Friday, July 15, 2016

Concord & 9th Christmas in July

Hi, friends!  Have you seen Concord & 9th's July Release?!  It's amazing!  And though I can still hardly believe it myself, I was was invited to be one of Concord & 9th's Guest Designers this month.  Eek!  I feel no shame in admitting that right after I read Angie's email, I ran downstairs (my children were sleeping upstairs) and squealed and jumped and danced around the family room.  Then I read the email again (I was still a bit in shock and disbelief), and then I danced and squealed some more. :) I truly love every single product in this release, so it was hard choosing what to work with first, but I decided to start with the Joy Bundle of stamps and dies as well as the Stripe Builder set.
I stuck with traditional colors and seeing those big, bold stripes from Stripe Builder makes me so happy!   The MISTI is so helpful for a full background stamp like this because if something doesn't stamp evenly the first time, no big deal...just re-ink and stamp again. The fabulous letters were cut with the new Joy die and then glittered for a little pizzaz. ;) The pine boughs and snowflakes were cut from silver cardstock with the Take a Bough die.  I stacked 5 layers of the snowflake, then die cut one final white snowflake and selectively cut out the star portion.  And I finished the card off with a sentiment in the Joy set.  A little sidenote: I had a vision with this card, but I got stuck, so I listened to He is Born (this beautiful song was running through my head anyway) to calm my nerves and help me get in the Christmas mood, and then I sought the opinions of my family, which helped so much.  They are the best!
One of the things I love most about the Joy set is that Angie and Greg designed it to be versatile throughout the year, so this next card is a non-holiday one.  I created a very soft version of buffalo plaid using the Stripe Builder set.  I purposely didn't worry about getting full coverage while inking because I think the light uneven patches really help create the look of soft, worn fabric.
The size of the letters in the Joy die is just perfect for creating a shaker.  I decided to fill mine with some flat marshmallow Pretty Pink Posh sequins and little hearts that were die cut from Concord and 9th's Bags & Tags dies
When I was trying decide how to finish off my sentiment, the show Fixer Upper popped into my mind.  I just love the right aligned metal art they use occasionally, so here is my nod to that. :) I die cut one of the small tags from Bags & Tags, and then stamped a sentiment from the Joy set one word at a time. The MISTI really was an invaluable tool for this task.
Phew.  That's it for me today.  I normally try not to be so long winded on here, so thanks for sticking with me!  Creating with these new products from Concord & 9th was so exciting!  I truly love them and cannot wait to show you more throughout the month.  Thanks so much for visit today!  I hop you have a wonderful weekend!
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13 comments:

  1. Yay YOU!!!!!! Love your cards...they're perfect!

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  2. I wish I was there, I would have jumped up and down with you!!!!!!!!!! You have been making beautiful,card with the products no suprise you were asked. CONGRSTULTIONS!!!!!!!!! Love both cards with joy!!!!! I have been eyeing the bough die for making Christmas trees. So excited for you Lindsey!

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  3. YIPPEE!!! I'm SO HAPPY for you Lindsey and you deserved every little celebration squeal and dance!! Your cards are fantastic, such cute designs. Great job, can't wait to see more!!

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  4. Hi! I was wondering what inks you like to stamp with? cards look great!

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    1. Thanks, Emilee! The majority of the time I use inks from Papertrey Ink. However, on my Joy to the World card I used Distress Inks (Candied Apple and Mowed Lawn).

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  5. Yay!!! I was so excited to see your picture up there! You go girl, you deserve it and these cards prove it!

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  6. So happy for you, Lindsey! Love your work--can't wait to see your cards this month!

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  7. So so happy for you Lindsey! Well deserved. Your cards are fabulous!

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  8. Joy is what you bring to the lives of so many, Lindsey! It is such wonderful news, and you are so deserving of that spot! Those stripes are calling my name, girl - LOve the buffalo plaid, well-worn, and perfect!! xx
    =]

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  9. Big congrats, sweet friend! They are so lucky to have you be a designer this month. Love what you created! That stripe set looks amazing!

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  10. Oh, big congrats on the GD spot, Lindsey - so happy for you - enjoy!!!! And the cards you have made are simply stunning!!!! Love the creative ways you have used the stripes and the letters!!! That little tag on the second card and how you've done the sentiment is just great!!!! Such lovely cards, my friend!!!
    Have a great day!!!
    Hugz

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  11. Wow, Lindsey ... many congratulations on Guest Designing with C&9th ... you have made these new goodies shine brightly! The combination of the Joy with the Take A Bough branches is such a festive delight ... and that stamped plaid is a perfect take on a soft warm blanket ... a lovely background for the shaker element and that oh so sweet tag! Hugs, Anita :)

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  12. OH, Lindsey, congratulations on your guest-designing for Concord & 9th. It is so well-deserved! And, I'm so happy for you! I love the way you've used the JOY and Stripes on your darling cards.

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