Christmas in July - MFT Creative Chat

Hello!! Welcome to this month's Creative Chat for My Favorite Things.

 The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to kick-start our holiday projects with Christmas in July. Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers.

I will admit I had a hard time getting in the "spirit" in July :)  But, I did manage to create a couple Christmas cards in two different styles for today's post. Up first is a sweet Christmas card using Pure Innocence Christmas Caroler.

Isn't she sweet? The layout for this card is the current sketch for the Guest Designer contest - still plenty of time to play along!  I colored her hair, skin, sleeves, tights, and boots with Copic markers. I trimmed the colored image out and paper pieced her dress with paper from Crate Paper's Peppermint collection. I stamped the image a second time, added a hint of shading to her collar and paper pieced that over her dress. The music notes stamped on the background are part of the Pure Innocence Christmas Caroler stamp set.   The sentiment is from the same stamp set and was stamped on a mini bracket tab cut with the Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics.  Here is a closer look.

I used the Wonky Scallop Border Die-namics and Whip Cream cardstock to create a layered "snow drift" at her feet. The top most Wonky Scallop is popped up on a double layer of foam tape. The image was popped up between the scallops on a single layer of foam tape. The image panel was matted on Red Hot cardstock and Whip Cream cardstock.

The ornament was created using the Christmas Ornaments Die-namics, cardstock, and patterned paper. I stamped the music note background from the By the Numbers stamp set on a Whip Cream ornament shape. I embellished with a Squiggle Border, Poinsettia & ornament hanger from the Christmas Ornaments Die-namics, and sparkles. The ornament was secured with a foam booster in the corner of the image panel.
Here is a look at the interior.

The sentiment was stamped on a Designer Labels 3 STAX and the label was embellished with the Squiggle Border and a sprig of holly.  The holly is also from the Christmas Ornaments Die-namics.  Here is a look at the great embossed detail.

Here are the Die-namics I used on this card.

The second card is a more traditional looking card. I was completely inspired by the movie, The Polar Express, for this card. We love that movie in our house around the holidays. When my 7 year old first saw Inspired by Travel, he asked if that was the Polar Express train so I knew I would put that image on at least one Christmas card this year :) 

I stamped the train image on a Kraft Designer Labels 3 STAX and mounted that on a Black Licorice Circle STAX (set 1).  I added a Kraft bow and tied a jingle bell around the center with black jute.  I just had to add a bell to complete the whole Polar Express theme :)  Here is a closer look at the fantastic train image.

I also tucked an Icicle Border under the Kraft grosgrain ribbon.

Here is the inside with a sentiment from Inspired by Christmas and a fabulous Skyline scene reminiscent of the North Pole in the movie.

I used the Skyline Border Die-namics, Solid Skyline Die-namics, and Wonky Scallop Border Die-namics to create a snow covered city.

Here are the Die-namics I used on this card.

I hope you enjoyed my Christmas cards today :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Remember to check Kim's blog for the complete list of designeres participating tonight!

Fa-la-la-la-la card - 5" square

Stamps:   Pure Innocence Christmas Caroler,  By the Numbers stamp set (MFT)

Papers:  Peppermint (Crate),  Whip Cream cardstock ,  Red Hot cardstock  (MFT)

Inks:  Memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

Accessories:  Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics,  Wonky Scallop Border Die-namics,  Christmas Ornaments Die-namics,  Squiggle Border,  Designer Labels 3 STAX Die-namics (MFT), red dual striped twill ribbon (The Ribbon Carousel), sparkles (CTMH), Copic markers, sewing machine, foam tape, Jody boosters

Polar Express card - 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" 

Stamps:  Inspired by Travel, Inspired by Christmas (MFT)

Papers:  Winter Park (Echo Park), Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice, Kraft (MFT)
Inks:  Memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

Accessories:   Skyline Border Die-namics, Solid Skyline Die-namics, and Wonky Scallop Border Die-namics, Icicle Border Die-namics, Designer Labels 3 STAX Die-namics, Circle STAX Die-namics set 1, Kraft grosgrain ribbon (MFT), black jute (The Ribbon Carousel), jingle bell, sewing machine, foam tape