Christmas card ideas

Christmas Card Ideas.....

The cards I have made here are all done using the Glue Dots brand adhesive products...and to say I am hooked and in love is probably an understatement!   I used their mini dots, 3D dots, and regular glue dots on the cards I am showing here...   Each card is unique, and can be recreated using what YOU have available to you, in the colors you want to use, not what I am showing here!  The mini dots are wonderful to use on small pieces such as the white pieces used on the stockings here...  as well as on the vellum showed in the card below!   

As you can see in the card example above, the red part of the stocking that looks like a nail head.  If you like your things to match, use their 3D Glue dots with embossing powder on them to create a look that will match your creation.  You will need to heat embossing powder on the Glue Dot twice to create the look I did.  This type of thing can be used in any kind of creation, or in the middle of the ribbon such as the card I made here.  This card was made using vellum, and the stained glass effect is one that is very easy to do!  Take the stamp you want to use, emboss it in white (either detail or regular embossing powder, though I think I like regular better for this type of creation)...  On the backside of the vellum, using a light box and markers, color in the areas where you will need to.  I used red, green and white markers to finish up this look.  As you flip the creation over, you do not see the marker, only the white embossing powder for the raised effect! 

In this example, I used black detail embossing powder to first create the outline of the bear and the saying.  I left the saying alone, concentrating on painting the bear instead!  I used Radiant Pearls paint and clear embossing powder on the finished product to create this look!   Topped off with a simple ribbon and button...this type of card is a bit harder to do because of the painting and embossing, though can be made easier just by changing the order of the cardstock, using a dark color on top, with a white, gold or silver embossing powder with the same colored ribbon to make it a more elegant look, and easier to do!  Look at the stamps you have available with the sayings you have also...to see what types of fun cards you can create!  This stamp set is from Close To My Heart, the bear is retired...and the saying is from their Christmas super set...(not sure if it's retired or not...) 

With this example, you can see I used die cuts only...I added a bit of patterned paper, and used the Sizzix die cuts I have and use on virtually everything!  This card can be recreated in greens, blues, or a mixture of green and red together.  Make the presents more fancy by using fancier papers... I wanted something easy, but plan on redoing this card (and the stocking card) in other colors!   For the die cuts I am using in this example...I cut out plenty of each set of colors so that I could make up extras to put away for use later on.  Even if I am not working on a Christmas page, I can use this type of presents on a future birthday card or page I might be working on!  If not, it sure will save time down the line when you are working on something! 

With this last card...I wanted to make it easy enough for someone who was just starting out in stamping to be able to recreate this card.  You will see with my examples I like to use papers to make things look good...and the stamping technique I use the most is embossing!  You can pick up a simple gun, embossing powders and inks to use that will last you for quite a while...I am just now having to replace my ink pads...after using them for a number of years.  Make sure you store your ink pads upside down to last longer, along with your markers on their side for the same reason! 

Your cards do not have to take a long time to do...I planned them all out in one night, another night was spent gathering everything I needed...  I worked on them for a total of 3 hours, and made 18 so far...4 more will be done, with more if I need to!   If you only have a few minutes here and there, use your time as wisely as you can! 

I hope you enjoy the cards I have had so much fun making!   Next year we will be working on a bit of everything for you...projects to help you stay organized throughout the year, such as a calendar to help you keep the dates you need to keep track of, and fun framed pages too!  I am starting to plan quite a few fun projects...all using the Glue Dots adhesive...so make sure you stock up!   

 

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme