Hi Stampers!
Christmas is two weeks away. Life is full of shopping, and wrapping, and Holiday activities, and you have yet to make your Christmas cards. How will you ever find time to make cards this year? First of all, no need to panic and no need to put undo stress on yourself. If you do not have the time to create and send cards this year, it is okay. Just take a big breath, let it go, and make a workable plan that will allow you to have your Christmas cards ready to mail by 1 December 2025! Then stick to that plan.
If you feel you really must create some cards to send out this year I have some suggestions for really quick cards that are full of holy jolly and merry and bright, but take just minutes to create! Let’s take a look:
VIDEO
IDEAS FOR EASY LAST MINUTE CARDS
TIPS FOR CREATING LAST MINUTE CARDS
BE REALISTIC
1. Decide the number of cards you want to create before you start creating.
2. Check your card stash and look for cards you had leftover from last year or even the year before. This is a good time to use them.
3. Decide on the time or times in your day that will be available to create the cards.
4. Definitely use supplies you already have on hand.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
1. Select a simple design or layout that requires few layers and uses the sentiment as a focal image.
2. Skip all the fancy techniques and focus on basics. Dress up the card with specialty papers and gems or sequins.
3. Create the cards in steps (assembly line style) -score, cut, and fold card bases; cut all the pieces of patterned paper needed, etc.
4. Avoid stamped images that require a lot of coloring.
5. If you just cannot abide with all the cards being exactly the same (this is me), use different colors of card bases, different patterned papers, etc - the layout will be the same, but each card will be a unique creation.
PLAN AND FOLLOW THROUGH
1. Take the time to make a sample card. This will give you an idea of how long the card takes to make, and if the layout needs tweaking.
2. Gather all the supplies you need so you will have them close at hand.
3. Once the cards are finished sign them, address envelopes, pop the card inside, at a stamp, and pop them in the mail.
4. Give yourself a pat on the back. You did it!!!
FOR FAST CARDS:
USE A COVER PLATE OR LARGE DIE CUT
Using cover plates or large die cuts allows you to cover a lot of space in not a lot of time! The die cut serves as the focal point and in the case of the “Merry Christmas” die, the greeting as well. It is okay to not include a greeting on the front of the card. The die cut Santa and snowflake embellishments shout, “Merry Christmas!” I did stamp Merry Christmas on the inside of the card.
SUPPLIES:
* Card base - Basic White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!) cut at A-2 (8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”)
* Glimmer Paper - Real Red (Stampin’ Up! -retired, similar available) cut at 6” x 4 1/2”
* Die - A-2 Card Die Merry Christmas (Scrapbook.com)
* Embellishment - Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs (Stampin’ Up!)
* CARD BASE AND DIE - SAME AS ABOVE
* Specialty Paper - (Stampin’ Up! - retired, similar available)
* Embellishment - Adhesive Backed Snowflake Assortment - (Stampin’ Up!)
* Basic White cardstock cut at 4” x 4”
* Die - Detailed Santa (Stampin’ Up! - retired)
* Card base - Basic White cardstock cut- A-2 size
* Embellishment - 3 snowflakes (Buttons Galore - Sprinkletz, Pearly Snowflakes)
COVER THE CARD FRONT WITH PATTERNED PAPER
These cards were so quick and easy to make! Just cut patterned paper at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”, adhere it to the front of the card base. Add a greeting a few embellishments and the card is finished.
SUPPLIES:
* Patterned paper - Christmas Spectacular (49th & Market) cut at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”
* Greeting mat - Basic Black cardstock ( Stampin’ up!) - cut at 3 1/2”x 1”
* Greeting panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 3 1/4” x 3/4” (I used the Picture This Die - Stampin’ Up! - retired)
* Greeting - Hope & Peace (Stampin’ Up! - retired)
* Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
* Embellishment - Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels
* Patterned paper - Christmas Spectacular (49th & Market) 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”
* Inside panel -Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Greeting - Holly Jolly Wishes (Stampin’ Up! - retired)
* Ink - Real Red (Stampin’ Up!)
* Embellishments -red gems (Stampin’ Up! - retired)
I used an embossing folder to create the trees on this card. Do you have an embossing folder with a tree or forest pattern, snowflake pattern, other Christmas themed image? I embossed the image on white cardstock and used a blending brush and ink to add a bit of color to the images. The raised areas will rake on a bit darker color than the lesser raised areas. This is a quick way to add more depth. I used another blending brush to add a bit of light blue to the background to suggest a sky and add more contrast. I added a greeting directly to the focal panel, and finished it with a few iridescent snowflakes. This card took about 5 minutes to make.
* Card base, inside panel, and greeting supplies are the same as for the previous cards, except Real Red cardstock is substituted for Gold Foil, and Real Red ink for Crumb Cake ink.
I hope these samples give you some ideas for those last minute cards. Take a look through your stash and I bet you will find supply to create your very own versions of these cards. Thank you so much for checking in. Until next time . . .
USE AN EMBOSSING FOLDER
SUPPLIES
* Card base - Soft Succulent cardstock (Stampin’ Up! - retired) cut at 11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2” along the 11’ side
* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock 5 1/4” x 4”
* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4”
* Embossing Folder - Painted Trees (Stampin’ Up!)
* Ink - Soft Succulent, Soft Sky (Stampin’ Up! - both retired),
* Blending brushes
* Stamp Set - Hope & Peace (Stampin’ Up! - retired)
* Embellishments - Picket Fence Studio - Winter Frost
USE A BACKGROUND STAMP OR OTHER LARGE STAMP
Background stamps cover an entire panel, and look great with a sentiment on a die cut. If you have time add a mat - gold, silver and white work well. If you do not have time to add the mat, cut your panel at 5 1/4” x 4” and adhere it directly to the cardbase. Usually I use 1/4 sheet of cardstock (5 1/2” x 4 1/4”) and a stamp positioner (like a MISTI) to stamp the large image. The stamp positioner allows a stamper to get the cardstock inked perfectly. Using the 1/4 sheet of cardstock makes it possible to trim any not so great edges from the panel. Since the purpose of this post is to create cards quickly, I suggest you cut the panel the size you want for the card, and do use a stamp positioning tool if possible.
SUPPLIES
The supplies for these cards are the same. The mats and ink for the greetings are different.
* Card base - Shaded Spruce (Stampin’ Up!) A-2 size
* Mat layer - Basic White cardstock or Gold Foil (Stampin’ Up!)
* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock - 5” x 3 3/4”
* Greeting - Hope & Joy (Stampin’ Up!)
* Circle die cut - Basic White cardstock 2” diameter Stylish Shapes (Stampin’ Up!)
* Background stamp - Fragrant Forest (Stampin’ Up!)
* Ink - Shaded Spruce; Crumb Cake (for gold card) (Stampin’ Up!)
USE A PORTION OF THE STAMPED BACKGROUND - TWO FOR ONE
These cards are just variations of the previous cards. I cut the stamped panel into two pieces that are 5 1/4” x 2” and adhered them to a mat that measures 5 1/2” x 2 1/4”. This matted panel can be placed to the left, right, or in the center of the card.
SUPPLIES
QUICK LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY CARD IDEAS
Stamp Happy!
Kim
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