Christmas is Coming...

... the Goose is Getting Fat; Please Put a Penny In The Old Man's Hat;

If You Haven't Got A Penny; A Ha'penny Will Do;

If You Haven't Got a Ha'penny; Then God Bless You.

This for me is how we should celebrate Christmas... excited and happy,

whilst sparing a thought for others!

 

 

 

Now on with the crafting... I have finished my Christmas cards, yes I have!  Each year I make cards (all the same) for friends with the aim of sending them out by 1st December - sometimes it works ~ sometimes it doesn't (last year it didn't,).

 

So this years card... I decided to make a one layer card (the post is SO expensive now), BUT (yes there's always a but) I didn't want it to be boring.  So, since it was to be a one layer card I would make it duel purpose.  My card also turns into a bookmark, clever huh?

 

I used a different blade on my paper trimmer to make the ------------ lines (sorry, minds gone blank), oh yeah, 'perforating' blade. Really cool little gadget, but remember to put your ordinary blade back in!  (NOTE TO SELF: follow ones own advise!)

 

The white base cards were cut with the CRICUT and the 'Elegant Edges' cartridge, I used HUNKYDORY Christmas CS because it is such a good weight.  The patterned side would be the back.  The trees are also cut using the CRICUT, this time with my GYPSY and the 'Cricut Craft Room Basics'.  The card was perforated, to make the middle section into a bookmark (I hope my friends appreciate my thoughtfulness LOL).   My computer generated the sentiment (such a clever little laptop) and put arrows and "tear" at the bottom (I didn't want them missing my bookmark, after all!). I decorated the front of the card, making sure things were stuck only to their own sections, thereby not ruining or interfering with the 'tear off' middle section.  I had a little mass production going on for a while. 1. do all CRICUT cutting, 2. ink all edges, 3. perforate all card bases, 4. cut all other embellishments, 5. emboss using CUTTLEBUG and a CRAFTS-TOO folder called 'dots' and CUTTLEBUG folder 'D'vine Swirls', 6. generate sentiment, 7. get sticking...

Most of the papers used are from the PAPERMANIA 'Festive Frolics' stack, it is rather old, so I'm glad I've used nearly all of it up now.  I could of done more embellishing to the back, but decided not to... the idea was to reduce postage, if I made it any thicker it would defeat the object of a one layer card!

 

 I made a bit of a boob, I realise I wanted to add a 'snowy curtain' along the top, but I had already done the perforating, if I then put anything over the top it wouldn't pull apart (oh, woe is me!).  I got around this by cutting my strips of white to size, stamped the sentiment from a set by Mary at CARDZ.TV, I then punched a border with my MARTHA STEWART 'drippy goo' punch (this formed the 'curtain', with some glitter forming the 'snow').  I then perforated these strips BEFORE adding them to the card (yeap, I had to do it the long way 'round... but hey ho, that's what crafting's all about... no mistakes, just opportunities to get creative!).  After adhereing all my little Christmas trees to the front and adding some red organza ribbon and some more glitter, oh and a load of gems for added bling... finally, they are ready to post.  Now all I have to do is find my ancient address book and hope no-on has moved!  Take a look...

 

Challenges:-

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE BLOG - FCCB #188 - 'Sparkle and Bling'

 

CHNC - Challenge Extra for November

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

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