THREE QUICK CHRISTMAS CARDS

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Marty Munro made these three quick Christmas Cards at Regal's September demo.  Using paper from Kaiser's Christmas Wishes collection and Amethyst base cards from Regal Craft Cards he has made three different cards, making the most of a single theme.  These won't take very long to make and that's a plus when there are lots of cards to have ready for posting in the not too distant future.

CHRISTMAS TREE CUT OUT CARD

CUT-OUT CHRISTMAS TREE CARD

I think this card looks better in "real life" than it does on the screen (especially the one I'm using at the moment which stretches it sideways).  In any case you can still use the idea and make it better still.

The Regal cut-out Christmas tree card has had paper stamped with light and dark green branches placed behind it, whilst the actual cut-out, edged with a sparkling gold pen has been offset to the side and front of the cut-out. Lightly padded fabric stars have been added to the top, and a greeting sticker added to finish.

As the top tree is mounted on foam tape to raise it above the other tree and the surface of the card, you'll need to add a little foam tape under the left hand side of the sticker too, so that it will stick flat.

You could obviously use decorative paper as an alternative under the aperture, and add decorations to the tree at the front etc.

BUTTON CHRISTMAS TREE

A FUN BUTTON CHRISTMAS TREE CARD

Here's a cute idea from Sharon's Buttons demo from a month or two back.

Raid your button jar - the colours and styles don't have to match, take a square card from Regal Craft Cards, arrange a group of buttons in a tree shape and glue them down (or use strong sticky dots or double sided tape), add a cut-out container for the base and you're just about done!  Stickers and trim are optional.

This can either be a really speedy enterprise if you just stick it all together, or take forever if you're the type of person who spends hours agonizing over the order in which to put the buttons.  Either way its a fun card!

PRETTY PICKPOINT CARDS

Some bonus cards this week - more lovely pickpoint examples of Sandra Bell's work - this time with beads as well as colourful metallic stitching.

These cards are perfect for very special friends at Christmas but could be given for a number of occasions, or even made and framed for yourself!

Regal has a choice of two Beading and Stitching books by Rikki Showell, if you'd like to try this technique!

CHRISTMAS ZIGZAGCARD

CHRISTMAS ZIGZAG

Regal has a choice of four colours of zigzag card available as pre-made bases, so, as with a lot of the other cards on this blog, you can go straight to the fun bit of decorating them!

Janet has used a variety of decorative papers, some glitter card, and twine to decorate this example.  It is relatively easy to make this card either more or less complicated, depending on the technique you chose to use, and don't forget that if you add a little doublesided tape tot he side and bottom of the front panel, you have an instant "pocket" for tags or small gifts.

CHRISTMAS SWING CARD

OPEN CARD

If you are beginning to make your Christmas cards now, you still have the time to devote to a few extra special projects.  Marilyn has used patterned paper from Kaiser, and a variety of embellishments to decorate one of Regal's swing cards for the occasion.

The card bases are great because every swing panel is perfectly cut (hard to achieve with a craft knife, so you can go straight onto the fun bit of decorating.  The cards are available in white, red and Kraft brown so you should be able to match just about any style.

Embellishments used in this example include green star split pins and rhinestones, a red paperclip, die-cut tag and Christmas tree, red paper flowers and a peel-off greeting sticker.  Its really just a matter of selecting a variety of decoration to suit the occasion.  Inked edges neaten the finish.

I'd suggest this is a great project for the card-keepers amongst your friends

CLOSED CARD