Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Christmas In August

Did someone say Christmas in August? I have to tell you, when you're battling heat and humidity like we are here in the Deep South. it's a hard concept to wrap your mind around. I just had to keep reminding myself of how cold it was last winter, and how I couldn't wait for summer. That old adage about being careful of what you wish for, couldn't me more true this year.

At any rate, the challenge at Phindy's Place Challenge Blog was to create a Christmas Card. Well I didn't really have an image that I thought would work for what I wanted to do, so it was a great excuse to go shopping(as if I needed an excuse). Oh but to make it better, it's Phindy's End of Summer Sale, buy 3 and get one free(enter discount code PS914). Check it out here at the Phindy's Place Store. You won't be disapponted.

I know, I know, just get on with it. The image I chose is called Milk and Cookies for Who? Isnt' he the most adorable little fellow, and no I don't mean the cat. I decided I wanted to do a gate card, but to make it more interesting add an aperture to it. I wanted you to have a peak of my image from the outside of the card. I cut a circle of clear acrylic and then a circle of green. The holly leaves were a free image from Birds Cards blog, that I traced in my MTC software and cut with my Cricut. I added some leaf lines and shaped them a bit, finally adding some red jewels for my holly berries. It's really hard to tie a decent wreath both using 1/4" satin ribbon. I'm much better with 3" wide ribbon. I added the snowflakes to the front, so that I could catch the lip of the wreath under them to hold the card closed. Does that little glimpse of my little fellow give you a clue to the inside of the card?


The papers and the Christmas tree were in a free download from Shabby Princess called Holiday Magic. I colored my images with my Copics and then cut them out. They didn't stand out enough on the stripe, so I added a the blue deckled rectangle(sort of looks like a rug) and the two scalloped circles in the back. If I were an artist, I'd have made a fireplace. I used foam mounting to raise my images. Inside was still a bit blah and needed something. The Christmas light border was a free svg file from 4 Shared Free download(I'd love to give credit to the designer of the file). I again used MTC to resize it and then cut with my Cricut. I cut the lights out of white card stock and colored with copics, adding some white highlights and then covering with Glaze. I love the way they turned out. Sentiment was the last thing added, and it is one of the downloads from Create with TLC's Holiday Package.
Challenges Entered
http://phindysplacechallenge.blogspot.comPhindy's Place Challenge Blog - Christmas in August
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Make a Card for Christmas
Totally Gorjuss - Christmas in August
Thank you for stopping by and don't forget I love hearing from you.

15 comments:

  1. Wow this is amazing Shirley, so much work and such a great card with lots to look at, well done!


    Thanks for joining us at Phindy's Place Challenge
    Hugs
    Anne

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  2. ooooh shirley, that is just fabulous, i lve the surprise of the inside, how lovely is that?! hugs Lou xxx

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  3. Oooh...that's craftastic, Shirley!

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  4. Everything about this card is fabulous, Shirley! I love that you can peek the image before you open the card and get the whole cheery Christmas scene.
    Adorable!
    Thanks for playing at Phindy's Place this week.
    Phindy

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  5. This is so clever and fabulous Shirley! Love the peek through ~jeni :)

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  6. You make such clever cards and this is no exception. I love the fact that you let us be nosy and peer through the window to get a glimpse of the cute image inside. Thanks for joining us at Phindy's Place.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  7. Love the way you did the window peeking. Great imagination!

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  8. Gorgeous Christmas Card

    Thanks for joining us on SCSC :)

    Hugs Jane x
    SCSC DT

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  9. This is too cute! The image is adoralbe. So glad you joined us for this weeks Christmas Card challenge!

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  10. Awesome card! Thanks for sharing :)

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  11. WOW, Shirely, this is incredible! So much detail.

    Thank you for joining us for the Phindy's Place challenge this week. Come back again tomorrow for a new challenge!

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  12. So sorry- dyslexic fingers, Shirley!

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  13. Such a pretty card, love your bow!

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  14. Shirley - this is such a fun card! I just love it!!!

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  15. I love the peek-a-boo effect and you have coloured the image to the perfection. And that little tree in front of aperture is just a perfect touch!
    Hugs
    Annika

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