'tis the season (#christmasinjuly2017)

Today marks the end of my Christmas in July series. My goal was to get a  jump start on my Christmas cards and encourage you to do the same. I actually exceeded my goal of 20 by two so I am happy. Hopefully, if I do this again next year I can get a few more people to participate with me! A huge thank you to all who did.

After stamping Purple Onion Designs Icicle (polar bear), I colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out. I used several dies from the My Favorite Things Stylish Snowflakes set to cut three snowflakes. I backed the snowflake cutouts with patterned paper and then reinserted the die cuts. After attaching the stamped image, I added the Purple Onion Designs 'tis the season sentiment stamped in blue sky ink.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI dp and cs, MFT dies, MFT and PTI ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bear-E50, E51, E53, R00, R20; Scarf/Hat-W00, E81, B41, B32, B34

I have enjoyed looking at your creations too. Today is the last day to post either here or on instagram using #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Dashing Through the Snow (#christmasinjuly2017)

I am winding down the Christmas in July series. I have already met my goal of 20 but I did not really stress over meeting the goal. The point was to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

Today's Christmas card features the Papertrey Ink In the Meadow stamp set which I have had for 6 years and managed to use exactly once. This one took some time to put together which is probably the reason why I've only used this set once. I started out by stamping the two birds in pure poppy and the sleigh in black and then cut out with the matching In the Meadow Silhouette dies. I cut a snow bank using the In the Meadow dies and after attaching together I stamped the sentiment with pure poppy ink. I used a cloud stencil and faded jeans distress ink to create a cloud background and then attached the snow bank piece. I cut the tree using a die from the In the Meadow Silhouette set, then cut in half and attached them to the background on each side. I cut a frame from pure poppy cardstock by nesting two stitched rectangle dies and attached with foam tape. Lastly I added the two birds in the trees and the sleigh which was also attached with foam tape.

Products: Papertrey Ink stamps and dies, PTI cs, MFT stencil, Simon Says dies, PTI, Ranger Distress and Simon Says ink

If you feel like joining me in the last two days of July in order to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Christ is Born (#christmasinjuly2017 and Faith Friday)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

After stamping all the images and sentment from the  Simons Says Nativity set directly onto the top fold card base,  I colored with Copic markers, using a gelly roll pen on the star for a bit of sparkle. I masked off the stable with sticky notes tape and also the Holy couple and repeated the sentiment inside the stable using soft stone ink. It is hard to see in the above photograph so here is a close up.

I am happy to say that this card meets my goal of 20 for the month! Honestly, I wasn't sure I could do it. However, I have at least one more for Monday which is the last day of the month. I am entering this in the Simon Says Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge.


Products: Simon Says stamps, PTI cs, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, MFT and PTI ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Skin-E00, E01, E11; Clothing-W00, E81, B41, B95, B97, C1, C3, C5; Stable-W1, W2, W5

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Merry & Bright (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I stamped a border twice in pure poppy ink directly across the card base using a stamp from the Simon Says Holiday Borders set. I then stamped a couple of trees from the Merry Trees using green parakeet and black ink. I stamped the circle, sentiment and stars onto a circle panel using pure poppy and black ink and attached to the card front with a layer of craft foam. After stamping another tree from the Lawn Fawn Snow Day with green parakeet ink, I cut out with the matching die and attached to the sentiment circle. I am entering this in the Simon Says Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge.

Products: Simon Says stamps, Lawn Fawn stamp and die, PTI cs, MFT die, Simon Says and PTI ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Ho Ho Ho (#christmasinjuly2017 and SFYTT)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I generally followed the July Sketch for You to Try for the layout of today's card. I stamped an image from the Reverse Confetti Elemental Stripes set diagonally three times alternating with pure poppy and green parakeet ink directly onto the card base front. I then stamped two of the images from the Jolly Holiday set, cut out with the matching dies and colored with Copic markers. A clear gelly roll pen added some sparkle to Santa. I cut the tag from white and green parakeet card stock using two dies from the Topped Off Tag die and the topper from pure poppy card stock using a die from the Hang Ups dies. The images were attached to the tag with foam tape and after adding twine to the tag topper and a couple of enamel dots the completed tag was attached to the card base also using foam tape.

Products: Reverse Confetti stamps and dies, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Hemptique cord, Sukura Gelly Roll pen, MFT and PTI ink, Copic Markers
Copics: E00, E01, E11, W00, E81, R20, R22, R24, R27, C1, C3, C5, YG01, YG03, YG23

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Cat's Pajamas New Release and Blog Hop (and TCP Tuesday)

It is release day for The Cat's Pajamas! Three new stamp sets, one new die set and two new cutables are now available in The Cat's Pajamas shop.

We are celebrating the release with a blog hop which also represents TCP Tuesday #338 with a theme of How Does Your Garden Grow? The full details on how you can participate are on The Cat's Pajamas blog.

If you came here from the very creative Deborah's blog then you are right on track. If not, then start at the beginning at Christine's blog.

Today's card features two more images from the new Big Blooms set. Using the two flowers as a guide, I first stamped an image from the Watercolor Basics set with yellow and aqua ink directly onto the card base. I then stamped the two flowers over the previous images with black. I stamped yet another image from the Watercolor Basics randomly in black as well as the sentiment from the Big Blooms set. I added a patterned paper and cardstock combo border at the bottom for a super simple card. 

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps, My Mind's Eye dp, PTI and SU cs, SU and Simon Says ink

I hope you have enjoyed all the sneak peeks over the past week! To continue the blog hop, head on over to the talented Wendy's blog.

Here is the full blog hop lineup:

Christine 

Julie 

Brenda 

Deborah

Nancy < -------- You are Here

Wendy

Alma@The Cat’s Pajamas

Beary Christmas (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

Today's card features images from the Reverse Confetti Bearing Gifts set. I used a diagonal strip embossing folder on a background rectangle and then cut a frame from soft stone card stock by nesting two stitched dies together. I stamped the images, cut out with the matching dies and then colored with Copic markers. All were attached to the framed piece using foam tape. After cutting out the banner from pure poppy card stock using a die from The Cat's Pajamas Ribbon Banner CutUps, I stamped the sentiment curving to fit the banner usng  Versamark ink and then white heat embossed. I added a double snowflake cut from white and gold metallic card stock using a die from the Reverse Confetti Let it Snow set.

Products: Reverse Confetti stamps and dies, PTI and Recollection cs, Taylored Expressions embossing folder, Simon Says and The Cat's Pajamas dies, MFT and Versamark ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bear-W00, E81, N1, N3. N5, E31, E33, E35, E39; Car-B41, B32, B34, C00, C1, C3, N1, N3, N5, R22, R24, R27; Trees-G40, G43, G46, R55, R57

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Tis the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I cut a white card stock front using a stitched rectangle die, then used the Papertrey Ink Clock Face die to emboss the clock.  I cut the clock hands from red metallic card stock using the Hands of Time die set and after attaching them to the embossed clock face, I topped with a candy stripe dot. The sentiment from The Cat's Pajamas Melt My Ice was stamped directly onto the card front using black ink.

Products: Papertrey Ink dies, The Cat's Pajamas stamp, Recollections and PTI cs, Queen & Co. embellishment, MFT die, Simon Says ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and  promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Merry Christmas (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I cut a stitched oval from white card stock, then used a snow themed embossing folder on it. I then stamped the holly flourishes and leaves in new leaf and the banner and berries in vermillon ink, all images from the Avery Elle Fa La La stamp set. All stamped images were cut out using the matching Fa La La dies and then arranged around and over the embossed oval.

Products: Avery Elle stamps and dies, PTI cs, Darice embossing folder, Ranger and PTI ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Noel (#christmasinjuly2017 and Faith Friday)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

It's "Faith Friday" on my blog so today's card is faith based. Even though all my Christmas cards are not faith based on the front, they all hold a message of faith on the inside.

I stamped the nativity silhouette mage from the Verve Beyond Measure set onto an oval cut with a die from My Favorite Things Double Stitched Oval set using Versamark and then heat embossed it with silver embossing powder. I also stamped the sentiment directly to the dark indigo card base using Versamark ink and heat embossed with the same silver powder. I used the Verve Starry Die to emboss stars at the top of the card front, then attached the image piece with foam tape. The border at the bottom was cut with a die from the Verve Scalloped Trim Trio set layered a strip of silver metallic card stoci. I cut a star from the same card stock using a die from the Simon Says Holy Couple and Barn set.

Products: Verve stamps and dies, PTI and Recollections cs, Stampendous embossing powder, Versamark ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and  promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Ellen Hutson July Pin-Sights Challenge - Guest Designer

I was super excited to receive an invitation to guest design for the Ellen Hutson July Pinsights Challenge! The Pin-Sights challenge is a monthly inspirational challenge based on a Pinterest Inspired photo that is located on the CLASSroom blog.

And this is the fun and festive inspiration! So many ideas went through my head on this but in the end I went with my normal clean and graphic style.

As you can see I was inspired by the festive colors and the dots. I started out by cutting a rectangular panel using a die from the My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Rectangle Die-namics. Then using the Misti Stamping Tool, I stamped one row of dots at a time using a stamp from the Essentials by Ellen Wonky Backdrops, masking rows with washi tape as I went along. I stamped the rows using Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink, Hero Arts Soft Pool ink, Hero Arts Fresh Peach ink and Memento Dandelon ink. I shifted the stamp down ever so slightly and then stamped again with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with Ranger Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the greeting out three times using the Essentials by Ellen Brushstroke Hello Die then layered them together for added dimension. I almost stopped there but then I added a flower cut with a die from the Essentials by Ellen Wild Garden Dies and anchored with a Doodlebug Lily White Glitter Dot.

Products: Essentials by Ellen stamps and dies, Bazzill and PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dot, My Favorite Things die, Hero Arts and Memento ink

Now it's your turn! To participate you must use Essentials by Ellen products and be inspired by the challenge graphic above.  A random challenge participant will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Ellen Hutson store. Link your projects here. Have fun and good luck!

The Cat's Pajamas July Sneak Peeks

Welcome to the The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week! We have some fabulous new stamps and dies which will be released on July 25 in the TCP store. Each member of the design team will be taking turns sharing creations and today is my day. Be sure to stop by The Cat's Pajamas blog everyday to see who is on the schedule.

On a top folded card base I created a striped background by stamping an image from the Watercolor Basics set across the front five times using daffodil delight ink. Using the Misti, I stamped the two floral images from the new Big Blooms set in black ink and then again in Versamark. After clear embossing the flowers, I stamped the two stems using images from the Sketchy Flowers set and a sentiment from the Simply Stacked Sentiments set.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps, PTI cs, Versamark, Stampin Up and Simon Says ink

This card features the new What's Up Gnomies set and as you can see, I kept it very simple. I first stamped the gnome and then masked him in order to stamp the mushroom and fence images. After coloring with Copics, I cut the panel with a stitched die and attached to a kraft card base.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps, Neenah and Bazzill cs, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Mushrooms-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24, R27; Gnome-E000, E00, E11, C00, C1, C3; BG0000, BG000, BG01, YR30, YR31, E21, E23, E25; Fence-E31, E33, E35; Sky-B0000, B000, Grass-G40, G43

For my third card I used another image from the new Big Blooms set. After inking up the flower with berry burst ink,  I lightly misted with water and then stamped onto a water color card stock background and did the same with the stem and leaves images using lemon lime twist ink. I then added more water to the stamped image. After the panel was completely dry, I stamped the flower centers randomly using Versamark ink, smooshing the stamp down hard to enlarge, then white heat embossed them. The background was water colored with pool party ink. I then cut out the banner from white card stock using one of the dies from the new Ribbon Banners CutUps and stamped the sentiment from the also new Banner Day set using berry burst ink. 

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI, Stampin' Up and Master's Touch Water Color cs, Stampin' Up and Versamark ink

For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store, comment on each of the designer's blogs on a daily basis including mine today. Winners will be announced on The Cat's Pajamas Blog and Facebook page each day. The so very creative Deborah will be your stop tomorrow but you can always check out the TCP blog to see who is scheduled each day.

Here are all the new products:

Merry Christmas (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I'm back with another Christmas card that I am submitting for both the Paper Smooches July Anything Goes challenge and August Guest Designer search.

After stamping five of the Christmas icons from the Paper Smooches Merry Motifs set, I cut out withe the matching Motif Icon dies and colored all with Copic Markers. I used a Sakura Clear Gelly Roll pen on the tree and ornament pieces. I cut the background panel from watercolor card stock using a die from the Simon Says Stitched Rectangles set. To prepare the background I messily water colored with tumbled glass distress ink and stamped the sentiment with pure poppy ink. I grouped the icons together attaching with a foam tape.

Products: Paper Smooches stamps and dies, PTI and Master's Touch watercolor cs, PTI and Ranger Distress ink, Copic markers
Copics: G40, G43, G46, YR30, YR31, YR20, RV10, RV11, RV13, R20, R22, R24, R27

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Holiday Hugs (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I stamped the snowman from the My Favorite Things Holiday Hugs set onto a piece of Neenah card stock which was cut with a die from the My Favorite Things Double Stitched Oval die. I then stamped the ornaments on each branch arm from the My Favorite Things Ornament Banner Builder retired set using pure poppy and green parakeet ink. The background panel was cut from white card stock with the Reverse Confetti Big Stripes Cover Panel die and attached to a sno cone card base. The sentiment was stamped in pure poppy and I added a couple of enamel hearts.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and die, PTI and MFT cs, Doodlebug enamel hearts, Reverse Confetti die, PTI and MFT ink, Copic markers
Copics: Snowman-W00, E81, YR01, YR16; Clothing-C00, C1, C3, C5, YG21,YG23, YG25; Snow-W00, E81; Sky-BG70, BG0000, BG000

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

Express Mail from the North Pole (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

Today's card primarily features images from the Reverse Confetti North Pole Wishes retired set. I stamped the sentiment using both pure poppy and blueberry sky ink directly onto the card front. I used the The Cat's Pajamas Square Stamp to cut the postage style square from green parkakeet card stock. And whew!, it fit over the sentiment and was attached using foam tape. After stamping the envelop and holly from the North Pole Wishes I cut out with the matching dies.  I colored with Copic makers and also attached with foam tape. I embossed the edges with a Lil Inker Designs Side-Stitched Rectangle die and then stamped a couple of more small images from The Cat's Pajamas J*lly H*liday set. A few enamel dots finished it up.

Products: Reverse Confetti stamps and dies, The Cat's Pajamas stamps and die, PTI cs, Lil Inker Designs die, MFT and PTI ink, Copic Markers
Copics: C00, C1, YG21, YG13, YG23

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Wise Men Still Seek Him (#christmasinjuly2017 and Faith Friday)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

It is "Faith Friday" here on the blog so today's card features stamps from the Verve Beyond Measure set. I stamped the wise men directly onto the card base using midnight muse ink and then again in Versamark and clear heat embossed. I framed the image by using the My Favorite Things Rectangle Peek-a-Boo die as an embossing plate and stamped the sentiment below with gumball green ink. I cut a star from silver metallic card stock using a die from the Simon Says Holy Couple and Barn set. A few rainstones finished up a clean and simple faith based Christmas card. And yay, this represents card number 10 which means I am half way to my goal of 20!

Products: Verve stamps, PTI cs, Recollectons metallic cs, PTI Rainstones, MFT and Simon Says dies, Versamark and Stampin' Up ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and  promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

Merry Christmas (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

I stamped the tree frame background from the Simon Says Christmas Graphic set using shimmery silver ink onto a stitched rectangle and then stamped inside the frame with the matching tree image using green parakeet ink. The sentiment was stamped with vermillon ink. The stamped piece was attached to a patterned paper background using a layer of foam tape. A scattering of sequins on the tree and silver metallic cording wrapped around the front and tied in a bow provided the finishing touches. This is one of those cards that I have to say looks prettier in real life as you can't see the pretty shimmer of the silver ink.

Products: Simon Says stamps, Reverse Confetti Quick Card Panel, PTI cs, Verve sequins, Paper Source metallic cord, Simon Says dies, Tsukineko Delicata. Ranger Archival and PTI ink

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and  promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up

All is Calm (#christmasinjuly2017)

Summer is a wonderful time of the year but then again so is Christmas so I am doing a Christmas in July series. My goal is to make at least 20 cards this month but I am not going to stress over the goal. The point is to get a jump start on my Christmas cards while enjoying the process. See below on how to participate too.

Today's card features images from the Papertrey Ink Warmest Wishes which is a retired set. I used the Lil Inker Designs Dual Stitched circle dies to cut a circle from white card stock and then nested two of them together to cut a frame from sno cone card stock. I stamped the mountain images onto the inside circle and then the polar bear and sweater which were cut out with the matching dies. After coloring the images with Copic markers, they were assembled onto the soft stone card base with the bear on foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card front using Delicata Silver Shimmer ink.

Papertrey Ink stamps and dies. PTI and MFT cs, Lil Inker Designs dies, MFT and Delicata ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Polar Bear-W00, E81, R01, B41, B32, B34; Mountains-W00, E81, C00, C1, C3; Sky-BG70, BG0000, BG000

If you feel like joining me to get a head start on your Christmas cards, please link up below. I would love the inspiration and  promise I will stop by to take a look and comment. If you post to instagram, use #christmasinjuly2017.

An InLinkz Link-up