SHC - Christmas in July 4 ....

... Morning!! I'm here with my last Christmas in July post for Seven Hills Craft blog. I have used Lawn Fawn products on my cards. Here's the first:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter, Simply Winter Sentiments, Snowy Backdrops

Inks: Gina K - Sea Glass, Ocean Mist, Soft Stone; Hero Arts - Unicorn; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter; Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Island Indigo; Copic Markers; Silver & Clear Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#36.

I used a stitch edged die to cut out a white piece of card onto which I stamped the snowy backdrop in Versmark ink. I heat embossed the image with silver powder and then blended shades of soft aqua and grey to create the sky. I used the same die to cut a panel of dark aqua card which I adhered to the bottom of the white card. I stamped a clean, crisp greeting in white ink and heat embossed with white powder. I stamped the snowguys on white card, coloured them with Copic markers, returned them to the MISTI and restamped with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I used the matching die to cut them out. I adhered them to the white panel, added that to a black mat layer and added the whole lot to the front of a top folding A2 white note card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped another greeting and some Christmas trees.

My next card features a Christmas evening scene:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter, Simply Winter Sentiments, Snowy Backdrops

Inks: Gina K - Sea Glass, Ocean Mist, Soft Stone; Hero Arts - Unicorn; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter; Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; SU Card - Island Indigo; Copic Markers; Silver & Clear Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Card Challenge - H&ICC#99 where is Anything Christmas goes.

I used the same technique as outline above to create the background for this card and to cut the houses and trees. Before blending the sky, I added a little mask for the moon, and finished the front by adding glitter to the roof tops and to the trees. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I stamped the snowy background across the centre of the card in soft aqua ink and added a greeting in black.

My final card if ultra clean and simple:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter, Snowy Backdrops

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Memento - Summer Sky

Dies: Lawn Fawn - Simply Celebrate Winter

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Poppy Parade; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Sakura - Stardust Pens

I'm submitting this card to Perfectly CAS - PCAS#17 where they want to see Embossing.

I used the method outline above to stamp, colour and die cut the Christmas ornaments. I adhered them to the card front with dimensional pads. I finished the front by stamping a clean, crisp greeting in black ink and added the strings for the ornaments. Inside the card, I cut a red mat layer and on the white panel stamped the snowy backdrop in soft blue ink and a greeting in black ink.

That's all from me today - thank you so much for stopping by. I enjoyed making all these Christmas cards - I have 12 ready for my stash. That will make things so much less stressful in November and December. See you soon.

SHC - Christmas in July - 1 ....

... Morning! Hope you're all keeping well. I'm here with my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. I've made three Christmas cards all using one stamp set - Colorado Craft Company's Nordic Ornament. It's a huge image, so you can use it all or just part of it. I'll start with the card I made using all the image:

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold Nordic Ornament

Inks: Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocture; Kaleidacolor - Pastel

Dies: Spellbinders - Grand Circles (LF-114) #3

Accessories: White & Black Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Gansai Tambi Watercolour Paint Set; Tim Holtz Watercolour Card

I'm submitting this card to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#97 where it's always Anything Christmas Goes.

I stamped the image onto watercolour with Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I used watercolour paints to reveal the image - I love this technique. Once the image had dried, I used a large circle die to cut it out. To make the mat layer of black card, I simply drew round the outside of the circle die I used to cut out the image, and then fussy cut it out. I layered the two pieces together and adhered them to the front of a 5¾" square card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card and a white panel slightly smaller. On the white panel, I stamped the main image using a multicolour ink pad. I finished by adding a simple greeting.

My next card features part of the Nordic Ornament:

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold Nordic Ornament

Inks: Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocture; Gina K - Innocent Pink, Dusty Rose, Red Hot

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout Set 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; Gina K Card - Red Hot; Gold Embossing Powder

I stamped the image in Versamark ink, embossed with gold powder and used a stitch edged die to cut out a section of the ornament. I used three shades of pink and red ink to colour the ornament and finished by stamping a greeting in black ink. I layered the finished panel onto black card and added the whole piece to the front of a side-opening A2 (US size) card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white panel I simply stamped a Christmas greeting in black ink, and added some gold elements that I cut out from the left over ornament.

My last card also features part of the large Nordic Ornament:

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Big & Bold Nordic Ornament

Inks: Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocture; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout Set 1; C&9 - Merry Mantle

Accessories: White & Black Card; Silver Embossing Powder; Shimmery Vellum; Silver Holographic Card

How lucky am I? The new challenge over at The Male Room - TMR#152 is Christmas in July, so I'm submitting this card to the challenge.

This time I used silver embossing powder on black card - I love the contrast here. I selected the central part of the image and used a die to cut it out. I layered this onto silver holographic card from my stash. I also found some shimmery vellum in my stash. I cut a piece 1½" wide and wrapped it around the bottom of the image. I adhered the panel to the front of a side-opening black A2 (US size) note card. To finish the front I die cut the word 'noel' from black card and adhered to the vellum. Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of holographic card. On the white panel I stamped the main ornament in silver ink and added a Christmas greeting in black ink.

I'm very pleased to have added three more cards to my Christmas stash. I like getting organised early as it saves on stress in November and December!! I'll be back next week with part 2 of Christmas in July! See you soon.

C24C - Add Some Twine ....

.... Good morning!! It's Christmas in July!! It's also time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#037. For the next two weeks we want you to add some twine to your Christmas cards. Twine can be cotton thread, string, or gold/silver thread - as I've used on my card. Here it is:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Star of Light

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata - Golden Glitz

Dies: SU/Sizzix - Starlight

Accessories: White Card; Gina K Card - Black Onyx; Gold & Silver Thread from stash; Gem from stash

I'm submitting this card to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#97, where it's always Anything Christmas Goes.

This is a clean and simple card and reasonably quick to make. I started by using the large star die and cutting a star from black card. I used a white pencil to mark down the centre of the star and again across the middle and measured 10 divisions on each side. To create the stitched curves you can follow the instructions found here. It's a technique I learnt in maths class many years ago. I stitched the opposites sides in silver and gold thread. Once finished, I adhered the completed star to another black die cut star. This helps to keep the star firm and hide any threads. Next I stamped a galaxy of gold stars going from one side of the card to the other. I added a few larger stars in the opposite corner and finished the front by stamping a bold Christmas greeting. I adhered the finished star to the top of the card and added a holographic gem. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel I stamped an ornate gold star in the background and added a Christmas greeting.

Do visit our blog to see more inspiration from the rest of the team. That's all from me today. See you soon.

C24C - Colour Challenge ...

.... Morning!! Wow, it's 1 June - this year is flying by. And, we've even had some warm sunshine - at last. Today I'm here with my card for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#35. It's a colour challenge - we want to see your Christmas cards that feature the colours WHITE, BLACK and GREY. Here's my take:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Scandi Doodle Christmas, Say It Loud Winter Holiday

Inks: Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Stormy Sky

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Grey Card; Kanban Black Diamond Card; Copic Markers; Lawn Fawn - Silver Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aquashimmer Brush

I'm submitting this card to the Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#95 where it's always Anything Christmas Goes.

I stamped the Christmas tree image on white card removed it from the MISTI and used several shades of grey Copic to colour sections of the image. I returned it to the MISTI, stamped the image in Versamark ink and heat embossed with silver powder. I then cut out the image. I used dies to cut two mat layers - dark grey and black diamond layer. I adhered them to the card base, added a simple greeting and finished by adding the tree. Inside the card, I cut another mat layer of grey card. On the white panel I stamped a wreath image in black, coloured with grey markers and finished by adding a Christmas greeting in grey ink.

After I'd adhered the panel inside the card, I realised that it would make a wonderful clean and simple Christmas card. So I think I'm going to make a couple of cards with this design - I might change up the colours a bit!!

That's all from me today - don't forget to visit Christmas 24 Challenge blog to see more inspiration ideas from the rest of the team. You've got until 14 June to join the challenge. Have fun!

C24C - Add Some Glitter ....

.... Morning! It's 1 May today and that means, as well as the year flying by, it's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#33. For the next couple of weeks we want to see you add some glitter to your Christmas cards. I have to admit that I don't often use glitter, but I do love the effect. This is my card - ultra clean, simple and sparkly!!

Stamps: Uniko - Simply Said II

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Memory Box - Sparkling Tree Tile

Accessories: White Card; Green Glitter Paper; Stick It Adhesive

I'm submitting this card to The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#93 where it's always Anything Christmas Goes, and also to Merry Little Christmas Challenge - MLCCB#34 also Anything Christmas Goes.

This card is so clean and simple. I've had the die for a long time and don't often use it - I don't know why, it's so pretty! I found some green glitter paper in my stash. I applied some Stick It adhesive to the back of the glitter paper, ran the die and paper through my machine and that's it. However, this die is a tile - it does not cut out the tree, so while the die was attached to the glitter paper I used my scissors to cut out the tree. I simply added a tiny border all the way round the tree. I peeled off the adhesive backing paper, placed the cut out tree on the front of an A2 card and rubbed it into place. I finished the front of stamping a simple greeting in black ink. I've not done the inside of the card yet.

I am very pleased how this turned out. It is simple, but the sparkle makes it so festive. That's all from me today. Don't forget to visit our Christmas 24 Challenge blog to see more inspiration cards from the rest of the team.

C24C - Theme - Reindeer ...

... Good morning! We've had some lovely bright sunny days here in North Wales, but even though it's been bright, we've still had cold, frosty mornings. I spent yesterday afternoon working in my craft room on my card for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#32 where we have a theme of Reindeer. I've made a simple and elegant card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Yonder Star Background, Rustic Christmas, Ornate Ornaments

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Kaleidacolor - Fruitcake; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Spellbinders - Deckled Mega Rectangles Lg (S5-015) #4; Kaisercraft - Deer Head

Accessories: White Card; Gold Linen Effect Mirri Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Green Card

I'm submitting this to Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - HLSXMAS#04 where it's Anything Goes (I'm not doing the option). I'm also playing along with The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#92 where it's Anything Christmas goes.

I've used one of my all time favourite background stamps on this card - Yonder Star by Waltzingmouse Stamps (sadly Claire shut up shop a while ago). I inked it with a Kaleidacolor pad - these colours are just perfect for Christmas - and stamped it on the front of an A2 card. On some white card I stamped the lovely stag's head with sentiment in Versafine ink and heat embossed it with clear powder. I then carefully fussy cut it out. I used a fancy edge die to cut the gold panel and adhered it to the centre of the card. I used dimensional pads to adhered the stag's head. On the inside, I cut a piece of white card onto which I stamped a simple Christmas greeting and added a green die cut stag's head.

Please don't forget to visit our Christmas 24 Challenge blog to see more inspiration cards from the rest of the team. You have until 30 April to join the fun. Bye for now!

SHC - Lovely Christmas Legs ....

... Morning all! It's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. I've got a Christmas card for you - the snow we had yesterday got me in the mood 😁

Stamps: Colorado Craft Company - Lovely Legs Ice Skating

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Stormy Sky

Dies: MFT - A2 Rectangle Stax Set 1 #11, A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax Set 2 #8

Accessories: White Card; Kaisercraft DP - Mint Wishes; Tim Holtz Water Colour Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Nuvo - Clear Aqua Shimmer Brush; Zig Watercolor Brushes; Glitter

I'm submitting this card to a couple of challenges - Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#33 and The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#91, they both have an Anything Christmas Goes theme. I got the idea for the ice skating lady from the current challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#31 where the theme is Snow People.

I started by using a die to cut the fir tree design paper for a mat layer and adhered it to the front of the card. Next I die cut a piece of water colour card. I stamped the image with Versafine black ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I used Zig water colour brush to colour the image. I applied the water colour ink to the card and used a water brush to fill the colour. To make the sky I applied some water colour ink direct to the card and then used my water brush to spread the ink and create an ombre from dark at the top to lighter behind the tree line. Once dry, I added the greeting and embossed it with clear powder. I adhered the panel to the front of the card and then to finish it off I added lots of shimmer and sparkle. I used a clear aqua shimmer brush on the frozen lake and the hem of her skirt, and added glitter to the tree branches and along the edge of the lake. On the inside, I cut another piece of design paper for the mat layer and on the white card stamped the lovely legs image again in grey and finishing off the greeting.

This card is a bit out of my comfort zone - I don't usually do this much water colouring, but the embossed lines do make it easier for me. I'm really pleased how it turned out.

I'm taking mum to have her hair cut and styled today - here in Wales hairdressers reopened last month but I couldn't get an appointment for mum until today. She's absolutely thrilled to be having her hair done as in 'normal' times she has her hair done every five weeks!! 

That's all from me for now - see you again soon.