Christmas Party Dress

Christmas in July!  How about a Christmas card to make us feel a little cooler?  I made this one a long time ago for a publication call, but it was not chosen.  It's okay:  I am so happy to share it here!  It also gives me a chance to play for the first time in a Virginia's View challenge:  Die Cuts.

This festive scene was so fun to create.  I used a Purple Onion Designs sentiment, and cut it apart, ransom style.  Behind it are a few die cuts from Anna Griffin, K & Co. and Colorbok.

I have my friend Carol to thank for this fabulous Sizzix Sewing Room Dress Form, which was die cut in chipboard. I painted it with Ranger Picket Fence Crackle paint and when it was dry, distressed the edges with ink.  The red top was hand-trimmed to fit, and pearls were added.

This is how I made the skirt:

1. Stamp Bijou Borders / Technique Tuesday on a rectangle of paper with two different inks (rose and cherry), then ink the edges. 
2. Punch a white strip of cardstock with the Doily Lace punch / Martha Stewart.  Ink scalloped edge, and adhere to the underside of the border-stamped rectangle. 
3. Using a scoring board - or just a ruler and bone folder or stylus - score lines every 3/8".  
4. Begin folding / pleating the piece in accordion fashion.  
5. When finished pleating, gather top portions together, filling craft glue between each fold.  Let dry.
6. Adhere to dress form with craft glue, and cover the top of 'waist' with ribbons or trims.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Size: 4.5” x 6 7/8”

Stamps: Bijou Borders- Technique Tuesday; (sentiment) Purple Onion Designs Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White - Stampin’ Up! Ink: Cherry Cobbler - Stampin’ Up!;, Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Tattered Rose - Ranger; Chestnut Roan - Clearsnap Fibers: gold thread;  white braid trim) Waverly Accessories & Tools: Paint: (Picket Fence Crackle) Ranger; holly border, framed holly - Anna Griffin, pink grid – Flea Market - Colorbok; pearls; Doily Lace punch, Scoring Board - Martha Stewart, Sewing Room Dress Form die - Sizzix