Tuesday, January 6, 2015

2014 Handmade Holiday Cards

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Since 2011 I’ve been making handmade holiday cards to send out.  Not every holiday card I send is handmade though.  I usually only have time to make 30-35 handmade cards, so they go out to friends & family who I know would appreciate the work that goes into making handmade cards. 

You can see previous years’ handmade cards below:

This year I was ambitious.  I wanted to make some shaker and multi-layered cards using Papertrey Ink stamps & dies.  (I’ve used Papertrey Ink stamps & dies every year.)  I started out by creating some samples so I could get a feel of how complicated it would be to make the cards, and how long it would take me.

I made this shaker card first and it did take quite a bit of time. 

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The shaker elements were what took the most time, so I thought I would modify the design and take out the shaker elements, but still have the same feel and multi-layers.  This one was easier and took less time.

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Another multi-layered card.

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I still thought the shaker cards were fun, so I decided to make just a few to give to the most special people in my life.  The layers for the shaker card were such:  card base, diecut foam adhesive shape, shaker background and elements inside the circle, sequins, acetate cover, then the diecut shape over that.  It was very tedious.

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I did each step in mass-production mode to save some time.  So first I diecut all of the elements out of cardstock and shimmer paper.  Then I stamped them.  When I stamped them I added one color/element at a time so I didn’t have to change stamps or stamp pad colors.

First I stamped the snowman in black.

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Then the house in shade of gray and red roof.

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Then the trees.

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Then I stamped all the banners.

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I started in mid-November and worked on it quite a bit every weekend for two weekends.  After I assembled the different parts of the card and got them done, I lined them up in my box.

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Then one morning I stamped all the insides of the cards.  That took quite a bit of time too. 

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Then I stamped the back of the cards so people knew I made them.  :)

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Here are some of the different cards I made.  I only made one shaker card with “snow” and that one went to Peppermint.

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Shaker card with sequins.

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Multi-layered cards on white cardstock.

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Some on white shimmer cardstock.

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Some on gold shimmer cardstock.

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Some in red snow globe shapes.

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Some in pink snow globe shapes.

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They went to good homes by mid-December.  :)

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While they were a lot of work, they were worth it.  I got several comments from friends who said that my card was the only handmade card they received this year.  Or that they look forward to my handmade card every year.  I guess I may have developed a reputation with some friends!  I’m so glad I had time to make handmade holiday cards this year and was able to send joy to many!

9 comments:

  1. I'm impressed with the time and effort you put in to making your cards - they look fantastic!

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  2. Love the cards! So cute. Cutest card I got this year!

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  3. Wow. Super impressive & beautiful. I've totally given up making cards!

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  4. Rut Ro, now your have to top yourself next year. Very cool card.

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  5. i sooo wanted to make shaker cards for christmas. but i simply ran out of time. your cards look great!

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  6. We love your cards and save them every year because we know how much time, talent and love go into making them. Hope the Buckeyes win next week!

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  8. BEE ----U-----T-----FUL!!!!
    LOVE IT!!! IF I MAY ASK what die is that of the house and trees and snowman ? i would love to try this thanks for sharing
    sera

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