Copic Christmas Poinsettia

With having recently purchased several Copic markers I've been itching to try and colour the poinsettia image in the SU Joyful Christmas set. So far I've only used that set once; to make my Christmas hamburger treat boxes.

I opted to stamp the image in black, although I also really want to try this with white or silver embossing powder.

I stamped my image 2 times and layers it. The first layer is the full flower. The outer petals are coloured with shading the inner petals are coloured in the darkest red only. On my second image I shaded the smaller petals and then fuzzy cut them and adhered on top of my full image using foam mounting tape cut to size. I then cut out the large image as well and adhered it to my card front with more foam tape.

I'm happy enough with the results but think I can do an even better colouring job if I give this image a few more tries. Guess there will be several poinsettia cards this Christmas.

The flower center is made of 8 small pearls that I coloured yellow using my Copic.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections
Stamp: Joyful Christmas - SU
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Alcohol markers: Copic: R17, R29, R89, Y 35, Blendabilities by SU: Olive green set
Dies: Apothecary Accents - SU
Embossing folder: Decorative Dots - SU
Misc.: 10 tiny 1/16" pearls, Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon - SU, foam mounting tape

Thanks for stopping by. This concludes my Christmas in July projects. Next up some more punch art fun with the new tree builder punch. Hope to see you again soon!

Christmas in July - in the Meadow we can build a Snowman

Fur me, Christmas time isn't Christmas time without snowy winter weather (although I know this doesn't apply for many other parts of the world), so I can't forget about Mr. Snowman while planning this theme.

My frosty little fellow is so cute with his flower buttons and eyes he just invokes a big smile.
I really utilized the new tree builder punch to create him. I found that it's a very versatile punch with a bit of imagination.

He's the perfect size to hold mints or TicTac, and even a little clear bag of snowman poop inside his belly will work well.

You could also make him one sided (skip the second die piece) and turn him into a cute gift tag or card front.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Recollections, Bazzill
Ink:  Mossy meadow, Tangelo Twist, Early Espresso, Marina Mist - all SU
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punches: see list noted in instructions below.
Misc.: black marker, white gel pen, rose/red chalk

Full punch art instructions below.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Merry and Bright

This fun favour is also made with the long side of the Curvy Keepsake die. It's so fast and easy to put together it lends itself perfectly for party favours or classroom gifts.

Due to the extra height of using the longer side of the die, just like my tree favour, this will fit a gift card. And it's easy to close, just tie a bit of ribbon through the front and back slot. You can also easily add a little gift tag to the tied ribbon, or stamp a sentiment on the front of the bulb.

Two peppermint patties fit very nicely and I nestled a gift card in between to show how neatly it fits inside. Below is a close up of the contents. But don't let that limit you. Any small gift item or sweet treat will work well (TicTacs, mini chocolate bars, packet of gum...)

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill silver, Recollections red
Ink: Cherry Cobbler - SU
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punch: Scallop square - SU (scallop edge scissor will work really well too)
Misc.: 5/8" silver ribbon, white gel pen

Instructions below:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Oh Christms tree

I've been enjoying using the Curvy Keepsake die to make favours/treats, but as you may have noticed I repeatedly use the shorter "handled" side. Well for the next couple of projects I thought the longer, pointy side would be a better choice.

First up is this sparkly Christmas tree.

 I used the thin slot cut into the die to tie the top of the front and back together with a pretty ribbon. The bow also serves as my tree topper.

An added bonus to using the longer part of the die is it now fits a gift card.

I slid one between two peppermint patties to help it stay in place. This would make a really great stocking-stuffer.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Chocolate Chip -  SU
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punch: Tree Builder - SU
Misc.: 5/8" gold organza ribbon, gold sequins, rhinestones and pearls.

Fill instructions below:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Hark the Herald Angel sings

When I look back on Christmas time in my childhood my fondest memories are of Advent.
Each Advent Sunday we would sit at the kitchen table, light the candle(s) on our Advent wreath and read a Christmas story followed by a few Christmas carols. Often the night would end with Christmas baking or Christmas crafts.

One of my favourite crafts was making paper angels that we would use for decorating the table and bookcases. Although my little angel is a treat wrapper/favour it can easily serve the purpose of decorating a table or mantle. I could see several angels forming a choir or maybe add some with little instruments.

I opted for a little sparkle and used some of my very old Paper Adventures glitter paper for her dress, but she'd look Just as pretty with regular cardstock, or maybe embossed  (lace pattern) paper.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Paper Adventures, Bazzill
Ink: Blushing Bride, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist - SU, Memento - Tuxedo Black
Stamp: Provo Craft Paper doll faces
Die: Curvy Keepsake
Punches: see full instruction sheet below for a list of punches
Misc.: white gel pen, rose/red chalk, 5/8" gold organza ribbon

Punch art instructions:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Rudolph with your nose so bright...

No matter what else I may decide to create for my Christmas in July theme, it would never be complete without Rudolph. After all without him Santa would never find his way to all the little boys and girls.

My version of Rudolph utilized the new tree builder punch by SU (It just screamed antlers to me).

I think this sweet reindeer treat wrapper would be great stuffed with reindeer poop, or even reindeer food that the kids can scatter in the front yard.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Red, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip - All SU
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punches: see instruction list below (they are all SU)
Misc.: black marker, white gel pen, rose//red chalk, 5/8" gold organza ribbon

Punch instructions:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Santa's Little Helper

Without Santa's little elves Christmas would not be complete and presents would not be ready in time for the big day.

So next in my Christmas in July project is this little fellow; ready to celebrate after a year of hard work.

I chose to have him sitting with his long legs extended on either side, but you could make him the same way as Santa and just add shows to the bottom of the Curvy Keepsake body.
I also opted to add little bows made from baker's twine.

He's not just a great favour that will hold a treat but he also makes a wonderful shelf decor.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry, Blushing Bride - all SU
Marker: Real Red - SU, Basic Black - SU
Dies: Curvy Keepsake and Mustache - SU
Punches: various by SU, see instruction sheet below
Misc.: Baker's Twine, white gel pen, rose/red chalk

Punch art instructions:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Mrs. Claus

What would Santa be without his Mrs. Claus? Let's not find out and make a matching pair of favours instead.

Here is the Mrs. Claus treat made from the SU's Curvy Keepsake die.

I'll be honest, I left her a little plain. I did contemplate adding a cute little apron to her outfit. I had planned on using half a 2-3" doily. Gathering it a little at the top and attaching with a thin white ribbon around her waist. But at the last minute I decided she looked okay as is. Feel free to adorn her a little more.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill and Recollections, scrap of gold foil
Ink: All SU - Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride,
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punches: please see below instructions for complete list
Misc.: red/rose chalk, black marker, white gel pen

Punch art instructions:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.

Christmas in July - Santa Claus

I'm not sure how exactly I managed it but I caught myself a bit of a bug and have been somewhat under the weather this past week. I actually had a fever for a day and a half but thankfully, it seems, I am now on the mend.

I had plans to make and share a few projects that are now too late (ie 4th of July) and will have to hold off, maybe until next year. I have been busy though making several Christmas themed treat wrappers and figured they would be great to share for a "Christmas in July" theme.

First up is the jolly man himself, Santa and his sack of toys, and we can't forget the Mrs.

I just love the versatility of the curvy keepsake box die. Not only do these characters look cute on a display but can also be used for a small gift. They are perfect for a "Boot Day" (ST Nicholas Day, 6th December) treat or to hand out to kids or colleagues.

You can also easily make a flat version of Mr. and Mrs Claus if you only use 1 curvy keepsake shape and place them on a card front or gift tag.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill and Recollections, scrap of gold foil
Ink: All SU - Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride,
Die: Curvy Keepsake - SU
Punches: please see below instructions for complete list
Misc.: small gold tassel for sack, red/rose chalk, black marker, white gel pen

Instructions for Santa Claus:

Instructions for Sack of toys:
I used a Deco label punch out an trimmed it to look like the top of my sack. You could easily hand cut this piece forms crap as well.

Stay tuned for the instructions for Mrs. Claus coming in the my next post.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon for a few more Christmas inspired creations.