Christmas Cards with DIY Instructions -Kaisercraft Part 2

Kaisercraft - St Nicholas Greeting Card :
Originally, this started out as a set of cards that you could make with a specialty bundle from the Flying Unicorns.  My goal was to make some cards that were for Christmas, and also some options for all-purpose cards.  
No one likes to have a stack of Christmas paper left over with  no other options for using them.  It seems like a waste of money.  

I put a ton of love and time into the last creations for the Flying Unicorn, I decided to post them.  While you no longer have an option to purchase the specialty bundle, my heart is still in the projects and I still wish the peace and joy of Christmas to all through my cards.  

This is a two part of the post featuring Kaisercraft St Nicholas collection.   
  Part 1 can be found here with a template for you to download.  

This is Part 2 

This is a card I created with the Kaisercraft St Nicholas collection.  My intention was to be able to create a card that can be used for any occasion and not solely for Christmas.  It's a very simple design - but not all cards need to be fancy.  Some just need to be made and sent.  Cards are really no good if they are not given away and sent out.  

Step 1.  These are the base layer papers I chose.  I do like to ink the edges of these papers to make them feel more finished.  

I also like using a pre-folded card because they are inexpensive and  come with matching envelope.  Card size is 5in x 6.5in and is an off-white ivory color.  

Because my cardstock is 5in x 6.5in, I did trim the card a bit to accommodate the 6x6 sized paper pad and remove the excess"white space" around the card. 

Step 2.  Cut some strips and cut a gold foil doily in half. 

Step 3.  I prefer adding ribbon to a layer before gluing the layer to the card.  I have a few reasons for doing this. 

• I like to glue the ribbon behind the layer to give the card a polish, professional clean look.   
•   It can be difficult to glue ribbon to a card without the glue seeping through or showing.  It      becomes a bit unsightly and unattractive if you can see where the ribbon is attached.  When the ribbon is attached to the back, it remains secure and eliminates the need for additional glue to hold it in place.
• And the best reason - it prevents the ribbon edges from fraying.  

Step 4.  Top with a bow and medallion.  You can add a sentiment to the medallion  if you prefer.  

Here's one last look at the card.  See how all-purpose this can be?  

Products used on this card

Paper Pack 6.5x6.5 St Nicholas Collection

Santoro Brown  organza ribbon

Prima Vintage  Emporium Flowers:  586591

Prima Gold Paper Doilies 585006
Spellbinders - Mini-Doilies

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - - walnut

Pre Folded Ivory/Cream card 5in x 6.5in

Kaisercraft - St Nicholas Festive Card :

This is another example of a card that can be easily created for any occasion if you swap out the words Merry Christmas on the vertical strip.  
This card doesn't have full instructions.   I'm really just going to show you the framework for the card.  The embellishing can easily be replicated using my close up photos.  

Step 1.  Here is the base of the card.  Cut all the pieces and ink all the edges.  

Step 2.  I added string cording before gluing the strips to the card.  

Step 3.  Here is the order I generally use when building a cluster: 

• start with the largest flower first
• follow up with smaller flowers.  
• add leaves and pine branches  
• floral berries are last because they are mean to be tucked in as filler
• finally add pearls, sequins or accent beads   

Don't forget to check out my sweet Mitten card that comes with a template you can download and instructions.  You can find them right here.

Mitten Template download can be found here

Thanks again for stopping.  May your entire holiday season be joyful and wonderful. 

Products used :
Paper Cord Ribbon-Olive Green
Paper Pack 6.5x6.5 St Nicholas Collection
 Petaloo Dahlias - Teastained White-Petites x 24 1465-105
Petaloo  Burlap Wild Sunflower Ivory 1223-200
 Spring Cleaning Clearance - Petaloo Spray Brown
Gold Sequins

Pine Punches

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - - walnut

DIY Mitten Cards with Template to Print

 Mittens Card- with Downloadable Template :

I created a sweet set of mittens that can be used as a cool unique card, or double as an ornate box topper decoration. Heck I think they would make sweet tree ornaments as well.  

 My paper for this project was Kaisercraft - St Nicholas Collection.

This is a two-part post - with other card samples and tutorials on Part 2, found here.  

I created a pattern that you can print and make your own mitten set.  It takes me quite a while to create a custom pattern so I am happy to share.  I feel like the time spent  making the pattern is more fruitful if I share.  

I enjoyed embellishing my mittens but if you prefer them to be flat for mailing, just eliminate the bulky embellishments to accommodate shipping.  I have an example of a flatter mitten if you scroll down.  

And if you scroll some more, you'll find my template and my instructions.  So let the scrolling begin!

This is my flat version for mailing to save on postage.  

Here are the Instructions: 

Step 1.  Download my custom template. The Mitten Template download can be found here.  You will need to cut both the right and left hands out for this card.  

If you notice, each hand has two mitten shapes.  One shows a folded line.  This is the base of the card.  It must be cut using a folded piece of paper.  The second form is going to be cut from patterned paper and is a bit smaller than the outside shape.  This was designed so that I did not need to fuss with perfection.  Trying to get cut paper shapes the exact size = misery.  

Mitten Template download can be found here. 

Step 2.  I used two pre-folded cards to create my mittens.  These are cream/ivory and are sized 5in x 6.5in.    Be mindful of the fold.  You definitely do not want to cut the fold.  

 Step 3.  Cut the rest of the pieces out.

TIP: Each mitten hand will have a front and a back.  If you are limited in paper then make sure you have cut one left and one  right hand using the same paper - otherwise your mittens will not match.   You can use a different paper for the flip side of the mittens. 

 

Step 4.  Ink the front and back edges of all pieces.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain.

Step 5. Time to attach the mittens together.  

You have some options so let me explain them.  

Option 1.  The mittens I made do not open.  I glued them totally shut because I did not intend them to be greeting cards - but a package decoration with a small sentiment on the palm of the mitten.   

For this option, you'll want to add the string to the inside of the mitten and glue the card closed.  

  Option 2.  This option allows for you to have both mittens open as cards.  For this card option, you'll want to add the string under the mitten layers to hid the string. 

 Option 3.  This option allows for you to have one mitten that opens as a card - and one mitten that does not open.  

Step 6.  Start embellishing as desired.  I'm going to leave the decorating decisions up to you.  

Here is the flip side of the mittens. 

Mitten Template download can be found here

Supplies for Mittens
Paper Cord Ribbon-Olive Green
Paper Pack 6.5x6.5 St Nicholas Collection
 Petaloo Dahlias - Teastained White-Petites x 24 1465-105
Petaloo  Burlap Wild Sunflower Ivory 1223-200
 Spring Cleaning Clearance - Petaloo Spray Brown
Prima Frank Garcia Memory Hardware - Grand Rosette trim 990466

Santoro Brown  organza ribbon

Prima Vintage  Emporium Flowers:  586591

Spellbinders - Mini-Doilies

Pine Punches

Tim Holtz Alterations Holly Greens Thinlits

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - - walnut

Bright and cheery

Flying Unicorns

 Did you realize you could pre-order the Flying Unicorns kit?  yes get a jump on everyone else and get all you favorite add-ons.  Pre-order day is the 20th of every month.

This was created with the Unicorn August kit.   Actually August's Your Passion Your Art.

Flowers, vines,and embellishments oh my! Our Mixed Passion is a collection of everything pretty to add to the Main kit or the add on kits. The colors and embellishments will enhance your Kit of the Month creations or it can stand alone and you can create something magical on its own! So turn up the music, make some tea and lock your self away while you create some art!

Pre-order day..............starts the 20th of the MONTH!  YIKES don't delay

Kits and Add On Kits are limited

so do not delay in getting yours!

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Soft and Darling with the Unicorns

Today I am sharing a layout I made with the Flying Unicorns Aug kit.  

August's Your Passion Your Art.

I recently took some photos of my 8 yr old nice.  She is a total darling.  I decided to grunge up the photo a bit and thought the kit would make a great backdrop for my photo.  It's got that soft  shabby chic  quality.

So here are the close ups. 

The photo just melts into the papers.

Kits and Add On Kits are limited

so do not delay in getting yours!

2Crafty and Flying Unicorns Escape Kitty August

Today,  Escape Kitty is here  right from the strawberry patch.  She's showing off her latest  piece using 2Crafty and  Flying Unicorn's August Kit.

The three pieces of chipboard used here are as follows:

Party Banner db0067

Crazy About You words ( wordcrazyabo)

Oval Frame fr0039

I chose the "Oval Frame" chipboard piece because it emulates the smaller resin frame I selected.  Perfect to frame Miss Kitty.  

My photos are very light but I used some chunky embossing enamel on the "Oval Frame" and well as the word "Crazy About You". 

You can see the chunky embossing treatment a little better here.  

The "Party Banner" was done by painting with a dry brush over the chipboard.  I used a pale pink, yellow and white acrylic paint.   I also gave my banner a bit of a bend for added interest.  

You can find an assortment of 2Crafty at Flying Unicorn - right here. 

Grab your Kit before it's gone. 

Copyright 2012-2015 Escape Kitty by Jennifer Snyder

DIY Winter Decoration with Kaisercraft Wood Shapes

Bow It All and Kaisercraft Winter Home Decor

...with instructions. 

Here is a beautiful decoration using Kaisercraft's  craftwood bird shape.  Top the project with the perfect bow using the Bow-It-All by Zutter.

This is a quick and inexpensive project that you can create for someone special or just to brighten your home for the holidays. When the holiday season is over, switch the evergreens and berries with some flowers to get a different look for all seasons.  

The MDF craftwood shapes from Kaisercraft are very easy to use and do not need surface preparation.
Here is a photo of the unfinished bird shape. It stands 6 inches x 5 inches x .5 inches.

The supplies you will need

Kaisercraft MDF Craftwood Standing Shape

Zutter Bow-It-All

Red Acrylic Paint

Foam Brush or Paint Brush

Gold Ribbon

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Floral Pick and Berries

Quick and Easy Steps

1.

Paint the bird form with red paint. I used a foam brush but a paint brush works well too.

2.

Ink the edges with brown to darken and distress the red on the bird. This tones down the brightness and adds a little vintage charm.

 I used the amazing Zutter Bow It All  to create my perfect bow.

3.

Add a small decorative floral pick with greens and berries. I actually tied the berry pick onto the wooden bird legs using clear fishing line. Wire or twine can be used as well since you will not see the twine or wire once it is buried between the floral berry pick.

You can enjoy it so many ways; set on a mantel, perch on a sofa table, place in a window, hang on a door.