Saturday, July 28, 2012

Christmas In July

Today is the 28th... time for a Calendar Girl post. YAY! For those of you who have no clue what that means, the Calendar Girls are a blog group that I am privileged to be part of. Each month one of us is hostess and provides the details for that month's challenge.

This month, Carol served as hostess and she challenged us to make Christmas (in July) cards. Isn't that fun!?!?!? THANK YOU, Carol, for a great challenge. Even though it was 100+ degrees outside when I was making it, I felt cool inside, as if there was a white Christmas just outside the door.

Here's my card:



I can't remember the last time I made a card without any embellishments on it (GASP!) but every embellishment I tried on this one just seemed to overwhelm it. I wanted the metallic gold and the true meaning of Christmas to be the focal point, so in the end without any embellishments. I think it worked.






... and the inside of my card:



I liked the way the card turned out - with the metallic gold highlights and combination of classic rich dark colors and soft ivory.

Carol also had this instruction for us: I would love to know if you have any very special Christmas traditions OR a special Christmas memory from years past.

Those of you who "know" me, know that I love love LOVE Christmas, especially Christmas trees. We put up many Christmas trees in our home (we've had as many as 43 in one year). Some of my fond memories include the search for Christmas ornaments when on vacation with our children throughout the years. My daughter often was very involved in the search, as we looked for an ornament from that "vacation spot" that would adorn our Vacation Christmas Tree every year. We even have a Mickey Mounse stuffed animal from Disney World and a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal from Disneyland on the tree. Every year when I decorate it, I reflect on the fun family vacations we have taken.

THANKS again, Carol, for a fun challenge!

Now, please go to the other Calendar Girl blogs and see what they came up with for Christmas in July! I'm sure you will be amazed at their creativity!


Images & Sentiments: A Muse Holy Night
Ink: Encore Metallic Gold and Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock: Paper Company Boysenberry and Stampin' UP! Black, Metallic Gold, and Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Paper Studio Holiday Wonder Collection
Die: Stampin' UP! Top Note

15 comments:

April said...

Lovely cards. I think no embellishments works great for this card.

I have admired this set, but haven't had a clue how to pull it off til now...THANKS!

Athina said...

Wow! What a perfect card!

Darlene said...

Stunning! So serene and the gold works so well. I think you were wise not to add any other embellishments, it's perfect just the way it is! Love the music background too!

Ana Carolina Little said...

Jeanette... BEAUTIFUL card!!!. Love those silhouettes and the background paper!!!

Carol W said...

Oh my stars Jeanette...what a beautiful Christmas card..it is absolutely stunning inside and out..I would someday love to come and visit your forest at Christmas time...I would certainly be in awe of all your wonderful trees...great job my friend...♥

kiwimeskreations said...

What a classically beautiful card Jeanette - love the simplicity of it and the very focused sentiments.
Blessings
Maxine

~Paola~ said...

what a wonderful card this is!
so peaceful and encasing all the beauty of Christmas and its true meaning!! Very classy card!
I totally LOVE this A-Muse set...I recently visited the A-Muse store in Seattle and saw it first hand, in fact I believe that Judy received this set as a gift from Kadie...so precious!♥
Thanks for sharing your wonderful and amazing 'forest trees' tradition...it never cease to amaze me everytime I hear (read) you sharing some more stories with us...
Absolutly special in every way! ♥

dweatter said...

I love this card. It is so beautiful! I love your color combo..the gold is perfect with the darker colors. And, of course, your card represents the true meaning of Christmas which is precious to my heart. The sentiment inside is perfect. I would love to sit and have coffee with you IRL and hear about each and every ornament and see all those fantastic trees!

paige said...

This card is stunning as is, no need for embellishments. I'm always so impressed with the insides of your cards too!

Barb said...

This card is stunning--I love the image and the card sure does not need any embellishment. It is perfect!

:: BlueInks :: said...

Love this card! The sentiment is great. That die cut and the colors go so well together. Great Christmas card.

Patty Gorka said...

Beautiful, Jeanette! It's perfect without any embellishments, the gold works well on it's own.

Heather B said...

Very cool card!! I like how part of the image is on the background and the other part is on the Top Note die. Very nice!

MiamiKel said...

Oh you left nothing undone on this Christmas beauty! And it works indeed - it's perfect! I love the gold - it's a great accent color. And of course we all know how much you love Christmas and I will remember the story of your vast Christmas tree farm in your house for many years to come :) x0x0

Terry Ladwig said...

Love the crad Jeanette! I think I may have to use your design for my sister's card this year.....I suppose I should show her your work!!

Love the layout, the layers and both the inside and out!!!