Lindsay's Stamp Stuff - Quick Christmas Cards

This week Lindsay challenged her DT to create quick (10 minute or less) cards. (Think easy to "mass produce", even though I don't like this phrase for hand made items.)






Here are the steps to make this card.

1. Cut a standard A2 (5-1/2 x 4-1/4 inches) card base. You can get 2 card bases out of a single piece of CS by cutting it at the 5-1/2 mark. You could also use pre-cut/purchased card bases.


2. I cut another piece of card stock slightly smaller (approximately 5-3/8 x 4-1/8 inches). You will get 4 of these and a little scrap out of single piece of card stock.


3. I ran the above piece through my Big Shot using an embossing folder. I used the large dots because I like them but you can use any folder you like. The snowflake folder would look good too.


4. I imported the sleigh clip art image into MS Word and reduced to 35%. I used the "Rotate" image button to flip it horizontally. I didn't count how many of these you can get on a single page, but you can get quite a few. Print using the "best" quality and "color" settings on your printer.


5. I used my Big Shot and Spellbinders Nestabilities dies to cut my circle. (TIP: Use painter's tape to hold your die where you want it when running it through your die cut machine. It prevents it from moving and is easy to peel off.) You can trace a circle and hand cut or use any circle cutting system you have.


6. I imported the designer paper into MS Word. I changed my margins to "0" on all sides and dragged the DP image to cover the entire page. Print using the settings mentioned above.


7. Cut the DP into strips 2 x 5-3/8 inches. Again, I didn't count how many you get, but there are quite a few.


8. I had coordinating aqua CS in my stash. You could skip using it or use another coordinating color. I cut a strip 2-1/8 x 5-3/8 inches to mat my DP strip. I cut an additional piece using my Big Shot and a Spellbinders label die. You could mat the sleigh with another circle, a scallop, what ever you would like or skip this step.


9. Adhere the layers together. (See my note on paper piercing below.) I added a piece of velvet ribbon I had in my stash. I didn't tie in a bow to keep the card flat and easier to mail. I also found it quicker if I didn't have to fuss with a bow.


10. Add any additional embellishments you would like. I stamped "Noel" and added 3 gemstones.

Note: On my card, I added some paper piercing around the circle and the white embossed panel. Again, you could skip this but I liked the little extra it added. It did take some extra time. If you want to pierce your paper, do it before adhering the layers together.

If you have questions on any of these steps, please feel free to email me at shestamps11-blogs at yahoo dot com.



I hope this inspires you to get those Christmas & holiday cards made. Please visit the blogs of the rest of the DT to see what they have to show you this week.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer) - check Lindsay's blog for her weekly freebie!
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Laurel Seabrook
Leanne Garner
Margie Visnick
Micki Harper
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen


Supplies:

• Stamps: Winterland from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff (mygrafico.com), Tree Trimming Trio from PaperTrey
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, misc. aqua textured CS, Winterland DP from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
• Inks: Close To My Heart Crystal Blue
• Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, paper piercing tool, Provocraft Seeing Spots embossing folder
• Embellishments: Misc. gemstones & velvet ribbon

Challenges:

• Gimme a Break Challenge - Manic Monday #1 sketch
• 2 Sisters Challenge - non-traditional Christmas colors
• Alphabet Challenge - embossing
• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Anything Goes
• A Crafty Little Place - anything goes
• Crazy Challenge - On the Go
• Creative Belli - "R"embellishments (Ribbon - from Target $1.00 clearance bin 1 or 2 years ago)
• Iris's Spot - Christmas
• Korte O Mania - Christmas
• Lots to Do - Embossing
• Mygrafico - Christmas Giveaway challenge
• Mygrafico - anything goes
• Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
• Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
• Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes