Christmas Cards Galore!

Ho, ho, ho.

That's about as merry as it gets around here at this time of year.  I find myself not feeling terribly Christmassy until the very last minute (although for a wonder I have actually finished all the gift buying early - I know, I couldn't believe it either!).

Each year, I have been asked by my employers to make handmade cards to send out to our customers.  It's only a small company, but that's still in excess of 100 cards - *phew*.  I almost didn't do it this year, as I was a little burnt out after making 100 of these (which I really liked, but not after the first forty or so).  But at the last minute I remembered that our customers have enjoyed these cards in the past, they have come to kind of expect it, and I get paid for my efforts :-)

So without further ado, here is this year's effort.  This isn't all the cards - but you get the idea.  As you can see, I've revisited an old favourite, Season of Joy - still available in this year's catalogue (but sure to retire next year).  It really is a great set, with enough stamps to create quite a variety of looks.  I added a rhinestone to the star of each, just for a little extra "wow".

 I made some in Old Olive, some in Pacific Point, and some in Cherry Cobbler (however I teamed the Cherry ones with Very Vanilla rather than Whisper White - love the "vintage" look those to have when they're together.

The cards were a snap to make ... I quickly worked out that I could get three bases out of a sheet of A4 by cutting two 19 x 10.5cm strips from one end, then flipping it 90 degrees and trimming the remaining piece down to 19 x 10.5cm.  Each strip was then scored at 14.8cm, leaving a 4.2cm flap for the front.  Then I just stuck A6 pieces of Whisper White or Very Vanilla behind the (decorated) flaps.

And here is a closeup of one of the cards.  As you can see, I used my Scallop Edge punch down the edge of the flap, and dressed it up by embossing that section with the Finial Press Embossing Folder.  After a time I realised I could put two pieces through the Big Shot at a time - the second piece wasn't embossed quite as deeply, but looked perfect anyway.  Unfortunately, I didn't work this out until I was on the last 18 or so LOL.


Anyway, they all went out in the mail on Friday, and I have already had a couple of comments from the customers - feedback is a wonderful thing!

And in case you're wondering, here are links to Christmas 2009's cards for work, and 2008's as well.  Next year I'm going to start early.  No, honest.

Images © 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp/s: Season of Joy
Ink: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Other: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones