Artsy Inkers

Stamping => Stamping Challenges => Topic started by: djc on June 30, 2019, 07:06:32 PM

Title: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on June 30, 2019, 07:06:32 PM
Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019

I hope you have gotten a head start on your holiday cards by participating in Cindi's Christmas All Year! Challenge.  This month, I'm taking over for Cindi by offering our yearly Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge.  I’m doing better this year than I did last year. I have made six whole cards.  You can stop laughing now.  I hope you’ll join me for this month’s challenge and make lots of cards.

If you are in need of inspiration, check out Cindi’s past Christmas All Year threads; she posts an optional theme each month that you can use if it inspires you.

The Challenge:
You have a full month--July 1 through July 31--to post your entries.  Please use the album set aside for Cindi’s Christmas All Year! Challenge, 2019, and link them to this Discussion Thread.  The challenge ends on July 31 at 11:59 pm your time.  If they are in the right album when I check the morning of August 1, they will count.

Remember you must enter only new cards--nothing you posted prior to July 1, the first day of the challenge.  If you have a special technique you'd like to use that does not include stamping, your card will still count.  It would be nice to combine stamping with other techniques, but sometimes that isn't feasible, and I want your cards to be something you will love.  So your paste-embossed, embroidered, stenciled, Iris folded, die-cut, etc. cards are welcome.

Requirements:
1. Complete the tasks as described in this challenge.

2. When you post your card in the gallery, please label it with the name of the appropriate holiday and add the words "in July." For example, Christmas in July, Hanukkah in July, Kwanzaa in July, etc.  I say that every year, but no one ever does it.  Sigh.

3. When you post your project in the gallery, please describe it. Tell how you made it and what you used.  Some information that you could share:
Stamps:
Cardstock/Papers:
Card Size:
Inks/Coloring Medium:
Accessories:
Technique:

Next, come back to this Discussion Thread to link your post here and to tell us how it went—tips to help us or advice so we can avoid or fix problems. 

Prize:
There will be a prize awarded at the end of the challenge.  Your name will go into the hat once for every card you post in the gallery and link to the discussion thread. OK. I already know that the next question is do I get my name in the hat 10 times if I make 10 of the same card. I'll say you can get your name in the hat up to three times for multiples of the same design. Fair enough? There's no limit to the number of different cards you can post. You'll get credit for each different card.

I hope you'll join us and begin making your December holiday cards.  We can inspire and motivate each other.  Don't forget to have fun!

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Conniecrafter on June 30, 2019, 09:53:52 PM
I am so bummed I never managed to get more than one card done in June, so hoping to make up for that this month, I enjoy these vacations but can't wait to be home again and back to my normal routine. One week to go :)
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on June 30, 2019, 10:07:38 PM
I'm so glad you're hosting again Daria!

Quote
When you post your card in the gallery, please label it with the name of the appropriate holiday and add the words "in July." For example, Christmas in July, Hanukkah in July, Kwanzaa in July, etc.  I say that every year, but no one ever does it.  Sigh.

We seem to be notoriously bad at following directions on this site!   :o  I'll try to remember this year, and I definitely want to participate!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on June 30, 2019, 11:25:24 PM
I'm laughing. The challenge is supposed to be fun so I don't worry about the details.  Just get your cards in the Christmas All Year album in the gallery and link them here.  I do like knowing about how cards were made and what was used to make them.

I am going to be gone for about a week this month, but I'll have my computer with me so I can check in.  I should stamp some Christmas images and take them with me.  I could color them while I'm gone.  We'll see.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 01, 2019, 06:15:39 AM
Thanks for hosting! I have not done very well with Christmas cards this year, so I hope to make up for it this month.  I am currently away from home but hope to get started after the holiday.
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 01, 2019, 07:25:18 AM
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who needs to make lots of Christmas cards.  Good luck to us all. 

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on July 01, 2019, 10:00:17 PM
Thanks, Daria, for hosting this challenge for July!  I really do need to make lots of Christmas cards yet. 

Here is my submission for this month.  I made two of this image. 

Nora S

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4561#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 02, 2019, 10:37:07 AM
Congratulations!  You're the first person to post a card to the challenge.  I love the image; it's darling.  The patterned papers you chose are just right as always.  Thank you for playing. 

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 03, 2019, 08:37:55 AM
Thanks for hosting again! I always enjoy this challenge. Looking forward in making more Christmas cards!

April :smile:
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 04, 2019, 08:55:23 AM
Hi, April.  I'm glad you can play this month.  I always love seeing your Christmas cards.

I'm going to be away from home for about a week so I won't get started on any cards until I return, but I'll be checking in while I'm gone.

Happy Independence Day, Everyone.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 09, 2019, 03:44:02 AM
Here is my first card.  Hoping for many more this month!

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4565#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 10, 2019, 02:44:54 PM
Heidi, your card is terrific.  I love the layout and the patterned papers you used.  They are crisp and cool, and I like the shade of blue.  Your little snowman still manages to take center stage; he's so cute.  Thank you for playing.  Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 11, 2019, 03:59:37 PM
Here is my entry. I am having such a mental block making Christmas cards this year! It takes me forever to come up with one. :idiot2:  Anyway, I hope it gets better.

April

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4566#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on July 11, 2019, 06:18:15 PM
Here is another entry for Christmas Cards in July - 2019.  I made two of this image. 

Nora S

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4569#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on July 11, 2019, 06:20:22 PM
Here is another entry.  I made two of this image. 

Nora S

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4568#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on July 11, 2019, 06:25:44 PM
One more entry for today.  Thanks, Daria, for the use of your image!  I have had it for quite some time, and found it in my stash. 

Nora S

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4567#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 12, 2019, 06:36:55 AM
I went to work on a card yesterday and then got distracted with reorganizing one of the bins of stamps.  I cut down some of the Crafters Companion 8.5 x 11 stamp storage sheets.  I really like them better in the 5.5 x 8.5 size.  Then I was able to organize the stamps that were on them into better categories. And they fit into the Avery Elle pockets now.

Anyhow, all this to say that, when organizing, I also found a Christmas Stamp set and die that I had forgotten about, and never used yet!

So even though I have only made one card, I am making progress in getting out a pile of Christmas stamp sets that I haven’t used yet.

I am hoping that the coming week will be good for creating!

Now, I am off to the gallery to see the new cards!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 12, 2019, 09:45:22 AM
I was so excited to see four cards added to the All Year Christmas Album in the Gallery.  Of course, I left comments there; I won't repeat them here.

April, I love your card.  I'm hoping it will help me to get going since I have a stamp set with silhouette images that include a sleigh.  I had to have it when I saw Nicole Parmentier post the most beautiful cards she made with it.  She also stamped on patterned paper.  I just looked at hers, and I had forgotten that she used a resist on her cards:  http://chezparmentier.blogspot.com/2013/03/pti-make-it-monday-108-inked-backgrounds.html

Nora, I'm so glad you're on a roll.  I'm looking forward to when we can get together again.  It seems I only make cards when I'm with you and/or Cheryl these days.  When I opened the gallery and saw the beautiful cardinals, I knew you had posted them. 

Heidi, I think the best part about organizing supplies or searching for something in the craft room is discovering things we forgot we had.  I also plan to use the Avery pockets for my cling stamps that are not already in binders, but I hadn't thought about buying the stamp storage sheets for them.  I thought about using heavy cardstock and a piece of Graffix film since I already have that.  I already spent a fortune on pockets and magnets for my dies.  lol.  When I finished those, I thought about how many dies I could have bought instead.  However, I love the way I can now easily find the dies I want to use.  You've got me thinking . . .

Daria

Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 12, 2019, 01:14:37 PM
Daria, there were some stamp sets that had a good index sheet included in the set, and for those, I just laminated the paper index sheet.  That is a cheaper way than using the binder sheets.  Thanks for the reminder to use things I already have. I do have quite a bit of the laminating plastic around...
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 12, 2019, 02:19:57 PM
Thanks for the link, Daria. I love her cards!

April :smile:
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 12, 2019, 03:34:29 PM
Here is another card. It was easier for me this time! LOL!

April :smile:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4570#top_display_media

inside of card --  http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4571#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 13, 2019, 08:36:21 AM
Heidi, I love the idea of laminating the index sheet.  I have the Xyron machine in just about every size, and I have tons of laminating film.  I used my M's 50% off coupons on them years ago.  Thanks for that idea.

April, I love your card. Isn't it funny the way just finding a pre-folded card made it so much easier to make a card?  I have lots of pieces of cards.  Nora and I keep saying we should just spend a day just putting together what we already have to make a ton of cards. 

When I saw April's card, I thought I had that stamp.  I started looking through my Christmas card files.  I have Magenta poinsettias, but not that one. 
Looking through the files 2004-2018, I was amazed at how many Christmas cards I have made.  Then I came to the 2019 file.  Uh-oh.  I am in so much trouble.  lol.

July is a big birthday month for my family so I need to make more birthday cards before I make Christmas cards.  Maybe, I can sneak one in?

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 15, 2019, 01:01:09 PM
Here are 3 more cards that I made yesterday.

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4573#top_display_media

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4574#top_display_media

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4575#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 15, 2019, 05:01:45 PM
April, your cards are wonderful.  I'm going to have to check out Stampalicious.  I think that card is my favorite of the three.  When I clicked on the wreath card and read your comments, I had to laugh at myself.  I have that darn Stamping Gear, and I have never used it.  It just looks like so much work!  I thought I would drag it out the next time some kids are over here.  I bet they'd love it.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 15, 2019, 08:59:10 PM
Here is one more card!  This stamp set from Simon Says Stamp, I actually won a few months ago on one of their blog challenges.  It is really nice, but the banner stamp that goes over the sentiment was flawed pretty obviously.  I was able to do some precision cutting and it seems to work pretty well now.

Anyhow, all that to say that this is the second time I have won something from a stamping blog and then received flawed product as a prize.  I make them work, and it is free, after all, but I wonder how much flawed product they have to give away!

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4576#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 16, 2019, 12:08:35 PM
Heidi, I love your card.  I didn't notice a problem with the sentiment.  I even went back to see what you are talking about.  You did a good job saving it; it looks fine.  I really like the sentiment itself. 

Somehow, giving a RAK that is damaged seems mean-spirited to me.  Hopefully, they didn't realize there was a problem with the die.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 16, 2019, 01:10:47 PM
Here are 2 more entries!

April :smile:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4577#top_display_media

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4578#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 16, 2019, 03:08:36 PM
April, you're on a roll!  I love your cards.  I like the way you've combined the embossed pieces with patterned paper in the backgrounds, and those penguins are so cute. 

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 18, 2019, 04:06:45 PM
Here is my next card. I used supplies I got from both Jan and April.

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4579#top_display_media

I have three more cards in the works today.  Will be visiting a friend tomorrow so might not post till Saturday. 
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 19, 2019, 08:25:19 AM
Heidi, when I checked the gallery and saw your House Mouse card, I just laughed out loud.  What a wonderful, fun image!  Your decision to use colored pencils was right on.  The coloring is wonderful.  Thank you for playing.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 19, 2019, 06:33:45 PM
Daria, glad you got a kick out of that image! 

Here are two more cards, pretty simple, but I explained it in the gallery.

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4580#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 19, 2019, 07:35:43 PM
That's a wonderful wreath image!  I'm glad someone is making Christmas cards. 

I made two cards today, but they are for birthdays this weekend--one for one of my sisters and one for one of my nieces.  I used images I had already stamped that I had in my stash.  That sure helped.  I still need to make the inserts.  I'll post them tomorrow.

Daria

Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on July 20, 2019, 02:33:41 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed looking at all of the Christmas cards in the gallery!  I'm so happy some of you are building wonderful stashes of cards ready for mailing when Christmas gets hectic!  Hmmm, maybe there's hope for me yet ... we still have a bit of time left in July.
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on July 20, 2019, 03:50:09 PM
Oh, forgot to mention ...

Daria, I love the link you shared!  The Christmas cards are beautiful and I also had a brief look at the rest of her blog.  I bookmarked it.

Heidi, I'm glad you're getting organized along the way.  Great idea to laminate the index sheets ... and I was thinking heat lamination, until Daria reminded me I have a Xyron, and can definitely go that route as well. 

Daria, how are your dies organized?  You mentioned magnets.  Are they in clear sleeves, in a frig bin?  A binder?  Heidi, are your stamps in sleeves?  And how are they stored?  Always in need of good organizational tips.   Probably the biggest tip is purge first, but I can't seem to do that so I just keep moving things around.
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 21, 2019, 10:11:09 AM
Cindy, most of my cling stamps are in binders on the boards Sunday International used to sell.  They seldom get used.  I want to put my newer clings into stamp pockets. 

After reading what Heidi did, I used my Xyron and laminated the index sheet.  The cling stamps stuck to the laminating but not very well.  They fell off very easily.  (I wonder if they would have stuck better to something that had been heat-laminated.)  So I attached the index sheet onto cardstock cut to size and put that into an Avery Elle stamp pocket.  I cut a piece of Grafix Dura-Lar (.005) the same size as the insert and attached the cling stamps to that.  They stayed put on the Dura-Lar film.  That way I can slide the Dura-lar out and leave the index inside the stamp pocket.  I don't know if this is how I'm going to do all of my clings that are not already in binders, but I'll try it out.

My dies are also in the Avery Elle stamp pockets.  I started out with Ellen Hutson's stamp pockets because they are a heavier weight.  However, they are so heavy that it was difficult to slide the dies in and out.  I was totally obsessive about the die storage.  In the beginning, I made inserts from chipboard but later switched to 110-lb cardstock which worked great and wasn't as heavy as the chipboard.  On the front of the cardstock inserts, I wrote the name of the die and its manufacturer and number.  Then I die-cut sample pieces and attached them.  If I had a good index sheet for them, I just attached that.  I just slipped large dies into the package.  I attached a magnet to the back of the insert so sets of dies would not be bouncing around inside.  I bought the magnets from Lowe's and amazon.com.  They're meant to cover air registers.

I cut all the dies apart and trimmed and filed off those sharp connecting pieces.  Those things are lethal.  I see people doing demos with the sharp points still attached.  I must be a klutz because if I leave them on, I cut myself every time. 

I'm using frig bins to store the dies.  I bought very inexpensive plastic folders and cut those up to make the dividers.  I even used the bottom flaps of the folders to make half-size dividers.  That way I was able to divide main categories into sections.  I really like this system.  I have yet to label the dividers, but I can still find things easily flipping through the dies.  This project took forever to do, and it was a pretty expensive undertaking.  Sometimes, I think of what else I could have bought if I hadn't done this.  However, I just wasn't using my dies when they were stuck in drawers.

One more thing.  I store matching dies with their stamp sets.  However, I made an index sheet for them and placed that with the dies so that if I'm looking for a particular type of die, I will be reminded of the ones that are stored with the stamps.  See what I mean?  Totally overboard and obsessive.

For both the stamps and the dies, I placed them in the stamp pockets so that the flap would protect them from falling out.  The flap tucks into the front of the insert, and the stamps and dies are behind the insert sheet.

Are you sorry you asked?  lol.

I'm glad you liked that link.

Daria

 
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 22, 2019, 03:08:59 PM
I finished eight backgrounds using the Concord & 9th Deck the Halls Turnabout stamp.  Now I need to turn them into cards.

Advice:
1.  Before doing multiple cards assembly-line fashion, complete one card so you find the pitfalls before you have eight cards in the works.

2.  If you are stamping with a Turnabout stamp and you want to emboss one of the layers, emboss the first layer.  That way you won't have a problem with the other layers picking up embossing powder.  I waited for the first three colors to dry for over an hour.  I used the embossing buddy generously.  I still got embossing powder on the first three inks right on top of the embossing-buddy powder!  I had to use a paintbrush to remove EP from almost all of the images I did not want to emboss--practically the whole piece!  After they were all done, I turned a reject over and made just that one piece start to finish, and I embossed the first layer.  What a difference!  It turned out so nice and crisp.  After I stamped the other colors, I just used a paper towel to remove any ink that overlapped the embossed images.  Worked great.  Yes, no matter how careful I was in placing the stamp and using the new alignment guide and jig, I still managed to overlap some images.

3.  Don't throw away imperfect pieces.  I watched a video where a woman was oohing and ahhing over her beautiful cards.  I agreed.  They were beautiful.  Nonetheless, I noticed that she didn't use a jig when placing her stamp, and the different images didn't stamp right where they were supposed to stamp.  Guess what!  It didn't matter.  Her cards were still beautiful.

I will do some judicious cutting on a couple of the backgrounds and end up with some different card layouts.  Works for me.

Daria


 
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 22, 2019, 03:19:39 PM
Daria, I can’t wait to see what you made.  I love the look of those turnabout stamps, but haven’t purchased one because I am not sure I have the patience for them. You have a good point about doing the embossing first, probably good advice for all types of cards!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 23, 2019, 09:17:45 AM
Here is another card!

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4585#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 23, 2019, 10:07:32 AM
Heidi, this one is so darn cute.  I love the layout you created for that cute little Christmas Fairy. 

I'm taking my niece to the doctor's today and then out to lunch for her birthday so I probably won't get to my cards today.  OMG.  I need a masculine birthday card in a hurry so I can mail it for a birthday on Saturday.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 23, 2019, 01:27:25 PM
Here is another card that I made using a new stamp!

April :smile:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4586#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 23, 2019, 03:59:19 PM
April, that is so cute.  When I saw it, I was very happy that my cats and my Christmas tree are in different rooms.  My son gave up putting up a Christmas tree because his cats pretty much can go wherever they want; only the computer and music rooms are off-limits.

There are sixteen gallery posts, and we still have a week to go.  Makes me happy.

Daria

Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 23, 2019, 04:25:39 PM
When we took in a stray Siamese cat, one day I heard her screech, but when I went in the room she seemed okay. Later I noticed that the Christmas tree lights were not on. The light cord had been chewed through and that is why she screeched! She got a shock but it did not hurt her. She has not chewed a cord since! LOL! :smile:

April :smile:
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on July 23, 2019, 05:06:27 PM
We just got new kittens and I was just thinking we won’t be able to put any breakable ornaments up this year... ;D
Hopefully the tree will be fine still...
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Conniecrafter on July 24, 2019, 09:52:04 AM
I managed to get some cards done for Christmas challenge:

The first is a shaker card
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4587#top_display_media

snowmen couple
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4588#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 24, 2019, 01:25:20 PM
Here is another entry.

April :smile:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4589#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 24, 2019, 08:18:16 PM
Connie and April, thank you for posting more cards.

Connie, I bought a card kit to make a shaker card a long time ago---clearance sale.  I still haven't even taken it out of its package.  Maybe soon?

April, I love those polar bears.  I used the baby on a Christmas card for my nephew on his first Christmas.  Maybe this year, I'll use both bears?

Thanks for playing.

I have one birthday card to make before I can take the time to put together the Christmas cards I'm working on. 

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on July 25, 2019, 07:25:57 PM
I made 3 cards using this image, as you can see.  Thanks so much for this challenge, Daria!

Nora S

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4593#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 26, 2019, 06:35:28 AM
Nora, I'm glad you found time to play some more.  These are darling cards.  I like the soft coloring.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Conniecrafter on July 26, 2019, 09:39:21 AM
made another one but this is going to be my last for this month, have to get working on my cards for August birthdays:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4594#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 27, 2019, 11:22:27 PM
Connie, your card is darling.  Good luck with the August birthday cards.  I still have one more to make for this month, and I need it tomorrow!  I wasn't home all day, and I'm too tired to make it now.  Hopefully, inspiration will hit in the morning.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on July 28, 2019, 01:59:38 PM
Here is my last card! I used a new die I bought at the show.

April :smile:

http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4596#top_display_media
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 28, 2019, 07:35:03 PM
April, I can see all of us adding that die to our Wish Lists.  Gorgeous card!

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on July 30, 2019, 11:53:52 PM
Yes, isn't that a pretty die?!

So, I took the day off from paperwork and Mom and Dad care ... mostly, except for a few phone calls.  I was able to run a few errands and tonight I planned to make Christmas cards. 

Except, I couldn't find the stamp I had in mind ... ugh!  It's probably in a pile somewhere.  That's ok, I found another while I was looking for the first.  I stamped it in several inks, on two different papers and came up with just two cards.  I might make more once I decide which I like best.  I wasn't feeling very artsy in my inking tonight!  I have all these supplies and couldn't get motivated .  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  I'll take pictures in the light of day and let you vote!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 31, 2019, 11:51:28 AM
This is it--the last day of the challenge.  I am happy that I have eight backgrounds ready to go, but I still haven't made a single card.  I'm going to visit my eldest sister today, and tomorrow I'm taking my niece to her doctor appointments.  I think my cards will be posted to Cindi's August thread for the All Year Christmas Challenge.  lol.   (Actually, I saw a super easy card to make.  Even though I'd have to begin from scratch, it would be a really quick card.  I think; sometimes I'm really wrong about that.  We'll see . . .)

Good luck to anyone who still plans to post a card to this challenge.  Cindi, I hope you finish your card today.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on July 31, 2019, 05:54:52 PM
I made a total of 12 cards using the same Herald Angels stamp from Lost Coast.  I found it when I was looking for a different stamp, that is still in hiding.  I don't recall that I've used this stamp before. 

I had more mojo this morning and I found the deckle edge dies and some gold mediums, Inka Gold and The Crafter's Workshop Shimmering Gold Gesso.  I bought the gesso thinking of using it through stencils, but I think it worked well scraped over cardstock too.  I kind of got on a roll trying different inks and surfaces (glassine, and smooth cardstock).

Stamped on glassine (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4598#top_display_media)
Stamped on Natural White (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=4599#top_display_media) . There are 5 versions pictured but I made multiples of the first two cards.

I will attach close ups of a few so you can see the inka gold, the gold gesso and maybe the wink of stella on the angel wings.


Thank you so much for hosting Daria!  I look forward to your challenge every year!  It's fun to see Christmas cards in the gallery.  I was bound and determined to make some Christmas cards for your challenge!  I hope you finish the cards you started with backgrounds.  If you don't get them done tonight you are more than welcome to post them to Christmas Cards All Year - August.  Whoa!  How did that get here already?


I saw an easy card layout recently.  I bookmarked it so there's a slight chance I'll start it tonight, but more likely next month.



Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on July 31, 2019, 07:04:35 PM
Cindi, hurray!  You beat the deadline.  Your cards are wonderful.  I'm glad you posted the close-ups.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on July 31, 2019, 08:02:36 PM
Thanks Daria!  Luckily DH is easy going!  I was uploading, linking/posting when he got home from work, and I just needed to finish!  I heated up a little appetizer to tide us over.  Decided that was almost enough for dinner so he just made us tuna fish sandwiches.  Yay!  A sandwich and some baseball on tv and then I’ll go clean up my mess.

I’m glad I ordered the clear stamp mount from Purple Onion.  I had to use double stick tape in my stamp positioner to mount the angel stamp.  Need to clean a little stickiness off it and the back of the rubber.

I was stepping on my stamp today.  It’s a great, detailed stamp, but  I find I get the best impression if I put it on the floor and step on the mount (or positioner in this case), gently, but pretty firmly.  I have a few stamps that I step on!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on August 01, 2019, 11:48:15 PM
Cindi, I haven't had a tuna sandwich in years.  Sounds good. 

I was notified a couple of days ago that my mounting stamp had shipped!  That was a lot sooner than I had anticipated.
I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on August 02, 2019, 12:02:06 AM
OK.  It's time.  I was gone most of the day and was tired when I got home.  I was just going to post tomorrow, but I felt guilty for not posting today. 

I had fun looking through your posts and checking out your cards one more time.  You made a lot of cards!  While I didn't finish any cards, I do have those eight backgrounds and some new ideas from you.  Thank you all for playing!

This is always the bitter-sweet part.  I wish everyone could win, but this year there is only one lucky winner.  As always, I do it the old-fashioned way.  I wrote your names on strips of paper and folded them.  My straw hat is in the car so I put the names in an empty kleenex box.  Heidi did the honors.  At least, I didn't have to wake her up this year; she's still watching TV. 

Are you ready?
.
.
.
.
.
.

Let's see.  Who could it be?
.
.
.
.
.
.

Is there someone who just barely made the deadline?
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ahhh, you guessed it.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Congratulations, Cindi!  I'm so glad you were able to get your cards posted in time.  Please send me your address so I can send you your RAK.

Thank you, everyone, for playing.
Daria

Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: howdyheidi on August 02, 2019, 06:24:46 AM
Thanks for doing this challenge Daria! I didn’t get as many cards done as I wanted to, but I did get some done, which is better than some other months!  And congrats to Cindi!  Hoping to play along this month too!
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on August 02, 2019, 09:11:31 AM
Me too, Heidi.  Now that I've started, I think it will be easier to keep going and get those Christmas cards made.  I don't want a repeat of last year!

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Conniecrafter on August 02, 2019, 09:29:34 AM
Congrats to Cindi
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Nora S on August 02, 2019, 09:52:05 AM
Congratulations to Cindi!  Thanks, Daria, for this month's challenge!  I was able to complete a fair amount of Christmas cards, and am happy about that!

Nora S

Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: djc on August 02, 2019, 11:00:58 AM
Nora, I know you did.  I was surprised at how many times I wrote down your name and April's.  The two of you made the most cards.  Congratulations!

Well, actually, Cindi did with her twelve cards, but I only put her name in three times since they were the same/similar.  Now that I think about it, I probably should have put her name in three times for the glassine cards and three times for the Neenah cards.  Good thing she won with just three names in there.  Next year, I'll need to clarify that point in my mind and in the original post.  I wasn't sure what to do.

Daria
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: stampwilly on August 02, 2019, 05:29:52 PM
Congrats, Cindi! Thanks for the challenge, Daria!

April :smile:
Title: Re: Winter Holiday Cards in July Challenge – 2019
Post by: Iring on August 02, 2019, 07:09:03 PM
Hooray!    Thank you Daria (and Heidi for choosing my name)!

I had no notion of how many would count!  Happy to leave it up to you.

I'm kind of in the mood now to keep going on the Christmas cards.  Last night I made a few backgrounds.  I thought I bought the gold gesso to stencil with, but it's a little runny.  The stencil I tried it on was very open though, so maybe it would be ok in smaller spaces.  I wonder if spraying the stencil with a low tack adhesive would help?  I used some Cosmic Shimmer Luster Polish through a different stencil with mixed results, mostly good.

Oh, and I found a stamp and a die I was looking for in the process of making the angel cards.  Both were pretty much where they should be ... I guess I just overlooked them.  See what happens when I put things away?  I still can't find them!

Oh, and Daria, thanks for describing your storage techniques! 

My clear stamp mount has shipped too!  Anxious to try it ... and I ordered a few stamps.  Snowmen I'd been admiring, but resisting ... I lost the will power battle.

Thanks again for the challenge and the RAK!