Christmas in July

Welcome to the Christmas in July Fun Stampers Journey blog hop. If you've arrived from Betsye's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, jump in anyway, and follow along.
Some people plan ahead...way ahead...all the way ahead to Christmas, which is 6 months away.  I must admit I'm NOT one of those people!  I still want to order some of the awesome Christmas stamps in the Holiday Mini Catalog, but since I haven't been able to make up my mind which ones yet, I'm using Blitzen today.
For my first card, I used Pomegranate Splash, Denim Days, and Brush Silver rather than the more traditional red and green.  Although it looks black or gray in the picture, the dark layer is actually Denim Days card stock embossed with Petals Wall then brushed with Silver Pan Pastel.  The shapes are cut using the Ornate Label Dies and matching piercing dies.  I added a few splashes of silver Silk, and a wooden star accent that I colored with our silver ink pad.

I wanted a touch of brushed silver behind the focal point.  Whenever you need a smaller layer than you can cut with your dies, cut one or two duplicate layers.  Then cut the extras into enough sections to layer under your main shape.  Cut or punch squares if needed to fill in corners.  Tape to the back of the main shape with just a small edge showing, then layer as desired.

Here's another Blitzen card, in a neutral color palette of Butter Cream and Hazelnut Blend this time.  I sponged the edges of the die cut star opening, and sponged lightly over the image.  Once again, I added a wooden star embellishment, but left it natural color this time.  The other embellishments are from the Holiday Elements sequins - I sponged Hazelnut ink over them to fit the color scheme.  After looking at the card, I decided Blitzen could use a touch of color, so added a few of the red Holiday Elements sequins, dots of red glitter glue, and a paper-pieced scarf.  I think I like the second one better, but haven't completely made up my mind yet.  Maybe the "MERRY & bright" needs to be stamped in red also.  Oh well - after all, we still have 6 months till Christmas!

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Now hop on over to Carol's blog and see what she has for Christmas in July.

Blog Roll:

Betsye Rose Cimino Erano - betseyrose.blogspot.com      http://betsyerose.blogspot.com/2016/07/christmas-in-july_17.html

Wilma Payne (YOU ARE HERE!) - stampintotheoldies.blogspot.com    http://stampintotheoldies.blogspot.com/2016/07/christmas-in-july.html

Carol Moffatt Norby - stampincarol.blogspot.com      http://stampincarol.blogspot.com/2016/07/christmas-in-july-blog-hop.html

Martha Jackson - www.marthajstamps.com    http://www.marthajstamps.com/#!Christmas-in-July-Blog-Hop/c1aod/578987390cf23020133eac13

Susan Berg - suseadoodledo-journeys.blogspot.com     http://suseadoodledo-journeys.blogspot.com/2016/07/ChristmasinJuly.html

Ruth Cooper - www.sassyangelsstudio.com    www.sassyangelsstudio.com/christmas-in-july-fsj-blog-hop

Kim Lamos - pinkzebrapapercreations.blogspot.com     http://pinkzebrapapercreations.blogspot.com/2016/07/christmas-in-july-journey-blog-hoppers.html

Supplies Used - All can be ordered at www.funstampersjourney.com/WILMAPAYNE

Blitzen ATC Stamp (AT-0024) 

Pomegranate Splash Card Stock (CS-0027)

Denim Days Card Stock (CS-0082)

Brush Silver Card Stock (CS-0135)

Butter Cream Card Stock (CS-0006)

Petal Walls Embossing Folder (EF-0007)

Ornate Label Dies (DI-0077) & Matching Piercing Dies (DI-0142)

Star-Dom Dies (DI-0052)

Black Licorice Ink Pad (IP-0041)

Hazelnut Blend Ink Pad (IP-0012)

Journey Silver Ink Pad (IP-0107)

Journey Brush Silver Pan Pastel (JM-0097)

Silver Silk (IP-0090)

Amazing Accents (AC-0201)

Holiday Elements Journey Sequins (AC-0116)