Christmas is Coming

Hi Crafters

Well here we are at the end of October and most of you are getting through half-term and starting to think about Christmas as the decorations, gift wrap and cards come into the shops.

I hope the 12 Days of Christmas Cards have inspired some of you to have a go at making your own cards this year. I still have about 30 to make but at the moment I am working on finishing my items for the Christmas Craft Fairs I am taking part in.

As November approaches fast and Christmas Fairs are upon us, my thoughts are with stocking fillers , small gift ideas and decorations

I have 3D stars in every cupboard and spare space I can find, as I have made them to make wreaths, and decorations as well as parcel adornments.

I also make a origami star, and an origami star card. The star card is quite straight forward folding, and I have posted this project for Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas, while the decorative star a little more complex. The Star Card makes a lovely alternative card that can also be used as a decoration, whilst the decorative star is more of a gift. I had one given to me by a friend after she had received one from her German Exchange friend. They are sold in the German Christmas markets and given to friends at the festive season. My friend said "I love these and I bet you can make them" so with the challenge set I studied the gifted star and worked out how to make one.

I just love the way the bead closes the star up and then works as a way of keeping the star open

As the decorative star is not included in the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts I thought I would give you a peep of it today along with the snowflake decoration. The Snowflake does not fold up but will make a great addition to the Christmas Decorations especially when grouped 

Here they are on the work mat 

The folds on both of these cannot be explained easily without a video so if you want to have a go at making them yourself check out YouTube and Pinterest for tutorials.

Tomorrow we start with a really pretty (but simple) favour for Christmas and then throughout November more gift and decoration ideas in the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts.

Happy Crafting 
Dee

12 Days of Christmas - Day 12 - Simple Step Card

Hello Crafters

Well here we are, the last card in the series of 12 Days of Christmas, and it is one of the most simple cards to make. I have also put this one last as it can use up any of the die cuts not used on previous cards made, if you were making in bulk and cut lots of die-cuts to embellish your cards, this card is perfect for using your stash and tidying the desk

Day 12 Simple Step Card 

This is a small card with lots of interest.

You will  need: 
A sheet of card 12" x 6" 
Selection of embellishments that set a scene 

The basic Step Card is made by scoring your piece of card at 1",2",4",6", 9"
Fold all the scorelines and concertina them to make the three steps
Simply add your embellishments to the steps to form the scene
I have attached the die-cuts with sticky pads.


You could also use houses and church, 
Trees and stars
Houses and Santa and sleigh
Baubles
Stars
This will fit easily into an A6 envelope

You can place a piece of plain card on the back of the card that can be used to write a greeting 
A good measurement for this is 3" x 2" 

This completes the 12 Days of Christmas series. I hope you have enjoyed them and found them useful in getting you started on your Christmas Card making journey.
Please give a thumbs up if you like any of the cards and check back regularly for the next series 
12 Days of Christmas/ Paper Gifts

Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 11 - Star Card 2

Hi Crafters

And here we are already at Day 11 of the 12 days of Christmas Cards.

Today is a Star Card. Not the one currently being shown on YouTube, with a stand up card in the shape of a star, but a card that also doubles as a decoration, almost an alternative to the traditional card.

Day 11 - Star Card 2

You will need:

5 pieces of heavy papers or medium weight card 7.5cm square

2 pieces of white or cream card cut to 3cm square

a piece of cotton cord or fine ribbon approximately 30-40cm long

a bead with a fairly large hole 

• Fold each of the coloured papers in half and then in half the other way 
• Turn over the paper and fold on the diagonal line 
• When you turn the square over again the diagonal lines will naturally form a valley fold and you can fold them in to form a square 

• Do this to all 5 squares and then making sure they are all lined up the same way with the sealed section at the base; glue the top of the folded paper and layer each one of the 5 pieces on top of each other to form one square 
• Next stamp one of the plain card with your greeting, remember to stamp across the diagonal 
• with the thread fold in half and thread the double folded end (not the open end) through the bead, and tie a loop about 2-3cm from the top with the bead underneath

• You will now need silicone glue or a hot-glue gun
• Place square on the table on the diagonal with the open ends at the top. Put one side of the cord across the middle of the card and secure then cover with the greeting piece of card

When the card is folded up the bead can be moved to the top of the card to hold it together - when you open the card just slide the bed up to the loop and open the star up, slide the bead down to hold the star open 

You can use the plain piece of card on the back to write your greeting or add an initial if you have the appropriate dies.

Tip: The first time you make this it is a good idea to put all the pieces ready and put together without gluing to see how each piece fits. You will see why you stamp on the diagonal and how the cord fits on, before committing with the glue.  

I will be making some of these for the young nieces and nephews and also to send to fiends abroad as they act as a card and little gift rolled into one.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 10 - Pop up Box card

Hi Crafters 

Here we are on day 10 of 12 Days of Christmas. 
Today we have a popular pop up box card finished with a Christmas scene.

Normally this card can be quite time consuming and I would not be recommended it for bulk makes, but if you get organised you could make a bunch of them in an afternoon.

Day 10 The Pop-up Box Card

For this card you will need

1 sheet of A4 card stock white 
Mirra card or and white card for die cutting
Tree dies, I have a set of 3 basic fir trees and a Christmas word shaped tree.
Polar bear die or if you have a village scene die you could use that for the front border

From the sheet of A4 card cut a width of 4.5" 
On the long side score 2" 5.5" 7.5" 11" 
Turn and score at 2"
With the 2" at the top and 2.5" on the base of the card, cut off the small 1/2" side tab from the 2.5" score line to the top
The bottom part of this tab will be used to secure the box base.
Then cut along the score lines from the 2.5" line to the top of the card to form the flaps try to cut either side of the score line to the centre to form fine v cuts, as this will make them sit tidily
Next cut an 1" strip from the remaining A4 card and from this cut 2 pieces 4 7/8" long, score 5/8" either end of the 2 pieces 
Burnish the score lines on the main card, and form an oblong box, glue the short flap to the inside of card.
with the two cut strips fold over the scored ends and glue on the outside of the flaps attach to the main box. The first one sits just under the top line and butted up to the back of the box. The second piece sits at the same height and butts up to the first strip. This forms 2 parallel lines across the width of the base box 
Next cut some trees from any white card or silver card and using foam pads stick the trees to the cardboard struts across your box. I have used white and silver for the trees with the word tree in white and the family of polar bears in white card. The bears I have attached to the inside of the front of the box. 
The flaps can be layered with mirra card or Christmas patterned card  and decorated with greetings or left plain to write your message 
Once you have made the basic Pop Up box card you can use any embellishment to decorate your card 
here are some I did earlier 

  
  I have used coloured card and and gold snowflakes or wreaths and heart baubles to decorate the other cards. For birthdays I use card toppers and flowers 

To make in numbers 
First cut out your decorations placing them in groups that are colour coordinated and themed 
Next cut all you blank box bases and score them ready to put together 
Cut your struts and score the ends 
Put the boxes together and glue on the struts 
While the glue is drying start placing your decorations along the struts to find the right layout for you.
Then add the dimensional foam tabs and place on the card
once you have done this you will see if you want to layer the flaps and add greeting or decorations
I often place a small bell or topper to the side flaps and place a piece of plain card to the front flap for the sender to write their greeting
Happy Crafting 
See you soon with Day 11
Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 9 - Slimmers Christmas Card

Hi Crafters

I told you today would be something different and it is, I hope you enjoy it.
It was designed as a card to give to friends I have made at Slimming World, where they are a friendly bunch who make everyone welcome and always on hand to offer encouragement

This Card appears to be a straight forward Christmas card from the outside
And when you open it a centre section Greets you
"Have a Great Christmas
See You in the New Year"
When you lay the card flat centre section reveals 4 friends weighing together .

Day 9 - The Unofficial Slimming World Christmas Card 

To make this card you will need a piece of card 6" x 12"
A piece of white card 4.5" x 3.75"
Piece of background card to coordinate 5" x 4" (I have used silver mirra card) but you could use a Christmas print
Artist Impression stamp in the "Friends" range as shown
Paper and embellishment for the front of the card
Small Greeting stamp for the front
I could not find a stamp that said 'See You In The New Year' so I printed it on the computer.


Score the card on the long side at 5",6",7"
Tuck the scored panel into the card and burnish the folds
On the outside of the card glue or red tape the bottom edge of the centre fold
Open the card and cut a sliver of card off the folded section
Stamp the layer piece of white card with the 'Friends' stamp, I used distress pens and water pen by using the acrylic block from the stamp. Rub some ink from the pen onto the acrylic block and then use your water pen to colour the image. You could use crayons, water colours or just pens, but I like the soft colour doing it with the water pen.

Mount the image onto the background card and when dry, slide the whole piece into the slot cut from the centre fold.
Decorate the front of the card   

Tips: If you want to make a few for friends at a club, once you  have stamped and coloured your image, photocopy the original.
The front of the card can be decorated in any way you prefer but keep it simple so as not to detract from the pop-up. 

I have made several versions of this card and I will post them soon

Happy Crafting 
Dee

12 Days of Christmas Day 8 - Joy/Noel Cards

Hello Crafters 

Still more Christmas cards for inspiration, in the 12 Days of Christmas Cards series.

Day  8 
JOY/NOEL greetings

Here we are back to a simple layered card 

You will need for the NOEL card
15cm x 15cm  scalloped card and envelope 
mirra card cut 13cm x 13cm 
white card cut 12cm x 12cm
large letter dies NOEL
card of your choice to cut the letters 

Cut the letters from the coloured card you have chosen
Place on the white card and when you are happy with the position, glue into place
Layer onto the mirra card and then onto the base card 

JOY Card 

This is made in the same way with the background white card being 13cm x 6cm 
mirra card 14cm x 7cm 

This is a great way of using up any scraps of Christmas Card 

I have a set of letters purchased, but you could use any large Capital letters you have in your stash , fancy finished letters are best as they are the central point of the card.

Check in soon for Day 9 (something quite different) 

Happy Crafting 
Dee  

12 Days of Christmas Day 7 - Teepee Card

Hi Crafters

Today is very different. It is a shaped card and colourful.
Called the Teepee Card as it stands up like a teepee.

Day 7 Teepee Card

It is very effective and yet simple to make. Also it requires no special tools so a great project to do if you are a starter, or with the children.
It also folds flat to post. 

You will need 
3 pieces of 4"  squared card stock, 180gsm or over 
1 6" square envelope
Fold each square on the diagonal

I have used the card in the pictures below as it shows the folds easily but you will want to avoid this style of pattern as it is too directional.

Next place two of the pieces flat on the table with the diagonal creases forming a pyramid 

Add the third piece diagonally in the middle lining up with the lines

Mark with a pencil where the card comes over the end and the sides as you will need to glue inside this section on the bottom two pieces of card
Take off the top panel, glue inside the pencil lines and place the top piece back on making sure there is glue all around the the edge 
The card will now fold up into a triangle 

You can either secure the back panel with velcro dots or glue it down and fold over so the card sits flat for posting

                                                          

Now decorate as you wish. Here are other ones I did earlier (in the true Blue Peter fashion)

Hope you enjoy making these fun cards 

Happy Crafting

Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 6 More Star Cards

Hi Crafters

I said on Day 5 that I would be posting more star cards for day six, and whilst I may be cheating a little I hope you will see the benefit of using one die for a couple of different style cards.
You can do the die cutting in one go
You can use the blank pieces of card as layers (check out the star cut out card)
You can mix and match more colours when making your stars

Day 6 More Star Cards 
A)
The first one was a happy find when making the original star card. I wanted a white base for a star and cut it out of a piece of white card I had in my scrap pile, seeing the blank card with the star shape cut out; the design just came to me, and I set about using the blanks and scraps from the desk.

You will need

A6 card and envelope (10.5cm x 15cm)
piece of white card 8.5cm wide by 13 deep
background card/paper 14 x 9.5cm of your choice and to compliment the white card 
Star die (the die will need concentric pieces so that you have a star that fits in the cut-out)
centre embellishment
sentiment stamp

1. Place the star die on the piece of white card to a position you want the finished card I have centred it vertically and placed it to ward the top leaving room to stamp the sentiment in the bottom right corner.
2. Cut out the star set aside the star for use on another project
3. Stamp the sentiment
4. Layer the stamped piece onto your background  using foam pads around the outside edge
5. Glue this to your base card
6. Take the smaller star and place in the centre use a fine tip glue to adhere to the background paper and add your centre decoration

Day 6 Panel Card
B)

This is my take on a design I saw on YouTube, and I have adapted the sizes to compliment this particular card

You will need
1 Piece of card 21cm x 15cm (half of a sheet of A4)
1 envelope for a 6 x 6 card
Star DIe (you could use a snowflake die or bauble die)
1 sheet of 6 x 6 paper for background so it should compliment the card and star colour you have cut
Mirra card to cut the star
Greeting stamp

• Take your piece of card and score at 6cm, 8cm, 13cm, 15cm
• Cut the piece of paper to 14cm x 15cm (take 1cm off one side)
• Cut along the 15cm width 3 pieces,  2 x  5. 25cm wide leaving one piece 4.5cm  wide 
• Cut the Star out and layer 
• Using the 4.5cm panel stamp your sentiment at the base
• Fold the score lines on your card to raise the centre piece  
• Glue the 5.25cm strips to the outside panels and the 4.5cm piece to the centre of the card 
• add the Star to the centre panel

You could decorate the sides with small bows or other sentiments.

Your personal greeting can be written on the back

The card will fold to go into the 6 x 6 envelope

Hope you are on your way to making your cards now 
Don't forget to keep checking back for more Christmas Card ideas

Happy Crafting 
Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 5 Star Card

Hello Crafters

Well if Day 3 was my favourite die from last year, this is my favourite set for this year. It is so versatile, and easy to use. I will show you a few different ways of using it over the next couple of days, so if you like the set you will be able to make multiple cards very quickly.

My set is unbranded, but I believe Stampin Up do a very similar set. I bought several sets as I thought it was so good and we raffled it at the Craft Day I did earlier this week. You can make it with other star dies and swirls if you have them in your stash, but I just had to have the soft atmospheric swirl, although it took me a while to source this stamp so my earlier cards were made with another flourish stamp.

So here is the most simple card I have made with it. It is my favourite and I will be making it my main card this year.

Day 5 Star Card

You will need:
A Star die set
Swirl and greeting stamp
6 x 6 base card   (I told you it was simple)

Stamp the card with the swirl and message
Die cut a set of stars and layer up to make a 3D star 
Place on card and move around until you get the position you like best 
Fix to the card

Ring the Changes : 

1. Cut the star from a bright mirra card and by layer it for a clean stunning finish
2. Add a small snowflake die cut to the centre for a different finish to your star.
3. USe different colour card for the fancy die cut and the base star die cut 
4. Add some bling to the centre of the star

Hope you enjoy mass producing these as much as I did.

Happy Crafting

Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 4

Hello Crafters

Sorry it has been a few days since my last post. The Craft Day on Tuesday was lovely and everyone made 5 cards, a gift card holder and a pouch box. It was a lovely indulgent day of crafting with no interruption, and the weather was warm and sunny, so we were able to sit on the green at lunch-time with our sandwich.

So here we are with;

Day 4 Snowflake Card

You will need
Base card I have used a 6 x 6 scalloped card
1 piece if silver mirra card 14cm x 14cm  
1 piece of white card 13cm x 13cm 
Snowflake layer die mine is unbranded but you can use one in your stash or of your choice, the one I have measures approximately 9cm 
Greeting Stamp
1 diamante centre piece 

I have cut the layers first and cut the middle from the mirror card to cut the outer die 
Next I cut the second layer of the snowflake from white card 
Layer the Snowflake 
Then place the snowflake on the white card, eye where you wish  to stamp your greeting, remove the snowflake and stamp the card 
Centre the snowflake on the white topper card 
Layer this to the silver frame 
Add the complete piece to the base card
As you can see from the picture I have made the topper a little big for the base card but the measurements I have given you should rectify this so it sits in from the edge a little more.

Tips: Use the base snowflake as an ornament simple make 2 and put back to back with foam pads, punch an hole in one of the tips and thread a cord through 

Happy Crafting
Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 3

Hello Crafters

Here we are on Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cards. The project is certainly keeping me busy and focusing my efforts to design cards that can be made in numbers. At the same time I am tidying my computer files and adding the cards (and later the gifts made for Christmas) to the files.

Day 3 Centre Step Card

Sorry the picture is a little dark, as the day is dark and dismal and if I use a flash the mirra card reflects badly in the light.

For this card I have used the same 6" square scalloped base card
plus: a 12 x 6" piece of background card of your choice - I have used a turquoise and silver card
My favourite die from last year the Reindeer with Merry Christmas, it is so elegant and pretty at the same time, it is difficult to make a bad card with this die. However I cannot think of the brand as I bought it on ebay, but I have checked it out and as of today you can still buy this die on ebay.

To make:
Fold out the card flat. Put your ruler 1" in from the side and cut 1" from the bottom to 7" 
Turn the card over and do the same on the other side 
Turn the card and score from the outer edge to the cutter edge at 1", 2", 7" both sides 
As the card I used is pre-scored I do not need to score the middle section but if you are using plain card measuring 6" x 12" as a base card score the middle of card at the 6" line from the cut edge to the cut edge only 

You will then need to cut the following sized card or paper to cover your card 
1 piece 0.75" x 5.5" for the base 
2 pieces 0.75" x 4.5" for the sides and 
1 piece 3.5" x 4.5" this fits well for the scalloped card, so there is a margin around the layers. If you are using a basic card stock for your card 6 x 12 these should fit but always  measure the panels before cutting and adjust the measurements if necessary

Add your layers with a Pritt stick or glue of your choice
add dimensional tabs to the reindeer and place on the centre of the card 
Decorate the sides and base as desired I have used 2 snow flakes for the sides and a white ribbon 
on the bottom panel as the greeting is already there.
I will definitely be making lots of these this year. 

Happy Crafting 
Dee

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CARDS DAY 2

Hello Crafters

Here we are on Day 2 of the the 12 Days of Christmas Cards

Moving forward with my theme of die-cutting and simple lines, this card is a simple die-cut layered onto background card and them onto your base card to add dimensional interest.

Use your favourite dies and keep it simple if you want to make multiple cards from the one design
My theme this year is the traditional outdoor Christmas, with trees, Polar Bears and stars and snowflakes.

Day 2 The Christmas Tree 

For this card you will need:

• 6 x 6 card & envelope
• silver mirra card cut 14 x 14cm square 
• white card cut 13 cm square 
• 1 die cut fancy tree - i cannot remember is this is 'Tattered Lace' or' Sizzix' but you can use your own favourite
• pearl embellishments

 Simply layer up the tree onto the white card and then onto the mirra card 

• You can see in picture 1 I used smooth card for the white background and stamped a greeting in the top right hand corner. Lay your die cut onto the card and before adhering with dimensional foam,  stamp your greeting and then add your tree.

Tips: You may need to cut your dimensional foam pieces very small if using a lacy tree die. Make sure your foam adhesives are good quality and you will not need too many to get the raised effect you want, by cutting the tape into small pieces you can hide them in the wider parts of the tree.

In the second picture I have embossed the background white card with small dots and with this card you will need to add a greeting stamped onto a separate piece of card 

This picture shows an added greeting , and I have used another die I have. This die is smaller so I have cut the background card & mirra card to go with the size of the die, It still sits on the 6" x 6"  card, you just need to decide on the position of your layers.

Check Back soon for more Christmas card ideas

Happy crafting
Dee

12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 1

Hello Crafters


I hope you are all getting ready to start your Christmas Card making, I know crafters out there who make for Christmas Fairs have probably finished now, but this series is for all of you who keep saying you are going to get around to making all your cards this year and have never quite managed it.

You should start by sorting out your Christmas craft stash and taking a good look at what you already have. I have packs of 6" square scalloped cards in white and cream and decided these would be my base card for my makes this year, as this would simplify things.

Then decide a theme for your Cards this year. I have done this by selecting my favourite dies, stamps and embossing folders and letting them fuel my imagination for the designs I am going to use.

You may wish to then set yourself a goal to the number of cards you wish to make and the amount of different designs to use bearing in mind every new design will add production time as you start the process anew for each new layout.

I soon realised that by deciding on mainly die-cutting designs I would be able to produce quite a few cards in a relatively short time. 

The 12 days of Christmas Cards are the designs I came up with once I decided the materials I would use, and I hope they will inspire you to get your stash out and start crafting.

Here is a really simple design to start Day 1

This card uses:
1 Scalloped card white 6" square or 15cm
1 piece of mirra card 14cm x 11cm
1 piece of white card embossed using a 'Crafts Too' embossing folder 13cm x 10cm
a few gems 

The size of the embellishment was decided by the size and shape of the embossing folder

When making in numbers 
Cut all your white card to size and emboss 
Cut all your mirra card pieces 
Take out the number of cards you require based on the number of embossed pieces you have cut
Layer using a wet glue I used Pritt stick 
Then add your gems 
To make another look use chalks or (if you prefer distress inks) to lightly colour the surface
Or add a white or silver bow to the left corner 

Tips: 

• If you follow the sequence above you can put your embossing machine and cutting tool away ready to compile your cards, giving plenty of space on your craft desk
• I cut my mirra card centre out to use on other projects for a thrifty use of mirra card which is the most expensive item used. My embossed card sits on a frame of mirra card

By making a production line of the process you can make 10 cards an hour in this simple and effective design

Thank you for stopping by and look out for Day 2, coming soon.

Dee