Christmas in July

Monday, July 15, 2013
It's Christmas in July at My Craft Spot!  I have to admit that I am totally and completely in summer mode so really struggled to get into the Christmas spirit for this week's challenge.  Having spent the past three summers working on my Masters degree, it's an absolute delight to have this time off!!  Anyway, I always enjoy using Jolly Holidays so finally decided on a fun Santa card.  As I was designing it, my husband came into my craft room with a little Joseph.  I'll explain:

I collect nativity sets.  Last Christmas, I got a tiny little set with figurines no more than one inch high.  I was worried about the cats and the little pieces, so I put this particular set on the top of a bookshelf.  Apparently, that didn't seem to bother our mischievous black cat and she somehow managed to climb to the top and knock off the majority of the set.  We found all the pieces except for Joseph.  Quite disappointed, I substituted a shepherd in Joseph's place, praying I wouldn't be zapped by a lightening bolt for making Mary something that she's not!!  Anyway, as I was designing my Santa card, my husband found Joseph!!  I felt it was a sign from above that I needed the focus of my card to be on the real story of Christmas so changed direction altogether. 


I used Inspired Heart for the nativity silhouette, cutting the top layer from a beautiful musical score paper from Recollections "The Ballet".  I used this same paper for the mat.  The gorgeous silver doily was created with the 4" Lacy Doily metal die from My Craft Spot.  I used George and Basic Shapes for the frame and added some silver photo corners cut from an EK Success punch.  


After inking my layers, I assembled the card, popping the silhouette for some added dimension.


I finished things off with a double bow created using some luscious Cranberry crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.  I topped this with a tag cut with the My Craft Spot Tiny Tags metal dies and stamped with a sentiment from the My Craft Spot Mistletoe sentiment stamp set.  Finally, another double bow was added with some silver thread looped through a silver eyelet.  (I'm a bit disappointed with the photos.  The metallic silver cardstock that I used simply refused to cooperate during its photo shoot.  This card really does look quite pretty in real life!)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the fabulous projects created by my talented design team sisters!!  You have a week to link up your project for a chance to win this week's prize.

I am also going to link up my card at Exploring Cricut and Crafting When We Can as they are also having Christmas in July challenges.  I also discovered that Cut It Up is having a Christmas in July challenge as well - AND they are giving away a My Craft Spot Merry Christmas stamp set as a prize!!  What a great opportunity for everybody to take part in a few challenges this week - and get a head start on Christmas!! 

16 comments

Migdalia said...

Elegant & Beautiful.....
The bow is GORGEOUS!! Happy that you found Joseph...Enjoy your time off!
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
♥ Crafting With Creative M (my blog)♥
♥ 2 Creative Chicks Challenges ♥
♥ Silhouette Challenges ♥

~ Barb said...

Hi Kate, enjoy your summer off!!! I agree, finding Joseph was definitely a sign, and your nativity card is just beautiful. I love that cranberry bow. And don't worry, it is almost impossible to take a good picture of that silver cardstock, you did well not to get your own reflection in it (that's always my problem, lol). Really like all the layers too, very pretty.
{Hugs} Barb

Beth F. said...

Such a gorgeous card! I have that Cricut cartridge and have not used it very much, but now I have the perfect inspiration :) Thank you for sharing your creation!

Annette said...

Kate, this is one of my favorite cuts and your card is beautiful!! Thanks for following me and I am one of your newest followers too:)

Annette
My Mind's Dust Bunnies

Cut It Up Challenge Blog said...

I'm so happy you found Joseph. It must have been crushing to have lost him.
Your card is beautiful! The colors are so vibrant.
Thank you for linking to Cut it Up Challenges!
Evelyn
http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

Sharon said...

WOW!!! This is so very beautiful!!! The cranberry bow is so pretty! Awesome card!! Thank you so very much for joining our 'Christmas' challenge at Exploring Cricut!!!! :)

Bobby said...

But WHERE did he find Joseph? Love the tie in to the card and I think the photo looks gorgeous, Kate. No worries there.

Debbie said...

Yay for finding Joseph!! Your card is beautiful!!

Diane said...

That is one of my favorite cuts! Great job and thanks for entering at exploring Cricut.

Migdalia said...

Thank you for joining us at Cut It Up Challenges.
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
♥ Crafting With Creative M (my blog)♥
♥ 2 Creative Chicks Challenges ♥
♥ Silhouette Challenges ♥

Michelle N. said...

So beautiful & stunning! Love the colors you used and that bow-thanks for joining us at Exploring Cricut!

Liz O. said...

Beautiful card Kate! Perfect color combination, Thank you for aharing with us at Exploring Cricut!
Have a wonderful day!
Liz O.

Nikki Craft said...

Beautiful and very elegant Christmas card:) Thanks for joining us at Crafting When We Can!
Good Luck x
hugs Nikki x

Life and Knits said...

Beautiful card Kate.

Crafty fun coming your way...

Susie

Scrapper69 said...

Wow Kate! Great story about "Joseph". I'm so happy you found it and the inspiration to create this stunning Christmas card in his honor! It really is a Beautiful card... :o)

Theresa

Karen said...

You know what, my dear friend? I read through this post in my email, which happened to come on a particularly tough day last week. Reading the creative journey of this card gave me such joy in the midst of the storm. Your story is incredible and I'm elated that you shared it. This beautiful card portrays what was in your heart... the true meaning of Christmas. The design is gorgeous. This will be truly treasured by the future recipient. :) Christmas cards are always my favorite, so I was disappointed to miss out on playing along... but at least I was able to enjoy your spectacular creativity. :o)

Hugs and blessings!

Former Design Team Member at My Craft Spot (2011-2015)
My Craft Spot


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