When Stampin’ Up!® released their annual Aug-Dec Mini Catalog a few months ago, it dawned on me that since I’m now a Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator, it wouldn’t look so good to send boxed cards that I got for 70% off at Home Goods last January. (Although they’re very pretty.) No, it was clear that I would have to make my cards this year, which meant I’d need to buy a special set from the new catalog. (It’s amazing how I can justify my stamp-buying addiction, isn’t it?) Anyway, when I saw the Christmas Means More Set (p. 29) I knew it was the one. It’s not new this year, but as I always say, “If I haven’t used it yet, it’s new to me.” And as someone who adores Christmas movies, how could I resist a set of quotes from four classic Christmas movies?
Did you guess them all? I’ll put the answers at the end of this post. In order to make the last quote completely accurate, I stamped “I Believe” twice. (Natalie Wood saying that line with her pouty little face is one of my all time favorites.)
Okay, so onto my cards. I hope you enjoy.
Ever since I got the Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper back in June I’ve been imagining these gold panels on Christmas cards. I always love gold with deep jewel-tone colors like these, especially on Holiday cards.
I don’t know why I used the same quote on all three cards. I guess I was just focusing on the colors. So I made a couple more, and chose a fun and funky color combination for the “I Believe” card. Do you like?
As much as I loved how these cards turned out, I realized that I would need to buy about 20 packs of the Gold Laser-cut paper if I wanted to make this my Christmas card this year. So, I started making more cards with “mass production” in mind.
I love the bells from the Cherish the Season Bundle, and I tried them in various ways. They work especially well with these two quotes, and I really had fun putting them together. But, alas, I was faced with the same dilemma as before… there was no way I was embossing and die-cutting hundreds of bells. I’d be lucky if I got the cards out by Valentine’s Day.
This time I decided I would keep the design simple, but add a few easy-to-reproduce features… to add a little pizzaz. And this is what I finally came up with…
My favorite thing about these cards is that I could use as many different patterned papers as I wanted, which then meant I’d be able to use different colors of card-stock. Ultimately, I could have the “same card”, but still have some variety, which is more fun overall.
I cut the base 5 ½ x 6 ¾, then scored it at 4 ¼ . The white piece on which the quote is stamped is 2 ½ x 3 and it’s matted on cardstock 2 ¾ x 3 ¼. Inside, the white is 2 ½ x 5 ¼ and the patterned paper is 1 ¾ x 5 ¼. I embossed just the front flap with the Wrapped in Texture embossing folder.
I’m happy to report my cards are actually finished! I’m in the process of signing them, and they should go in the mail this week. Not bad for someone who once hung Easter eggs on the Christmas tree because he still hadn’t gotten around to taking it down. (Just kidding… maybe.)
So, that’s it! I hope you enjoyed these cards and they inspired you in some way. Leave a comment if so. I’d love to hear from you. Oh, and just in case you are still stumped, the four movies are: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Elf”, and “Miracle on 34th St.” Now go watch them all and get in the Holiday spirit.
Peace and Light, all!
-Steve
