Christmas in July - Why?

If someone has the answer to that I would be most interested!! But in the mean time lets just join in the fun as Christmas for some people is the only time they send out cards and when you can make beautiful cards for a fraction of the price of the one you can buy.....why not!

I have been asked to hold a Christmas in July card making workshop at my church, I was asked to keep the costs low and there is limited time, so I had to follow the K.I.S.S statement (keep it simple stupid!). So there is no heat embossing, not colouring in, no hand cutting and no glitter - it's an outrage for a Christmas card! LOL But if I do say so myself, I still think these designs look very festive! In fact sometimes the simple things in life are often the best right!

Design 1 - Beginners (my favourite)

Design 2 - Intermediate

Design 3 - 2 Gift tags

If you would like to join me at my home for a Stamp-a-stack Christmas in July to make something similar to what you have seen here, make sure you join my mailing list and RSVP.

Happy Christmas in July everyone,

xo Bec

A biscuit tin full of cards

I have a brother who lives in Tasmania and it is always difficult figuring out what to send his family for Christmas. My sis-in-law is also studying at the moment so I know she is limited for time so I decided to send them a biscuit tin but I took out the biscuits and filled it with cards. Cards that they can use for Christmas and birthdays and friends etc. I hope they like it......

This is the lovely biscuit tin

inside it fits two piles of cards neatly side by side

I had 6 different cards with matching envelopes, 3 of each design except for the Christmas cards and they were 5 of each design.

Hopefully they won't feel ripped off that they didn't get the biscuits!!!

Christmas in July

I really loved doing the Christmas in July workshop. I cased these designs that I found on the Splitcoast Stampers gallery. It was so nice to create Christmas cards, gifts and decorations without the pressure of Christmas!! Way to go to get organised for Christmas! At the Stamp-a-stack workshop we made 6 cards: 2 each of 3 designs.......

CARD 1

I love the images in the Holiday Lineup stamp set they are so comical, it puts a little fun into Christmas.... but who has ever seen a thin Santa? Why are all these Santa's thin??

Materials used:

cardstock - whisper white, real red, basic black

stamps - Holiday lineup, Spotlight on Christmas, polka dot background

ink - jet black stazon and real red stampin' write marker

extras - black eyelets, large oval and scallop oval punches, red gingham ribbon, in this photo I used white embossing powder on the santa's pom poms and collars, but at the workshop we used dazzling diamonds glitter and I think that was nicer!

CARD 2

Isn't this pretty? This one makes me think of my mum - she loves poinsettias. It is a quick card using the Big Shot and the 5-petal flower punch - gotta love stamps that match/fit the punches an the "Spotlight on Christmas" stamp set has 6 stamps that all fit different punches and since I am a punch addict I had to get this stamp set to make quick and cute cards!!

Materials used:

cardstock: very vanilla, real red, glorious green (retiring)

stamps: Spotlight on Christmas, Best Yet (hostess)

ink: real red

extras: Top Note die for the big shot, 5-petal flower punch, gold shimmer spray (can't see it on this photo but it gives a lovely light shine/shimmer to your card/page **not a SU product**)

CARD 3

How cute are these reindeer? I love my traditional Christmas colours, but I also enjoy experimenting with non traditional colours.

Materials used:

cardstock: certainly celery, kraft, whisper white, soft suede

stamps: Holiday Lineup, Spotlight on Christmas

ink: certainly celery, soft suede, jet black stazon, chocolate chip, real red

extras: certainly celery5/8" wide ribbon, large oval punch to cut the corners, circle punches 1-3/8" and 1-1/4", crystal effects.

Variation to card 3

Here are a few other cards I made in preparation for Christmas in July.......

How cute are these little mice? (**not a SU image**) Normally I HATE mice, discussting little rodents LOL, but these ones are safe and they are not going to get into my food storage!!! I love how this stamp can be used for either birthday or Christmas, jut by changing the way you colour the gifts - my 8 year old daughter coloured this image and I put the card together.

I had lots of fun doing this card, I cased it from the Splitcoast Stampers gallery, took ages though, but I am sure next time it will be a lot quicker since I won't have to work out all the measurements. Do you love the little owl in the tree, there is a little blue bird in the other branch too but it didn't come out so good. These came from the the hostess set 'Picture This' in the autumn-winter mini. If you want to earn this set and get free stamps, email me today to arrange your own Stampin' Up! party - you won't be disappointed :)

Thanks for looking, come back again soon and be sure to pass on this link to all your crafty friends!!!!

We had a great night last week, thanks to all those who came.

2 Christmas card designs:

First was super quick and simple in red and black with clear embossing powder and dazzling diamonds stampin' glitter mixed together and heat embossed to create the background effect - gotta have sparkles at Christmas!!!

Second a pretty non traditional colour scheme using just clear embossing for the snow flakes and dazzling diamonds glitter on the words.

In both cards I used the "Season of Joy" stamp set which is very versatile and for 8 stamps it is great value at $51.95

This is my new favourite Christmas card at the moment. It is so quick to make and you don't even need a Christmas stamp set!! I got this nifty idea from the Splitcoast Stampers website and we made this also at the last workshop. We are on the down hill slide to Christmas now, so if you haven't started your Christmas cards yet, you'd better get crackin'.