Christmas in July

This is the card I made for this week's Workshop Wow challenge, which is to use a retiring stamp set. I decided to use So Much, which I just got at Regional in April and have barely inked. WAAAHH! First of all, let me say that this did NOT start out as a Christmas card. I chose the colors (Real Red and Wild Wasabi) from my striped grosgrain ribbon that I am trying to use while it is still current. I wanted to use the two circle stamps to make a background, and I decided to do the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique. I stamped the dotted circle in Real Red over and over in sort of a pattern and then did the same with the drawn circle with Wild Wasabi. By the time I was done it reminded me of pine needles and holly berries. So I started looking through my stuff for a Christmas-y focal image. After much trial and error, I decided on these red flowers from the just-retired Die-Cut Blooms from the Occasions Mini. (Maybe they'll make it to the new catty though!) By overlapping them and adding So Saffron buttons, I think it looks like a poinsettia.
For the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique, you start with glossy white cardstock. Stamp with classic ink and let dry. Coat the entire piece of cardstock with VersaMark (that's why you have to let it dry first!) and cover with Irridescent Ice EP. Heat set the EP; don't overheat or the glitter will disappear! (Ask me how I know... LOL)
I tied on some striped grosgrain ribbon; I don't know how I tied such a nice knot. It'll probably never happen again! Then I added some photo corners and mounted it to the card base. The flower was attached with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: So Much; Paper: Glossy white, Real Red, Wild Wasabi; Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, VersaMark; Accessories: Irridescent Ice EP, heat tool, photo corner punch, Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon, Die-cut Blooms, Fresh Favorites II buttons
If you're an SU demonstrator, be sure to check out the awesome new Demonstrator Only gallery at SCS. The fabulous folks there have worked very hard to make it all we've wanted and more!