Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Homemade Christmas Cards

I really enjoy rubber stamping.  It may, or may not, be the most frugal thing, but it is a creative outlet for me that is satisfying and gives me something useful when I am done.  I will say...stamping is not the craze that it was several years back, and second-hand stamps can be very affordable.  So are embellishments, if you look for things second-hand, on sale, etc.  The library has books about stamping techniques, and there are lots of websites full of ideas and inspiration. I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for a couple of years (a long time ago), so I never really paid full price for any of my stamps or supplies.  Still, it is more about enjoyment for me than it is about it being cheaper than purchased cards, bookmarks, gift tags, etc.


This  year I am making our Christmas cards.  We do not send very many, but I joined a card exchange in a group on facebook, so I will be sending to those ladies too.

Once I get started planning, I usually come up with several ideas that I like, so I make a dozen of each card, and then send different cards to different people.  I have paper, cardstock, scissors, adhesives and embellishments on hand, so it feels like an affordable thing to do...you know...since I'm not spending any money at this time.  Anyway, I wanted to share some of the card designs I am making this year.

This is our snowman card.  When I ran out of the baker's twine in the colors that matched, I switched to ribbon:




I like nature themes, and this is what I came up with this year.  Each card is a little different from the others:



I have some more planned, but I am not sure how many I will get completed.  Do you make Christmas cards, or do you have other crafts you do at the holidays...or year round?  I'd love to hear about them!


9 comments:

  1. Your cards are beautiful! I used to be crafty but I have not done anything for years now.

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    1. Thanks, Lana. I really enjoy making them, but if I had to do a lot of them, I'm not sure I would enjoy it. I spoke with a lady a few days ago who said she makes 200 every year. I think that would wear me out!

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  2. Love your cards. My sister in law always makes us cards every year and I have kept them all. They are artwork for Christmas time. I tried making cards about 12 years ago when Stampin' Up was huge. I was terrible at it. I found the stamps crazy expensive as well and never got into it. I am amazed at the things some people make though.

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    1. In all honesty, I agree about the expense. If I didn't enjoy it and use them quite a bit, it wouldn't be worth it, but I really do enjoy it. I've been in a 'season' of not stamping for a few years, but I am more drawn to it lately and enjoying it again very much. Thanks for posting!

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  3. Your cards are beautiful. Just makes the card more special when it is "hand made" by the sender. I don't do a lot of holiday crafts because it is such a busy time. This year it will be gingerbread houses with the grandchildren and waterless snow globes with my friends. Is baking a craft? I do a lot of baking during the holidays and have been baking something each day this week. My freezer is filling up and looks so tempting.

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    1. I think baking is an art form, especially around holidays! I have noticed that I am pinning a lot of Christmas crafts on Pinterest, but not really sure when I would get all those pretty things done. I think it's better to do and enjoy one or two things and not be overwhelmed. :)

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  4. I have no talent in this direction, but I loved seeing what you had created. I'm sure they will be enjoyed by the recipients.

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    1. Thank you, Linda, for your kind words. I hope my friends and family like them....and I always worry about something coming loose! :D

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  5. Your cards are beautiful.. Love them and know your family/friends will love receiving them.

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