Christmas Cards

We are quickly approaching the hustle of the Holiday Season. I don't know about you, but my world is a whirl wind of constant motion this time of year.  I barely have time to sleep, let alone knock out STACKS of Christmas cards.  I'm sure I'm not alone!  Although I don't "mail" out stacks of Christmas Cards, I do like to have a few handy just in case.  This is a great opportunity to pull out last year's paper collections, and use those holiday scraps from this year's projects.

Today, I would like to share with you a few "simple" designs that will encourage you to simplify without compromising elegance. Both of these cards can be made by ANYONE in a matter of seconds.

I just finished a major project, that I will share with you later, and I took this opportunity to quickly knock out  these cards with scraps.  As you know, my philosophy is always USE those scraps immediately, and cards are the perfect way.

For elegance my advice is keep it simple.  A monochromatic color selection will maintain sophistication without a lot of fuss. 

For this card, I decided to use a simple clean white label to break up the busy pattern in the background.   A few simple touches like the punched border, fancy label shape and script stamp make this simple design elegant and fun.

 

Supplies needed for above card:

• Card base - White Card stock 11 x 4.25inches folded in half to yield a 4.25inches x 5.5 inches.
• A scrap of paper to use as a base.  I used Teresa Collins' Santa's List - Red Flakes.
• Border Punch (I used Martha Stewart Crafts Pinking Scallop Edge Punch)
• Labels Punch (I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies, Labels 4)
• Sentiment Stamp (I used Inkadinkado Merry Christmas)
• Ranger Archival Ink Vermilion
• Baker's Twine
• Gelly Roll pen -  stardust  (I traced around the label with this pen, you could also trace the snowflakes with it).

 

 

The pop of glitter, and one iconic simple image, makes this card pack a powerful statement.  I love that it looks complicated, without much effort! My advice is find a simple iconic image that conveys your message, and remember less is sometimes more!

 

Supplies needed for the above card:

• Card base - White Card stock 11 x 4.25inches folded in half to yield a 4.25inches x 5.5 inches.
• 1/2 Inch  Corner Punch (I used the We R Memory Keepers)
• Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets in Starlet (THESE GLITTER SHEETS DO NOT SHED - AMAZING!)
• Sentiment Stamp (I used Inkadinkado Merry Christmas)
• Ranger Archival Ink Vermilion
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations - Embossing Diffuser.
• Provo Craft - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Silver Ribbon
• Silhouette Cameo (Ornament) from Echo Park

I encourage you to go through Christmas past paper collections and see if you can duplicate a few of these simple designs.   Don't have a Silhouette?  Never fear, lots of companies have similar images available in dies, go through your stash and see if you can substitute another design. Just remember simplicity is key, especially if you want to mail these cards.

I just love that  both card designs can easily be modified to work with any occasion.

Hope I have inspired you to use up your scraps and make some great simple Holiday cards.  Remember to keep it simple, so you have time to make the memories that matter!

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Digital Scrapbooking 101 - Electronic Cutting Files

One of the greatest ways digital has impacted the scrapbooking world in the past few years, is through the introduction of electronic cutting systems such as the Silhouette.  

Cutting files are becoming more and more popular with wholesale brands. Many have started adding a digital section to their stores.  Their intent is not to replace their printed market, but to enhance it with add-ons like titles, ephemera, and masks.  These files are typically under $3 and really give you some flexibility with your paper craft projects. 

Today's layout was based on a sketch that I borrowed from my friend and fellow Artsy Addicts Member, Melissa Williams, at  http://www.simplesketches.blogspot.com. 



Derek Cunningham photo by Tonya A. Gibbs

I had one really dramatic action shot that I took last May of my Nephew, Derek,  that I've been dying to use. I wanted it to be the central focal point of the layout. When I reduced the size to 3.5 x 5 I lost the impact of the shot.  I decided modify my layout a bit from the sketch and just go with a 5x7 photo. Which brings me to a side note - make sketches your own. Use them as a starting point, but don't be afraid to add your own details, and preferences. It is your layout after all!  

For our digi lesson today, I wanted to show how you can use your electronic layouts to build embellishments for your projects.  These cutters are not just for titles!  With the exception of the cardstock, paint and star buttons everything was cut from my Silhouette.    



The sketch had a cheveron pattern in the right margin, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to use my Silhouette.   I cut the cheverons from the base cardstock.   I used soccer balls to represent the circles in the sketch.  Instead of paint splatters, I used a Heidi Swapp's star confetti stencil with some metalic silver paint.  I then substituted reflective star buttons for the butterflies in the sketch.  I used the  font JennaSue to cut out my title.  :::Another side note - all the embellishments were cut from scraps - another bonus!:::

To give the layout a "star" shine I decided to go with metalic accents.  I painted the title with silver distress paint to give it a foil texture.  I added silver metal cardstock to the back of the cheveron's negative space, and added the same metalic cardstock to the base of the soccer ball cuts.  The flag on the photo is also from the Silhouette store. I love how it points to the action in the photo, and serves as a tab for what is underneath....



hidden photos and journaling

 

I decided to make the photo lift to include the team photo and individual shot of my nephew.  The dramatic reds took away from my action shot, so hiding them underneath, allowed me to use them without distractions.

This is probably one of the "simpiliest" layouts that I have created. Although it is simple, it has a lot of dramatic elements with the mirrored cardstock. The monochromatic color scheme and simple design really make my photo take center stage.  Sometimes the simpiliest designs are the hardest to walk away from - but the most rewarding in the end.

Thank you Melissa for allowing me to use the sketch. I love how everything in the sketch gives you a feeling of upward movement. Much like the movement of the soccer ball flying into the air.   For additional sketch ideas, be sure to check out Melissa's blog.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

Resources:

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Store Cut Files:   Soccer Ball, Chevron, Chevron Flag
Heidi Swapp: 6x6 Confetti Mask
Plaid: Metalic Paint
Ranger:  Mirror Paper, Distress Paint
Star Buttons
GP - White Cardstock
Geli Roll:  White Gel Pen
Font:  JennaSue - DAFont.com