Thursday, December 13, 2012

Let's make Some Christmas Cards!

Happy Thursday! Ron here with a quick formula for making your holiday cards this year. Yeah, I know it's already December 13th, but this year just got away from me - so many things to get done and not enough hours in the day many times. I'm not complaining - I've had so much fun this year and being busy is great, but before I knew it, it was December, and I hadn't started making my Christmas cards yet! What's a crafter to do? Buckle down, and git 'em done, that's what!

I actually had a really cool idea for a card - I saw some fir trees made out of paper on Pinterest and thought I could make those for the front of my card - Jac and I even talked about it in October, but talking about it is as far as I got. By the time December 1st rolled around, I realized that I'd have to shelve that idea until next year and come up with something simpler.

I do a lot of my creative thinking while driving to and from work each day - it's the same route everyday and I can come up with some good stuff in that half hour commute, so on the morning of Dec 3rd, I designed a simple card in my head while I was driving. That afternoon during my lunch break, I searched GHM! for the papers that I'd need and quickly placed an order for a few things (including the WOW Holiday UM sheet for this year - after all, I'd need a sentiment stamp for the inside of the card, right?).

My order arrived on Saturday (those fine folks at the Mothership are so speedy! Thanks, Beth & Deb!!) and I got to work. First the Tan 12X12  from Comfort Zone - this would become the card base. I had purchased a box of 250 A6 envelopes a few years ago, so this year's card would be 4X6. I quickly scored and cut 20 sheets of paper to make 60 cards (yeah, I make about 60 cards each year for Christmas). Tricia taught me that if you score before you cut, you save a bunch of time - I only had to score 20 times for these cards! Here's my scoring and cutting diagram:

Next was a small green panel for the front - I chose the green from Full Circle - it's a nice muddy green - I was going for a subdued look this year. I needed pieces that were 2¼X6, so this is how I cut them:

I started with the 6 inch cut, then stacked the 2 6X12s and cut both at the same time with my trusty 12" Tonic Trimmer at 11¼, 9, 6¾, 4½, and 2¼ - 10 panels per sheet, so I only needed 6 sheets of paper for this. (And very little waste - just a couple of 6X¾ strips per sheet - which I know you could all come up with a use for!)

Lastly, I cut some Equestrian Ivory card stock into 2¾ inch squares and stamped them with a snowflake from the 2010 Silent Night Kit using Earth ink. I inked all the edges with the Earth ink, too - love those inked edges! Here's how I cut those squares:

I start by trimming the paper down to 11X11, then cut at 8¼, 5½, and 2¾. Then cut each of the strips using the same measurements. Easy-peasy!

I decided that the front of the card needed a little pop of color, so I opted for some red & white baker's twine (just happened to have a spool of it on my craft table!). Finally I stamped the inside and the back ('cuz they're homemade by me, after all!). Now I just have to sign them, write out the envelopes, and get 'em into the mail (um, once I go to the Post Office to buy the stamps!). With any luck, I'll still manage to get 'em into the mail in a few days. Some folks might even get them before Christmas!



Here's the finished card:

Whew! I usually don't wait this long to make my cards, but it's nice to know that it is possible to create some nice (and fairly easy) cards in record time - thanks to the fast service at CS® and some careful cutting!

In celebration of the upcoming holidays, the Club Scrap Creates! Blog is hosting "12 Days of Giveaways!" For 12 days (from Dec 11-23), we'll give away a Club kit to one lucky winner, chosen at random, from those who write comments on the post, through midnight (CS/Central time), each day.

Today's prize is a Comfort Zone Club Stamp Kit with Project. To qualify for this giveaway, simply leave a comment below, by midnight tonight (Thursday, Dec. 13th). A winner will be chosen at random and will be announced here tomorrow morning.

That's it for this week - now go and create something wonderful

62 comments:

  1. That's a great card formula! I'll definitely use that in the future. My cards for this year have already been made and sent:)

    Theresa S

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  2. I hardly ever get around to making cards cause it seems so hard, but with this formula, I just know I can whip a few up - Thanks Ron!

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  3. pat-czap says...way to go Ron! The cards are wonderful. I am not a Christmas card maker...but you certainly inspire me!
    I still have to get my "store bought" cards in the mail...

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  4. Terrific Ron. Thank you so much.

    AnnetteD

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  5. RON! What a fantastic formula and your card is stunning! So simple and beautiful. Love the addition of the bakers twine.

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  6. I did 90 this year Ron, with help from CS in the Holiday Wow card packs, that really saved me big time, less cutting and stuff-but it is always still a lot of work-hope they get out on time for you!

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  7. Great formula, Ron! Love it! (And with that 4x6 size, it's perfect for including a 4x6 digital Christmas card, too!)

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  8. Love this simple card, Ron! Thanks for the instructions.

    p.s. I made my cards all year, but haven't sent them out yet either. So I'm in the same boat with ya. I'm buckling down and getting them out ASAP!

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  9. Ron, This is an easy formula that could be used for so many different types of cards. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. I too am behind on my Christmas Cards. Thanks for the quick fix formula. I hope to have them in the mail by Saturday!

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  11. Great card design.... I think I'll be using this for my next batch of Operation Write Home cards....

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  12. These are awesome cards! I'll be making my cards this weekend. Scoring before cutting, genius!

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  13. Score the paper first?! BRILLIANT. I think Tricia was holding out on me. Love the addition of the bakers twine.

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  14. Score the paper first?! BRILLIANT. I think Tricia was holding out on me. Love the addition of the bakers twine.

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  15. Love this kind of cutting formula - wonderful to create cards quickly - thanks!

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  16. Ron, I haven't stated my Christmas Cards either. This is a great! Love it!

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  17. That is so awesome. I haven't been able to find time to make any cards this year. Barely squeezing in time to sign store-bought cards.

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  18. Ron, great little formula! It's perfect for some assembly line card making!

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  19. Wow, Ron - you've almost inspired me to make Christmas cards - almost..... :)

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  20. Fantastic formula - I made my swap Christmas cards in November but will be making my regular ones this weekend and they will need to hold a 4x6 photo so very timely too!!

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  21. Ron,
    Really love these cards . . . and I found myself just shy of cards for all my Peeps, so guess what I'm gonna quick make!?!
    Thanks a Ho! Ho! Ho! bunch!!
    Mary in WI

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  22. Great formula, now I can make a few more cards. TFS

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  23. Very cool cards, Ron! I got mine made, but now have to write them! Barbara

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  24. Love your cards, Ron, and since I still haven't started mine =:o I may be copying them myself!

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  25. Great idea!! Saving this one for sure!!
    Lisa K

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  26. Ron, don;t feel bad, I made a bunch o0f Christmas cards on Monday too! Good luck with getting them to the PO.
    Cathy Gray

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  27. Thanks so much for this great tutorial Ron! I too am behind on getting my cards out so this was a really big help!

    Blessings,
    Melitta

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  28. Ron love the card!!! I still need to get Christmas cards done!

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  29. Now I am tempted to attempt making some cards yet this year! Or I could use them next year ;)

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  30. Always love a new formula. Makes me think. Thanks.
    Marian Biegel

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  31. That is a card formula that will work all year! Thanks.
    Diane Young

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  32. Oh Ron, you are always an inspiration. I LOVE your cards and they look so do-able too!

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  33. Brilliant! I will be making cards this weekend :-). And now I know what they're going to look like! Thanks so much, Ron

    Penelope

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  34. I really like the non-traditional colors you used for this, normally I would go with white and blue for snowflakes, but this really works well.

    - Melissa Kershes

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  35. Thanks for the great instructions for assembly line cardmaking. We all need that this time of year.

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  36. What a wonderful card Ron, I will have to use this idea next year, I spent way to many hours this year making my Christmas Cards. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  37. Great job, Ron! I always love snowflakes. On cards. I'm in AZ, so not on the ground. LOL
    -Beth Moran

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  38. Thanks so much, Ron. I am new to card making so I am always on the lookout for ideas to make simple but gorgeous cards. I will definitely use this since I too have a few more cards to make.--Barbara Lamoree

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  39. Great formula, Ron! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  40. Thanks for sharing this, Ron. I really needed something simple for the few Christmas cards I have to make.

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  41. Thanks for the idea. I so need to do Christmas cards this weekend.

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  42. Scoring before cutting!!!! Well, duh - why didn't i think of that!
    Great formula, and a wonderful, quick yet elegant design!

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  43. Great idea. Perhaps I'll use this next year. I'm done with this year. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. Luv this idea, luv your cards, especailly luv the fact of learning ways to do projects or cards easier. Thanks to Tricia & Ron for this formula :)

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  45. Love your card Ron! Thank you for the formula.

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  46. I haven't started my cards yet either! Ron, your idea is fantastic! Thanks for sharing the Tricia tip of scoring before you cut~ I don't make a whole lot of cards so that was a new idea for me!

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  47. Simple is often best, as your card shows. Very nice!

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  48. Thanks for a great idea and alsb for cards and I'm glad I'm not the only one behind schedule. I haven't done cards, other than the CS swap, or put up any decorations at all. Too many hours of work at the moment.

    Love the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Opp...

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  49. Thanks for the awesome cardstock cutting guide and super quick card design! I haven't done anything yet about cards, either, so I might be using your idea very soon! TFS!

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  50. I love these cards, Ron! And I"m still working on putting mine together. I think I'll be saving this formula for next time!

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  51. Great idea... and timely too, since DH is bugging me about cards!

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  52. Great idea... and timely too, since DH is bugging me about cards!

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  53. Since I haven't started on my cards other than the card I made for the CS swap, I may NEED to CASE this card. Looks like a nice, simple, quickly made in batches card to do
    TFS
    Elizabeth

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  54. Great ideas, Ron! And great tip from Tricia too!

    Marsha Petty

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  55. What a nice card and a very good idea to score the paper before cutting it!

    Hugs, Herma

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  56. Great ideal, love the fact that they're flat and mailable :)

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  57. love the cutting for these adorable cards

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  58. Love it Ron, This is great for those last min Opps I forgot one or two or three cards!!

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  59. Cool formulae....I will use it too. Will start today. Thanks for chance to win....sakortan@gmail.com

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