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

MORE SHABBY CHIC ITEMS

Hi Crafters

As promised here are some more of the items I produced for the swap

This is a wand card. Instead of adding lacy edges around the centre rosette I have used vintage paper hearts and layered them onto a lacy square with swirls and ivy leaves 

One of my favourites makes at the moment. A paper ribbon. This was made using fabric paper, which is lovely and firm and had a cream vintage print. then wrapped with 2 styles of ribbon and a centre pearl added. 

A simple topper made from the same fabric paper as the ribbon and a metal Santoro Mirabelle embellishment in the centre which will made a pretty keepsake.  

Keep looking in, as tomorrow I start my 12 Cards of Christmas series. I would welcome any feedback or comments. 

Best Wishes
Dee

Shabby Chic Swap

Hi Crafters

A quick post today as it is already 8pm and I am ready to put my feet up.

I thought I would share with you some items I made for a swap. It is the first time I have been in  a swap group and I am really looking forward to it.

The theme this month is Shabby Chic, which I have not done for a while. It took some time to get the ideas flowing, but I found as I worked my way through the items that are listed for the swap, so ideas came to me. I started with the tags and card shown below.

As you can see the card has to have an envelope to go with it, and I am guessing it is the done thing to make it yourself.

Next post I will share the wand and notebook I made.

Happy Crafting

Dee

White & Silver Christmas Card

Hi Crafters

It has been a busy time of late. We are putting in a new kitchen and as hubby is doing the work himself it is stretching over weeks, with me tip-toeing around the kitchen area to get meals in between preparing for my craft day in October.

In preparation for the Craft Day I have been cutting and scoring for hours and days, as I want everyone to be able to make half a dozen cards, as well as a box and gift card holder. To be able to make and decorate all these in the time I have prepared all the layers. 

Whilst looking at all my die cuts and what we would use to decorate a card I consider any alternative card shapes that will take the same decorations, this way anyone wishing to make lots of cards can prepare the mass of die-cuts and then make the base cards for the different styles  to knock out a batch of cards in an afternoon.

As an example we will be working with die -cut trees for a pop up card, I laid out a few designs and then thought the same designs would work on a small step card. so made a quick sample to show an alternative use of the die cuts. More of that when I do my 12 Days of Christmas series in October.

Clearing the desk one day after a session if die cutting I came across some spare cut-outs of scroll edged circle and adding a couple of other die-cuts soon finished a small easel card. As it is not one that we shall be making on the 9th, I will share it with you now.

 Sorry that the background does not show up very well in the picture as it is silver mirra card.the easel card is just 4" square. You cannot see in the picture but I have layered the circle die cut to add dimension and then popped the head of the stag through to the front of the card with the trees sitting in the second layer.
The circle that is cut out has been used to add a greeting for the base of the card, and 4 diamante stones placed in each corner  

More Paper Ribbons

Hi Crafters

I cannot believe it is over a week since my last post. I have been away for a couple days break, and started prepping for my craft day so have not had much time to check out and make new items.

However I cannot do any crafting without some items being made that are not on the job list and sure enough while putting together one of the items for the November Craft day at North Petherton, I made a teepee card and added a paper ribbon from my stash to finish it.

Tidying the desk (or at least trying to make a start) I then made a "matchbook" to use up a length of card and again finished it with a ribbon from the stash on the desk. So I will add these to my post today to give some more ideas with the paper ribbons. 

As soon as I have another crafting session I intend to try out some of my new dies and I will have some new cards and to write about and post. So until then keep crafting and using up those oddments  making these great paper ribbons.  

This card has been made from Christmas paper. 3 x 4"squares

The ribbon made from matching card with a gold bell and greeting tag in the centre

The Teepee Card folds flat to post, but of course the added bell needs to be taken into account if posting the card, as this will make it a large letter size despite the card fitting an A6 envelope.

This is the "Matchbook" . It folds over the front like the old matchbooks and inside is a stack of Post It Notes. It is a pretty way of keeping them in a bag. 

Here is how I stash my semi-made ribbons. When I need one I just put my hot glue gun on, put the ribbon together and add the centre decoration. It means I can use up my odd card and prepare the ribbons in advance, when I have a few minutes spare (usually when I am suppose to be tidying the craft desk)

  

Dee