Handmade Christmas Cards

For a number of years I have made my own Christmas cards for my family and friends. The process of making has become a bit of a tradition in itself.

Last year I made Christmas cards (take a look at my handmade Christmas cards here) and they were quite involved, so with everything going on this year I decided to make things slightly easier for myself and create a set of card designs focusing on the patterned paper rather than Christmas shapes. I made 47 cards in total this year, and luckily I didn't have to post them all! I put them in the post at the start of this week so hopefully they will be making their way through letterboxes about now and will be received before Christmas Day.

I have a few tricks that I've picked up from fellow card makers and online to help speed things up. I buy plain cards and envelopes from Paperchase to form the base in kraft or white card. 

I use scrapbook and cardmaking papers that I buy online at a fantastic UK supplier of US scrap booking products paper called Sarah's Cards. I love the speedy delivery and service from Sarah's Cards. They have a great selection of papercrafting supplies that continues to grow. I've started to get my Project Life supplies here too!

I use a paper trimmer to ensure I get straight lines and to cut the card quickly into rectangles, double sided tape on a dispenser to stick the paper to the card,s and clear stamps and ink to add the Christmas message on the front. The process of making the cards was quite relaxed this year. I made a few on days off, at weekends and wrote them after work, and getting into the Christmas spirit listening to Christmas tunes!

This year I invested in some gorgeous glitter tape made by American Crafts. I have plenty left so I can use it in my December Daily album (I'll tell you about this soon!) and for next year too. I don't normally go for glitter on cards but the tape is such a great way to add a bit of Christmas sparkle and the glitter wont drop off. It is a fine glitter so looks quite glam!

Every year I forgot how long it takes to write each card, message and envelope. I never leave myself enough time to write a letter or longer more special note. Maybe next year I should start them earlier and plan in more time! Some how the month of December seems to fly by and I never get everything sorted. Lucky for Mr C and I we are seeing most of the people we sent cards to over the Christmas period or have managed to catch up with them recently or have plans for the new year with them.

Making the cards using a range of products has inspired me to think about picking up my card making hobby again or experimenting with using a few simple embellishments in my Project Life album. I am currently doing December Daily and plan to add the left over pieces of patterned paper and embellishments to my album this month and will probably have supplies left over for next year too.

Merry Christmas!