So did I! Even if you did miss Christmas in July, it’s not too late. I have eight Christmas card ideas for you here in this article.
Today, I’m sharing eight cards that I have made with Spellbinders’ new Classic Christmas, Layered Christmas Stencils, and Make it Merry Collections.
Christmas in July – Noel
I’ve been doing a lot of stenciling lately, and there’s a good reason why. Our crafty suppliers are providing us with some really wonderful stencils to work with. I particularly like the layered sets. This collection has several fantastic sets. I am playing with two of them.
My first card features the Layered Noel Foilage Bundle. To create it I blend with Distress Oxides that coordinate well together. And then I create some framing with colored cardstock that matches. Lastly, I added a little bling with a glitter pen to the shading to give the sentiment a pop.
For my second Noel Festive card I blend with a combination of Distress Oxides and white pigment ink on deep berry pink cardstock. And then, I used a white gel pen to add detail to the flowery design.
To create the sentiment, I use white pigment ink for the shadow. And then, I use Hero Arts white wax to add some dimension and sheen to the sentiment. And, to add even more dimension, I die-cut a couple of extra sentiments and layer them behind it.
Joy Tree
My next two cards use another layering stencil set, Joy Tree. This is such a fun set, it can be kind of “country”, or you can really dress it up!
My first project is a quick and easy card that is perfect for mass production. All there is to it is to do some stenciling. I use non-traditional Christmas colors of Distress Oxide inks. And then, I frame it with the same deep berry pink cardstock that I use for the Noel card.
I experimented with Solar Pastes on my second project and it turned out very well. And then, I use iridescent shimmer spray to add to the festive feel of the card. And, if that isn’t enough bling, we’ll add some sparkle to the stars with gold pigment ink.
We’ll use a deep teal Distress Oxide ink for the sentiment shadow. And then, we’ll heat emboss the sentiment in gold. Afterward, we’ll layer the sentiment for some dimension. Coming To Town, He’s Already Here!
Santa’s Not Coming To Town, He’s Already Here!
Spellbinders Paper Arts is known for its beautiful die sets. And Here’s Santa is a must-have!
I use non-traditional Christmas colors again, pink and green on my first card. And, I even made a custom patterned paper for his sack with Distress Oxides.
For the background, I embossed green cardstock with a Vintage Ornaments embossing folder. It is so pretty, this is one that I’m sure I will use over and over again. And then, we’ll use a scallop rectangle die to keep with the fun festive vibe of the card.
I think that sometimes, an image is so great that sentiment actually takes away from it. And, I feel that is true with this die set. Santa does a great job of wishing Merry Christmas all on his own.
My second card uses pop-up glitter foam to create a fun, sparkly Santa. Following that, I’ll use a fluted oval to help your eyes focus on him. And then, I use the Vintage Ornaments embossing folder again but this time with a light blue cardstock.
Christmas in July – Classic Merry Christmas!
The process for making the first two cards is almost identical. Yet, we end up with dramatically different cards. It’s all in the materials we use.
I use the Vintage Ornaments embossing folder with white cardstock for the background of the first card. And then I die-cut the sentiment and shadow from red and green glitter foam. I really wish you could see how pretty this glitter foam is. The camera is doing its job by reducing glare so it makes it hard to see how beautiful this card really is online.
The second card is much more traditional and elegant. I’ll lightly blend gold pigment ink over the tops of the pine boughs I create by using In the Pines Embossing folder with deep green cardstock to create the background.
Then I use a matt gold mirror cardstock to die-cut the sentiments and frame the card beautifully. This is another card that would be fun to mass-produce.
So, You Really Didn’t Miss Christmas in July!
So, that’s a wrap. I’ve given you 8 ideas to work with to create your own beautiful Christmas cards. I hope you’ll share yours with me. I’d love to see them!