Friday, July 1, 2016

Shabby Noel

Hello Everyone!

Last year I only made one Christmas card in the entire month of July, and when Christmas came around, I was super short on cards. This year, I am getting ahead of the game, so I will be getting into the holiday spirit with my crafting as much as I can during July.

I used an image from a purchased Christmas card pack I bought years ago, before I started making cards. I think it works great as a focal point and it's better than tossing that package away.





The base and the layers are cut with Spellbinders, the snowflakes are Cheery Lynn, the Poinsettias and the 'noel' are from Sizzix, The Snow Writer and the pretty glitter are from DecoArt. Everything else is from my stash.



It's hard to tell, but the base is see through where all the cut outs are. I used the same fancy die to cut the tent fold as I did the bottom layer. I was inspired to give this a try by my dear friend Karen of Kaleidoscopic Sparkles, she makes the beautiful shaped cards. It was quite difficult to do with my sucky machine, so this may be the only one I bother with.







I am entering the following wonderful challenges:

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Just a few minutes drive from us is the Credit River. It goes for miles and miles and miles, and so do the trails! This spot is one of our favourites so far. There are fields of flowers, bridges, man made walls and even rock benches where you can sit and take a break.











There were fields of these beautiful flowers - Dame's Rocket!



Swamp Roses are everywhere around the river and lakes. I know they don't look like roses when they're open, but they sure do when they're closed.



Back on the home front, the geese are keeping cool in the lake. The goslings are getting so big!



A big Hello from LINUS as he waits patiently for me to fill the food bowl.


PRECIOUS still hasn't worked up the courage to cross that branch to the balcony, but she watches on from the safety of the tree.


Oh, and big surprise... JUNIOR is all curled up on the patio chair again!


THIS MIGHT BE THE SMALLEST BABY SQUIRREL EVER!!!
Good grief, would you just look at that little guy! Awwwwwwwwwwwww!


Last but not least, my token after dinner shot...


That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.


63 comments:

  1. Gorgeous 'frosty' make, Pamellia! Beautiful layers and so many amazing details!
    Fab photos again! Have a lovely weekend! xxx

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  2. Lovely Xmas card, I think you need some cold images to cool you down a bit. Lovely photos, too, nice to have a river nearby, and the flowers are gorgeous. Hugs, Valerie

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  3. Another lovely share Pamellia and great photos again.

    B x

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  4. Your card is so festive and frosty! You are so right that July is the perfect time to make up as many Christmas cards as possible. I like to put on some holiday tunes, get out some pretty paper and go to work on them. My craft room is in the basement so it is cool and calm on a hot steamy day.
    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful inspiration! :)

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  5. Well done you Pamellia getting a start...I plan at least 1 Christmas in July card and really should think about my stock for Dotty's.What a gorgeous creation you made today....wonderful layers and that printed image works perfectly for the focal. Thanks for sharing you sunny photos...it's another grey day here today but looks like it might brighted up late pm. Enjoy your weekend ....I'm trying to get a "birds" piece finished in time for ABC.....LOL. Hugs xx

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  6. Good for you starting the Christmas card early, this one's gorgeous. Loved seeing the photos, you are so talented with the camera.
    Yvonne xx

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  7. Wonderful as ever your photos are amazing, love the goose and her gosling.
    Stunning card with that very traditional image and gorgeous embellishments, Kate x

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  8. A simply breathtaking card, Pamellia - so many frothy, frilly, lacy layers and those wonderful sparkly berries, plus great reusing of the image too. Fabulous photography as always too, thank you for sharing it all. Sorry to have missed so much again lately. I've got a couple of weeks coming up soon where I hope to do some proper catching up.
    Alison x

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  9. Beautiful card, Pamellia. I am always amazed by the layers. You certainly have a lot of wonderful areas to walk. Glad to see those sweet furry friend, too.

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  10. What a gorgeous Christmas card Pamellia! Love the shaped card theme and all the shabby ribbon and die cuts layers! Just GOOOORGEOUUUUS!
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  11. Stunning card an stunning pictures again hun, loving the layers, fab shape too, it's throwing it down with rain here again today, honest it's like winter, so dull too, oh well crafting weather I suppose, lol hugs Liz xx

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  12. A beautiful Christmas card again Pamellia with a wonderful frosty feel! I'm sure your image looks a lot better in this gorgeous setting than it did before you cut it out! Lovely to see your card pop up over at Fab N Funky too!
    Have a great weekend!
    Chris
    x

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  13. What a great idea for the Christmas card and it has wonderful layers. Looked like filo pastry in parts-yummy.

    Love all of the photographs but the last one is so beautiful

    Chrissie xx

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  14. Oh wow, what a stunning card, Pamellia!! The layers are amazing!! I love the image you've used as the focal point!! The snowflake die is now on my wish list!! What a perfect Christmas card this is!! I love your idea of starting on them early...I always say I'm going to, but I never, ever do!! I'm usually in a panic when December rolls around!! Love this my friend!! Thank you for the inspiration!!

    Your photos are gorgeous as always!! I love the beautiful flowers!! I don't know how you can tell all of your squirrel babies apart!! They are all so adorable, especially Junior :) Your after dinner shot is amazing!! I love the grasses in the foreground!! Such amazing color, too!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  15. hi Pamellia,
    Me at last on your blog... :D I'm so sorry to have not done it more and better before.
    But I'm so happy to have taken the time to pay you a visit today... First because this card is simply a stunner, totally breathtaking!!!!! All these layers are absolutely wonderful, really this is stunning, and above that, so beautiful!!!!
    I think you do masterpieces just with your hand-made cards, they are SO FABULOUS.
    also, I want to express that you live in a very lovely area... Your photos are so sweet and beautiful too, really happy to see them tonight, thank you for sharing them Pamellia.
    I don't forget either that you have welcomed Paloma (I'm waiting for her after her long trip... :o); I will take the time with delight to read your post about it, also the one the other ladies have done. But sadly, no time yet to do that quietly as I would do... That's the reason why I didn't visit you yet, I love taking my time for visiting and admiring!!!
    Big hugs,
    Coco

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  16. My dear Pamellia, this Christmas card is what crafty dreams are made of. :o) The abundance of wintry texture and layers wraps me up in all things festive! The focal point is beautiful and I do love that you used it. The poinsettias and snowflakes are stunning. Pom trim is one of my favorite things and I absolutely love your use of it here. It's so gorgeous tucked beneath the image and above the soft lacy trim. The Spellbinders base is gorgeous! My machine is not behaving as well as it used to, so my Spellbinders-based cards may need a break until I upgrade at some point... or adhere two individual cuts together instead of having the pretty hinge. Sigh. Regardless, your card is stunning and whisks me away into a sweet and happy place. :o) Beautifully designed, my lovely friend.

    Your pictures are incredible! What a beautiful area (and I love stone benches!) and such gorgeous flowers! The Swamp Roses are lovely and I just want to hug all of your furry friends. :o) I adore your gentle heart. :o) Have a beautiful day, Pamellia! I pray it's filled with sweet happiness.

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  17. Stunning Pamellia..love the soft colours and I'm still blown away how you get dimension like that..I've watched you do it, but it always looks perfect when you do it and not when I do..and I'm always amazed how much stuff you can get on your cards on such a small space..lol..trust me I've tried...gorgeous photos as always..

    luv CHRISSYxx

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  18. Gorgeous Christmas card Pamellia, so sparkly....1 down and probably hundreds to go! Ah Junior he cracks me up lol
    Hugs
    Donna xx

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  19. Such lovely photos, Pamellia! The green almost doesn't look real, but I know it is because we are hot and steamy here, and everything is lushly brilliant, almost-eye-hurting GREEN! But no scenes as beautiful as yours - we don't even really need many bridges here in FL except over swamps LOL

    Anyway, I'm excited you are doing Christmas in July! LOVE your cards, and I'm jazzed at gaining some inspiration via osmosis. Is that possible thru the internet? I also love that you are using some store bought cards as elements in your cards. I often must keep pretty store bought cards and recycle them in my creations. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy doing that almost as much as I enjoy stamping!

    Your lovely, nature-filled creation is breathtaking. Sigh - such a pretty way of showing off snowflakes and making a vintage card that is lovely, rather than drab. Beautiful! Hope you are enjoying a great day. I have been able to use my pool a bit the past 2 weeks - very carefully - and so far, have had minimal side effects. I feel so happy about that! Keeping you in my heart - hugs, de

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  20. Such lovely photos, Pamellia! The green almost doesn't look real, but I know it is because we are hot and steamy here, and everything is lushly brilliant, almost-eye-hurting GREEN! But no scenes as beautiful as yours - we don't even really need many bridges here in FL except over swamps LOL

    Anyway, I'm excited you are doing Christmas in July! LOVE your cards, and I'm jazzed at gaining some inspiration via osmosis. Is that possible thru the internet? I also love that you are using some store bought cards as elements in your cards. I often must keep pretty store bought cards and recycle them in my creations. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy doing that almost as much as I enjoy stamping!

    Your lovely, nature-filled creation is breathtaking. Sigh - such a pretty way of showing off snowflakes and making a vintage card that is lovely, rather than drab. Beautiful! Hope you are enjoying a great day. I have been able to use my pool a bit the past 2 weeks - very carefully - and so far, have had minimal side effects. I feel so happy about that! Keeping you in my heart - hugs, de

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  21. Stunning layered creation Pamellia, love the focal image you have used, with gorgeous die cuts and embellishments.
    Your photos are amazing, how lovely to walk these paths every day.
    Pam x

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  22. Oh well done Pamellia for getting your first Christmas card made!! And what a spectacular card it is too, I love the shape and of course the layers and the way you have made it all look so wonderfully frosty!

    Great photos again, Junior looks absolutely adorable in the seating! The swamp roses look like our Briar Roses (wild roses), they are so beautiful aren't they? Another great post! Hugs, Anne xx

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  23. Gorgeous Christmas card Pamellia, and well done for making an early start.
    Lovely photos and those squirrels are so cute.
    Have a great weekend.
    Avril xx

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  24. A stunning Christmas card Pamellia!! I love the image you built off of and all the layers are Wow!! I love your pics, SO green, living in the desert you just dont see all those vibrant greens!!

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  25. Fabulous layered Christmas card and great idea to start early. Lovely use of that image too.

    Amazing photos like always, it actually looks like summer unlike here where we seem to have nothing but grey skies, wind and rain this year.... :o(

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  26. Oh, I love to start my day reading your posts and looking at your awesome photos! Woooow, your Christmas card looks so vintage, romantic, frosty and beautiful! That focal point image is fabulous and I like the shape of your brilliant card! It's spectacular!
    Oooooh, that baby squirrel is so adorable! You know how much I love your fantastic photos! Big hugs to you! Branka xx

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  27. Amazing creation as always Pamellia, lots of wonderful textures and layers, beautiful pictures too especially your fur babies.
    Hugs Julie xxx

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  28. As always a super gorgeous creation Pamellia. Made by a true artist.
    Ans your pictures are also great, thx for sharing. Hugs Veerle

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  29. I bet the recipients of your Christmas cards frame theme, they are fabulous x Thank you for sharing your fabulous and adorable photos...how cute is Junior? x

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  30. Hi Pamellia
    You are super organised lol!
    Beautiful piece of recycling with your image and love what look like pom poms. Another festive piece of art.
    Would love to be out and about in the greenery but just having to be sensible at the moment.
    Its a wonder you don't end up sitting on them furry friends lol!
    Best wishes.
    Ang x

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  31. Gorgeous creation ... Loving the snowy layers! Feel's like Christmas is around the corner , it's July and cold wet and windy here in the UK ... so much for global warming! Gorgeous photos ... I want to come on over!

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  32. What a wonderful piece of recycling, you really would not guess it was an old Christmas card, Every year I save my old Christmas thinking it's a shame to throw them away and vowing to think of something to do with them ... but never do! I love how you have put the layers of lace and pom poms in between the layers of card, it looks fabulous. Your snowflake die is fabulous, so much nicer than any of mine.

    Lots of stunning nature pics, your Swamp Rose looks a lot like a rose we called the Dog Rose.

    Dionne xx

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  33. what a gorgeous Christmas card love how you have recycled the image for a store bought card . I have saved old Christmas cards meaning to use them in some way and your's have inspired me to do it this year . Love the CLD snowflake die and all the layers of lace and pom poms . As usual love your photos the flowers are beautiful .

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  34. Christmas in July you are right to begin now! Your card with all these white colors is gorgeous and I love your nature pictures too. Many thanks to join us in Crafty Ribbons challenge this week and good luck from Christelle DT.

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  35. Wow! What a treat to see your lovely Christmas card! It makes me feel cooler already! Beautiful layers and I love that lace, yarn, pom poms and just everything tucked in there!Your poinsettias are to die for! Lovely card, and so smart of you to start now! I just can't get in the mood until December! I need to change my bad habits!

    Love seeing all your brilliant photography! You sure are blessed with some amazing outdoor parks to visit in your area! Junior is such a cuddlebug; I just want to snuggle next to him! And that new baby is ah-door-able! So does Linus have a blanket? Hehe! Big hugs to you!

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  36. Stunning card Pamellia, with fantastic sparkly texture and elements. Love your photos, pretty please will you send the sunshine back. I sent it over to you several weeks back and am missing it badly! Happy Weekend. Nicola x

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  37. Oh! this is so beautiful, but then what do I expect, EVERYTHING you make is beautiful. Love the pearls and the "fur balls"? they match with different texture, love the traditional scene, all together so lovely.

    Great photos of your Park, it all looks like a really pleasant walk and the squirrels are great characters..
    Faith
    x

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  38. Wow such a stunning card, now I understand why you appear to have such a following. I love the attention to detail and all the pretty layers. Thankyou for joining us over at 'Crafty Ribbons. for our 'Animals' challenge. Hope you come and join in again Lynda xx

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  39. Oh My! Those layers are luscious! Your photos are fabulous- what a great place to visit! These young squirrels are so pretty! Hugs, Chrisx

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  40. Lovely card! Very smart idea to start working on your Christmas cards NOW!

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  41. Beautiful layers and I love how you re used the image from a store bought Christmas card. The pom poms are a cute touch. Your flower photos are so pretty. The Swamp Rose is what I would call a wild rose or just a single rose. I think they are beautiful, just different. I had forgotten about Dame's Rocket, I used to have some years ago. It is slightly fragrant, I think. Thank you for reminding me about it, I used to love it.

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  42. Oh my Pamellia another stunner from you. Love the traditional image and all the soft colours you have used.
    Your full of new ideas all the time and give many people such inspiration including me all the time.
    Love the pics and thank you for your wonderful comment on my blog.
    Not done much lately because of work being done in the house but hope to get back into the swing soon.
    Best wishes
    Jules xx

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  43. Such a creamy yummy card! Exactly what we need here on our grey and cold days... Lovely as always!

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  44. So pretty!

    Thanks for joining us at Crafty Cardmakers!

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  45. A stunning Christmas card. I love your focal image with the Horse and cart and your subtle colour scheme is so pretty. Sally.x.

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  46. Fabulous card. Stunning details. Thank you for joining us at Crafty CardMakers this week. Hope to see you back here again soon. Judy DT

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  47. I knew this card was yours as soon as I saw it Pamellia . All the beautiful layers and such attention to detail. Another gorgeous masterpiece. So glad you shared it with us at Crafty Cardmakers.

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  48. Beautiful card, love the dies, the insert of the Christmas picture and colours are fantastic. Each time I look/study your card I think "I can make that", ha, not....xx..x {aNNie}

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  49. just stunning as all of your work is mf!!

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  50. This is such a beautiful Christmas card Pamellia x gorgeous layers of paper and fabric trims, topped with die cuts and glitter............stunning

    TFS and best wishes
    Annie xx

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  51. I can just feel the cold from all the snowfall that has landed on this gorgeous card! Julia xx

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  52. Hi Pamellia, lovely card which made me smile because I just know Christmas will be here before you know it and catch me out as usual Lol! Have a great crafty week, Angela x

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  53. Love all those layers and the pretty snowflakes ;o) Thank you for joining our „Shabby Chic“ challenge over at the Crafty Cardmakers ;o) Happy crafting,
    Maike

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  54. Such a sweet Christmas card Pamellia and I'm envious of you getting your box started early with your beautiful design. Xxx

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  55. Beautiful christmas card....lovely image and details...Thank you for joining us this week @ Fab n Funky....Joolsx

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  56. What a gorgeous card!!! So elegant and beautiful! LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEEE all the shots! Stunning ! :)

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  57. I love the fabulous frosty feel you created and a great way to use up those cards. Wonderful photos and great cute squirrel fix! Cara x

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  58. Stunning festive creation Pamellia you have captured the essence of Christmas all snowy white and icy, the image is fabulous the embellishments and design are top notch as always. Love, love your pictures you capture the detail in your photos as you display on your creations an awesome thing to be able to do, this has been another joyous visit
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  59. Beautiful!! Thank you for joining us Fab'n'Funky :)

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  60. Stunning Christmas card Pamellia, I love all of the layers and the gorgeous sparkle! Fabulous photo, I love that bridge!
    Hugs, Tammy

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  61. Fabulous Christmas card love the vintage image,beautiful icy layers and embellishments-fabulous scenery pics
    Carol x

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  62. Gorgeous focal image Pamellia surrounded by your signature amazing layers and details, thanks so much for sharing it and your beautiful photos! Deb xo

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  63. Stunning card !
    so nice details!
    hugs

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