Kim Kesti
Okay, I suppose it’s not the official Christmas rush yet, but when October rolls around I usually start getting a little anxious about my Christmas cards. I like to plan them in October, take a Christmas photo and make my cards in November, and mail them out first week in December.
This fall at Creating Keepsakes Convention, Paper Crafts magazine teaches a fun class called Kick Start Christmas. I taught this class recently when convention was held in Glendale, Arizona. It really inspired me to “kick start” my own card plans. And better yet, one of the techniques we teach in our class is how to make Christmas cards with non-holiday paper. I thought that was a really interesting challenge. So, when I got home I decided to try it. I’m really happy with the results.
I grabbed a bunch of black, red and green scraps from my drawer and punched a whole batch of circles. I also choose a few creams for a neutral touch. I inked the edges of all the circles with black; this helped unify all the patterns. I stamped a little folksy bird (a non-holiday stamp) and a simple sentiment (both stamps are from Hero Arts). A bright touch of polka dot ribbon finished this guy off. What a fun, simple and inexpensive card to reproduce!
How are doing on your holiday cards? How about a little more inspiration? I’d like to send one lucky reader the card pictured above plus these previously published cards.
One lucky winner will take home ALL of these festive cards!
Just leave a comment below about your holiday card making adventures and you’ll be entered to win! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Happy card making!
Kim Kesti,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
I waffle back and forth every year about whether to make holiday cards. I’d like to make the cards because being crafty is fun, but then to actually write a message inside, address them, send them, etc. is this whole other monster that I just don’t want to deal with.
I have the supplies for Holiday cards, but none made yet!
I am actually a little farther ahead in them this year than I was last year. This fall I have been joining in on more blog challenges and have used those opportunities to make holiday cards. I also attended a fundraising crop a couple of weeks ago and I made several holiday card fronts. I just took a class last month on Iris Folding so I made several fronts using a die cut snowflake and Christmas tree. I also belong to a card night group who meets monthly to make cards. We started last month making at least one Christmas card and our Nov. card night will be all Christmas. Yippee! I still have a long way to go, but at least I have a good start. Thanks for a chance to win, too!
I love that card with all the circles on it . . . I have the stamp set that I want to use to create my Christmas cards . . . now I just need to decide on the colors and then find the time to make the cards!!
I have two cards made–that sure will not go very far. This year I have seen more cards done in non-traditional pastel colors and want to give that a try. My cards must be simple though for an assembly line production. I have tried the making one card for a specific person and it is a no go due to time this year.
I have made several Christmas cards, but I haven’t found the design I want to make a mass production, so I can mail them out! I like Ribbon way to much, and the ones I mail out I try not to make it to bulky, so I need to put the ribbon down and start on them!
Kim, you are a card-making goddess! Me? I’ve thought about Xmas cards, and I have a skiing pic (from Spring Break) all picked out. I’m thinking I’ll use a kraft background this year, but thinking is all I’ve been doing…no actual “doing” yet!
Last year, in early Dec., my kids and husband went on an overnight camping trip and I stayed up ’til 3-4 AM working on cards. Managed to get them out soon after that, but I don’t want to wait ’til Dec. again!
Awesome christmas cards!
Beautiful!!!
Very beautiful card!
I’m signed up for the “Kick Start Christmas” class at CKC – Seattle…I’ve already started working on this year’s Christmas cards. It’s never too early or too late to get inspiration, though!
Those are great cards ! And I need all the inspiration I can get…seem to be missing mojo !
I love your card – clean &graphic & easy to make. I will use the idea substituting a picture of our family for one of the punches. This is truly very do-able. like you I send cards out right after Thanksgiving to my overseas freinds and family; the ones States-side go out in early December. I’d lOVe to win these cards – thank you!
great christmas cards. Love the designs
I love all these cute cards. I am usually really bad about getting my cards made on time each year but with all the fantastic blog challenges I already have a stack ready to mail this year!
My holiday card making adventures are non-existent right now. I have got to get busy!!!
i have never made ‘holiday’ cards…too much work! but your examples today, kim, give me hope! they are simple, graphic and *happy*! thanks! ~k
LOVE these card ideas. I’m started on my cards but it’ll come down to the wire and I’ll be stressing with the last 50 or so to make.
So lately i have been VERY into fabric. I don’t sew though so i look for ways to use it without having to whip out my sewing machine. Pathetic…i know! BUT with my die cut machine i can cut fabric so i think i’m gonna try some holiday cards and incorporate fabric! I’m so excited. The card made from scraps that says Joy with the circles has inspired me!! SO thanks for the inspiration!!
This cards are awesome. I too, have started my Christmas cards. Having fun with them!!!
Lori
As for my holiday cards this year…I have made a pact with myself. NO SPENDING ANY MONEY!! I want to use what I have on hand and put together all my cards. I know I can do it, plenty in the stash! I’m loving the ideas of making the Christmas cards with everyday paper…handy! With this said, I better get busy…now…if only the postage could be FREE too
Great Christmas cards. I can’t even begin to think of Christmas yet–still enjoying the Halloween rush. Guess I’ll hit the Christmas rush next and worry about cards then.
I have started my cards–mainly because I”m in a Christmas card swap group and I have to have them in the mail to the hostess by Nov 1st! I’ve been making my own cards for about the past 12 years, each time trying to “outdo” the last one. I try to do a different idea each year, make one card for that season and everyone gets the same card. Because I make so many, I have to come up with an assembly line type idea. The year I ruptured a disc and was laid up for 6 weeks, flat on my back awaiting surgery, I used making the cards as distraction. My DH complained a bit when he found glitter in the bed–it was grand distraction and my kids were great to sneak in my supplies to me–word advice–don’t glitter in the bed with a kitty cat at your side–you get a real sparkly kitty ’cause they like to play with it.
I did Halloween cards this year for all the close friends and family, and starting this weekend I’m starting on Christmas cards…I think it’s gonna take me THAT long to get them all done for all the people I want to make cards for. haha! Love the cards…I like the circle one the best!
I’m making my Christmas Cards this year, maybe
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