I'm A Sucker For Cards {Leftover Christmas Cards}

I hate throwing out Christmas cards. I love opening up the mailbox and seeing a handwritten envelope, then to open it up to a beautiful Christmas card with family/friends pictures, notes, etc. I have an attachment to them, I have never been able to discard them.  Last year I discovered a brilliant idea from Michelle of Me and My Scraps.  She created a handmade book which contained all her Christmas cards through the years.  To check out her post, click on the link above. This year I stumbled upon a similar idea from the brilliant girls over at Eighteen25 and they included two beautiful free printable covers to print out to make your own Christmas books.  With free covers, I knew this would be an easy task that I could get accomplished quite quickly instead of creating my own and procrastinating. I love their free printables! Click on the link above the check out their post and to download your free covers.  My mom loved the book so much that she gave me her cards so that I could make hers into a booklet too. The pictures below are from the book I created for my mom:

I personalized the cover myself by adding A Jillian Vance Design stamps - Swirly Monograms Stamp Set - I used the numbers and embossed the year onto the cover using Martha Stewart Embossing Powder.

(Instructions and Supply List):
1) Took Tim Holtz Grungeboard Book Covers for the front and back of the book;
2) Used Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Firebrick and painted the front cover;
3) Added Maya Road Red Satin pleated ribbon;
4) Used Glossy Accents to adhere everything;
5) Added Ranger Stickles in Xmas Red;
6) Inserted Satin Teal Ribbon in between the grungeboard and the page cover so that I can tie the book shut;
7) Inked up the page cover with chalk ink, to give the page a more defined look.
8) Took pattern paper from DCVW Tis' The Season Stack and traced around the covers. Did this 3 times for the inside of the front cover and for both sides of the back cover. I inked them up with chalk ink as well.
9) Added Satin Teal Ribbon in between the grungeboard and the back page cover so that the book can be tied shut by a bow.
10) Personalized front cover by embossing the year using A Jillian Vance Design Stamps and Martha Stewart Embossing Powder.
11) Added Diamond Wrap from one of my favourite craft supply stores!

Christmas In July - Christmas Card Monday!

Welcome to the week long Christmas in July! Today is Christmas card Monday.  What I learned last year is that it is really important when creating cards in bulk for the Christmas season to stick to a simple, non-complitcated process.I used only 1 cricut cut on this pretty card and some handy little tools. Although it's simple, the detailing is enough that people will know effort was put into this card.

Below: I used a vintage christmas K&Co. paper stack and highlighted the holly with Ranger stickels to make it dimensional and pop! An easy added touch!

Cricut Songbird (pg.  61 for the scalloped frame) An upside ribbon with a pearl in the centre and of course some Tim Holtz distress ink to make the paper look aged.

I added a strip of matching cream paper and inked it up with distress ink, then used a Martha Stewart paper punch and added Christmas coloured buttons with some juke twine. I love this card!

Now its time for you visit all the other designers! And challenge yourself too! 

Giselle -http://crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com/

Nadia -http://nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/ (you are here!!!)

Agnes -http://flowerdiscosscraphut.blogspot.com/ 

Sylvia -http://Www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/

Sandra -http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/

Patricia -http://creativediva98.blogspot.com/

Carrie -www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com

Momo -http://madebymomo.blogspot.com/

Diana -http://www.daisylovecreations.blogspot.com/

Jennifer -http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/

Melissa G -http://www.adventuresinheels.com/

Melissa (Moe) -http://melissa-moecreations.blogspot.com/

Janet -http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Brynn -www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com 

Sandy (OWH) -http://acolourfulworld.blogspot.com/

Be sure to come back tomorrow, it's all about tags and treats!

Christmas Table Seating Cards and Dessert Cards

This year was the first time we hosted Christmas Eve at our house. There was much to be done in order to prepare for this big dinner: cleaning, cooking, baking, crafting. Although I had a lot I wanted to do, not all of it got done. I did manage to squeeze some time in and create these table seating cards and since there were sooo many desserts, I had a dessert table and created cards for those too!

Supplies:
Base Layer of Card:  Anna Griffin "Holiday Traditions" paper stack
Layer 1 of card: K & Company "Yuletide" paper stack
Cricut cartridge "Winter Woodland". Poinsettia on page 4 cut at 1.5
Chalk Ink
Font used is "A Yummy Apology"

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!

2010 "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!" Christmas Card

Here are a few pictures and details on our 2010 family Christmas card that we mailed out to dear friends and family.  The layout and concept was taken from Cardmaker magazine.

Supplies:
Kraft cardstock
Teal Shimmer cardstock
White cardstock
White pigment ink
White and Teal chalk ink
Martha Stewart Glitter Embossing Powder in Sugar Cube
Embossing Ink
Twine
Cricut seasonal cartridge "When It's Cold Outside"
White Satin Ribbon
Foam Squares
Cuttlebug "Snowflakes" embossing folder (for inside detail)
Adhesive

The card is 5x7 and snowflakes cut a 2". It was important to me to add some detail on the inside of the card so with the leftover teal scraps, I ran them through the cuttlebug and added it at the bottom of the card.