ABC Christmas - "O for Open it Up". Sweet Stampin and Lollipop Crafts - "Christmas in July".

Hello again my wonderful blog friends!  A second post for me tonight thanks to the time spent today playing in my craft room.  Do you recognize this stamp?  It is the third - yes 3rd - time I have used this set after never using it before - whoo hoo!  It's like I got it out and suddenly went crazy with it and now and wondering why I was ever so intimidated by it.  You may remember that I mentioned that I thought it was too elegant for my typical style of cards - but I have found that it is also great to use with CAS cards as the images really just stands out so much, and so beautifully that I don't feel the need to add a bunch more embellishments to the card when I'm using these stamps.  I apologize for my rambling - I just feel like I've really accomplished something by getting over the neglected (feared) stamp syndrome - LOL.  If you look closer, you might see the red from the second layer peeking through the holes around my raised sentiment.  I didn't plan that, but I sure like how it looks - a lucky crafting accident you might say.  I used a sentiment that is quickly becoming one of my this year's favorites - isn't it sweet? 

Getting on with it now... I made this card to enter in three great challenges.  The first is ABC Christmas Challenge  - "O for Open it Up".  This means they want to see what we did with the inside of our cards too.  Gulp - I'll be the first to admit that often times I will only create the front and go back later to finish the inside (except when I am making it specifically for someone and I'm combining it with a challenge) as often I've expended all my energy on the card front by the time I've finished it that I then feel overwhelmed with what to do on the inside.  Do you ever do that??   I have been trying to be better lately though about finishing them all the way and this challenge helps :o)  Without further ado here is the inside of my card - I kept it clean and simple inside too:

The other two challenges I am entering tonight are Sweet Stampin - Christmas in July and Lollipop Crafts Challenge #84 - Christmas in July.  I am loving this Christmas in July theme as I love to make Christmas cards and it just seems like a perfect time to make them to get a jump on the holiday.  Also, you can think about cooler temperatures when the weather is unbearably HOT outside ;o)

Thanks so much for stopping by once again to visit.  I'm always glad that you did and hope that you left with a little bit of inspiration from me!  If you want some more inspiration go check out the creations that the DTs from each of these challenges have made. Play along too if you are so inspired - its a great way to keep yourself crafting.   Til next time - Hugs!!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up! except oval die):  Cardstock - Always Artichoke, Real Red and Whisper White. Stamps - Bells and Boughs (holly) and More Merry Messages (front and inside sentiments).  Ink colors - Always Artichoke, Real Red,Cherry Cobbler and Black.  I used my blender pen to soften the effect a bit.  Oval die - small ovals from Spellbinders.  Ribbon - Seam binding in Always Artichoke.