Monday, July 9, 2012

It's Christmas in July

HO HO HOpe you're ready for a little Holiday Cheer because it's the July MFT Design Team Creative Challenge and I have a couple of Christmas cards to share.

The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month we were challenged to kick start our holiday projects with Christmas in July. As you may already know, I like to create Christmas cards all year long, so these two cards are #19 and #20 for my Project Christmas 2012. Be sure to check out the MFT blog for a list of all participating designers.


I had a really tough time deciding which stamps to use for the Christmas in July challenge, and then one morning it came to me, when I wasn't even thinking about cards...let the Die-namics shine. I actually saw these cards in my mind and jotted them onto a scrap of paper. You can't even imagine how happy I was, because this just never happens to me.

Both of my cards use Die-namics that aren't Christmas specific, so maybe this will help you see your Die-namics collection in a new light. I love it when I can get more "mileage" from a product.

This first card is a simple layout and centers around the By the Letters Uppercase Die-namics, which spells out the word NOEL. I chose patterned papers for both cards from the Authentique Wonder collection for a Christmasy feel, and matched them up with Jellybean Green, Fossil, and Wild Cherry card stocks.

The flower was created using the Upsy Daisy Die-namics and I added a luscious Kraft button to the center. I added some Kraft grosgrain ribbon across the card and tucked an Icicle Border Die-namics cut from cream card stock underneath for an added layer.

Next up is my little birdhouse all decorated with "lights" for the holiday season!


I used Homespun Birdhouse Die-namics to cut the house from corrugated cardboard and cut the bird from Wild Cherry. I used the leaves from Upsy Daisy Die-namics to create the nest and topped it with a Jellybean Green button. Love how MFT's new buttons match the card stock!!! I used the Circle 1 STAX and Circle 2 STAX Die-namics to cut out the cream and Hot Fudge layers then stitched them together.

Here's the dimension on the birdhouse.

I needed a place for the sentiment from Merry & Bright and the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics were perfect for creating the layers I wanted. I added a row of red rhinestones to help draw your eye to the sentiment.

I hope you'll take the challenge and get started creating some holiday cards.

Here are the Die-namics I used:



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Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

13 comments:

Inge Groot said...

Gorgeous cards Karen, love all the bling on the birdhouse=)

Kristy Hansen said...

Good use of these DP to create the 2 cards. I love the easiness of them. Love the birdhouse card a lot. I wish I could find the circle bling at my local stores. Once in a while I find it.......ksh

Leslie said...

LOVE how you use those dies in such a clever way and so happy you're now doing your own sketches!!

Esther Asbury said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love everything about both of these cards!

StampOwl said...

Love that you used die-namics for your cards today

Shari said...

Karen, both cards are just wonderful! 20 so far eh? hmm I am only at 12! I made a goal in January to make 2 each month and I have kept to it and post every 25th of the month. So happy that you are at 20 already! Feels good to be ahead of the game huh? LOL

Hugs;
Shari

Kim said...

Those are both awesome cards, Karen!

Lisa H. said...

two sweet, sweet cards Karen! I forgot about the icicle die....I love it! and your sweet bird house with those adorable leaves....:)

Debbie Carriere said...

These are fantastic, Karen!! Love the blinged out bird house!!

Sarah Gough said...

These are gorgeous, the birdhouse is perfect!

Michele Boyer said...

These are fabulous, Karen! I love how you used all the dies!

Crafty Cath said...

While I love both cards and your tip of stretching your tools to more uses...WOW the birdhouse card is FANTASTIC. I'm in awe of your paper and layout and creative choices. Dang sistah this is so awesome. Makes me want to buy each and every die and give it a whirl and that doesn't happen often where there's no coloring involved. But this is so colorful and perfect!

Jodi Collins said...

These are AMAZING! LOVE both, but especially the birdhouse! All of sudden I feel SO Christmasy!!!!