It is the first Saturday of the month which means it is blog hop time!  This month we're getting an early start on the festive season preparations and our theme is Christmas In July so grab a cuppa (or perhaps some egg nog would be more fitting!) and get set for some Christmas inspiration. 

Previous Blog Hop Stop:

You may have arrived here from the gorgeous creation of Kathryn Ruddick, or perhaps you are starting your hop from here.   Let's launch off.

Quilted Top Note Christmas Card

I've been seeing lots of the gorgeous quilted cards done with squares of patterned paper and the Big Shot Top Note die.  I decided to grab out a pack of DSP, my 1 1/4" square punch and give it a go. 

Here's my festive version ....

Now a confession!  I grabbed a pack of patterned paper from my stash and it wasn't until I'd finished making the card, taken the pics and was writing this up that I realised - uh oh!  I'd grabbed Ski Slope DSP which has retired.    Oops!  To make this project yourself, you could substitute any of the DSP that has Baja Breeze patterned paper, or you could make your own by stamping a swirly pattern on some Baja Breeze cardstock. 

Some Steps:

For those of you who like the step by step instructions - here goes.  I punched squares from the patterned paper then sponged the edges of each square with Baja Breeze ink.  I coated a piece of cardstock with glue (the Anywhere Glue Stick pg 154 makes this easy) and glued on the 12 squares.  Then cut out my shape using the Top Note Die.  I sponged the edges and added some snowflakes from the Snow Swirled stamp set - once again using Baja Breeze ink.

I embossed the greeting - Heard From The Heart stamp set and white embossing powder.  I also embossed the dove from A Wish For Peace stamp set onto vellum cardstock and cut that out.   I attached him with glue dots.

I stamped the base card with some more snowflakes using white craft ink, then added some dots of glitter using the 2 Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds.  Popped some white taffeta ribbon on and added the Top Note shape and all done.

I did another one with another piece of Ski Slope DSP, this time in Old Olive colouring.  I used gold embossing powder and it doesn't quite stand out enough against the green so back to the drawing board for this one I think!   Thought I'd show you anyway for those of you who prefer your Christmas cards in greens!  The base card is Confetti Cream.  I sponged the edges in Kiwi Kiss and stamped the edge of the smallest snowflake in gold ink as a border.

Thanks for visiting my patch of blogland.  Hope you enjoy the hop today. 

Blog Hop Details:

This month our blog hop has 12 stops.  There's a blog candy draw (non demonstrators eligible for prize.) Leave a comment at each stop before Tuesday morning 6am.  Email Nikki at [email protected] to let her know and she'll put your name in the hat.

Next Blog Hop Stop:

Now you are off to the blog of the talented Claire Daly who has a beautiful Christmas project to share. 

By the time you make your way around the blog hop you'll be brimming with ideas for Christmas creations, and still 6 months left to get working on them.   That will fly by if the first 6 months is any guide!  Each year in the December rush I promise myself that next year I'll start earlier!  Let's hope the blog hop ideas get us all into gear nice and early this year.

Happy Hopping!   Cheers, Sue