Thursday, July 1, 2010

Jill's First Annual Christmas in July Challenge!

Welcome papercrafting friends to my first blog challenge! Much as I'd like to, I don't have the time to do regular challenges, so I thought I'd do a doozy when I do get the chance! I've decided to hold a "Christmas in July" challenge because I really, really, really want to make all my holiday cards this year, and I don't want to leave it to the last minute. I thought that with this challenge, I could motivate myself to get an early start, perhaps benefit someone else out there in blogland by doing the same for them, and make two readers very, very happy by awarding them PTI gift certificates!

So, here are the rules:
1) Make a Christmas card (Hanukkah counts too). If you don't celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, perhaps you have a friend who does and you can make a card for him/her.

2) Upload your card to your blog or an online gallery (with a link back to the challenge please) and add your info to Mr. Linky at the end of this post.

3) Leave a comment after you've added your link. If you choose to become a follower of my blog, or are already a follower, leave another comment and you will have two chances to win! Blog about the challenge and you can leave a 3rd comment for three chances!

The challenge runs from July 1-31, and the winners will be announced on this blog on August 1. There are no limitations as to design, stamp company(ies), colors, techniques, etc.. The card can be religious or secular and any size.

The winners will be chosen in two ways: One winner will be from a random draw of all comments left after linking/following/blogging. The other will be chosen by me from all the cards entered--my favorite card gets a prize! The prizes are both . . . drumroll please . . . $24 gift certificates to Papertrey Ink! Yes, you can get a wonderful quality, highly creative, gorgeous stamp set from PTI just for entering my 1st Annual Christmas in July Challenge!

To start us off, I made a cute little card for my 3-year-old nephew. [I can't believe I actually have a Christmas card checked off, and it's only July 1st!] I chose a snowman since they are special to me and he has picked up on this--he made Christmas cards last year for family (including my dog, lol!) and they all had a snowman on them. At least that's what I'm told. The three balls of snow aren't actually touching, but it's totally the thought that counts, right?! What a sweetie! I used Holiday Button Bits for the main image, and tried to keep the style & colors in the "boy" range. Adrian's favorite color is green, as he has reminded me a few hundred times, and I thought the background paper looked like a sweater and snowballs at the same time. I also thought there was a sweater-y pattern to the button. I love the gold twine I used to tie the die cut to the card--I just got it from Michelle at Stamper's Dream and it's great because it's twine/cording but it holds a knot really well, unlike the stuff sold in stores for Christmas wrap. (FYI--she has several colors, I recommend it if you're in the market.) I made sure to listen to a few Christmas songs on my iPod as I made the card, to get into the spirit! I hope this challenge brings you a little bit of Christmas cheer in the middle of summer!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI--Holiday Button Bits & Polka Dot Basics II (on the scarf--hard to see)
Paper: PTI--Vintage Cream & Simply Chartreuse; Zoe Pearn Bloom & Grow; watercolor
Ink: Versafine--Onyx Black; PTI--Spring Rain & Simply Chartreuse; Ranger--Tumbled Glass & Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks
Button: PTI--Spring Rain
Die: Spellbinders
Distress Tool: Heidi Swapp
Fun Flock: Stampendous--Cotton Ball White (on ball on top of hat)
Twine: Stamper's Dream--gold
Pens: Copics--R27, R59 & Colorless Blender; atyou Spica--clear, peach

55 comments:

Lorraine said...

Wow, your own blog challenge! Cool! and very generous of you. Unfortunately, I don't believe I own any Xmas stamps. I usually don't make my own that time of year (too much craziness)...LOL. Your card is so cute - your nephew will love it!

Barbara said...

Adorable card, Jill and what a fun idea for a challenge!

Brenda Weaver said...

cute card and a fun challenge! It's a great idea to start now on your Christmas cards.

Unknown said...

Such an adrobale card Jill, love the pattern paper u used!

Dana said...

Very fun Jill! I love that your little nephew is making cards for others already ! WAy to go Auntie Jill! And this adorable snowman one is perfect for him. Sweet.
I would join your challenge but I don't send Christmas cards...crazy, I know!

Pat said...

Very cute card, Jill. I look forward to participating in your challenge. It's just the thing to cool me off in our soon-to-be 90 degree temps.

Melissa said...

Such a cute card!! Just joined you as a follower and I'm going to get to work making a Christmas card too...thanks for the push!

Laura Isham said...

LOVE the idea of getting a head start on Christmas cards in July! Love your card, too! Thanks for the opportunity!

Amy said...

Great challenge and card! Just added you to my Google Reader.

Carol's Ink Spot said...

This is a great challenge. So glad you have give us a month to get it together! And maybe for those that don't do either holiday, they could make a Winter type card? Just a thought. Love the card you have started us off on.

Terri Trotter Earley said...

Just started following your blog. I can't wait to get to work on a fun Christmas card.

It's a good life!
Terri e.

Anonymous said...

What a fun challenge! I've been itching to make some holiday cards-I am going to try to fit this challenge in this weekend!! Love your card!! The label die is so cute paired with that adorable snowman!

Camilla said...

Fun challenge! It was good to play along.
Merry summer :)

Diane Jaquay said...

Your card is very cute Jill!! I need to try and play along with your challenge too, my poor Christmas stamps are feeling lonely ;)

Anne B said...

Great challenge Jill - enjoyed playing along :)

Erica said...

I like the shape of the die cut you used behind you snowman. I think your nephew will love his card! Thanks for letting me know about this challenge!

Lorraine said...

Hiya Jill, I decided to play along w/ my Pixie pal's first challenge!

Marge said...

Love the simplicity of this challenge AND the chance for a fabulous prize of yummy PTI product!!! Can never make a very big dent in my PTI Wish List, as every month it grows! I've posted my card & linked your blog! Thanks, Jill!

Marge said...

I'm thrilled to become a follower, Jill, and hope you do more challenges in the future!

Terri Trotter Earley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Terri Trotter Earley said...

Okay sorry about that. I just blogged about your wonderful challenge and wanted to add the link as well

http://terriearley.blogspot.com/2010/07/great-new-challenge.html

I should have my card done soon!

It's a good life!
Terri E.

Marge said...

Hi, again, Jill; just wanted to leave my 3rd comment for blogging about your fun new challenge! Thank you!!!

Tigriswillreign said...

What a terrific idea! I look forward to playing along! I am now following your blog!

Tigriswillreign said...

I blogged about your challenge here!

Michelle said...

Cute card and such a great challenge I will get my thinking caps on to enter.
Michelle x

Stephanie said...

What a great challenge. We make cards for OWH so we are definitely busy making Christmas cards already, as they must over seas by Oct/Nov. I can't wait to make a new Christmas card and post it!

Robin said...

I love your card! The button set for the holidays is one of my favorites! Thanks for doing this and I hope you like the card I made with the same set!

Lee Anne said...

I've just returned and don't know how I missed this before I left! July has been a daze! Love your card and hope to get to work on one to submit soon!

Terri Trotter Earley said...

Wow that was super fun! I did get my card dones as well. I can't wait to see everyone else's creations.

It's a good life!
Terri E.

Karen H. said...

Jill you are so sweet to offer such awesome blog candy! I love making Christmas cards in July. Thanks!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

What fun! I've got a cute non-traditional Christmas card with PTI stamps, have become a follower... yeah.

Unknown said...

So excited to get started n the holiday cards this year - thanks for the push Jill!

Tigriswillreign said...

I've done it! My first Christmas card of the year is up on my blog! I've linked above. Thanks for the challenge!

Michelle said...

Made a card - and blogged about it. Thanks for getting people movin' on making holiday stuff!

Fuzzy Slippers said...

What a great challenge!

Audrey said...

What a fun challenge! Thanks so much Jill! :)

Amy Kolling said...

Thanks for doing this challenge....I have my first Christmas card of 2010!

Amy Kolling said...

I blogged about your challenge on my blog!!

Jen Carter said...

Thanks for hosting this fun challenge!! You are very generous!

Jen Carter said...

I have a blog post about your challenge here: http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/2010/07/christmas-in-july.html

Jen Carter said...

I am a follower of your blog (via Google Reader!

Teresa said...

Thanks for the challenge Jill. I had fun making a Christmas card in July!

Teresa said...

I linked my card on my blog to your challenge. Thanks again!

Angy said...

became a follower! loved this challenge by the way

Angy said...

I just posted my link to my entry for this challenge. Wow, what a great idea! Thanks!

Melissa said...

Thanks for hosting this challenge, Jill!

Audrey said...

Just became a follower :)

Audrey said...

Oh, and I also posted about this challenge on my blog. It has inspired me to get an early jump on my Christmas cards this year too :)

Sharron said...

Hi Jill, what a great challenge! Now I have my very first Christmas card done!

Sharron said...

Loved playing in your challenge and left info on my blog. Hope to encourage others to join in!

Sharron said...

Thanks again for your sweet challenge! I signed up as a follower!!

Karen B. said...

I just added my link, found out about your challenge from my friend Erin T!

Karen B. said...

I'm now a follower too, excited because it looks like you have some amazing talent!

beckynoelle said...

Thanks for hosting such a fun challenge! I started July with the intention of making a Christmas card each day and now, at the end of the month, i have a grand whopping total of two done lol. So thanks for inspiring me to make another!

Barbara DeBose said...

Thanks for the challenge & chance to win!!!