Making your own Christmas Cards

[jodee]

I think someone mentioned this on the money saving thread recently and I think it's a fab idea, cards are such a rip off. I know some of you make your own, can you give me some ideas please - the easier the better!

I get my kids to make cards for family. If you have a look on the Baker Ross website they have got everything you need to make your own cards. Cut out shapes, fluffy things etc and its all nice and cheap. Have fun!

I mentioned it - I do it because its nicer, rather than because its cheaper, but that's good too.

The hardest thing is finding envelopes big enough to fit cards that have been made by folding a bit of A4 in half, really. You need to keep an eye out for them, or for bits of card that are smaller than A4. Obviously if you're handy with a craft knife this isn't a worry.

Anyway I find some of the most effective designs are the simplest: I use bits of cut out coloured paper stuck in nice patterns (eg green paper in xmas tree pattern, little torn up coloured bits for baubles), or potato prints. Must start thinking about this year's.

We got married in November and had a lovely pic taken of myself, dh and dd. As a combined thank-you and Xmas card I brought the photo to a printers and had them colour copy it onto sheets of translucent matt paper (There is a technical name for this paper but can't think of it. Imagine the sheets of paper used in photo albums between pages).
I then spray mounted these onto Gold card and it gave a wonderfull antiquey feel to the cards. Simple message inside and fancy envelopes.

Quick Tips:

1. Choose your envelopes FIRST then cut your cards to fit.

2. Spray mount is brilliant stuff

3. Don't be afraid to take any picture/drawing and try printing it out on different types/colour paper....you'd be amazed at the various effects it can achieve.

4. When cutting the card use a knife and cutting board if possible for a more professional finish.

5. Take a trip to your nearest Art/Craft shop, wonderfull inspiration.

6. Keep it simple, quality card says it all.

HTH

Hobbycraft do ideas shets nearer the time.

Try this web page for LOADS of ideas

www.docrafts.co.uk/asp/project/searchResults.asp?cboProjectType=21&Submit2=Search

Sorry - can't do links - you'll have to cut and paste.

Try rubber stamping and embossing. There's an initial investment, but the stuff will last you for ever and all your card problems are sorted. You'll need a nice rubber stamp (or more than one), embossing ink (like glue for stamping), embossing powder and a heat gun.

Also paper punching is really effective, especially if you can get hold of some nice handmade papers (or make your own with a paper making frame).

Foil embossing is probably the easiest by far. You need sheets of craft metal (usually 5 in a pack - gold/silver/copper) and a ball ended tool or a ball point pen would do too. You end up with a simple raised design on the metal. You could use a stencil if you want.

Lakeland have a big card making section in their current catalogue with loads of stuff using eyelets, which is v interesting.

As mummysurfer said, check out hobbycraft, They usually do demos nearer Christmas, but any independent artsy/crafty shop would probably spend more time with you and get you started.

(Can you tell I worked in an art shop once upon a time?)

Thank you, all you arty-crafty Mumsnetters!

We make all our own cards for every occasion. DS is always bringing home paintings and collages etc. from nursery. We save them all then cut out appropriate shapes e.g. christmas trees, stars, also frames for photos. Wrapping paper is usually lining paper that he has painted, coloured and glittered etc. It keeps him quiet and I think is much nicer than shop bought. It also makes me feel less guilty about his paintings. We have a few framed and on the walls but there is only so many you can display!!! We also have the advantage of living near to the beach so we make cards with shells and things from the beach and garden too. Let your imagination go, it is fun and everybody has said they are great so far.
HTH

If you're anywhere near Godalming, they have a shop there called Arty Crafty; they run morning and evening classes along themes, and then you get to try out some ideas and buy the stuff to put it all into practice. Obviously not an option if you're using the young childs approach to christmas!

Other ideas:

1. ds made his own cards by colouring in a large white sticker. I cut it out in shape of Xmas tree, then he stuck on silver and gold sticky stars.

2. Baker Ross have 2 christmas long handled punches in their catalogue, so you could get a stamp in the middle of the page.

3. If you're serious about long term card making, go to a printers and see if they'll do you some card - A4 folded to A5 - already creased. Then you can go and buy A5 envelopes to fit. I think the mimimun order is about 500, but I've got through mine in about 2 and a half years. Shame that I thought dark blue was the best colour ! Think I'll go for white next time!

You don't need a special heat gun for that embossing powder & rubber stamps - a spotlight does the trick. I used to use one of those clip on spot lights clipped onto a table pointing upwards and just held the paper (embossed side up) over the top.

Great idea sibble about using old pictures for cards - my dd started nursery this term and I've been wondering what to do with all the creations that find their way home as I definitely couldn't throw them away!

Soupdragon - my best friend embossed her wedding invites over tha toaster - only a few singed ones - she said they were "antiqued"

You can use a low heat grill too.

I was going to suggest the toaster too actually Ideal for the busy mum - christmas cards and breakfast all in one!

If you have the program Publisher (part of the Microsoft Office suite) you can make your cards on the computer, then just print them on nice paper. We did our wedding invites this way, complete with a scanned photo of us on the front, and now it's an excuse to put pictures of the sluglet on our Chrissie cards.

Thanks for more ideas, keep 'em coming! Not sure about the toaster method, being a cackhanded annie I will probably set the kitchen alight.

Cover the card in ink and then draw a simple image into it with bleach, it looks great and how i passed my Alevel Art!

When DS was tiny (4mths) I made the cards by just dipping one foot and one hand in paint and doing prints. Much easier when they are this size as they don't run around or move and smudge it. Now I have a 3mth old, 3.5yrs and 5yr old so more complicated. Considered doing one print of each but think its going to be too tricky with three of them painted in one go!

Another idea is to get them to draw or paint a christmas picture and then scan it into your PC (or photo with digital camera) and then print them off (we made fab calanders one year this way)

And of course there are always good old potato prints and glitter.......

Suppose I'd better start making some soon.

BTW I usually use a guiletine to chop A4 card in half. Used one at work in the past or got DH to do it at his work. There must be somewhere to access one more generally. Do libraries have them? Or print shops? Otherwise I think a slightly wonky edge adds to the charm

I have cut out stocking and tree shapes and let dd go mad with glitter and stars and snowflakes (left over from last years myo xmas crackers) and then ds 19 months has done a hand print on the back.

A bit of a production line and some of the hand prints aren't so good but they're home made and the old relies can't see well enough to comment

We took a picture of DD on digital camera. Printed out numerous copies and glued to pretty coloured paper. I got lots of compliments on the card, but most of the compliments weren't really about the card, but DD.

slug - we did the exact same thing
the most scary thing is that my ds was 'the slug' when in my tum
spooky