty! Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteFab festive shaker card.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at HLS Anything Goes with Dies. :)
Love the shaved ice inn the shaker window! Thanks for playing along with us at CAS-ual Fridays Challenge :)
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards Greta...love that gorgeous red background on your first card, stunning look.
ReplyDeleteโกลเด้นสล็อต
สูตรบาคาร่า
gclub