Friday 19 July 2013

We're Having a Heat Wave ...

... and I've been making a Christmas Card.

I must be mad!

But not that mad ... I waited until the sun was down and it was cooler before venturing into the craft room. And why this desperate need to make a Christmas card, now in July, on what might prove to be the hottest day of the year? Well, I just did not want to miss Hazel's challenge, over at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge, again this week. I was off gallivanting last week and somehow never managed to make it then. This week, CHNC 133, the requirement is for a trees - at least one, which is all I've been able to come up with.

I chose to use the cut down front of a card received last year - the tree shape was already die-cut in the red card which was handy. The base is another of those fancy edged card bases that's been tucked away in a drawer all but forgotten for a year or so. They are nice, I just forget I have them!

Before the topper was attached to the card, I cut a scrap of smooth white cardstock to size and embossed it with my very new and lovely Lattice embossing folder to create an insert for the tree.

By Crafts-Too, this is the folder that is proving to be a very acceptable substitute for the much sought after, but now rarer than hen's teeth, Tied Together EF by Couture Creations. I have to thank Pixie Di, she who keeps order in the Crafty Snippets Playground, for letting us know that this little beauty was available at MaddyLisa Crafts  - check out her post here for more info.

A snippet of green card was placed behind the 'pot' the tree is 'standing' in. The finishing touches were tiny green and, even tinier, red gems, from Anita's gem wheels, for the tree, pearl stars in the corners and a pearl bow on the pot.


There is a 'Christmas Wishes' greeting inside - unfortunately, this proved difficult to photograph.

As well as submitting this to CHNC 133, I'd also like to submit it to Hazel's monthly challenge - Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for July - where, as always, anything goes.

And as I was able to incorporate a couple of snippets, the white card for the embossed insert for the tree and the green card for the 'pot', I'll be popping over to Pixies Crafty Snippets Playground - Week 81. A little birdie told me that Miss Di is needing a helping hand in the playground ... something about there being anarchy in the tree house!!!

Right, I'd better hurry to finish ... there's a moth threatening my life here ... absolutely hate the way they flutter around ... gotta go!

Take care and happy crafting,

11 comments:

Krisha said...

Oh Elizabeth I LOVE your card!

scrappymo! said...

Gosh, I so love these fancy cut card bases...very pretty!

Your tree looks wonderful...I like that the sizes vary on the diamonds...just like the baubles that differ on a real tree.

I also like the little stars you punched out of the red.
Lovely!

Rita said...

Beautiful Christmas card Elizabeth. I'm melting with this heat and as you can see I am finding it difficult to sleep. Hugs Rita xxx

MaryH said...

Elizabeth, this insert tree is just beautiful. Love the way you embossed the insert and added the tiny rhinestone trims. How detailed you are - to add the green tree base too. Your scallop shape card is the final trimming touch for this pretty tree. TFS & stay cool. You only have a few days of heat. In SC we have the remainder of the summer & it hasn't 'really' gotten hot yet - not as much as will be in August & early Sept. Thank the Lord for A/C. TFS & Hugs

Jackie said...

Beautiful card, love that tree and the colours :o)
Jackie xx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Clever clever card Elizabeth love the use of folder bow and various other bits and bibs Shaz in Oz.x

coops said...

so gorgeous Elizabeth.fab design and I love the tree :D

xx coops xx

Di said...

Oh WOW! This really is stunning Elizabeth - love the red card base you started off with and how well you've made it come to life. Naturally I love the embossing, and such a great way to use it for the tree with those lovely gems.

A great snippets card! All is quiet in the Playground right now - I think a few little peeps are dozing in the shade under the tree house though :)

Hugs, Di xx

Hazel said...

Hope you didn't cause more disturbance in the tree house, Elizabeth. Well done for making the effort with a Christmas card on such a hot day - and what a beauty it is - thanks for entering this lovely card into both CHNC challenges - hope to see you again soon. x

Sandra H said...

Absolutely beautiful weather and its lovely that its lasting for so long not before time though!! your card Elizabeth is beautiful what a lovely tree l like your gems too and the box gorgeous shape and well just about everything you have done is lovely take care xx

Sarn said...

LOVE this Elizabeth. Terrific festive make. Hope the moth didn't get you! xxx