So here we are with the promise of sending handcrafted cards to our loved ones near and far. It’s the beginning November, there is plenty of time to get this done, hey maybe we will get the kids involved. Another day goes by and still no greeting cards…
How about some card ideas that are relatively easy to put together, and use items that most of us have in our stash. I pulled together a pile of stuff, if it even had a hint of holiday cheer it made it onto my desk. Scraps of paper, washi tape, old postcards, card blanks, dies and die cuts, sequins, glitter, and sticker sheets.
This is how I thought I would organize my “stuff”
This is my desk 30 minutes later-
By mid-afternoon I found myself working in a tiny portion of my mat-
I added these photos of my process to let you all know that my creative process is messy and chaotic and that’s not going to change at this stage of my life, just keeping it real…
Let’s get started with my first card. I grabbed some washi tape and some 4×6 cards that I wasn’t crazy about and began playing with pattern and direction. I settled on a diagonal design with three different washi tapes.
I could have used this for the front of a card but I just couldn’t make it work, so I decided to cut out a variety of circle sizes. I played around with the sizes and it occurred to me to turn the shapes into ornaments.
I added gold accents from a piece of scrap paper, added some red twine, and finished with Merry Christmas saying cut from an old card. Here is another example using wide washi bordered with two different narrow tapes.
I like the monochromatic feel of this, not sure what direction I will go in with this creation so it goes into the “Save it for Later” box.
Next up are sticker sheets, we all have them, we all save them “just in case” so let’s use them-
This is from a collection that is a couple of years old. I created a card base from a scrap of paper and went with the ornament stickers and here is the result-
Could have done a better job mitering the corners (please no judgements ha ha) ,added some bling, narrow gold ribbon, and the “Deck the Halls” came from the sticker sheet. Simple and classy. Below is another card made from scraps, gold twine, and ornaments from a sticker sheet that was kicking around in my box of Holiday goodies.
What are these little beauties you say? They are reproductions of vintage post cards begging to be turned into greeting cards. The post card of this sassy young lady is now a card. I framed the image with scraps of paper and added pearls to her sash and the wreath. Super easy and very cute! Below is another post card I framed with scrap paper and added snowflake glitter I’ve owned for years! This card has a sweet nostalgic look to it and literally took me 10 minutes to make.
The last cards use dies and die cuts. Why am I so hesitant to use the dies I’ve spent a fortune on? I know I’m not the only one- I pulled out a few holiday themed dies and just started passing them through my machine until I had a few to play with.
The gold tree caught my eye and I created the card below using an old card base, 6×6 red cardstock and a bow punch for the tree topper. (I swear my 6×6 paper pads multiply in the night while I’m asleep)
I noticed the tree die left a great negative design behind so I decided to use it. I die cut a piece of scrap paper, saved the die cut for later. I traced the tree on a piece of scrap paper, then used strips of paper set at different angles to make a wonky design. I laid the negative image over my tree and voila a fun little card.
Here are a few others, using different colors as well as Tim Holtz Christmas sayings.
I changed up this idea by using the same design but elongating the tree. I used leftover paper strips and cut off the excess. I used glue on the first one but found some adhesive sheets to cover the tree. Much easier and less messy.
These particular cards are addictive! I think these will be the ones I create with my grandchildren. They are pretty much foolproof and I will help them address the cards and we can take them to the post office.
Above are my last two cards. I’m loving this bow die and I’m sure you can see why. I took a negative design from this tree die, and slid a piece of paper underneath the cut-out. I finished up with a silver gel pen and some strategically set bling. I certainly hope you can find a few ideas for your holiday card making this year, otherwise you could end up like Elaine from Seinfeld-
