Tuesday, December 2, 2014

2Crafty - Set of Cards to Kick off the Holiday Preparations



Hello.  I am here to help get a start on the holiday preparations.  Let's get some Christmas cards checked off that giant "to do" list as soon as possible so we can move on to baking and shopping ( and eating). 

Don't get bogged down with complicated cards that you know you'll never finish in time to send out.  Keep it simple and let 2Crafty help take the stress from this task.  

One more BONUS?  They are FLAT and easily go through the postal system without adding postal expense and frustration of fitting in an envelope.  Now THAT is important.  No dimensional embellishments needed.  

Here's my suggestion for the the season...Keep it simple! Work smarter, not harder.2Crafty has an incredible line of Christmas and Holiday chipboard designs that will help achieve this.   The beauty of these pieces is that most can be used to embellish your cards and leave you with little else to do but simply pop the chipboard on the card and sign your name.  How easy is that!

OK so your card needs  a sentiment.  Yep - keep it simple.  I chose the 2Crafty "Christmas Mini Word Set #2" as my main sentiment.  It comes with 6 perfectly sized sentiments in the package, thus making 6 cards!  BAM - easy.  

I used the mini words on all my cards and kept it really convenient by merely inking them a rich vintage brown or green.  Nothing fancy.  No time for that when you're pushing out a bunch of cards within a deadline. 


"Christmas Mini Word Set 2" 


Card 1
"Dotted Baubles"
Now on to card completion.   This is card #1.  Not fancy and yet so elegant.   That's because I let the chipboard do all the work for me.  This card just has a border strip of paper and ribbon/trim and the chipboard.   yep- simple.

I used the "Dotted Baubles" chipboard piece and I painted the little dots on the piece with gold, red and green paint, then coated them with Ranger Crackle Accent to make them pop.  

"Dotted Baubles"




Card 2
"Retro Xmas Tree"
This card is equally simple and quick to complete.   Ink the edges of your cardstock .  I used pre-folded cards and matching envelopes that came in a set because they are inexpensive and perfect , though folding your own cardstock is great too.  Just be careful that your card fits into a standard  envelope that you have handy.   Can't even tell you how many times I made cards without paying mind to envelope size.   Then I am totally out of luck.  

My chipboard was inked and painted with acrylic paint in red, green and gold.  I also topped some dots with glitter and Range Crackle Accents.  




"Retro Xmas Tree" chipboard  

Card 3
"Christmas Decorative Ornament Border"
"Fine Snowflakes"

This card looks fancier that it really is.   It has a few chipboard pieces layered  atop each other but that's it to the complexity.  The gorgeous focal piece I used on this card is the "Christmas Decorative Ornament Border" which is shown further down the page. 

This boarder piece is amazing, delicate and can easily be cut into several pieces to make multiple cards.  What value for your money!   Ink it brown, add red and green paint , some gold glitter on the star, plus a little Ranger Crackle Accents on the berries and this  chipboard piece is done.  

My gorgeous snowflake chipboard piece has a simple and subtle finish.  I painted it white and gently inked the tips brown so they didn't totally blend into the card. 


"Christmas Decorative Ornament Border"

"Fine Snowflakes"


Don't have paints and crackle products?  No worries. Just ink the whole piece a solid color and glue to the card that way.  Or leave the chipboard natural straight from the package.  It's beautiful  "as is".  

Ho Ho Ho, keep it simple this year so that you can focus on the reason for the season and not let the little things in life bog you down.  

May your entire holiday season and your new year be filled with joy, peace and glorious simplicity.  

Visit the 2Crafty Facebook page for additional inspiration. 




Supplies:

Card 1
"Christmas Mini Word Set 2" 
"Dotted Baubles"
Wild Rose Studio Paper - Robin's Christmas  PP037
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Prima Glitter Luminous - 961596
Silks Acrylic Paint - Carmen 30554
Silks Acrylic Paint Peridot 30597
Silks Acrylic Paint Solar Gold 30571
Gold Trim
Ranger Crackle Accent CAC27904


Card 2
"Christmas Mini Word Set 2" 
"Retro Xmas Tree"
Prima Glitter Luminous - 961596
Silks Acrylic Paint - Carmen 30554
Silks Acrylic Paint Peridot 30597
Silks Acrylic Paint - Spicy Tomato 30572
Wild Rose Studio Paper - Robin's Christmas  PP037
Silks Acrylic Paint Solar Gold 30571
Ranger Crackle Accent CAC27904


Card 3

"Christmas Mini Word Set 2" 
"Christmas Decorative Ornament Border"
"Fine Snowflakes" 
Prima Glitter Luminous - 961596
Silks Acrylic Paint  - Carmen 30554
Silks Acrylic Paint Peridot 30597
Wild Rose Studio Paper - Robin's Christmas  PP037
Silks Acrylic Paint Solar Gold 30571
Ranger Crackle Accent CAC27904



1 comment:

  1. Absolutely GORGEOUS my friend....Wow!!! I loved reading your 2Crafty post.
    Your photography of your creations is stunning also. xx

    ReplyDelete