Christmas in July - July 31, 2018

 Here we are!  It's July 31st.  I've presented one card for each day of July.  Usually I made sets of six unless otherwise noted.

The final count for July's Christmas Card project is 148 cards. 

 This stamp set is called Christmas Happiness.  When it was current, I didn't really use it.
After taking another look, I thought of making this just an edge view of a Christmas tree - just the tips of the needles.  Our tree has pine cones attached, and I LOVE the colored lights.

Listed in the labels it shows 2-Step stamping.  That's not exactly correct.  Each of the lights is a three stepper.  The light in black, the green section, and the bulb itself.  I then went back and added Wink of Stella on each light.

None of these 6 cards are the same.  Some have lights only on the edges and some have lights all over.  I think I like that variation the best.

There are still more Christmas cards coming!  Remember, the holiday catalog shows up on September 1st.  I'll showcase even more designs then. 

Thank you so much for following along with me each day of July! 



If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

ATC Swaps - Two for July

First, I'm showing my two creations for the July Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap.  Our theme for July was Christmas - so I just had to make two!

When you scroll down after the two cards, I'll show a Stamparatus technique, and a heat embossing technique I learned from my upline Kathy.

First, the wreath.  Does it look like the sunflower from Painted Harvest?  You're right!  I used two greens to stamp it.  The first layer is stamped in Granny Apple Green.  Then Tranquil Tide is layered over the top.  This little piece (they're only 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches) uses 2-step stamping, heat embossing, and distressing.  Lots of techniques for a tiny piece of art! 

 I actually lost one of the stamps from my set, so I used my Versamark pen to add the red dots on the wreath.  The sentiment and berries are heat embossed with the Lovely Lipstick embossing powder.  I added some glitter to the embossing powder.

The product list and products below are listed for the wreath ATC.

Do you recognize this ATC? It's a very close copy of the card from the 13th.  I actually made these first, and then decided to turn it into a full-sized card.  You can print the recipe from the 13th and have all the materials I used for this little piece.  Just add some rhinestones and you're set!

Now, for some techniques with the Stamparatus.  I have ATC stamps for the back of my cards.  It was just so much easier to use the Stamparatus to stamp all 20 cards in an efficient way.  I cut the template and laid it in the 'machine'.

 After laying the background stamp on the card, I picked it up with the plate.  Ink it up - stamp and then place in another piece of card.  Continue until you're finished.  Since I made 2 sets of swaps this month, it went quite quickly... 20 done in a flash.

Here is a technique my upline uses at club.  I got this piece of cardstock from one of my SU products.  Attach a few clothes pins and you have finger savers!  It's a real help when you're heat embossing small pieces as well as a time saver when you have 20 pieces to emboss.

Click on any of the products below to purchase materials to make this project.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Print Recipe

Product List

Tranquil Tide 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144246] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Handwritten Wood-Mount Stamp Set [146521] $20.00
Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set [144783] $21.00	Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set [142049] $35.00	In Color 2018–2020 Stampin' Emboss Powder [146955] $25.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095] $7.50	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [147146] $7.50	Embossing Buddy [103083] $6.00
Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad [147140] $7.50	Sponge Daubers [133773] $5.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

 

Christmas in July - July 30, 2018

 This card featured today is very simple.  The set of 6 actually came together quite fast.  The story behind the card for me is actually longer than the card took to make!

The first part of this is the silhouette.  As a child, I read a book series that featured only a few silhouette images at chapter title pages and sprinkled around the story.  Every time I see those types of images, it's a sweet memory.  I make sure every school I teach at has these in the library.

This stamp set is called Every Blessing. 

 The Bible verse is another.  Each Christmas my church had a Christmas Program like so many still do.  From kindergarten we had verses in the program.  Each year the parts got longer - but the one I couldn't wait to get to were the narrations done by the oldest kids.  They introduced each section with a part of their own.  It was always one of the iconic verses of the Christmas story.  I couldn't wait to get to do mine when the time came!   This was always one that stood out for me.  It was so exciting to have it featured in a stamp set.

 The inside verses come from a stamp set called Versatile Christmas.  They are supposed to be a pair for the front and interior of a card, but they just worked here with the image on the front.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Christmas in July - July 29, 2018

 This is also a long retired stamp set.  I've made many cards with it.  Today I'm featuring a simple design.  The star is stamped in Crumb Cake.  The "Let Earth Receive Her King" is stamped in Cherry Cobbler.  It shows beautifully.  As all the ink dried, the Crumb Cake became lighter, and the Cherry Cobbler became darker.  It was perfect!

I added a bit of ribbon, and the Trio punch on the top for detail.

As with the last few sets there are six cards in this set.  I'll have the total cards in a few days.  Get ready!



Click on any of the products below to purchase materials to make this project.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Christmas in July - July 28, 2018

Frame.  I don't know what else to call this card technique.  I received a swap using the frame, and this is my first try.  

 The stamp set is the same as yesterday.  This is the ornament grouping from Jar of Cheer.  It is usually showcased inside the jar.  I thought the frame would be perfect with it.  I added the Trio punch on the corners for more detail.

 This is a closer look at the framed image.  I used the new watercolor pencils and added Wink of Stella because Christmas ornaments MUST be sparkly! 
You should be able to see the sparkle on the picture below.

Again I'm going to recommend using aqua painters with the Watercolor Pencils.  I'm much happier with the result.  The blender pens tend to make the paper pill, and the look isn't as smooth.
It's great to have a deeper color selection!



Click on any of the products below to purchase materials to make this project.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Product List

Jar Of Cheer Photopolymer Stamp Set [142161] $21.00	Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00
Detailed Trio Punch [146320] $20.00	Watercolor Pencils [141709] $16.00	Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2 [149014] $12.50
Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00

Christmas in July - July 27, 2018

Ahhhh  Christmas trees!  I love Christmas trees! We don't keep our big tree up all year, but I have Christmas trees around my house all year long.  My grandma's ceramic tree has pride of place.  I don't keep it plugged in all year, but it's out there.

The stamps come from a retired set Jar of Cheer.  This tree just needs to be made into a snow globe! 

 After stamping and watercoloring the tree, I embossed the card with the Softly Falling folder since it just needed that additional 'something'. 

I added tiny colored rhinestones for lights, and a larger rhinestone for a star.  The Wink of Stella is so hard to see.  I've added the sparkle to the snow inside the jar.

I've said it before...  having the right colors makes all the difference!  An aquapainter and Shaded Spruce is the perfect combination for a Christmas tree!

I also have an idea for using this tree with the Varied Vases.  I'm afraid it's going to be too big, but I want to give it a try.

Keep a look-out for tomorrow!  I've got another version using Jar of Cheer.  



Click on any of the products below to purchase materials to make this project.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Christmas in July - July 26, 2018

Finally a current stamp set! 

I'm going to apologize for this picture!  There are two levels of houses.  They just don't show well in this picture. 

I love this stamp set and die bundle.  It's one of those I have a hard time with.  I CASEd this card.  There was another version I saw that is on my "To Make" list.  You'll see it soon.



Click on any of the products below to purchase materials to make this project.

If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd be thrilled to talk with you about furthering your crafting pursuits!

Product List

Hearts Come Home Clear-Mount Stamp Set [145416] $21.00	Hometown Greetings Edgelits Dies [144671] $32.00	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867] $8.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119683] $8.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Big Shot [143263] $110.00