Friday, July 19, 2019

Christmas in July with Marcia

My friend Marcia [of Marcia's Stampin' Pad] lives a mere 42 minutes from me, and it has taken years for us to get together!!!  Isn't that just the way life goes?  I suggested to her that we take the hottest Michigan day of the Summer to make Christmas cards... she quickly took me up on it, and even offered lunch if I drove to her on Wednesday - think I could pass that up?  Not on your life! It was so delicious, too!

I brought a mountain of my own Christmas sets to share, and my own basic supplies, inks, and card stock and both my mini and regular MISTI.  Marcia graciously shared her motor-driven Big Shot, a paper cutter, and a few sweet Christmas sets that I don't own - yes.  there are a few.

What made it even more fun, was the fact that we crafted back-to-back and had no clue what the other was making until one of us couldn't stand it another minute - I must have said 'what are you working on over there?' a dozen times! lol

Okay.  Enough chit chat - here are the TEN cards that I started at Marcia's, and finished in my own craft room on Thursday.  I had a mission to make pretty, but mail-friendly cards!

First up:  Christmas Greenery by Gina K Designs:

Altenew inks, Spellbinder's Hemstitched Squares
on MFT Natural card stock, gold water color splatters,
MFT Kraft card base.

Altenew Seashore inks, gold foil paper from Michael's,
splattered Gansai Tambi water color splatters,
PTI Hanukkah stamp set

Gina K inks: Warm Cocoa, Kraft, and Sandy Beach,
Altenew December to Remember sentiment

Gina K Asparagus card stock, Spellbinder's Hemstitch Rectangle dies
Altenew Field Green's ink set
Lil' Inkers Wood grain cover plate, PTI sentiment
 
Next up:  Stamploration's The Bee's Knees, Layered Mistletoe
 

Catherine Pooler Eucalyptus Ink, Spellbinder's Hemstitched Rectangle,
Gina Kay Asparagus card stock

Catherine Pooler Green Tea, and Black Licorice, and Rockin' Red, and Rouge inks.
Winnie & Walter Audrey cut away die, Pure Poppy PTI card stock for base.
 
Altenew's Majestic Mistletoe is up next...
 

Altenew Majestic Mistletoe, Gina K Warm Cocoa card stock,
Spellbinders Hemstitched Rectangle dies, Gina K,  Altenew, and Delicata Gold inks.

Gina K Tranquil Teal card stock, Altenew Field Greens, Lagoon, and Emerald inks.
Stamping? - perfectly imperfect!
 
Marcia had one particular set waiting for me … you know my love of winged things?  This one just had to get some attention!  From Gina K Designs, Marcia picked this one up when we visited Gina's store in Wisconsin last fall with two other friends!  Enter Fruit of the Seasons ...
 
Altenew Brown woodgrain card stock, Gansai Tambi gold water color
Spellbinder's Hemstitched Circle dies
 
Last, but certainly not least... Marcia and I decided to use the same set for our cards for the current The Flower Challenge - Pretty Pastels!  Enter Altenew's Poinsettia and Pine.  Stamped with Versamark, and heat embossed with Brutus Monroe Gilded embossing powder, I chose to color mine with Milled Lavender, and a bit of Pumice stone for the leaves. 
 
Spellbinder's Hemstitched Square
 
You know I didn't stop at Christmas, but I'll save those for another day.  I'm so happy to have TEN Christmas cards made to add to my stash for 2019!!! 
 
Thanks, Marcia, for lunch, for welcoming me into your home, and sharing your wonderful craft room with me... we'll have to make it an annual event - our very own Christmas in July!
 
=]  Michele
 
                              



25 comments:

Marcia Hill said...

They are ALL absolutely BEAUTIFUL Michele and we will definitely have to make it a tradition of doing Christmas cards in July!! Had an absolute blast crafting with you and can't wait to do it again!! Love ya! Hugs. :0)

conil said...

How delightful to have a cardmaker nearby. One that you can share this hobby with...and produce such lovely, elegant seasonal cards.

Barb Ghig said...

I am so impressed, Michele! Each and every card is so lovely...Gorgeous CAS designs and beautiful color palettes! How lucky you are to live close to Marcia so you can enjoy your friendship and achieve so much at the same time :) I can't wait to see the rest of your creations ~ Barb xx

Viv said...

Oh wow Michele what amazing cards and looks like a lot of fun was had too! Love the last one esp.....well it's that gorgeous pastel flower of course.Think I have that stamp too ! Thanks for sharing with us over at 'The Flower Challenge' once again ;) Viv DT xx

Cat Craig said...

So much gorgeousness. The fun you two had shows in your cards. Its great to start a whole bunch and then finish at home, while I am sure thinking about the great time you had. Love all those lil hemstitch accents too. I often times forget about the smaller dies. Thanks for the inspiration.

Bonnie said...

Wow! I'm impressed! You girls got a lot accomplished. Nance & I need to try that. Maybe if we sit back to back we can accomplish something besides talking! You have a wonderful collection of mail friendly Christmas cards there. Can't wait to see what Marcia did.

Lisa Elton said...

I told Marcia I was jealous of your crafty day together! Once again...if only we were neighbors we could have made that trip together LOL!! A fabulous line up Michele,. Each and every one as pretty as the next!

Linda Callahan said...

Awful lot of holiday gorgeousness happening here! I would say that was an amazingly productive day!

McStamper said...

What fun to have a stamping friend near by. Your cards are fabulous. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Anita in France said...

A whole host of loveliness from your day with Marcia, Michele ... they're all gorgeous! How fabulous you two are able to get together so easily ... and be so amazingly productive ... 10 cards ... wow! Hugs, Anita :)

Jeanne said...

What beautiful results of your fun adventure, Michele! How neat for you to have done this! Methinks you could maybe do this more than one time a year. Look at all you got accomplished so beautifully? :)

LeAnne said...

Awesome cards...I believe I have a similar tree stamp, I need to get it inky! Yours are just beautiful, all of them! A very productive and fun day---how wonderful to spend it with another ink-crazy friend!

Darnell said...

Thud! What a parade of gorgeous Christmas card designs, M! I love that you drove to Marcia's for a play date and I'm mega impressed at your creativity!!! I may or may not make this many cards in a WEEK-LONG retreat. Okay, NOT! Signing off, now, in awe and shame-faced! Hugs, D

Brenda said...

How fun that you ladies were able to get together Michele! No that was something you couldn't pass up for sure, lol I love that you ladies were able to do this. Wish you lived close to me, I'd have you over for lunch all the time. But since that isn't possible, I will just visit you here. I can't believe you got so many cards made and they are all fabulous. Loving those trees, they made great Christmas cards. I don't know what it is about tree stamps, but I do love them so. The mistletoe stamps are so fun. The artsy one is really fun and whimsical, such a great cards. So love the Altenew mistletoe, those cards are so elegant. Then you have the partridge in a pear tree card, which is very elegant looking and the poinsettia, which is so beautiful. I'd say you got a lot of Christmas cards with different feels to them and I love them all! Hugs, Brenda

sue t. said...

Nothing better than crafting with a good buddy. I love the hemstitch dies you used! Just ordered the squares and rectangles from Amazon. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Julie Ebersole said...

Holy crow--all so lovely!!!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Michele, what a fun craft play date you had with Marcia! I'm so jealous! ;-)
So impressed with all these wonderful holiday cards, especially because they're all mail-friendly. I do need to get the hemstitched dies!! They make such a cool frame.
Hideko xx

Birgit said...

Ooooh, these are all stunning Michele! I love each and every one of them but what I love even more is that you and Marcia got to spend time together celebrating Christmas in July. How fun is that! If it becomes an annual event, maybe I can make the trip next year. ;)

Carol (HB) said...

What a fun day, and a productive one to boot! Your creations are so fabulous (as always). I need to try the "back to back" seating when my friends come over and see if I get more done that way. LOL

lostinpaper said...

Sounds like you had a blast! And it was a productive day too, which never seems to happen when I get together with anyone, I think it may have something to do with 'too much talking' lol.

JulieP said...

Sounds like a wonderful day! I hope we one day get the same opportunity. Love all of these cards but those (Stamplorations) mistletoe cards are my fav! Just checked and they are out of stock. :-(

TK said...

A perfect day to make beautiful cards! You have a beautiful bunch to add to your stash for sure! A blessing to have a friend who shares your passion so close

Bobby said...

We never get this many cards made when we craft together, Michele. Well at least I don't. I still have stuff undone from our first visit. These are all so magnificent yet simple and perfect for mailing. I'm pulling out my hemstitch dies and getting busy. Soon, very soon.

Bobby said...

Oh, and thanks for sharing your poinsettia one with us at The Flower Challenge. It's lovely in lavender.

Tracey McNeely said...

Eek how fun that you are Marcia got the chance to craft together!! All of your cards are beautiful! Would love to join you two but as you know I am 5 hours not 42 mins. 🙁