Paper Crafts Go-to Gal, Julie Campbell
Happy World Card Making Day! World Card Making Day is a holiday especially for card makers around the world to kick off the holiday card-making season.
I love creating handmade cards for my family & closest friends, especially around the holidays. But let’s face it. Between the parties and presents, the holidays can get a little expensive & buying a lot of new holiday-themed supplies might not be in the budget.
Whether you’re new to card making or a seasoned pro, I thought I’d share some tips on how to stretch your supplies during this season.
Transform basic shapes into holiday decor
- Circles can become snowmen & ornaments.
- Triangles can easily become Christmas trees.
- Stars are always festive!
- Squares can be made into presents.
- Rectangles can become candles for a menorah.
Feliz Navidad by Julie Campbell
Use non-holiday patterned paper
- Any pattern with a red or green palette is fair game for Christmas cards!
- Try an unconventional color scheme or print for a fun twist.
- Polka dot patterned paper can mimic snowfall.
- Include bits of woodgrain paper to bring in some added texture & warmth.
- Red, black & green cardstock can be used to create a card for Kwanzaa.
Look at your supplies with new eyes
- Turn a banner upside down & you instantly have an evergreen tree line.
- Add strips of washi tape to punched circles to create colorful ornaments.
- Stack white buttons to create a snowman with a homespun feel.
- Draw a simple design on the back of cardstock & hand embroider the outline using a backstitch. Create a handwritten sentiment using the same technique.
- Incorporate metallics – gold & silver brads, sequins, glitter, or embossing powders are always a great touch.
You're So Cool by Julie Campbell
Be savvy with sentiments
- Use alphabet stamps or stickers to create a custom sentiment.
- If you have an electronic die-cutter, utilize the text feature. Use the negative from your cuts for a little added dimension & save the original die cut for another card.
- Print out sentiments using a word processing program on your computer.
- Use non-holiday sentiment stamps. Phrases such as “Thinking of You” & “Celebrate” can be found in many general stamp sets. The holidays are also a time when thank you cards are nice to have on hand.
I hope I’ve given you a few ideas to help you get a jump start on your own holiday cards. If you’d like even more creative ideas for holiday card making, make sure to check out the new Holiday Cards & More special issue from Paper Crafts Magazine.
Leave a comment by 9:00 am (Mountain Standard Time) on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 for a chance to win a copy of the Holiday Cards & More Volume 7!
Congratulations to our winner!
sharon gullikson says: We all need tips on stretching our supplies! Thanks.
Watch for an email in your inbox with instructions on how to redeem your prize.
Paper Crafts Holiday Cards & More, Volume 7
Thanks for stopping by!
-Julie Campbell
Just in time for the busy season.
Thanks for the tips and helping me think outside the box.
Thanks for the creative tips!
Julie is SOOOOOOOO amazing! I love her tips and I LOVE her creations!!
THANKS for the chance to win:) Happy WCMD!!!
Love those cards! Great tips!
I love all of these ideas. They are so simple and yet I never think to do them myself. Thanks for the chance to win the issue of Holiday Cards and More. It’s sure to be amazing!
Why don’t I ever think of using all those “ordinary” things for holiday cards? This looks like a great issue.
Fabulous ideas! Always looking for ways to use what I have. Love the upside-down banner idea for a tree line.
Thanks for the chance to win this great book!
Lots of good ideas you are sharing with us.
Carla from Utah
AWESOME THANKS for sharing all of the fun ideas!! I’d LOVE to win!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)
Just loving everything with wood veneer! Both of these cards are very fun and different and wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
These are super creative tips, Julie!! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Thanks
These are all great ideas!
Thanks for the ideas! Whenever I cut a fancy negative shape, for the window in a card or something like that I ALWAYS save the inside so I can embellish another card. Sometimes those random little die cuts can be just the inspiration I need!
Great Tips. TFS. Thanks for a chance to win too.
Great ideas.
Thanks for sharing and for the chance.
Thanks for the tips and I would love to win!
I love how you can use a simple shape and make it into other things!
What great cards!!! Living in Arizona, Feliz Navidad is perfect – don’t know why I’ve never used it on a card! LOL! I love both cards.
LOVE the wood ornaments on the Feliz Navidad card! You shared some really great tips for stretching supplies! Money saving tips are always appreciated! (Scrappin’ ain’t cheap!) Tee Hee! Thanks for the chance to win free stuff!
I’ve wished (and commented!!) for this issue since it came out! Your tips are welcome and so useful! I started on my Christmas cards Saturday but need more ideas! Thanks for the chance to win (I still have my fingers crossed!!)
This book looks like a great resource for ideas. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas! I am always looking for ways to stretch my supplies and reuse them in non-traditional ways
Fun ideas, thanks!
This looks like it is a fabulous issue! I could always use some extra inspiration for my holiday cards. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
I’m just getting into card-making so I love the ideas that you have! My scrapbook stash has a whole new meaning now!
Love the tips..thanks for sharing!
Thanks for all of the great tips and a chance to win. Love all of the Holiday issues !!
Appreciate all the ideas. I am gearing up for the card making season, so those tips are very timely.