Christmas Peel Offs

 

Remember back in April, I was given loads of sheets of peel off stickers?

Well, I've now made a start on using the Christmas Themed ones

And there were a LOT of them, well over 100 sheets, mostly unused!

So, it's going to be a long, long time before they are used up!

Christmas is Coming ....

 

And its time to dig out the Christmas craft stuff and start making those Xmas cards!

First few are the easy ones, recycling some of last years cards

Adding background papers and embellishments

Next thing , look through all my old stamps and dies for new inspiration!

Tall & Thin

 

Made a few DL sized Christmas cards as I finally managed to buy a pack of blank cards & envelopes - they never seem to be in stock when I look for them.

These are made from last years recycled Christmas cards with added embellishments

Christmas continues ....

 

Continuing to make loads of Xmas cards  for charities, in lots of different styles and techniques to appeal to different people.

but even so, deer seem to crop up in many of them!

Christmas Starts Now

 

One of my rules is not to start making Christmas cards until 1st September - so all 4 boxes of my Christmas stash are stored in the garage until then. 

Then it is pleasure to rediscover everything I put away 9 months ago.

I have so much stuff, that I do not really need to buy any more papers, sentiments, stamps or embellishments.

So these first few cards are the start of making an in-road into that pile.  They will go in the charity box, so can be in a variety of styles and colours.

Woodware Bubble Christmas Tree Cards

 

I did NOT need anymore Christmas stamps, but gave in and ordered the Bubble Christmas Tree stamp from Woodware!

I used the excuse that it would use up some of the odd buttons and Craftwork Card Candy that I had hanging around - which it has! I then used different Nuvo drops for the smaller circles

So I've tried it out using different colourways and backgrounds and think it will be useful addition to the stash

Christmas Nuvo Drops

Seems like I am using Nuvo drops on nearly every Christmas card that I make this year!

I am using several different colours to add a bit of texture and interest to the cards

as well as adding white drops to any snowy scenes!

 

Crafty Cat

 

One of our cats, Roxy decided to join me in my craft room this morning - however I had just finished putting silver glitter glue on these 'Let it Snow' sentiments when she walked all over them. 

Guess who now has glittery paws!

Charming!

 Last year the clasp broke on my cheap pandora style Christmas Charm bracelet. So I saved the charms to use on this years Christmas cards. I, then, promptly forget about them!

I've just found them when routing around for something else, They are a selection of presents, snowmen, snowflakes, Santa etc

I've threaded them on red velvet or silver ribbon and layered them on scraps of sparkly Dufex that I have had kicking around for years.

plus I've used some other scraps of backing papers too - so quite pleased with the overall effect.

Papercrafter Mag 153 - Kanban Vintage Christmas Kit

 I loved the Kenban Vintage Christmas card kit that comes free with this months Papercrafter Mag and these are the first cards I have made using the die cuts from the kit

They have a lovely traditional feel to them, ideal for my older relatives!

Plus this fab  golden sparkly robin background paper!

Stocking Up

Well, I wasn't the only person who headed to to Hobbycraft to stock up on card making essentials, as I had to queue for 20 minutes to get in, but at least I won't run out of double sided tape or card blanks now.

I also treated myself to Creative Stamping Magazine (issue 89) to inspire me through the next few weeks of lockdown.

It has encouraged me to do a bit of heat embossing - a technique I have sorely neglected for a while.

Christmas Circles

 

Last night I spent an enjoyable time making stenciled circles with my distress oxide ink pads on to the back of old Christmas cards from last year

Which today I have turned into a variety of different Christmas cards for this year ....

using lots of stamps that haven't seen the light of day for a long time!

A very good way to spend a rainy day.

Hunkydory Robins

 

Christmas card production is now in full swing and this selection of robin cards were made from the Hunkydory Festive Birdsong Topper pack

I just love a traditional 'robin in the snow' Christmas card - and luckily so do some of my friends and family!