Christmas in July

What an absolutely beautiful sunny weekend we have had..summer has finally arrived, even if its only a few days.The garden is looking lovely with all the rain we have had so  we made the most of it at the weekend. 

I started and finished my first Christmas card as promised,with so many bloggers that I follow making Christmas cards...there has been a ton of inspiration to put me in a festive mood, I have saw some truly amazing cards over the last few days.  

It was close though as the weather is so nice that I didn't want to spend it being indoors, I got some time last night as I finished work earlier than usual and completed it writing my post this morning as as it was too late and I  dont start work till 1pm.I did not have much time last week for any card making other than to colour some festive stamps and a couple not so 'christmassy'ones  but I plan to try and make them festive as I like the stamps so much and pleased with the colouring ...so it will be Christmas in July and probably August to for me! I've done quite a mix of styles from traditional to modern which hopefully will be here to see over the next few weeks.

I have used Tilda for my first one as she looked so cute in her little hat and scarf. I did think I would struggle to make any as my Christmas stash is very limited, mainly magazine freebies from the past year that had been left unused and bits and bobs that I have saved from chistmas crackers and cards etc (its amazing what can be recycled). I have a little box of bits from the past couple of years that I thought would 'come in handy some time'...well sometime has arrived!,I have some lovely bead snowflakes that where on our crackers last year which will be perfect as an embellishment on a card. I think I will manage with what I have, although I'm already adding 'Christmas essentials' to my ever growing wish list.

I did have a bit of a disaster when glittering Tilda's hat, there was wet glue on backing card that I  didn't notice when I used it, it stuck everywhere!!! I managed to get most of it off with a wet wipe, although this slightly damaged the card hence the blue satin bow to disguise it, she was too pretty not to use and I didn't have time to start again, so a strategically placed bow saved the day.sorry the photos are a bit dark I struggled as  my hand and the camera were reflecting in the mirri card,so had to angle the card away from the light source...it doesn't quite work though!

My daughter has taught me again how to post pictures and badges etc... but will I remember...time will tell(I did take notes this time!).See side panel for a super duper candy from one of my favourite bloggers that I follow...it looks wonderful,click on picture to take you to link to check it out. I'm waffling on now so time to post this and enjoy the rest of the morning sunshine before I go to work X.

I have used the following to make my card

• Tilda 'on a present' - coloured with promarkers and glittered 
• White square card 6"x6"
• Dark blue textured card -layering
• Snowflake backing paper - magazine freebie
• Blue patterned  paper- free digi download possibly Bearly-Mine but not sure...sorry
• Silver mirri card and mesh
• Grossgrain ribbon,organza ribbon,satin bow.
• Holographic,vellum and silver card punched snowflakes 
• Blue pearl

Challenges I  would like to take part in this week are-

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/make-it-monday-99-with-digi-my-world.html-

Anything goes

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/126-sparkle.html -Sparkle

http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/paper-pretties-wednesday-challenge_18.html-Bling it on

http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/delightfuls-christmas-in-july.html-Christmas in July

http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-117-anything-goes.html-Anything goes

http://addicted-to-stamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-35.html -Christmas in July

http://magnoliastamplovers.blogspot.co.uk/ -‘sugar’ and spice and all things nice

http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-15-christmas-in-july.html-Christmas in July

http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/christmas-in-july.html-Christmas in July

http://tildastown.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/challenge-10-anything-goes/-Anything goes

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/terrifically-thrilling-thursday-show-us.html-Christmas - Anything goes