Merry Christmas

We would like to welcome Nancy Walker back as our Guest Designer. For today’s post she created two stunning Christmas cards.

Wreath Gate-fold Card by Nancy Walker

How exciting to know that the month of Christmas is here at last. Along with the parties and decorations, holiday baking, and gift buying, wrapping, and all, we realize our time to make Christmas cards for family and friends is sneaking up on us! Having made cards off and on all through the year, I just realized that I need to get them all addressed and mailed soon! That makes me stressed!

As today’s guest blogger, I am honored to be asked to do some more card creations to share with you. The first card is a quick and simple card, using Elizabeth Craft Design’s Wreath Bow.

Instructions:

5. Using white craft paint and a craft sponge or pouncer, sponge small bits of white paint so it resembles snow on the wreath. Let it dry.

6. Adhere wreath to card front on the right gate-fold panel. Adhere so half of the wreath is extending beyond the panel. When the card is closed the extended part of the wreath will cover the right gate-fold panel. (Note: make sure not to put any adhesive on the back of the wreath that is covering the left gate-fold panel when closed.

7. Adhere the glitter bow to the top of the wreath and top with the red bow that is popped up with a dimensional adhesive. Place a rhinestone in the center of the bow.

8. Using Liquid Pearls in red, make small holly berries around the wreath and allow to dry.

9. Add “Merry Christmas” Peel-Off on the inside of the card.

This is a great simple card for quick assembly-line style crafting! For variety, use all white on white or other Christmas color combinations. The wood stamping can be varied in color to fit a special scheme, too or use a wood grain paper instead.

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products used:

731 Wreath Bow Die
2576 Merry Christmas Large Peel-Offs in Silver
502 Transparent Double Sided Tape Sheet
505 Transparent Double Sided Tape 3mm

Other Products used:

Gray Cardstock and Matching Ink  – Stampin’ Up!
Red, Green and Glittered Cardstock
Hardwood stamp – Stampin’ Up!
Liquid Pearls – Ranger
Dimensional adhesive squares
Liquid Glue
Scor-Pal

Snowman Shaker Card by Nancy Walker

As winter seems to have hit parts of the United States with heavy snow, I began dreaming of having some of the rare white stuff here in the Mid-South. So naturally, I thought of Elizabeth Craft Design’s Snowman in a snow globe. But to try and keep this card simple, I decided to make it a shaker card instead. Of course the only addition to this card to make it a snow globe, would be a base for the globe! That could be one of the label dies, trimmed and tucked against the globe.

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of winter theme cardstock 6” x 12”, score and fold in half to make a 6” square card. Set aside. Cut one accordion page from coordinating cardstock using the Circle Accordion card. Remove pivoting circle from the middle. (This circle can be used on another card, so don’t toss it!) The flap that is normally on the die can be removed, but it is left on this card it to allow “Merry Christmas” from the cardstock to remain as the sentiment.

2. Cut another accordion page from the same cardstock. Cut a piece of clear plastic from packaging slightly smaller than the die. (I save and cut all plastic packaging into usable pieces for crafting.) Adhere this piece to the back of the frame cut with the Circle Accordion die as shown below, using Elizabeth Craft Design transparent double sided tape.

To create the shaker:

3. Adhere a piece of double-sided adhesive to fun foam the same size. (The piece has to be large enough to cut one accordion page) Cut accordion page using the Circle Accordion Card and trim away the pivoting circle in the middle. This circle can also be re-used in another project, so put it into your stash (Hint: it would make a great Christmas ornament if you coat it with ECD Microfine glitter and color it with markers!)

4. Adhere this fun foam accordion frame to the frame cut in step 3. Make sure to line up the accordion frames correctly so no foam is visible through the window.

To create the Snowman:

5. Adhere a piece of ECD double-sided adhesive sheet to white cardstock. Cut snowman body and snow pile (cut snow pile 3 times). Remove the release from the other side of the adhesive and cover die cut pieces with Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter. Polish and brush of excess glitter.

6. Die cut other part of snowman from cardstock scraps (hat, nose, holly, broom, scarf, etc.)

To assemble shaker:

7. Using die as a guide, trim and apply the snow piles to the bottom of the scene on the backing card as shown below. Add snowman on top of the snow piles on the backing card, keeping all parts inside the circle area. Add small self-adhesive rhinestones that will remain on the area around the snowman for sparkle.

8. Fill the shaker card (see right on photo below) with fake snow or glittery objects. I used both iridescent sequins and some iridescent flakes of plastic snow I have had in my stash for years. Tossed in a few loose rhinestones as well.

9. Peel off the release sheet and carefully place the backing card with the snowman adhered on top of the shaker card. Adhere shaker to card front. Add Silver/Gold Glitter Border Peel-Offs around shaker frame. Optional: Using Tags & More 3 – Leaves die set, cut two corners from glitter paper for bottom corners of card.

10. Another hint: use a Sharpie marker that matches the cardstock and go around the foam edge to help disguise it. This isn’t a good idea to do on the inside after assembly, but it could be done on all sides before assembling the card.

Finished card:

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products used:

769 Circle Accordion Card Die
929 Snowman Die
953 Tags & More 3 – Leaves (Corners from die set – Optional)
7010 Silver/Gold Glitter Borders Peel-Offs
502 Transparent Double Sided Tape Sheet
505 Transparent Double Sided Tape 3mm

Other Products used:

White cardstock and scraps
Plastic from packaging
Rhinestones – Stampin’ Up!
Sequins
Fun Foam