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 hope that class is available in the Seattle convention next month!
Awesome christmas cards!
love those cards….thanks for the inspiration. I am busy creating some too…sparkles are fun, bling too.
Such fun and sweet cards!
Adventures in Christmas card making… How about it envolves lots of chocolate,screaming, and running about till I finally get hit with the “THIS IS IT” card… as a matter of fact I already started the process and well I think I need more chocolate!
The cards are great! This is my first year making christmas cards so I think I will go with and assortment and that way I can have fun experimenting and playing with everything I have available to me!
no, no, no …. I am not done with Halloween cards yet, let alone Thanksgiving!
Sandra
I love the circle card – I have way too much designer paper that I need to use up so I can see making a bunch of generic cards using the circles, and just stamping the appropriate sentiment at the time it is needed – genius!!
Thanks!
Alison
Your card is adorable! And very easy to reproduce with a circle punch. I’ve started on my christmas cards and started stamping and cutting out christmas trees last night to go on them. Whew..so much work!
WOW, I love your none traditional paper Christmas card! Beautiful yet simple! I am all finished with my 50 Christmas cards, and let me tell you they weren’t that simple!
Love the cards! I make a few different holiday cards each month throughout the year and stash them. If I find one I really like, I’ll make several more. I love to make different ones for all the “different” people in my life:)
Great card. I have started making my cards for this year. I’ve cut the base card, run a layer through the cuttlebug and that’s it for right now. I still have to stamp my sentiment on the outside, print my inside sentiment, add the sparkle of glitter and assemby everything and mail them out.
Janet
i’ve been making Christmas cards for a month already, getting ready for a craft fair mid next month!!
Cute cards!! I love to pick one or two designs and make lots of them in assembly line fashion. It makes me nervous if I don’t have the design picked by Halloween, so I would call this the Christmas Rush too.
Oh wow this is my favourite time of year making Christmas cards….i absolutely love it!!! I like to make an assortment…never any one the same! Thank you for such amazing inspiration
Bonnie x
Love the cards and I have started my christmas cards but stopped this week to get my halloween shaker cards made for the little ones in the family. I came across some little bits themed for halloween to put in them.
I always have great intentions to send Christmas cards. Making them? I’ve actually made a whole selection of random cards. Yet to send them. This is the year, I hope!
I love your circle card! I still don’t have plans for my Christmas cards yet. We’re getting a family picture taken on Saturday, so we’ll see how that turns out and take it from there.
The inking of the circles really brought it all together. Lovely!
awe, all those cards are so cute!
Maybe receiving these cards would put a stop to my procrastination (?) I keep looking at cards in the magazines (new issue I just received and the old ones from past years, and I think I have a block about what papers to use! I need to find a decent pack of Christmas papers – not just red/green.
Thanks Kim for the great idea!! Thanks for the chance to win your lovies!!
I think I have a handful of cards done so far, but need to get going on more. I’ve been playing with other types of cards, but am feeling the crunch now. Thanks for the great ideas and a chance to win.
I have been making my holiday cards since May, I want to be ahead of the game. Now I realize that I am going to have to use padded envelopes, as some of them have 2D embellishments on them. I have to try one like yours, it would much easier come sending time. Thanks!
Hugs,
Tanya
http://trudd.blogspot.com/
Sometiems I think that i like looking at other ppl’s creativity more than getting to my own projects, though I am thrilled when a project works out! I bought MME Christmas paper last year and never got to it, so am looking forward to using it along w/ some stamps that I purchased from a n Etsy-er: elles. She makes her own line of stamps and scrapbook embellies. I think I am a new fan! LOL! Thanks for the chance to win! I am such a red/green girl…LOVE the card! Gives me a jumping off point!
love all of the cards pictured!..i am thinking it is time to get my circle punch out and make some cards…i really love the way the 1st card looks & what a great way to use some scraps….
What pretty cards. The last few years I’ve made digital cards, but I’m thinking that I may go hybrid this year with my cards, or at least put some stamping on my envelopes. Guess I need to start thinking about what I do want to do!
Great cards. I especially like the Merry & Bright card. This year I’m thinking of making Penny Black Christmas cards.
i am really liking the idea of using non holiday papers, tried it last night and loved the results!
I love all your cards
Thanks for the inspiration with that circle card! I can see it being a go-to design!
Trying not to get anxious about the holiday cards yet- I did buy my PTI tree trio with big plans…. 
I am new to card making and this is my first year to TRY and make a few! Going to a class tomorrow night. Love your cards.
I have a plan for my Christmas cards in my head…….while I work to finish my Thanksgiving cards. Happy to say Halloween cards were addressed over the weekend.
~Shari R.
Sweet Cards! I’m making some cards with a 3-D dress on the front, sort of a Mrs. Clause card. Thanks for the holiday post.
sweet cards! i started really late last year and some didn’t make it out if the house!! Yikes, hope this year I’ll get right on them!!
These cards are wonderful! I am so embarrassed, but I am so bad about sending out holiday cards. I do always make cards for close friends and family though. I think I will be using Hero Art’s Jolly Christmas on those!
I started on my cards this week…then had to babysit, so didn’t get far, but I am ready to get “back on the wagon” and work on them! Your designs are so cute…I can hardly wait to get started again!
Very awesome cards. When I make holiday cards I like them to be elegant but yet simple especially if I have a bunch to make.
I would love to make tons of xmas cards this year. Last year was my first experience & I feel like I’m getting better every day!
I have not attempted to make Christmas cards YET. I have a large number {between 100 & 125} to create. I’m thinking something simple and fun!
I am making holiday tag and card sets to give to family and friends around Thanksgiving time. That way I can focus on Christmas and fun stuff for me and my family and they have their tags to use for Christmas!
I have some elements I want to use- a cute penguin cut out- where to go from there? I’ll have to keep trying things until I get the look and feel I want. I’m sure I’ll find it soon. Happy Christmas card making!
Last year my dad assigned me to make cards and a treat for his coworkers. I ended up making about 10 cards. I found these dimensional penguin stickers that were ADORABLE!! plus some dark red cardstock and light green polka-dot paper…they turned out super cute, and all his coworkers loved them! And the trio of homemade muffins helped, too! =)
Great inspiration here; I like the idea of using my DP scraps for my cards. By using non-traditional paper, it seems you are guaranteed to have a truly unique card unlike anyone else’s. I started making a holiday card a day since August, so I just might have enough ready to go after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the chance to win; I LOVE that gnome card.
I make cards for gifts. I have already started. I purchased my paper all summer long. I have a few designes going already. I will make about 400 cards. good luck all.
I have been making the Christmas cards all summer long but I give my cards to charity and to meet my goal to send out, I kind of need to start those cards earlier than I start my other family/friends cards. What a great giveaway!
I love to make Christmas cards all year long but I still find myself rushing around at the last minute trying to get everything done! Thanks for the chance to win!
I am such a terrible procrastinator… I’ll be making my Christmas cards after Christmas if my track record is any sign.
I went to a Christmas card class with my sister-in-law so I’ve officially begun! I’ve made one and now am ready to mass produce. Thanks for the chance to win.
October isn’t to early for Christmas cards. Since those are the type of cards I pass out the most I try and make them throughout the year.
I’ve just started planning my holiday cards this week, now I need to get busy on them! I like the easy ideas here, thanks!