Catch the Bug's Christmas in July...Day 1

Welcome to our 10th annual Christmas in July! Our theme this year is Santa's Workshop; we have a full week of fun challenges so buckle up for some fun! Did I mention there will be prizes?

Before I proceed with the challenge details, I would like to honor our late Design Team member Julie. Julie was a fixture on the team since 2011 and we will miss both her and her creations. Here is a link to her blog.

Here is our inspiration photo for today's challenge:

I went with Reindeer Christmas Goodies today; you can color the reindeer like a "regular reindeer" or you can color him like Rudolph! (We have always loved Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer at our house!) I wonder what is in the present and stocking full of goodies created in Santa's workshop? He is colored with pencils an I added some glitter to the string of lights on his antlers and some glittery snowflakes for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo "Reindeer Christmas Goodies" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, PTI Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Sugar-Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in Angel Dust, Lawn Fawn Dies (rectangle frames), Art Impressions Dies (snowflakes), Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations for today at Catch the Bug! We would love to have you play along; remember Bugaboo images are not required for any of our challenges, however we would love to see what you do with Bugaboo! Our only request is that you follow the daily theme when you create. Check out the challenge details here. Please leave me a comment on today's post if you enter today's challenge, I want to check out your creation!

Here's a link to Jodie's Bugaboo Shop; now is the time to stock up on her adorable images. There really is something for everyone!

Challenges entered:

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: Sketch #377

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge: Week 28 Anything Coloring Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: #564 Christmas or Humourous
Creatalicious Challenge: #191 Anything Goes w/ 3 of a Kind (snowflakes)
Christmas Craft Creations: Christmas Characters
Cutie Pie Challenge: #149 Cute
Festive Friday: Inspiration Challenge #FF00063 (heart, pink, green, sparkle, die cuts)

My Time to Craft: #436 Christmas in July
Shopping Our Stash: #424 Christmas in July

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's Christmas in July: Make Us Laugh

Welcome back to Day 5 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! It's Wednesday,or Humor Me Wednesday as we like to call it at Catch the Bug, so our theme is "Make Us Laugh". Again, our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever", so here are your inspiration movies for today's challenge:

Can anyone guess the movie I used for inspiration? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! This movie is a favorite of my family and my inspiration was Aunt Edna's cat! I'm pretty sure her name is Edna...can anyone confirm or deny that? The scene where her cat is in the Christmas tree is a hoot! I also believe there's cat food in her jello...ugh! LOL I've colored this little cutie with pencils and used an old sketch from the archives of Sketch Saturday. I was loving the plaid so much that I didn't want to cover it up, so I used a piece of vellum, adhered with mini brads, for one of the layers. Problem solved...a little extra oomph without covering the plaid. I'm curious, does anyone out there enjoy using brads anymore? I've always liked them. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Christmas Cat Digital Image
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Printer,Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy, Simple Stories Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Vellum
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spare Parts Brads, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart)

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details here. Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images from Jodie's online store!

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #28 (must use a critter)
52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Non-Traditional Image
Crafty Animals: #28 Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash: #400 Christmas in July (stash items: patterned paper, vellum, brads)
Show Us Your Pussycats: #44 Furrything Goes
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up: #55 Optional Twist...Plaids
The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog: #223 Animal And/Or ATC

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's Christmas in July: Anything But a Card

Welcome to Day 3 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! It's Monday, Anything But a Card day, so we would like to see a tag or gift packaging. Again, our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever" so here is your inspiration movie for today's challenge:

I've chosen this adorable old fashioned Santa to color; I've used pencils, then added some glitter to his fur trim and the star. I've used a Kraft gable box (I love these!) and added a band and some die cut stars. Simple but fun...it'll be fun to give a little goodie in this box! Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Stocking Santa Present Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Ripe Avocado CS, Simple Stories Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lawn Fawn Die (frame), Lil' Inker Designs Dies (stars, heart), Martha Stewart Glitter in "Sugar Cube" and "Candy Apple", Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details here. Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images from Jodie's online store.

Challenges entered:

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round: July Challenge- Gifts, No Cards Allowed
Not Just Cards: July Challenge-Anything Goes
Paperminutes: #597 Kraft Paper

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's Annual Christmas in July: The Best Christmas Movies Ever

 

Welcome to Day 1 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! This year our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever" and to kick off the festivities we have a Theme Challenge for you! The choices are The Santa Claus, Miracle on 34th Street, or A Charlie Brown Christmas:

I went with A Charlie Brown Christmas. I've watched this countless times over the years; first as a child, then with my children. I chose the image AKV Christmas Tree, which gives a nod to both the animation and Charlie Brown's simple Christmas tree.

I've colored the image with pencils and added a healthy dose of glitter. I like the vintage vibe of the paper paired with the crisp white card base and modern embellishments...a juxtaposition of old and new. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo AKV Christmas Tree Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Stamper's Select, New Leaf, and Pure Poppy CS, Simple Stories Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in Angel Dust, Doodlebug Sprinkles in Limeade Glitter, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Spellbinders Nestabilities (circle), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details here. Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images from Jodie's online store!

Challenges entered:

ABC Christmas Challenge: N=No Peeking or O= Ornament
Colour Crazy Challenge: #28 Anything Goes With Coloring
Crafty Calendar: Christmas in July
Crafty Gals Corner: #196 Christmas in July
Modsquad Challenge Blog: Christmas in July
Shopping Our Stash: #400 Christmas in July
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge: #52 Anything Christmas Goes
Try Stampin' on Tuesday: #416 Sketch, plus Optional Theme: Christmas in July

Note: The color palette for Friday's challenge inspired my paper choice for this week's cards. I thought immediately of a Simple Stories 6x6 paper pad in my stash and decided to use it all week. I thought it would be fun to use the same color palette but vary the style of both the images and the cards. A bit of a challenge within a challenge!

This paper is perfect for Friday's color palette!

My color palette for the week of challenges.

Wendel approves! LOL He just had to get in on the action!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Christmas in July: Photo Inspiration & Make It Funny!!

Good morning! Welcome to Day 3 of Bugaboo's Christmas in July; today we have an inspiration photo for you plus we'd like you to make it funny! Here's your inspiration:

I was inspired by Rudolph and the colors. I love this image of Rudolph and found the perfect patterned paper in my stash! I've colored him with pencils and added some Glossy Accents to his nose. I used a simple layout, added a sentiment, and some mini brads for embellishing. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Rudolph Digital Image (not yet in store)
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select (cardbase) and Pure Poppy, Core'dinations CS, Carolee's Creations Patterned Paper
Embellies: Spare Parts Mini Brads, Ranger Glossy Accents
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. I can't wait to see your creation!

Challenges entered:

Deep Ocean Challenge: #159 Christmas in July
Unicorn Challenge: #23 Christmas in July

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Christmas in July: Wrap It Up With a Twist

Good morning! Welcome to Day 3 of Bugaboo's Christmas in July; today we are challenging you to create something you'd use to wrap up a gift!  But wait...there is a twist! Please use non-traditional colors! Sounds fun, right?!

I went through my paper stash to find something non-traditional for inspiration. I thought the turquoise and lavender was so pretty and perfect for this challenge! I colored the elf with pencils, to coordinate, and used non-traditional colors for the ornaments too. I've added a band to the gift box, then mounted the image on a sparkly die cut, accented it with a touch of glitter, and adhered it to the box with foam tape. Here's a close-up of the image:

Image: Bugaboo "Elf 001" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart "Sugar Cube" Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Gift Box from Hobby Lobby, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. I can't wait to see your creation!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #342 : Anything Goes (w/ option of using a die cut)
Cut It Up #126: Christmas in July (include a die cut)

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Christmas in July: Sketch

Good morning! Welcome to Day 2 of Bugaboo's Christmas in July; today we have a sketch for you and it's a good one! I love the banners and buttons! Check it out:

I went with the image "Scene It Christmas Sheep" and had a blast coloring it! Sometimes it is so relaxing to just sit and color! I've used Lawn Fawn patterned paper and added some buttons/floss from my stash for embellishing. Here's a close-up of the adorable sheep:

Image: Bugaboo "Scene It Christmas Sheep" Digital Image (not yet in store)
Sentiment: Totally Stampalicious (Bugaboo Clear Set)
Ink: Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Hawaiian Shores and Pure Poppy CS, Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper
Embellies: PTI Buttons (Pure Poppy and Hawaiian Shores), Stash (Green), DMC Floss
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. I can't wait to see your creation!

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4: Anything Goes With a Critter
A Gem of A Challenge #198: Animals
Sweet Stampin': Christmas in July
Sweet Stampin' Christmas: July: Anything Christmas Goes
Unicorn Challenge #23: Christmas in July

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Christmas in July: Make it Sparkle and Shine

Good morning! Welcome to Day 1 of Bugaboo's Christmas in July; we have planned a week of great challenges for you so get ready for some creative fun! The Catch the Bug blog will be featuring the Design Team's creations daily to inspire you...we do hope you will play along! To kick off the week we want to see "Sparkle and Shine"...because, who doesn't like sparkle and shine?!

I have colored up Christmas Troll...I love her! I remember playing with Trolls that were given to me by an older cousin; I also used to make them clothes. When I saw her cuteness, I knew I had to color her up! I've used pencils and accented the image with glitter...3 kinds to be exact! I've also added some Glossy Accents to her earrings for a bit of shine and dimension. The candy patterned paper is also embellished with glitter, but my camera isn't picking that up. Here's a close-up of this little cutie so you can see the glitter a bit better:

Image: Bugaboo "Christmas Troll" Digital Stamp
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Martha Stewart "Limeade" and "Sugar Cube" Glitters
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, SU! Oval Punch, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. I can't wait to see your creation!

Challenges entered:

Aud Sentiments: #184 Christmas in July (plus sentiment)
City Crafter: #370 Two Colors Only
Creative Moments: #122 Christmas in July
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog: #159 Christmas in July
Sweet Stampin' Christmas: July: Anything Christmas Goes
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge: #10 Anything Christmas Goes

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Color Challenge (+Freebie Friday!)

Good morning!  It's Day 7 (and the final day) of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July celebration!  Today we have a color challenge for you; I don't know about you, but a color challenge really is a challenge for me!  Here's the color palette:

Thankfully the colors are really pretty!  The presents in today's Freebie Friday image made it pretty simple to implement the colors...whew!  Rudolph is colored with pencils and I turned the image panel into a tag.  (Yes, that is an eyelet on the tag!  When is the last time you used an eyelet?  It has been so many years for me that I had to search for my tools!  I do have a great assortment of eyelets though...this one is Doodlebug.)  I used a fun die with Santa's reindeer names and added ribbon and buttons for embellishing.  (Just in case you noticed....  The green ribbon really does coordinate with the paper...and Rudolph's green shirt and the button!  It is frustrating when the camera doesn't capture the true color; why does it look grayish?  If anyone know how to remedy this, I would love to hear your tips!)  Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Rudolph Presents" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Pear Pizzazz and Pink Passion CS, PTI Dark Chocolate CS
Embellies: PTI Buttons/DMC Floss, SU! Pear Pizzazz Ribbon, Doodlebug Eyelet, Twine (saved from a Christmas present!)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Sissix Thinlits Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images!

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps and More: Make Your Mark
Animal Friends: Animal + Dies/Punches
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards: Fancy, Plus Use Pink
Christmas at Sweet Stampin': Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons: Christmas
Inky Chicks: Christmas in Summer 
Moving Along With the Times: No Design Papers

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Tag, You're It!

Good morning!  It's Day 3 of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July and today's challenge is to make a tag!

I went with JJ!  She's colored with pencils and I've added some glitter to her furry trim and embellished with an assortment of ribbons.  I love the look on her face and her stance; the coordinating sentiment says "Me naughty? Pu-leeze!"  Not sure if I'll put this one on my sister's package or make it into a card for her!  LOL  Here's the whole tag:

Image: Bugaboo "JJ Christmas Cheer-Me Naughty?" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI New Leaf CS
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Assorted Ribbons/Twine (stash)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, EK Success Punch

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Remember, images are 50% off at Bugaboo for the month of July!  That's right, it's time to fill your virtual cart!

Challenges entered:

AAA Cards: Tags
Crafty Creations: Clean and Simple
Creative Moments: Ribbons and/or Bows
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Add a Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sketchy Sunday

Good morning!  It's Day 2 of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July and we have a fun sketch for you!  Here it is:

I've used one of my favorite Dottie images and kept everything simple to show off the fun patterned paper; for embellishing I've used glitter and some twine.  Here's a close-up of Dottie:

Image: Bugaboo "Dottie Christmas-Shop" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Twine (saved from a Christmas packaging!)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We hope you will give the sketch a try and play along!

Challenges entered:

Christmas at Sweet Stampin': Warm Winter Clothing
Crafty Boots: Christmas in July
Cut It Up: #100 Anything Goes
Hannah and Friends: Holiday
Polkadoodles: Add Ribbon or Twine
Shopping Our Stash: Say What? (stash item-Doodlebug patterned paper that I've been hoarding!)
The Color Throwdown: Color Challenge #400

Winter Wonderland: Let's See a Christmas Tree or Make it Cute

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo: Christmas in July

Welcome to Catch the Bug's Christmas in July!  We have a fun week planned for you; lots of amazing challenges to play along with and amazing creations from the team to inspire you.  It's going to be a great week!

Today's theme is "Some of My Best Friends are Flakes!".  (That's right, we want to see snowmen and snowflakes!)  I was so excited for today because this type of card is one of my very most favorite to make!  I went with a fun image that I hadn't colored up before and paired it with a color challenge and a sketch challenge.  I've added some glitter to the "snow" in the image and used lots of glittery snowflakes and Swarovski flatbacks for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo "Bobblehead Christmas-Snowman" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, The Paper Studio Patterned Paper
Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Light Siam"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities and Snowflake Dies, Lawn Fawn Snowflake Dies

Please check out the rest of the Design Team's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will play along!  Also, don't forget that Bugaboo is having a sale throughout the month of July! (wink, wink)

Challenges entered:

colorQ challenge: Challenge #339

Inky Chicks: Christmas in Summer
The Sketch File: Sketch

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Oldie but Goodie + Photo Challenge

Good morning!  Welcome to Day 6 of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July!  Thursdays are "Oldie but Goodie" day plus we have a Photo Challenge; check it out:

Instead of a "Sand Snowman", I went for a snowman "Sand Skiing"!  The image is colored with pencils.  I kept the layout simple to focus on the fun image and have embellished simply with brads and a die cut snowflake.

Image: Bugaboo "AKV Snowman-Ski 2" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Kraft and Pure Poppy, American Crafts Patterned Paper
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, PTI Pure Poppy Twill
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT "Let it Snowflake" Die-namics, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win some awesome Bugaboo images!  And remember, all images are 50% off through the month of July!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela