For most of us, handmade Christmas cards are always on the to-do list. For me, the past few years, I simply don't get started early enough to get it done. This year, we're excited to give you a few options in plenty of time for you to order products and start creating! With the help of designer Annabelle O'Malley, you can have beautiful, hand-made cards created in a weekend!
Option One:
There's something wonderful and classic about this pair. Anabelle decided to let the envelope show off a little bit, creating it with papers from our Botanical Christmas line. To make her envelope, she used a Coluzzle template:
But you could always unfold an envelope that's the size you want and use that as your guide. Once you have the envelope cut out and folded, it's time to start embellishing! (This is the fun part!)
You can do this in three easy steps!
Step One: Use punched strips of paper, Trim and Dazzle-Me Gems to decorate the base.
Step Two: Layer a gold doily, Webster's/Unity Stamped Frame, a Princess Petal, A Holiday Silhouette and a Sparkler to create a cluster on the envelope flap.
Step Three: Tie a sweet bow and embellish with more Dazzle-Me Gems and then add a hand-cut butterfly to finish it off:
Step Four: Measure a card to fit inside your envelope and embellish with a strip of punched paper and another gold doily.
Step Five: Use a Fabric Ticket embellished with more gems to serve as the sentiment.
Notice how Anabelle uses the Dazzle-Me Gems in three different places to tie each piece together? Brilliant!
We could stop right there, but we're overachievers...Check out Anabelle's second card:
Go ahead, move in for a closer look. We think it's gorgeous too!
And you can make one just like it!
Step One: Punch a design into Winter Fairytales papers and layer them onto the card. Add a strip of lace.
Step Two: Hand-cut the scallop circle/flower from the paper and adhere it to the card.
Step Three: Create the flower. Simply add adhesive to a strip of trim (Anabelle's is from the All About Me line).
Gather it up in a a circle and add a sparkler to the center:
Step Four: Use a Webster's/Unity stamp for the sentiment.
For her final card, Anabelle went with something a bit simpler making it easy to duplicate:
Step One: Emboss the cardstock and adhere it to the card.
Step Two: Cut out the door from a sheet of Botanical Christmas paper and adhere it over the embossed design.
Step Three: Cut the red gems from the Dazzle-Me Gem strip and add them to the wreath. Top it off with a punched snowflake and a larger gem in the center.
Step Four: Print your sentiment onto cardstock and layer it onto the door.
Easy. As. Christmas. Pie.
Now we want to hear from you!
Do you plan to create handmade cards this year?
If so, have you already started?
oh these are such a dearest cards..cant resist to see them every minute
Posted by: Janet K | November 08, 2011 at 04:01 AM
Each card is so beautiful, especially the second one! I could stare at them forever! My intention is to make my own cards every year. We'll see if I can manage some this year!
Posted by: Patty O'Malley | November 08, 2011 at 07:24 AM
For the last few years I have been making almost all of my own Christmas cards. I get lots of compliments. I save all the handmade ones I get from my friends! Thanks for more inspiration.
Posted by: Lucky Charms | November 08, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Heidi Mireles | November 08, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Great ideas, these are gorgeous!
Posted by: Diane | November 08, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Fab inspiration! I usually make cards for Larry's mother, grandmother, brother and sister. I'm hoping to make cards for Matthew's Kindergarten class too...but simple ones. :-D Alex had Halloween, Matthew has Christmas and Madison has Valentines this year...I had them each pick ONE so I don't go nuts this year! LOL
Posted by: Doris Widder | November 08, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Wow these cards are so gorgeous. I've started making my Christmas cards but I'm worried that I won't get them done. They keep getting put on the back burner. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Chris R | November 08, 2011 at 04:38 PM
I am making all handmade cards this year, and have started, but need to alot more lol
Posted by: Kim H | November 08, 2011 at 06:03 PM
So pretty!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | November 08, 2011 at 10:10 PM
OOOHHHHH SOOOOOO pretty!!!!!wow,wow,wow...
Posted by: Jolanda Simons | November 08, 2011 at 11:36 PM
wow, those are beautiful!
Posted by: Ruby | November 09, 2011 at 05:44 AM
So gorgeous cards Anabelle!! Thanks for this great inspiration:)
Posted by: Marinette | November 09, 2011 at 11:55 AM
beautiful Anabelle!
Posted by: Deanna Misner | November 09, 2011 at 12:12 PM
GORGEOUS cards anabelle, each and every one is a gift in itselfâ„
Posted by: danni reid | November 09, 2011 at 12:15 PM
so beautiful! You always inspire me!
Posted by: staceymichaud | November 09, 2011 at 12:28 PM
WOW, those are amazing! Thanks for the inspiration, love those christmas cards!
Posted by: Ann Cicilie | November 09, 2011 at 01:27 PM
These are MAGNIFICENT
Posted by: Lilith | November 09, 2011 at 04:43 PM
So Pretty! Yes I am making cards for Christmas and they are already done.
Posted by: Barbie | November 10, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Anabelle these are so gorgeous and so elegant! I am still collecting bits and pieces of my stash to start my Christmas cards... but my mojo just isn't in the holiday mood yet!
Posted by: Pendra | November 11, 2011 at 09:56 AM
I haven't started yet but looking at your cards Anabelle I feel very motivated and if they are half as gorgeous as yours I will be very happy. Wendy Jayne
Posted by: Wendy Jayne | November 11, 2011 at 07:32 PM
OOohhh!!! Thanks a lot for the inspiration!! You make the things so easy and with a gorgeous result ;)
Posted by: Eva | November 21, 2011 at 02:47 AM