Christmas in July -- in October!

I made this card for the CPS/CardMaker Magazine card design contest. I had to use the sketch shown below and choose a theme: Patriotic, Travel Postcards, Summer Parties, or Christmas in July. The winners will be featured in the July 2008 issue of CardMaker magazine. The deadline is Saturday, October 6 -- go over to CPS and check it out!

This one took me a while -- I fussed and fussed over the layout and details, but I'm finally happy with the result! Obviously, I chose the Christmas in July theme -- I took it quite literally, because there are summer flowers in the background paper!! :) It's really a country Christmas in July card -- the sponging, distressing and faux stitching give it a shabby look that coordinates perfectly with the Daisy D's paper.

The small poinsettias are from the Season of Joy set (SU!), and the large poinsettia is a chunky foam stamp I have had in my cabinet for years!!! I think it's the first time it's seen ink! I stamped them in Ruby Red ink, cut them out, and sponged around and on them with Always Artichoke ink. I applied Always Artichoke ink directly to the chipboard, then I sanded the edges to distress them. I drew the faux stitches with an Always Artichoke marker. The sentiment is from Gina K. Designs. I used circle punches to create the tag then sponged around the sentiment.

Even if it isn't a winner, someone will get a lovely Christmas card from us this year!! :)

Thanks for visiting -- have a great day!

Stamps: Season of Joy (SU!), peace (Gina K. Designs), lg foam poinsettia Ink: Ruby Red, Always Artichoke Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Ruby Red Paper: French Market Swatches (Daisy D's) Other: On Board Accents chipboard, gold cord, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, 1/8" handheld punch, 1 1/4" square punch (all SU!), gold glitter glue, sage organdy ribbon, sanding block, sponge, dimensionals

Pin It