Christmas in July - 2

Good morning! I’m continuing my theme of Christmas in July! This time I’ve used products from Concord & 9th, particularly focusing on the Merry Mantle stamp set and the co-ordinating Merry Mantle die set.

I created a Christmas scene for my first card. I used red card to make an A2 side-opening notecard measuring 5½” x 4¼” (US size). I used a stamp position to stamp the mantel shelf, vase and flowers, candles, and all four separate stockings on white card. I removed the images from the stamp positioner and coloured them with Copic markers. I returned the images to the stamp positioner and stamped again with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. This technique gives a clean, crisp image with a lovely shiny outline. I used the matching dies from Merry Mantle to cut out all the pieces and then created a scene on the front of the card. I adhered all the images flat to the card – for ease of posting. I finished the front by stamping a bold ‘Merry Christmas’ greeting from C&9th’s All the Merrys stamp set. I also added four tiny dark grey pearls to hold the stockings in place.

Inside the card, I simply cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the notecard and stamped the Christmas Wreath from Merry Mantle in dark pink and added a scripty message from Concord & 9th’s Mistletoe Messages stamp set.

My second card features the large hanging stockings image from Merry Mantle. I used the same technique as described above to stamp and colour the image. This time I used shades of blue, green and teal Copic markers to match the dark teal A2 notecard. I used a stitch edged die to cut out the coloured panel and layered it onto a black mat. I then adhered it to the front of the card. I added a mantle shelf above the stockings using dimensional pads. I finished the front by stamping the word ‘noel’, from Mistletoe Messages, in the bottom right-hand corner.

Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card. On the white card I used two stamps from All the Merrys to create the two-tone greeting. I also stamped a little berry branch in the bottom corner.

My last card today showcases the Christmas Wreath from the Merry Mantle stamp set. I used dark green card to make an A2 side-opening note card. Next, I used the berry branch image and stamped this in Versamark ink randomly all over the front of the card. I stamped the wreath, as outlined above, onto white card and used Copic markers to colour it in. I used the matching die from Merry Mantle die set to cut it out. I added a string ribbon and used red glitter gel to make little berries. I think I need to practise doing this!! I cut a piece of light green card onto which I stamped a greeting from Merry Mantle. Once the glitter gel was dry, I used dimensional pads to adhere the wreath to the card.

Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of light green card. On the white panel I stamped the stockings at the top and coloured them to match the card. I finished by adding another of the greetings from Merry Mantle in black ink.

That’s six Christmas cards ready for December. Why don’t you join me and get a head start on making your cards this year? Share them on the Seven Hills Craft Facebook page so we can see what you make. That’s all from me today. See you next week.

Deborah, x