Holiday Card Making the "Simple Way!" by Kim Hughes

Which means it's time to start thinking about what your plan might be.  My face lights up when I receive a hand made card!  But there are things to keep in mind when you design your cards.  If you design a flat card, it won't cost you additional postage.  Even the smallest ribbon knot will add up when you are sending multiple envelopes.  So, I'd like to show you how to create a card that is completely flat (one layer) but still totally adorable.

The first card uses a traditional masking technique

and the second uses a "Collage" technique

Supplies: Arturo Cards Single, Soft White
Cornish Heritage Farms: Backgrounder, Paisley, Kim Hughes, Christmas Critters, Kim Hughes, Heart Warmers   inks: Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Espresso, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lettuce, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Cranberry, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Ginger, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Aqua, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Stream   Eclipse Twins (masking tape)

Start by choosing coordinating colors, when planning your collage card.

Start by inking up the backgrounder stamp and press the Arturo paper onto the bottom.

 

Plan where each image will overlap.  (please ignore the stamp above the cardinal...it's a Santa hat that I decided against).  Keep in mind that they will be in reverse when stamped.  I chose 5 colors and will keep the darker ink shades in the front.

 

The main purpose of a collage image is that it's overlapped somewhere.  You are creating a little piece of art.  It's fun to look at and will hopefully bring a smile to your face.  It's nice to use the Arturo paper because it has that wonderful texture.

The purpose of masking an image is to make one image appear to be in front of or behind another image.  The Eclipse strips are fantastic for this effect.  Stamp the moose onto your card base (after stamping the paisley backgrounder with light blue ink).  Adhere the masking tape onto a scrap paper, take note from the collage card of where the moose overlaps the trees and stamp that area on top of the tape.

 

Cut that area (on the outer line) and adhere to the base stamped image
 

Stamp row of trees on top of the masked area and gently lift to reveal that the moose appears to be in front of the trees.

 

Stamp the cardinal, sentiment and snowflakes and fill in the images with colored glitters.  I used a Sakura glue pen and find that it works so welll when adding glitter to stamped images.
 

This is a project that your kids can help with.  They can color the images with crayons, colored pencils or markers.  Copic glitter markers work great too!  And they can give their card to their teacher if they like.

Another way to keep your card flat is to paper piece the stamped images.  Stamp the image onto your card base.  Stamp the same image onto a different colored paper or patterned paper.  Cut along the outside of the image and place on top of the base stamped image.  Voila, you can have a polka dotted elephant...too fun!!

You can add a mat behind your image as well and it will still be easy to mail.  Keep in mind that a standard card size is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, and that will easily fit into a standard envelope.  Square cards require extra postage.

Thanks so much for joining me today :)

Comments

[Sandra]

what a fun card!
Sandra