Inspired Stamps Christmas in July WK 2

It's another week of chilly snowmen, winter mittens and Christmas wishes!  Well, at least INDOORS:)  Inspired Stamps is continuing our celebration of Christmas in July. I welcomed the chance to use a couple of  my all time favorite Inspired Stamps ever-Winter Ruth as well as Let it Snow.  Winter Ruth is an extra special stamp set because she comes with a choice of 6 items to hold tight in her mittens and 6 sentiments you can use with her throughout the winter months.  

The inside of the card is finished off with a sentiment and stars from Blessed Little Christmas.  Please stop by the entire team's blogs and check out their great Christmas projects!  And don't forget to use your 25% off coupon that can be found on the Inspired Stamps Blog.

 I used an extra large manilla tag once again for my card base.  It makes a quick and cute card at a great size. Liquid Applique and a heat gun gave my snowman, tree and the "hill" Ruth is on, the snowy look.  I used Copics to give them their chic red and black outfits and silver Stickles for some glitter

Blog Hop WINNER!!

I really appreciate all the new followers and all the comments left on the Inspired Stamps Christmas Tag blog hop!  I used random.org to choose a winner and she is....

 

Sharon G:

"I start my Christmas cards and tags in the summer since it takes so long. I just have to do it when it's cool at night--no AC. I just joined your blog."

Sharon-Thank you for following along on the Inspired Stamps Christmas Tag Blog Hop and a BIG congratulations on winning an Inspired Stamp set!  I will pop it in the mail to you as soon as you send me your address.

Inspired Stamps Christmas in July Blog Hop & Coupon

Welcome to the Christmas in July Blog Hop with Inspired Stamps (check out the awesome coupon below)! If you arrived here from Jenn's wonderful post then you should be at the last blog of the day!

My Christmas tag is not in a traditional tag shape but the cartridge labeled it a tag so I'm going with it!  I made a gift tag for a special someone and wrapped it with ribbon around a pillow box.  The beautiful Christmas scene is from the lovely Inspired Stamps Vintage Christmas Stamp Set.  This set is a must have for Christmas cards! The "to and from" as well as the tiny star are from the equally versatile Blessed Little Christmas Stamp Set.

I love how my rosemary bush mimics a Christmas Tree!  All of these Christmas tags now have me in the mood to get busy on Christmas projects-you know it's barely over 5 months to the big day!  Thanks for joining us on our Christmas Tag blog hop!  Be sure to visit the  Inspired Stamps Blog and leave a comment! But first, I have a surprise-become a follower of my blog (if you're not) and then leave me a comment below and tell me when you start your Christmas projects.  I'll have a drawing and send an Inspired Stamp to a lucky someone!  Be sure to leave me your e-mail as well for contacting the winner.

 

other supplies used: Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for all cuts, glitz, ink and sparkles. paper and ribbon from my stash

If you started here and need the links to the other blogs on this hop, here's their links and the order of the hop-just click on a name.  Blessings!

Kary

Gabrielle
Jamie
Chere
Jenn
Belinda
Inspired Stamps Blog

MIA

I don't know if you have missed my Monday Musings or not but for those who might, I thought I should explain my lack of posting.

I took a break for all the events surrounding our middle son's high school graduation.  Then 5 days after that wonderful event, he was involved in a car accident!  It totaled his car and left him with a broken wrist.  My full time job then became dealing with insurance companies, finding him an orthopedic doctor and trying to find a new affordable car. We also have been helping my sister get my parents moved into her home.  That is another ordeal all together!

My son should be out of his cast in 2 weeks and insurance has come through.  We will hopefully be purchasing a car for him as early as tonight.  Needless to say, I have definitely been off schedule and out of the habit of posting my musings!  I don't know when I will be regularly posting on Mondays again but already have a few ideas kicking around in my head.  Thanks for your support and patience!

WOWZA! CTMH Convention and News!!!

I just returned today from the Close To My Heart Convention in Dallas!  This was my first ever and I can't imagine any others being more exciting and FULL of AMAZING new products!

The new Idea Book will be released on August 1st and it is chock full of fantastic new stamp sets, gorgeous home decor projects (one I've never seen anywhere before), marvelous papers, embellishments and so very much more.  The item everyone was most excited about is the...wait for it...ARTISTE CRICUT CARTRIDGE!!!!! Where our original Art Philosophy Cart was creative and basic at the same time, the Artiste Collection is OVER THE TOP creative and wonderfully jammed pack full of amazing 3D projects, coordinating themed projects (can you say complete party decorations for boys, girls, babies and more?), fabulous cards, and just more than your little head can imagine!!  Again, there are 700 distinct images/projects (only 2 repeat from the original cart-circle and square).  

Are you ready for yours?  I am taking Pre-orders!  Your order ($99 plus shipping and tax) will include the Artiste Cartridge, 3 coordinating stamp sets with 3 sheets of compatible chipboard shapes.  OR add on our Stamp of the Month Set for only $5 more  (17.95 value).  Don't wait!  Our original cart sold out of a YEAR's worth of product in 2 weeks and some had to wait for their new cart.  CTMH has tried to plan for more this time but I tell you that everyone with a Cricut is going to want this cartridge.  

If you pre-order through me by July 20th, Your pre-order will ship from my home in Texas as soon as I receive it from CTMH and should be in your hot little hands by mid-August if not before! I will also include a FREE Idea Book in your order!

Click below to pre-order your Artiste Cricut Collection AND the July OR August (not certain which month will be available when I order)Stamp of the Month through my Paypal account for $104+shipping and tax:

OR Click below to order the Artiste Collection ONLY for $99+shipping and tax:

 

Summer is the theme this week at Inspired Stamps.  To me, butterflies say summer with all their glorious colors and beauty.   So, I chose to use the beautiful Butterflies and Blooms Stamp Set.

I had a lot of fun trying to get the butterfly just right and this is actually about try #10-LOL! I stamped the butterfly first in Brilliance Graphite Black and then sprinkled with silver embossing powder.  After melting the powder, I colored the still white areas with 3 shades of pink with Copic markers. Then, I used a glue pen to go over the pink areas, sprinkled iridescent glitter over that.  The photo does not do the sparkle and shine justice but I think you can get the idea!

I wanted the wings to curl and the heat helped that but then needed a shadow underneath so I just stamped another butterfly and colored it but did not emboss or glitter it.  I glued it flat to the card and then glued just the center of the top butterfly.  The appropriate sentiment is also from the Butterflies and Blooms Set. Be sure to check out the fabulous projects at the Inspired Stamps Blog.

other supplies: CTMH and stash

Inspired Stamps DT Choice-Music Appreciation Card

Once again we are enjoying a Design Team Choice week at Inspired Stamps.  I created this card with church musicians in mind.  They put in so many hours of practice and performance and are very often under appreciated.  Any church musician would love to receive a card with your thanks for their amazing ministry and hard work.   

Did you know that when the nation of Israel fought their enemies during Biblical times, God directed them to have the singers and musicians lead the troops?  2 Chronicles 20:21 "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endures forever."  

Today's church musicians still play a pivotal role in the Church.  For this card,  I used the fabulous Sing For Joy stamp set.  It is one of my favorites and has so many great images, verses and sentiments.  On the inside I couldn't decide on a sentiment or scripture so I used both!  Then I threw in an image just for fun:)

I hope you enjoyed my simple card today and that you will check out the rest of the team's cards at the Inspired Stamps Blog or their individual blogs.