It's Christmas in July at Ike's World Challenge Blog

There's a new theme at Ike's World Challenge Blog, and it's sure to bring cooler thoughts during this hot and humid month. It's "Christmas in July," and I found the perfect digi image in Ike's Store for my DT make. I colored up this cutie called Santa's Beach. It was originally a FREEBIE offered on the challenge blog.

It lends itself very well to a step fold card, so I used a holiday-themed embossed piece of cardstock for my background. I popped my fussy-cut image onto the middle "step" , leaving the front to showcase my sentiment.

A funny story about this card: the only reason I created this folded card was because I messed up when I colored the sky. I hated it, so I fussy-cut the sky off. In looking for a nice piece of patterned paper for the background, I came up with the step fold card idea. Another twist was the sentiment. It's actually from a tag I had made previously. The original sentiment was impossible to print, because I ran out of ink!! My first sentiment would have been:

"Now we know why Santa is so pink-cheeked and jolly"

Have you ever created something that started out differently than you planned, whether from a mistake, a missing embellishment or an overactive scissors? Several of my best cards have been through accidents that I covered up or changed a design to conform with what I was left with. I just wanted to know if I was the only one, or if there are more imperfect crafters out there.

Anyway, pull out those holiday papers and embellishments and create a holiday card for Ike's World Challenge Blog. One random winner will receive a gift certificate with which to plunder her store.

Actually, the DT at the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up are on va-cay this month, so I get to showcase any card I want for my DT make there. I think I'll use this one, my perfectly imperfect step fold card from Ike's Art. See you at Ike's World Challenge Blog, and if you have a mind to it, at 12 Months of Christmas blog as well!

Happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:
A Snowflakes Promise - Anything Goes
The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge -  Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - The Great Outdoors
Whoopsi Daisy - AG w/optional Christmas in July
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Must Add Tree (mine happen to be palm trees)
Digi Doodle Studios - Christmas in July
Fabrika Fantasy - Summer (where Santa vacations in the "off-season"

It's Christmas in July at Ike's World Challenge Blog

 While December 25th  is still a few months away, here in the States we celebrate Christmas in July because that's when the stores start selling ornaments, decorations and holiday lights. I kid you not, I went to Hobby Lobby and they were clearancing out their summer items to make room for their Christmas inventory!!
Well, Ike's World Challenge Blog has a new challenge this fortnight, and it is Christmas in July, crafters' style. Create a card, canvas, layout or other artsy project with Christmas in mind for your chance to win a gift certificate to Ike's Art Store.
I got to play with a digital image called Christmas Pixie. I love coloring her up in Christmas colors and decorating my cards with her. It's one of my favorite images! Did I mention that if you use an Ike's Art image, you get double chances of winning.AND Ike always offers a FREEBIE at the start of each new challenge. Why don't you check out the blog and double your chances of winning?!
Whatever you do this week, have fun!

Challenges I am Entering:

Catch the Bug - Christmas in July Tuesday BINGO grid (I chose the bottom line going across)

Holly Jolly Christmas challenges - Inspired by a Song  ("Have a Holly Jolly Christmas")

Crafty Boots challenges - Christmas in July

Get Creative challenges - Celebrations

Doodle Pantry - Anything digital image Goes