Christmas in July at Cuttlebug Challenge

It is Christmas in July all week at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot - there are new projects every day this week leading up to the all day event on Sunday, July 25th.

I gave you a peek of Bonnie's card on Monday, and you won't want to miss the One Calendar, Three Ways  (amazing how three designers - Wanda, Kristi and Betty - can make something so different when starting with the same basic project) or the  Embossed Metal Card Tree by Miss Tracy that was posted on Tuesday.

I created the sketch for this challenge using my Creative Memories StoryBook Plus 3.0 software.  I use this software for so much more than just digital scrapbook pages and the great thing is that once I make a sketch I can use it digitally or "translate" it into paper.  I'll show you my digital variations soon.  NOTE - Creative Memories no longer sells this software.  You can buy the updated version, Artisan 4 directly from the developers, Panstoria, HERE (affiliate link).

Sketches are just a "taking off" point and you do not need to copy each element exactly.  I like to include the exact dimensions of the pieces for people who really like to follow a pattern.

I cut my card pieces from Core'dinations cardstock.  Since I was using a dark color for the background I cut a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece of cardstock and layered it on a the front of an ivory card  base.  This eliminates the need to line the card and conserves your special papers.  The patterned paper strip and the scalloped circle are cut from K & Company Christmas paper.  The premade rosette is also from K & Company.

I specifically designed the sketch to allow for lots of layers of embossing.   Here you can see the background embossed with the Holly Ribbons Cuttlebug folder and the two squares embossed with the Snow Dots embossing folder.

I used foam squares under the first square layer to add dimension.  I put the second square directly on top of the first with no spacers.

I added foam squares to the scalloped circle as well,  I wanted texture and dimension but I also wanted to fit this in an envelope!  The scalloped circle is cut from the Graphically Speaking cartridge.

I inked the embossing with a gold ink page to give some glimmer and pull out the details.

Here is a closer view showing the embossing and layers.

Why don't you play along with the challenge this week?  Please go to THIS POST on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot to see all of cards the other designers created and find out how to join the challenge.

I hope you have fun thinking Christmas thoughts in the heat of the summer - and that it helps cool you down a bit!

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