Happy Christmas in July!! Time to get cracking on those holiday cards, so I am encouraging YOU to start creating your holiday cards NOW – so you will have a nice stack of creations ready for the next holiday season.
For the past few years, I have been creating a few holiday cards each month so that I am more prepared when November comes around. I enjoy making the cards so much more when I have time to play with different supplies and techniques. I share these cards on the third Thursday of each month. You can see previous Get Cracking on Christmas posts here.
In December, I asked people in my {creative chick} studio share Facebook group, that if you didn’t send holiday cards in 2020, what were the reasons. One of the most common responses if they didn’t have enough time.
So I was thinking, how can I give you time? And I came up with a plan! I know that you enjoy when I host LIVEs and share with you a technique, or how I created a card- so this year each month for Get Cracking on Christmas I am going to host a LIVE. During these LIVEs, I encourage you to join me and start to Get Cracking on your OWN holiday cards. You can do something similar to mine, or just work on your own thing. Doesn’t matter, just show up and create!
This month’s YouTube LIVE will be, tomorrow, July 16th at 8:00p ET right on my YouTube channel here. Stop reading, and set an alarm now on your phone so you don’t miss out. You can use the world clock here to figure out what time it will be where you live. Watch the replay below
Want a reminder text on your phone before I go LIVE? Text “jennshurkus” to 833-758-0501
Don’t worry, if you can’t make my LIVE you can always catch the replay on my YouTube channel, I also posted the video below.
Also each month I have some wicked creative friends joining me in sharing holiday cards to inspire you. Be sure to read to the end of the post where they are linked, you don’t want to miss their fabulous creations.
This month in honor of Christmas in July, we are all offering fun GIVEAWAYS! Be sure to click on all the links below to enter each one!
And as you are creating your holiday cards this year, be sure to leave me a comment below with a link, or tag me on Instagram so I can see! We are also going to use the hashtag #getcrackingonchristmas.
We can do this! We can create holiday cards all year, and be a little bit more prepared for the holiday season!
Ok, enough chatting, let’s get this party started!!
Get Cracking: Build a Snowman
Digging into my “never used on a project yet” bin, I gathered some stamps from Wplus9. I have a problem, I need to own all of the cute snowmen stamps. And this set, Most Wonderful, was too cute to pass up.
If you want to quickly create a stack of holiday cards, layering stamps can help you do this. If you aren’t coloring in images, and if you set yourself up a template in your stamping platform- you can quickly get a bunch of images stamped, with multi-colors. I am going to show you how I do this during my YouTube LIVE tomorrow night.
I used Distress Oxide inks, since they have a pigment property I knew they would stamp these layers beautifully. In the card above I used:
- Pumice Stone
- Salvaged Patina
- Peacock Feathers
- Kitsch Flamingo
- Picked Raspberry
I then gold embossed the sentiment, added a stitched hillside, and did a wash of Peacock Feathers Distress Ink on the background. Of course, I added some Prisma Glitter to the scarf and hat. Lastly, splattered some white Dina Wakley Gloss Spray.
I followed similar steps on 2 more cards, I will share them with you as well as the color combos I used below-
For this snowman, I used Distress Oxides in
- Weathered Wood
- Kitsch Flamingo
- Picked Raspberry
- Twisted Citron
- Mowed Lawn
I did a wash of Salvaged Patina Distress Ink on the background. For the sentiment, I used the Wplus9 Peace Banner set. I watercolored some Picked Raspberry Distress Ink for the front layer and cut some gold metallic cardstock for the back layer.
For this last card, I used Distress Oxides in
- Milled Lavender
- Wilted Violet
- Seedless Preserves
- Tumbled Glass
- Stormy Skies
The background is a wash of Chipped Sapphire and Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink. There really are so many fun color combos that can be done. I can’t wait to play and share more with you during my YouTube LIVE!
Learn how during my YouTube LIVE
Christmas in July GIVEAWAYS!
I have 2 giveaways to share with TWO lucky winners!
This giveaway is open from July 15, 2021, to July 20th, 2021 8p ET. The winner will be announced, right here on this post- July 21st, 2021. I will also email the winner.- 2 winners will randomly be chosen from the eligible comments
- I must get a reply from the winner with their mailing address within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.
- Open to the US only
- In order to be eligible to win a prize you must be doing the following:
- Leave a comment and let me know if you have started your holiday cards yet
Christmas in July WINNERS!
Congratulations to Mimi and Wendy Chan – I have sent emails to both of these winners. Thank you everyone!!
Inspiration
Be sure to go visit my crafty friends for more inspiration! I am so excited that they are joining me this year to bring you more inspiration and to remind you to work on those holiday cards all year long! Each person linked below has a GIVEAWAY too!
- Amanda Willett
- Chari Moss
- Cheiron Brandon
- Jane T
- Marianne Elving
- Mirella Rogan
- Peter vanElburgBoddendijk
- Samantha Mann
- Sara Zoppi
- Sharna Waksmulski
- Tiffany Beuning
Supplies Used:
Supplies I used are linked below. Click on the picture and you will be taken to the product. I use affiliate links when available which means if you make a purchase I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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 Wplus9, Most Wonderful Shop at: SSS |  Wplus9, Peace Banner Shop at: SSS |  Lawn Fawn, Simple Stitched Hillside Borders Shop at: SSS | LF |  Dina Wakley, White Gloss Spray Shop at: SSS |
 Lawn Fawn, Gold Metallic Cardstock Shop at: SSS | LF |  Distress White Heavystock Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Tim Holtz/Ranger Ink, Kitsch Flamingo Distress Oxide Shop at: SSS | Ranger | Distress Oxide, Seedless Preserves Shop at: SSS | LF | Ranger |
Distress Oxide, Peacock Feathers Shop at: SSS | LF | Ranger |  Distress Oxide, Tumbled Glass Shop at: SSS | LF | Ranger |  Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide Pumice Stone Shop at: SSS |  Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide Stormy Sky Shop at: SSS | Ranger |
 Tim Holtz/Ranger Ink, Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Tim Holtz, Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Shop at: SSS | LF | Ranger |  Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide Wilted Violet Shop at: SSS | LF | Ranger |  Tim Holtz, Milled Lavender Distress Oxide Shop at: SSS |
 Tim Holtz Distress Reinker, Salvaged Patina Shop at: SSS |  Tim Holtz Distress Reinker, Picked Raspberry Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Tim Holtz Distress Reinker, Chipped Sapphire Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Tim Holtz Distress Reinker, Peacock Feathers Shop at: SSS |
 Tim Holtz Distress Reinker, Blueprint Sketch Shop at: SSS |  Flour Sack Cloths Shop at: SSS | MISC |  Tim Holtz, Distress Watercolor Cardstock 8.5 x 11 Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer Ranger 4 Ounces Shop at: SSS | Ranger |
Distress Watercolor Cardstock Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Ranger Paintbrush Set Shop at: SSS | Ranger |  Faber-Castell, Collapsible Water Cup Shop at: SSS |  Ranger, Super Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | Ranger |
 Versamark Shop at: SSS | HA |  EK Success, Powder Tool Shop at: SSS | LF |  Scrapbook Adhesives, 0.25″ white foam squares Shop at: SSS |  Rainbow Glue Tube Holder Shop at: Shurkus |
 Mint Glue Tube Holder Shop at: Shurkus |  Glue Tube Holder Shop at: Shurkus |  Sakura Quickie Glue Pens Shop at: SSS | LF |  Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter Shop at: SSS | LF |
 Fiskars Microtip Scissors Shop at: SSS | 3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent Shop at: SSS | LF |  Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy Shop at: SSS | LF |  Mermaid, Stamp Shammy Holder Shop at: Shurkus |
 Mermaid Mint Shammy Case Shop at: Shurkus |  Lawn Fawn, Starry Shammy Case Shop at: SSS | LF |  Wagner Heat Tool Shop at: SSS |  Altenew, Mini Blossom Die Cut machine Shop at: SSS | MISC |
 Spellbinders Platinum Shop at: SSS | MISC |
What cute snowman cards! I haven’t started on Christmas cards yet but I love seeing all this inspiration!
I haven’t started yet but that stamp set is adorable!!! I might have to pick it up.
I haven’t started my holiday cards quite yet. Hopefully soon though.
Yes, I have started my Christmas cards. I do some each month. Most are on IG with your hashtag. Really like having your live Christmas each month.
I have half done but am trying to decide if I want to keep the same patterns and colors for the rest. Thanks for the inspiration, Jenn!
I haven’t started any holiday cards yet. I used to work where I needed about 60, but now my list very small. I need less time but still look for inspiration.
I have started my Christmas cards but only because of being Jennabled during Get Crackin on Christmas lives!
And I ordered so many Christmas stamps last year I made quite a few in Jan.
I have started my Christmas cards – only because of your get crackin on Christmas! Well and I ordered so many Christmas stamps last year I made quite a few in January.
No I have not started but I do have a lot of snowmen and ink pads. I need to catch up with the latest videos and classes but I will get there and I know you have provided the inspiration!
I have not yet started my Christmas Cards, mostly because I change my mind on my design about 50 times. LOL. Thanks for sharing this cute snowman card. 🙂
I have not started my holiday cards, but I DID start actually creating a bit again and it feels SO GOOD to be playing with paper and ink again! Love what you have created here!
I have not worked on them recently, but right after Christmas, when I’m still in the Holiday mood, I make kits for about 70 cards. Each kit has cardstock, die cuts, embellishment, etc. to complete the card.
I really need to get started now, but have not. I keep seeing the Get Crackin’ on Christmas blog posts but can’t seem to find the time.
Not yet! But it’s on my list 😉
Does watching 100 online videos on making Christmas cards count? Then yes!
I haven’t started my cards yet, but that cute snowman sure makes me want to.
I’ve been slowly getting cracking on my Christmas cards. 🙂 Love your inspirations!
Amanda Willett’s link seems to be broken. Please help!
apedoak@aol.com
You have been such a motivator and inspirational to me!! Because I found you and the “get crackin on Christmas “, I’ve started my cards!!! Yeah!! I too LOVE SNOWMEN stamps. I’m gonna have to order this cutie!! Again, thank you 😊
I only send out handmade cards to family and a few close friends, and my daughter’s teachers but my list gets longer every year. So I try to make at least one or two a month. My stack so far is pretty small and I’d better get Crackin’!
I love the way you made a variety of snowman cards in different color combos with the same stamp set. Stamping the images in gray, rather than black ink, gives it a softer, wintery look. I work on my Christmas cards all through the year but usually have to kick it into high gear around Ocober.
I have taken a baby step to starting by working on some older class kits in my stash. Need to get cracking on some more.
Thanks for sharing via YouTube live! It was so relaxing watching the water coloring. I haven’t started my holiday cards yet, but now I have some inspiration and new techniques to try!
Love the snowmen! I’ve started my Christmas cards, but I’m not as disciplined as you doing them steadily throughout the year!
Not only do I make Chrcards for myself, but I make them for my daughter’s business. She is a mobile groomer, and I make her about 150 cards each year. So far all I’ve done is cutting and scoring.
I have not started on Christmas yet but plan to before summer is over. You have given me lots of inspiration since I have discovered you. Between you and Lawn Fawn I have lots of wonderful ideas to play off of. Thank you for being so wonderful and sharing your creativity with everyone.
Having Christmas fun all year long. https://ingeniousinkling.typepad.com/ingenious_inkling/2021/07/a-christmas-story.html
I have started my Christmas card, I have about 19 done so far. Your monthly Get Cracking on Christmas posts keep me on my toes and remind me to keep making more. I can’t wait to see the techniques you used on these cards.
My crafty friend Becca Yahrling directed me to your blog. What adorable cards. You could make lots of them in lots of colors. I make Christmas cards all year long, at least one a month, but hopefully, more so I’m ready. I’ve become a follower and thanks so much for the inspiration.
I have started my Christmas cards and tags too!
I am awaiting my snowman stamp now. I can’t wait to get started on my holiday cards. Thanks for the push to get going!
I have not started yet, but they are my favorite to make so I probably should! Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Jenn! I’ve started my Christmas cards. Thanks for the motivation!
Fun cards. Haven’t started yet on holiday cards, usually do New Years, and waiting for a stamp and die set to get started soon.
How fun! I love your snowman cards! Such a fun stamp set with this adorable layering design!
I have started on my cards and have quite a few in my stash already! I actually joined a Christmas challenge group where I commit to some hours each month to creating holiday cards!
Those snowmen cards are so adorable! I love the different color combinations you used. I have not started my Christmas cards yet. Work has been a zoo and I broke my foot too so it’s been a challenging July so far…but getting better!
Your snowmen cards are. very sweet and I love that watercolor look you gave your cards. They look retro as well. Alas, I have not started yet making my Christmas cards because my supplies are packed up, because my husband and I getting ready to move. But as soon as we get to our new home, you know what will get unpacked first!
Yes! I started my cards in March after doing the virtual Crop on the Cape with you. It’s where I learned about “get cracking on Christmas”. Thanks for the monthly reminders because I am the worst about waiting until the last minute to make 50 VERY time intensive Christmas cards
I haven’t started on my Christmas cards yet, but these snowmen are so adorable and I love the idea of making multiples quickly!
I love that snowman set!!! Great cards!!! I set an alarm for the 16th.
And yes, I joined 2 monthly Christmas hops, so I currently have . . .65 cards ready to go. Go, me!!
Love this series. Gives me lots of ideas. Yes i have stared my Christmas cards
Just got started😁😁😁 on my holiday cards!! Love this get cracking on Christmas 🤶🏻☃️
Yay, such cute snowmen! I don’t have a great stamp for this one so probably have to wing it! I do have about 10 holiday cards done thanks to Get Cracking!
Oh I love these!!! Snowmen are my favorite to decorate with at Christmas!! I have not started my cards yet because like every year I just don’t think about it when it’s so hot!! Lol
Great card Jenn, Yes I have started my cards, and hope to work on them tonite.
I make Christmas cards all year long! I think it’s the only holiday I feel comfortable making out of season. The hard part for me is deciding who to give which card!! lol I love snowmen and this one from WPlus9 is adorbs! Darling cards.
No, I haven’t started my Christmas cards yet.
I haven’t started my Christmas cards yet. Once I get the idea of what I want, I am unstoppable! I do love that build a snowman🤔 #getcrackingonchristmas
I enjoy doing the classes with you🥰
Haven’t started the Christmas cards yet, but hope to get crackin’ soon!
I haven’t started my Christmas cards yet. I like to start them in November. It’s hard for me to work on things out of season.
No holidays for me yet- but all this Christmas in July inspiration is putting me in the mood to get started!
No cards yet though will be starting soon. Did do a winter mason jar notebook though.
These are adorable cards! I have started a few Christmas cards this year and hope it helps with the holiday rush.
No I have not yet started get cracking on Christmas cards but the time is Now!
Yes I have been slicing out time each month to follow along with you on the 3rd Thursday. I have rediscovered stamps I adore and some never used. Can we say FOMO purchase!!
I’ve been eyeing this snowman set for ages. So many great ideas!!
I have indeed started my Christmas card collection-mostly due to your influence!!