Christmas, New Year and Winter

Christmas in July 2026 – Day 2

Hi there!

It’s Day 2 of LucieG’s Christmas in July – time to showcase an embossing folder!

I’ve always loved dry embossing – from the earliest days with a lightbox, stylus and metal stencil, to the wonderful Cuttlebug (which opened up the world of die cutting and plastic embossing folders) then to the amazing 3D folders we have nowadays. There are all sorts of amazing techniques used to showcase the amazing designs and depth, but when I try them I rarely like what I produce. I always go back to the straightforward dry embossing which I love!

Today I used a Spellbinders folder and some of the 12×12 paper that I am determined to use in my crafting after sorting through far too many boxes of 12×12 in May! Anyway, the paper held out really when and I rubbed a white ink pad across the embossed image to really highlight the gorgeous design.

The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG.

Christmas in July 2026 – Day 1

Hello again everyone!

It’s that time of year – LucieG’s Christmas in July!

I haven’t crafted much over the past few months, although I have spent time in my craftroom as I’ve been reorganising it. I touched stamps and dies that hadn’t see the light of day in years! Anyway, I feel the least prepared for Christmas in July this year and I’m also out of practice, but I’m sure I will soon get back into the swing of things… I hope so anyway!

I’ve dedicated July to Christmas cardmaking since 2019 and had always felt that I reaped the benefits in November/December when life always seems to get super busy! Once again, I’m doing this series for the pure joy of creating Christmas cards as I rarely take part in challenges nowadays. I also need to make sure I have a good selection of ‘mailable’ cards – which means few layers and no gems because the Royal Mail’s machines just tear those off!

You’ll also see that I’ve added a new ‘handmade’ flag on my photos. I’m seeing a lot of AI creations (and text) in my social media feeds nowadays and what was once a moment of shared connection is starting to feel fake. I wish more creators would take add something like this so I know what designs have heart and soul behind them!

First up, for Christmas in July Day 1, I’m using a an old favourite Bottlebrush Tree by Savvy Stamps. I think this may have started my obsession with bottlebrush tree dies!

I’ll definitely be sending this one out in the mail!

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG.

Get Cracking on Christmas March 2026

Hello everyone!!

March has been a weird old month and I need to update my blog for the (few) cards I’ve made so far this month. In the meantime, here’s a brand new Christmas card!

Last Thursday was the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for Jenn Shurkus’s Get Cracking on Christmas!

I decided to make a fun card with a Spellbinders dies set that I picked up in a recent sale. It’s called Yuletime Ride and I bought it for the car as I have plans for that! But today when I was thinking about my Get Cracking card, I realised it would be fun to use the tree from the set.

Super CAS and Royal Mail friendly again this month – The raised panel is a trimmed section from Spellbinder’s Molded Frame embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG

Get Cracking on Christmas February 2026

Hello everyone!!

I’ve been so wrapped up in getting to grips with my craftroom this past week, I almost forgot that it’s the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for Jenn Shurkus’s Get Cracking on Christmas!

I went super CAS this month with a new-to-me Simply Graphic tree die and some pearlescent card.

The sentiment is by Mama Elephant.

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG

Get Cracking on Christmas January 2026

Hello everyone!!

This year I plan to play along with Jenn Shurkus’s Get Cracking on Christmas on the third Thursday of each month. It feels a bit too soon to be the third Thursday of January already doesn’t it? But here we are! My first Christmas card of 2026!

I love Christmas tree dies although I do try to be mindful and take a breath before grabbing any new tree as soon as it’s released! But I HAD to have The Stamp Market’s Layered Tree die set. I used it a few times last year but I really wanted to create my version of a beautiful card that The Stamp Market shared as inspiration on their site. I picked up the Rounded Window Delight coverplate die in a Black Friday sale but didn’t get round to using it in December – today was my chance!

I tested a few tree designs and ended up using three layers from the smaller tree – The Stamp Market didn’t use the smallest layer in her design and I followed suit.

My twist on the inspiration (apart from the colours of course) is the background – I adhered the windows coverplate and trees to a panel that I cut with the Waffle Flower Crafts Sparkles Panel die.

No sentiment on this because I couldn’t bear the idea of covering up anything on the card!!

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG

Happy New Year 2026

Hello everyone!!

It’s 2026! How did that happen? Seriously, the last quarter or 2025 just flew by didn’t it?

Here’s one of my New Year’s cards this year – sometimes the simplest design is the most effective! I cut some Tonic ombre glitter card with Tim Holtz/Sizzix stars dies and added a Waffle Flower sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!

LucieG