Christmas in July Themed Matchbox Embellishment

Remember the chicken embellishment matchbox I 

posted last week? Well I'm back with a Christmas

in July themed one. 

The little mason jar is a shaker, and has little

gingerbread men inside of it. 

Inside view of embellishments. 

Like the chicken one I made this for a swap. 

Happy with how it turned out. These boxes are

pretty easy to make only tricky part is gluing

in the dividers. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Snowman Pop Out Card

So here we are in the middle of a heat wave. 

Only one thing to do....make snowman cards! 

That will cool things down. Right?

Are you ready to see the inside? 

SURPRISE! 

It is a snowman pop out! 

This cute fellow is holding a banner that reads

LUV U 

Love his mittens, and happy face. 

There are three buttons going down his front, but

the U in the banner is covering the middle button. 

Me and hubby went to the Strongsville Home Coming Fair last night

to see the fireworks. They were awesome! We got a really good spot to 

watch them. We also had a mother Earth heat lightening show. 

Snowman trails....lets stay cool out there! 

Karen 

Christmas in July Shadow Shaker Box

Christmas in July? Who's ready? 

While I was doing the prep work for the shadow shaker boxes I found I

made an extra one. 

Decided to take that box, and do a Christmas shaker. 

Instead of using sequins I filled it with gold jingle bells. Then

added the twisted bow to the center. 

I think it came out pretty darn cute. 

Today I think I'll hit the craft stores. Don't need a thing of course

just like to look. May check out Catan's again to see if they have

dropped the prices more, or have received new stuff. Last time

I was there the clerk told me they were still getting new stuff in even though

they will be closing in a few months. 

Who knows what I may find! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Christmas in July Post It Note Covers

Since I am still working on using supplies on hand I made 

some post it note holders using my stash of chipboard coasters. 

I have about 100 square coasters, and round ones. Think

I order them in bulk years ago when they were so popular to

use with stamping projects. 

Patterned paper was cut to fit the 3x3 coasters. Then was adhered to

the chipboard using my favorite medium Modge Podge. 

The kraft colored post it notes I found at the Dollar Tree. 

Decorated the top of the notes, then added some trim. 

The binder clips were also covered with patterned paper. 

Thankfully it will be cooler the next few days. I like the heat

as it makes my arthritis feel better, but these 90 plus degree days all in a row

has taken the wind out of my sails. Haven't been walking as much, as the heat

and humidity has been giving me headaches. I'll be happy to take a long walk today! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Rosettes

Back again with another Christmas in July project. 

This decor was based on a Christmas paper pack that I 

picked up at Michael's last year. No stamping, or fussy cutting. 

I used different dies, punches, and the score tool to make the rosettes. 

After they were finished I added some trims. 

The largest one I used Tim Hotz circle dies to cut

out the greeting and layer. The rosette is two strips of patterned paper

After scoring the strip at 1/4 inch all the way across the width each piece

was glued end to end. 

For this one I scored the strips at 1/2. 

The spool stands were sponged with walnut ink to make them

look more vintage. The rosettes have paper straws attached to the back them

the other end is glued into the spool. 

And the smallest one uses the same paper that I used to go around

the center of each spool. 

Had a fun 4th of July. We made surf and turf on the grill with large salad

to go with it. Hit the mall to do some walking as it was pretty hot and muggy.

Channel IFC was playing Christmas Vacation which is my all time favorite Holiday

program so I had to watch that! 

Later we stopped at Honey Hut to get ice cream before going to Strongsville to

see the fireworks. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Embellishments

For today's post I made some embellishments. 

These turned out so cute!!!! 

Three I made into shakers. I can see 

these being used on cards, package trims, adding a string

for ornaments, or putting a magnet on the back so they

can be put on the fridge. 

Little boy with the snowman is so darn cute!

Stamp set used is long since retired set from SU called Snow Angels. 

The circles are dies by Tim Holtz. 

Used mica flakes and silver beads for the shaker part. 

And here he is again making some snow angles. Of course

he has to have a hot cup of cocoa waiting for him when he is finished. 

Tree is another stamp by Tim Holtz. Stamped in black and

colored with Prisma pencils.  Can't really see the shaker part, but I used

micro silver no hole beads. 

I didn't want the white foam to show around the edges so

I used a gold sharpie marker to color it. 

This last one isn't a shaker, but it is a fun embellishment. 

Only reason why this one isn't a shaker is because I 

cut the white circle with the wrong sized die. I'm sure 

I'll go back and make another one as a shaker. 

Happy Forth of July!!!!! Hope you enjoy the day. 

Going to be in the 90's here. I have steak hubby will be grilling. 

I'm declaring my independence by not cooking today! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Cards

I couldn't do Christmas in July week without some

greeting cards. This background looks like the Bokeh photo

technique, but it is really patterned paper. 

I picked it up at AC Moore when me and hubby were in TN. 

While I think the stamping technique is cool. I find it is a lot of

work, so I'm happy to mimic it with patterned paper. 

The trees are part of a stamp stamp by Tim Holtz called Reindeer Flight. 

The stamp use to be four pine trees together. I decided the

stamp would be more functional for me if I cut off the smallest tree. 

Normally I would never alter stamps, but as I've gotten older (and more wiser)

this is no longer a no no. 

If you can alter the stamps to fit your needs why not? 

Here is an inside view of the card. I brought the colors from 

the front to the inside. 

For this card I first sponged on some color Ranger ink Peeled Paint

using a blender tool. Stamped the trees with the same ink, making some lighter

 

ones with second and third generation stamping. 

Inside view. The trees on the side is actually the scrap piece

of cardstock I was using to stamp off the ink to make it lighter on the card front. 

Didn't want to throw the piece out, and thought it would carry over the theme to the

inside. 

I'll be back tomorrow with more projects. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Pocket Letter

So who is ready for Christmas in July? I know

my friend Marianne isn't! But here I am

in the middle of a heat wave with the 

heat index at 100, so I'm ready to cool

that off with crafting Christmas goodies. 

I joined a Christmas in July pocket letter swap with

a FB group. I did some stamping but also

used some 3d Santa stickers that I received in a swap last year. 

Can you see I'm trying to use things from my crafting stash instead

of buying more. "See Santa" I'm being good! 

For the center pocket I used a felt Santa ornament. Just

hot glued it to the outside center pocket. 

The little Santa on the side bar is a mini notebook that I picked up

on clearance from Michael's last year. 

Of course I had to add a few little things to represent the 4th of July. 

You can see the little cupcake toppers in the lower right pocket. 

And speaking of the 4th me and hubby went to see the Brunswick

fireworks show on June 30th. It was so good! We got a perfect spot, 

and enjoyed the 35 minute show. Of course when we got home the poor kitty

was freaking out. She was so scared. Our house is pretty close to where the

the fireworks are set off, and Cherokee doesn't like any strange noise. 

I'll be back tomorrow with another Christmas project. 

Ho Ho Ho trails

Karen

Punch Art Santa

Well I've already stated how hot its been here. 

I am melting! 

We went hiking around the lake yesterday afternoon, and

my hair was soaking wet because I was sweating so bad. 

Well I guess I got rid of some excess salt! 

So because its so hot I made my Santa punch art look very "cool"

Gave him some shades! I think he is pretty funny looking, but

I think this will make a good gift card holder for one of the boys. 

And I have to share this photo with you. 

I was driving by Paninis restaurant, and they

 

have this very large inflatable Santa Claus. Guess they

 

must be having a Christmas in July thing going on. 

 

Since no one was right behind my car on the road I stopped

 

and snapped the photo. I really think he needs to be wearing shorts, 

 

sunglasses, and lots of suntan lotion. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Christmas in July Lip Balm Holders

How bout some stocking stuffers? 

These cute little holders contain a lip balm. 

I made one to look more for a guy by using the deer done

in silver. Hey guys need to use lip balm in the winter months also. 

For the red one I used Scentsational Season stamp set with

the matching dies. Greeting is a Project Life set called Holiday Cheer. 

Both sets by SU!

 

For the cut out I used a Spellbinder set. I wanted the lip balm to

 

show through the box. 

The deer is a Spellbinder set that came out last year. Super cute! 

I thought he looked good with the designer paper that

had the Night Before Christmas words on it. 

The little trees is a die that was part of the Square Pillow box thinlits. 

 

I know you want to make these also so I'm adding the link to a video I

 

found. You can view it here

Stamping trails

Karen

Tutorial Tuesday Envelope Punch Board Card Holder

I'm back continuing with Christmas in July. 

I've received several emails requesting info on how

to make these Envelope Punch card holders. 

The holders are sized to fit A2 cards, and can hold 8 cards and 8 envelopes. 

You will need 2 pieces of 12 x 12 cardstock. 

Cut one of the pieces into a 9x9 inch square. 

Place one edge into the envelope punch board at the 3 1/2 inch mark.

Punch then use the score tool, and make a score line following the diagonal groove in the board. 

Now slide the cardstock to the 4 1/2 inch mark. Punch then

use the score tool, and make a score line following the diagonal groove in the board. 

You will not need to use ruler at the top of the board again after completing the above steps. 

Now turn the cardstock just as you would when making an envelope on the board. 

I've darken the score lines so you can see. Place the first score line so

it lines up with the marker. Punch then use the score tool, and make a score line following

the diagonal groove in the board. Slide the cardstock over to the next scored line. Punch, 

and score again. 

You will continue to turn the cardstock, punch, and score till all 4 sides have been punched and scored. 

This is how the scored cardstock will look when you are finished with the above steps. 

Cut and remove the top two flaps. See the shaded area. 

Those are the two pieces to remove. 

On the bottom end cut on the bold line on each side. 

Now use the bone folder on all the score lines and make sure to get good creases so

The cardstock can be folded into a box. 

Apply adhesive to the flaps. They will be folded up to form the box. 

You will also need to apply adhesive to the flaps. 

After the box is made apply adhesive to the back of the envelope as

it will be adhered to the back of the card holder. 

Set the box aside for now. 

With the second piece of cardstock cut two pieces each measuring

 

5 7/8 x 11

 

 

Score one end of each piece at 3/4 of an inch. If you plan to stamp

 

on the cover that now. Apply

adhesive to both and adhere to the bottom of the envelope card box. 

Adhere the the back of the envelope box to the cover. 

I used the large oval punch to make the handles of the holder. 

Here is a view of the inside. You can decorate the card box however you like. 

Side view of the holder closed. I used ribbon to keep the holder closed.

I also wanted to share some more of the cards I made using that One Sheet Wonder that

I posted yesterday. The wooden snowflakes go great with the natural colors I used

on the holder and stamped piece. 

Not going to post them all as this post is getting pretty long. 

 

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial. If you have any questions just write me a post. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Christmas Flower jar Toppers

I broke out the flower builder punch and Reason for the Season stamp set

to make toppers for these little glass jars I found at Pat Catan's 

I used 16 of the large leaves, 4 medium, and two small to form the flower. 

The edges were sponged with pool party, and white glimmer paper used for the center. 

The bottom is a snowflake die cut. I added some silver thread sprays to the 

top of the snowflake before gluing on the completed flower. 

Then I had to add a mason jar tag around the top of the jar for the greeting. 

After the flower was all layered I sprayed it with tattered angels pearl spray. 

Love how its all shimmery! So which one do you like

better....the one done with Pool Party, or the traditional one done in Real Red? 

I love them both! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Doll Pin Angels Tattered Wings

I bought a another Tim Holtz die.

This one is called tattered wings. 

The die makes three different sized wings for left and right wing side. 

Used a doll pin, and covered her with gathered white eyelet lace. 

I'm not as happy with this one. The skirt isn't as 

full as the other two. I do like the wings. I made them from 

some one sheet wonders that I had in a drawer. I think it was done

using the alcohol technique.

Stamping trails

Karen