Sweet Stampin' ~ Christmas in July

Hey crafty friends, we have a fun challenge to help us get ahead with our Christmas crafting for the year! We are hosting a 'Christmas in July' challenge and I've pulled out an oldie but a goodie, as time has disappeared for me this month with extra family events and needs. So I've pulled out a card from my vault of unshared cards! This I made for one of my sisters for Christmas a couple of years back now. It's a cute image from Krista Smith and a cool stepper card design for a bit of extra fun. 

The papers are from an old paper pack which I do not remember the name of. They have a slightly glossy finish, so may even have been from a magazine set of free papers. If I come across them again, I'll add the details later. I used a little strip of paper ribbon to run along the top of the step, as the textured section which I used a cool embossing folder to add those lovely Christmas sentiments, was a little too narrow to fill the whole section, but I really wanted to use it. So I added the green ribbon to fill that gap. I used some cute pom pom ribbon trim to add just above the embossed panel, then added the lovely image from Krista Smith. 

I don't recall the name of this cutie, but it's one of Krista Smith's Christmas elf images from her Saturated Canary days. I coloured this image with my Promarkers, which should hint to how long ago I coloured it! Interesting to reflect on our skills during our early crafting journey. I love that I can see the progress in my colouring now. I would add more shadows and details now, but I still think it's cute! I added some puffy pen accent to the pom pom on her hat, which isn't something I remember to do now! So that's a nice reminder to pull out older techniques and accents. How lovely is that white poinsettia too?! Love that pretty accent. I used two petal layers added together at different angles to fill all the spaces, then fixed together with a white glitter brad. Another thing I don't reach for much now, but they're still fab stash to have! It's ages since I've used my brads, I really need to do that more!

I will be back again soon with another crafty adventure. Life continues to be very full and I'm heading into my busiest creative season, so I will try to pop by your blogs my crafty friends, but will see how much I can fit in! Please know how much I appreciate you if you stop by my blog. It's a dying crafty art-form blogging, but it's still my favourite place to share my creations, so thank you, thank you, if you stop by. Do let me know you have, by leaving a comment and I'll try to return the favour by visiting you. I don't really have any thumbnail links to share today, because this card is much older and many of the items, I either don't have details for or are no longer being sold. Krista's line of stamps is now retired, but you can still follow her here for the occasional freebie! Hugs and happy crafting, Wends xoxo