I thought it would be fun this year to make my own Christmas cards. I haven’t worked much with paper or done many paper crafts in the past, so this was a challenge.
I started by searching different paper crafts and handmade card websites/blogs. I found so many wonderful ideas, but all required me to buy specific paper, stamps, ink pads, etc. I really didn’t want to spend a lot of money, so I kept searching until I found the perfect Christmas card project.
I found this card, along with several other cute and easy cards, on Curbly.
There was no pattern or tutorial included with the picture, so I had to wing it. It was cheap, super easy to make, and required very little materials. The perfect Christmas card!
I went to Joann Fabrics with my trusty 40% off coupon and bought a 10 pack of brown cards. I also picked up two different sheets of Christmas colored scrapbook paper and a sheet of sparkly yellow (for the star). I didn’t need to pick up any brown scrapbook paper, because I knew I had some brown construction paper at home that I could use for the tree trunk.
The hardest part of the entire project was figuring out the sizes of the paper pieces of “tree” and star. One thing I realized is that I am not the greatest “star” artist, so my stars look a little wonky. I just keep telling myself they look like country stars. 🙂 Once I got everything figured out, cutting out the paper tree and stars were super simple.
Using my favorite Martha Stewart glue stick, I glued the brown trunk, tree pieces, and yellow star to the brown cards.
I think they turned out pretty good for my first handmade cards!
Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the brown cards were also brown on the inside, so writing on them was not going to happen. I figured I’d glue a piece of white cardstock to the right side, so I could write my Merry Christmas greeting.
While I was at AC Moore last weekend, I came across some Christmas stamps in the $1.00 bin. I picked up a set with a Christmas greeting and a tree, to match my tree card.
I cut the pieces of cardstock a little smaller than the size of the card, using my other favorite tool, Martha Stewart’s craft knife. I then used one clear stamping block for the tree and another for the “Happy Christmas” saying. Using my black stamp pad, I stamped the saying first in the center of the card and then the tree above it.
My stamped card looks great! I was a little concerned because I bought a super cheap ink pad ($.60), but it worked great. All I need to do now is glue the cardstock greeting to the inside of my brown cards.
For my first venture into handmade cards I am very happy with the way they turned out. They are so much better than store bought cards, and they only cost me $5.50!
They look great!
This looks so cute. And, BTW, I prefer wonky stars to perfect ones. Looks more natural!
This looks so cute. And, BTW, I prefer wonky stars to perfect ones. Looks more natural!
They are so cute! And I LOVE those dollar stamps. I bought my Christmas ones right after Halloween and it's a good thing too because my Joann's is sold out of them.
I like the layering the white cardstock inside too – that will look great. And I 'm with Kimara, I prefer wonky stars. 🙂
They are so cute! And I LOVE those dollar stamps. I bought my Christmas ones right after Halloween and it's a good thing too because my Joann's is sold out of them.
I like the layering the white cardstock inside too – that will look great. And I 'm with Kimara, I prefer wonky stars. 🙂
Niiccee!
Niiccee!