Christmas in July!

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today!  It's time for the MFT Creative Challenge.  Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, we've been asked to celebrate Christmas in July! Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have put their MFT stamps and/or Die-namics dies to work today.
I have to admit the thought of stamping a Christmas card in July was as appealing to me as eating hot soup in July... but I have to admit I enjoyed the process and was able to crank out 2 cards for my Christmas card stash for this year.  That makes a total of TWO cards in the stash.  LOL  

Up first I revisited the Burnt to a Crisp technique I first showed you HERE.  This card uses Inspired by Christmas and I just adore this Santa image.

The Santa image was stamped and layered with die-cut from Circle STAX Sets 1 and 2.  I stamped him in French Roast amuse studio ink and clear embossed.  Then I heated until all the embossing powder has melted into the paper.  I stitched around the circle (one stitch at a time) and added the tag from the Notched Tag Die-namics.  I stamped the coordinating frame stamp on it and then added the word "Joy" from Inspired by Christmas.  I added a bow using some rustic twine (My Mind's Eye).

Here is a peek inside.  I stamped the image again, and burnt the edges o the paper.  You can see I got a little over-zealous and actually burnt the paper so much at the top that a section broke off.  I like it.  It adds character.  :) 

Up next is a cleaner card (and by clean, I mean not burnt to a crisp).  :) I used the same Inspired by Christmas stamp set, stamped in currant amuse studio ink.  

I decided to add some extra elements from First Class Friend including "special delivery", the frame, and the cancelled postage.  

I added a simple bow using Kraft Ribbon.

I added a Crown Border and placed a burgundy brad in each hole to jazz it up a bit.  

Here is a peek inside.

Here is a look at the dies I used on my card today. 

Thanks for visiting!  Don't forget to head over to the MFT Blog so you can see what the rest of the team came up with for the challenge.