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!!!

Dry Embossing--The Old Fashioned Way

Remember the days of dry embossing before the Cuttlebug, Wizard, and Big Shot machines and embossing folders? Remember Fiskars Texture Plates and the little contraption you held in your hand and rubbed--aggressively and with a lot of pressure--over the texture plate to get an impression (and not the best of impressions at that)? I usually wound up with a bit of an impression and a very sore hand! Remember dry embossing with a brass stencil, embossing stylus(es), and a light box (and those who didn't have a light box would tape the stencil to a window)? Remember how amazed you were when you first saw dry embossing demonstrated either at a home stamping party or at your local stamp store? Dare I say "those were the days"?? Those "days" aren't that far behind us . . . it's amazing to consider how quickly product lines and ideas change--out with the old, in with the new. As you might have guessed by now, today's card was created using the old-fashioned dry embossing technique--a brass stencil, embossing stylus, and a light box.

The close-up photograph shows the detail of the embossing . . . flower petals, leaves, and the decorative "dots". The brass stencil is one that coordinates with the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set by Stampin' Up! I also use PergaSoft, a wax product originally designed for use with pergamano tools, to "condition" my embossing stylus. PergaSoft allows the embossing stylus to glide effortlessly over, and prevent tears in, the card stock. Some people will rub wax paper over the card stock before using the embossing stylus, but I have found that the PergaSoft works better. One of the advantages of using a brass stencil for dry embossing is you can pick and choose your image(s) and where you want them to appear on your card stock--something you cannot always--or easily--accomplish with an embossing folder. All in all, dry embossing is a little more time consuming than using an embossing folder and one of the machines, but there is also a different sense of achievement when you dry emboss the old-fashioned way!

Don't forget . . . only two days until the Frosty in July Christmas Blog Hop. Here is another sneak peek:

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today! Have a great day!!