Christmas in July

It's Christmas in July here in my little craft room.  Yes, get those gifts ready because Christmas will be here in no time!  I have already been working on my little gifts.  To tell you the truth...the people that will be getting them probably will see this here or on Facebook so they won't be much of a surprise will they?  I can't help but show you all though! I love taking pics of my projects.  I may just end up giving these goodies to the recipients BEFORE Christmas.  Shhh....

OK, on to my project.

I decided to join in on the Paper Dolls challenge this week which so happens to be Christmas in July.  They have these super cute freebie SVG files from Kadoodle Bug Designs.  Now I have seen their files before and I have never really knew what to use them for until now!  I normally use a different style of SVGs but I think this challenge has just opened up a whole new door in scrapbook/cardmaking/SVG land for me.

Lately I have been obsessed with bookmarks (*hint?*) but I don't even know why seeing that I am a new Kindle owner.  What am I going to use a bookmark for now?  I just graduated school so there goes that idea.  I have an e-reader so what's the point?  Then the other day I took my daughter to the library and BINGO!  It hit me.  My daughter could use bookmarks since I refuse to get her an e-reader.  Oh yes, this 10 year old has already asked many times for one.  Well, seeing that she is one of the few people I know that don't own an e-reader I made today's project with her in mind.  Not to say she will be getting this baby though!

Ready for pictures?  Here ya go!

Rudolph the Red Nose Penguin

Shhh, he's in disguise!

Poor guy can't reach his headband antlers to hang the ornament

Shiny red nose just like Rudolph

I used Kadoodle Bug Designs files that you can get HERE on the Paper Dolls blog.  I used the Candy Cane Stripe embossing folder from Provo Craft (I know I know...bad name but sorry...I really love my Cuddlebug and the folders!) to emboss the green behind the penguin, uh I mean reindeer.  I used my most awesome ever tool, the Crop-a-Dile, to set a green eyelet at the top of the bookmark through which I poked two colors of Trendy Twine to be used as the tassle.  As for paper, The patterned paper is from Heidi Grace Designs and is called Jolly & Bright/Gingerbread.  I picked it up at Joann's I believe.

Well, I think that about does it for this one.  Hope you enjoyed it!  Now I'm off to return my Red Box DVD before I am fined!    

You Light Up My Life

I am really working on my distressing and inking techniques, as is evident in what I made today.

I made a center step card for a challenge at SVG Attic (see the forum or Jessica's Crop Corner for rules) using the lighthouse from their Cape Cod collection.  I am so extremely proud of this card!  I have been thinking about this project for a few days and how I was going to tackle it.  I couldn't wait to make it. 

Ta-daa!!!

You light up my life step card

I used ink on every edge of the paper

A brad stands in as the light

Sentiment

The step makes the front of the card pop out

Laying on it's back so you get an idea of the dimension

This was my first time ever making a step card.  I was browsing blogs this morning (while I was supposed to be at the gym) and happened upon a tutorial for this (don't worry I went to the gym after).  It looks little complicated to make but it was really easy.

I used paper from a stack I bought today at Joann's for half off.  It's the Linen Closet pack from DCWV. 

I'm so glad I bought the Tim Holtz' ink blender.  It blends and spreads the ink so well.  The blender I was using before wasn't cutting it for me.  And as you can tell, I inked the pop out of that card!

One thing I think I may need is the Zutter paper distresser.  Distrezz It All, I think is what it's called (don't quote me on that).  I am using a hand held distresser and it takes some time to make the edges just right.  I sometimes bend the paper doing it.  No bueno ("no good" in Spanish).  With the Zutter machine you stick it in an zoop it's done!  Agh, I better stop talking about toys...my husband barely OK'd the Silhouette and here I am wanting MORE! 

So I am thinking this is my favorite card I have ever made.  I can't stop looking at it.  Corny, I know!

Now it's time for you to stop by SVG Attic and join in on the fun!!