My first homemade holiday cards
November 30th, 2009
This year I challenged myself to make my own holiday cards – my first attempt…ever. I’ll admit, it takes a lot of time, but I’m so happy with the finished product and I know the recipients will be too. My holiday card design was inspired to by things: 1. Annie’s blog entry about the Halloween wreath card and 2. an amazing assortment of Italian scrap paper that my friend brought back for me from her trip this summer (a gift only a true paper lover could appreciate).
Packed inside the simple plastic bag were scraps of paper no bigger than note cards (and many much, much smaller) with pattern after pattern – intricate, colorful, elegant…totally inspiring. I’ve been stumped over the past few months as to how to use them, but when I saw Annie’s card idea using decorative punches I knew this scrap paper was perfect.
I created a few different holiday card designs all using the same components – A2 folded cards onto which I printed a holiday greeting and decorative punches (either a leaf branch or snowflake shape). I used Zots to apply the paper punches, and embellished some cards with crystal adhesives. I love that they’re a bit non-traditional in color.
I still have many more to create – good thing I got started in November!
–Kristen
PS colors: lake & chocolate
Latest fave: Decorative Atomizers
I envy you for the nice collection of paper that you received. Your cards are superb.
those are lovely…i wish i had the patience to make my own christmas cards!
Those are such beautiful paper scraps! The final Christmas cards look lovely!!
Well done, You!!!! and I totally get the joy over a gift of scrap paper… and, here is a tip I’ll share with you to ease the time issue a bit when making your own cards… instead of creating each card from start to finish, you can create some efficiencies without losing the ‘creativity’ aspect by working production-line style… so 1st, create your embellishments, punches, etc; next stamp your cards with your greetings; then finally attach your designs to the cards to create your one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
…scatter joy…
lindy
collagecafe04.blogspot.com
wow, those turned out to be quite lovely. go punches!
Kristen,
Your cards turned out fab-u-lous!! I would never have guessed it was your first time making holiday cards. You should be very proud of yourself.
Any chance you could take close up shots of each card – I’d love to see how the papers look on each card.
thanks,
~zoie in ks
Your cards are so creative and festive with the different, non-traditional holiday colors. I have yet to start on my own, but will for sure be using PS supplies! =)
Very nice. I, too, am jealous of the gift of paper scraps. Well done.
So impressive! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!
What a smart way to use scraps. They’re very elegant!