Kim Kesti
Since time is short, especially this time of year, I thought I would share a few tips on creating quick and easy holiday cards.
Also, several readers have asked for tips on printing sentiments on the computer, which I often do on my cards.
So, here we go…
First, a super easy card; this would be a great one to mass produce. I printed my sentiment on some basic kraft cardstock, punched two circles and added my single embellishment. What could be easier?
Here are a few tips for printing directly on your card: start with a standard size card, mine is 8.5″ wide, which fits perfectly in my printer prior to folding it. Second, keep your font simple (I love typewriter fonts).
Next, use a familiar program, like Word, and set your margins to fit your printable area (mine is 5.5″ x 4.25″).
Lastly, do a test run with inexpensive computer paper. You can see in my test run the sentiment was not quite centered on the card front. I simply added a few spaces in front of the words and it worked nicely.
I chose basic black for my cards, but don’t forget you can print in any color under the sun!
The second way to print your sentiment is even easier. Start by creating your Word document and printing your sentiment somewhere near the middle of the test paper. Then, simply take your pre-cut piece of cardstock and adhere it right on top of the printed paper (temporary adhesive works the best). You can hold the paper up to the light to help you get it positioned just right.
Then, run it right back through the printer. If you start with cardstock larger than your card, you even trim it later on to fit just right. Otherwise, use the “eyeball” method and you’ll be just fine.
After adhering the panel, I added some glossy bells and a piece of baker’s twine. Easy! Remember, you don’t need a whole bunch of embellishments for a simple card. Sometimes, less is more. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our Simple Sentiments Gallery for more ideas on computer printed sentiments. The best part? You can download them right HERE!
I hope these tips help you during this busy time. I don’t know about you, but I still have a stack of Christmas cards needing to go postal. How about a little giveaway to add some holiday spirit to your paper crafting? Leave me a comment about your favorite Christmas card and I’ll enter you to win these lovely and classic embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Thursday, Dec. 16.
One lucky winner will take home this fun prize package from LYB!
Happy Holidays!
Kim Kesti,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
Simple is definitely better when it comes to crunch time!! I love the card with the bells…love that bakers twine! I have done intricate, stamped cards some years, and simple cards other years. This year I went with patterned paper , printed tags, and then stamped the sentiment and inked the edges. A great compromise!
I like the Christmas Stocking card. My cards this years were fairly simple, just embossed a Christmas Tree Stamp and had gold sticker packages underneat it on the outside. Inside was stamped with Happy Holidays. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Your cards may be fast but they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your great tips! My favorite card is one of the ones I just made. It had more layers and dimension than I usually do. I love those cute embellishments, thank you for the chance to win them!
My favourite Christmas card is this which I made last month.
Love the bells card. So fun!
JoAnn
Love all your ideas. Thanks for the tips on printing–maybe I’ll finally get brave and try it! My favorite Christmas card I received this year is a picture card of my second cousin and his wife and baby who live across the country from me. My favorite card I made was my first shabby chic attempt in reds with a gorgeous scroll tree stamp. Thanks for the chance to win these great products!
Thank you so much for the printing tips! I’ve always stayed away from using my printer, just because I wasn’t sure how it would work!!! Now that you’ve shared this, I just might be able to whip together some Christmas cards (I had decided to not send any this year)!!!
I love your cards, the stocking is adorable!
Thanks so much for sharing!!!
~Ola
okj83 at live dot com
Oops, I forgot….. my favorite Christmas cards are quick & simple. I have such a large family and then throw in friends, teachers, coaches, etc. I want it to be quick, but heartfelt & nice!
~Ola
okj83 at live dot com
Love the stocking card. So simple and quick. Thanks for the printing tips. I always spend so much time figuring it out.
you are such a genius!
since I make all of our Christmas cards, my favorite is any that’s quick and simple to make
PS. LOVE the deck the halls card!!
my favourite Christmas cards are ones that are simple and neat, handmade with love (: it definitely beats store bought cards any day!
tks for the chance to win! (:
I agree with everyone, many times “simple” is best. I really like your card with the stocking and circles. Your eyes are really focused and drawn into that card. Great job!!!
Love the instructions and simplistic nature of the cards. The favorite one that I made was just a simple tree with a holiday saying. Thanks for the ideas.
Working on our Holiday cards today in hopes of having them ready for post by friday
Clean and simple is my fav, especially now, LOL! Thanks and Happy Holidays!!!
Saving these great instructions. Thanks so much for sharing them.
I really like both of these Christmas cards. May just need to copy them. I enjoy the simpleness about them.
Thanks for the great tips. Both cards are wonderful!
My fav this year is one I made with little jingle bells on it. It will be hand delivered so it won’t need postage. The sound just makes me feel happy!
My favourite Christmas card was one that I made using pieced fabric put onto cardstock with steam-a-seam. It looked just like a quilt!
Super tips on how to print! Loved this fun article and I learned some wonderful new ideas too! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks for your tips! I just love your card with the jingle bells!!
Your bell card is so cute. Thanks for the idea!!
I love both cards but my favorite is the simple stocking card it is so cute. TFS
my favorite christmas card is here on my blog….
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YNDy8zFuqo4/TPE6ILaBFsI/AAAAAAAABhc/NOoL2zQqAgs/s1600/DSC07751e.jpg
oh and i love this one too:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YNDy8zFuqo4/TPE6NEw6dEI/AAAAAAAABhg/iWBfAcjSiVI/s1600/DSC07750e.jpg
Love that bells card! Too cute!
*smiles*
debbi
i {heart} the jingle bells card.
SO CUTE!
The jingle bell card is lovely! Simple and cute – my fave
Love the Deck The Halls card! So cute with the bells banner on bakers twine!
Those cards are awesome! I love them, it puts me in the Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas!
What cute decorations! I love the string of jingle bells card! Very festive! Thanks for sharing.
Great cards and tips. Thanks.
Awesome cards. I just love those jingle bells.
What a fun kit.
My favorite Christmas card had penguins on it. They were stacked to make a Christmas tree and all of them were holding lights.
I made a simple snowman card and had the snowman holding a string of minature Christmas bulbs from the dollar store! so cute but so simple!
I made a penguin trio card for my son and grandson for Christmas. these turned out so cute! I was very pleased with them. Also, loved your jingle bells card! Thanks for the great give-away!
I love vintage looking cards, those are my favorites! And funny thing is, some of my Xmas cards had Jingle Bells on them this year too. I bought simple premade base cards ones last year (at 90% off!) and added my own embellishments on them to make them my own, they turned really cute too!
My fave Christmas card would be one with the “One Solitary Life” poem on it. always gets to me…
My favorite Christmas cards are glittery ones!