Frosty in July . . .

It's here . . . the much anticipated QKR Stampede Christmas-themed Blog Hop. You should have arrived here from Holly's Blog; if you didn't, please go there now and enjoy the adorable project Holly has created for you, then be sure to come back here to continue the Hop. If you came here before visiting any other blogs, be sure to start at the beginning of the Hop so that you don't miss anything! I made a lot of projects for this Hop and just couldn't decide which to share, so I am sharing them all -- there are cards, gift tags, and a gift idea. So sit back, take your time scrolling through, and enjoy!

CARDS

When I first saw The Perfect Christmas Tree (#12708), it reminded me of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!! I LOVED it when I first saw it and knew I had to do something with it!

How CUTE is this Sledding Bear (#15906)? He's sledding down a snowy hillside--perhaps on his way to your house--with his decorated Christmas tree in hand!

When I saw this Christmas Lights Kitty (#23703), I just knew I had to get it and do something with it. I have two cats, and luckily, neither one has ever bothered my Christmas tree, the lights or decorations! I did have a cat, though, who liked to lie under my Christmas tree and paw at the ornaments; apparently, he liked the swinging motion.

Who doesn't LOVE snowmen . . . be it at Christmas or throughout the winter season. These darling snowmen have dropped by to do some Caroling (#13606) and spread some holiday cheer!

GIFT TAGS

The Perfect Christmas Tree (#12708) reminded me of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. I knew I had to get this stamp and be creative with it.

In the Manger (#16710) is just one example of the "not so quirky" stamp images that QKR Stampede has to offer. This image is well-suited for gift tags, cards, and even scrapbook page layouts (any children  or grandchildren participating in a Christmas play this year?).

Sledding Bear (#15906) is perfect for gift tags. Wouldn't he look adorable adorning a gift package?

GIFT IDEA

This set of coasters was created using the Birdhouse (#14514) stamp. There's just something about snowman images with birds and birdhouses--they're simply charming! If you follow my blog, you may recall that I recently posted a collection of coasters and directions on how I made them (you can find that post here). These coasters were made in the same manner and were colored using chalks and a blender pen. Here is a close-up of one of the coasters:

As with the previous QKR Stampede Blog Hops, there is a prize being offered--a $25 gift certificate to use at the QKR Stampede store--to those participants who not only stop at each Design Team Members' Blog, but also take the time to leave a comment. Once you have visited the last blog in the Hop schedule, go to the QKR Stampede Blog and leave a comment that you completed the Hop, as well as any general comments you might have to offer regarding the Hop. If you have met the criteria (visiting and commenting at each Design Team Member's Blog and at the QKR Stampede Blog), your name will be entered in a random drawing for the gift certificate. Want to increase your chances of winning? There are three ways you can increase your chances of winning: (1) become a follower of the QKR Stampede blog; (2) become a fan/friend on Facebook; and (3) make mention of this Blog Hop on your personal blog.

 I hope you enjoyed seeing these projects as much as I enjoyed making them! Your next stop on the Frosty in July Blog Hop is at JESSICA'S blog, where an adorable project awaits you. Thank you for participating in the Hop, make sure you leave your comments, and good luck!!!

QKR Monday . . . Christmas Blog Hop

It's QKR Monday! Today's project uses the Special Delivery (#14010) stamp by QKR Stampede. This image has been on my wish list for quite some time, and I finally got it!! What cute baby shower cards, birth congratulatory cards, birth announcements, or scrap book pages can be made using this stamp!

I used a background paper that I have had for a while and which, unfortunately, has no manufacturer's identification. The image was stamped with my Ancient Page Coal Black dye ink and colored with my Prismacolor water color pencils and a blender pen. The baby feet brads are by Accent Depot and the "It's A Boy" charm is by Darice. To see another card project using this stamp, go to the QKR Stampede blog to this post.

Christmas Blog Hop:  Just a quick reminder to be sure to mark your calendars for the Frosty in July Christmas-themed Blog Hop this Friday, July 23. Here is a sneak peek that I featured a couple weeks ago, before the Hop was rescheduled:

 as well as a new sneak peek of another project for the Hop:

Be sure to join us for the Frosty in July Blog Hop this Friday, July 23, and be sure to tell all your stamping friends to do the same! The Design Team Members have some terrific projects prepared to share with you. Stop back throughout the week for other projects and Blog Hop  sneak peeks! Thanks for stopping by and visiting today! Have a great day!!

QKR Monday - Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day -- a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. But did you know that the legal separation of the American colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776? The Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, later titled the Declaration of Independence, and debated and revised the document, with final approval on July 4, 1776. In fact, John Adams had written in a letter to his wife, Abigail: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, . . . bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

In honor of Independence Day, I am posting a card that uses the Waving Flag (#16112) stamp by QKR Stampede. I have previously used this stamp for Memorial Day projects, Flag Day, and here it is, again, for Independence Day. I absolutely LOVE this flag image . . . I love its simplicity and the movement depicted in the image!

For this card, I first had the ribbon in mind, so I wanted to create a card with a vintage/Americana/folk art look to it. I decided to make my paper look like old, aged parchment paper. Here's how I did it: card stock is Stampin' Up!'s Very Vanilla. I then rubbed over the card stock lightly using my Memento Desert Sand ink pad. Then I sponged Vivid! Straw, Brown, and Taupe inks (in that order). Then I rubbed the Memento Desert Sand ink all over the piece of card stock again. Lastly, I inked the edges of the card stock using Memento Rich Cocoa. The date was printed on my computer, cut out with a Nestabilities Oval cutting die, "aged" in the same manner, layered onto a scallop oval that was cut out with a Nestabilities Scallop Oval cutting die, and adhered using foam squares.

And now for the announcement I promised. As you know, QKR has been having a blog hop each month, and this month is no different. Our July blog hop will be all about Christmas! Yes, Christmas!!! I know Christmas is five months away, but now is the perfect time to start thinking about and planning your holiday paper crafting projects . . . like the design of this year's Christmas cards! The Hop will take place this Thursday, July 8, and as always, will be started at the QKR Stampede blog. More details will follow as the week progresses. Be sure to mark your calendar for the July 8 Blog Hop. Here is a sneak peek of one of my projects:

Happy Independence Day to you and yours. As you celebrate this holiday, enjoy the local parades and fireworks displays and do be careful. Thanks for stopping by and paying a visit. Have a GREAT day!!