We all love sending and receiving Christmas cards. However, making Christmas cards can be a challenge when you are running around all the time. After all, we all are busy with all the things in life. Family responsibilities, an 8-5 job, kids activities. I totally get it, and so this is why today I want to share with you a way to make your Christmas cards quick and easy!
Certainly, this process has helped me lately with designing quick and easy Christmas cards. And when I need to make a good number of Christmas cards, this is a good way to tackle the task!
Let me summarize this process in the next bullets for you:
- Select a focal point
- Choose the patterned paper of your choice
- Look out for sketches for your cards or layouts
- Schedule some time to cut and ensemble cards
Select a focal point
This my friend will make a big difference. Before you get into making Christmas cards, you need to choose what you want to use as you main focal point. The idea here is to cover the majority of the space you typically have in a Christmas card canvas (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″). Having a good focal point always helps in designing a card.
One thing to take into consideration is the number of cards you need to have ready, to make sure you have as many focal points available. For instance, if you are making 20 cards, you would need to consider what you want to do for the focal point 20 times. For example if you are fussy cutting something, do you want to do this 20 times? do you have 20 of the same image to be able to make 20? if not, what would you use to substitute this focal point?
In the Quick and easy Christmas cards I show in this post I decided that the focal point is the Christmas Tree. However, I know that the designer series paper I am using will not let make 20 trees. Therefore, I know I have to make some other with regular card stock. The good thing though, is that because this is a large die cut, I can make as many as I want, I just need to decide what paper to die cut.
A few examples of focal points for your Christmas cards can be
- A die cut or a sticker – In my example I am using a large die cut. The Christmas Tree.
- An image you can cut out of your patterned paper
- A stamped image
- A large sentiment
Choose the patterned paper of your choice
Once you know what is your focal point, then you can look for a patterned paper that goes well with the focal point. In all honesty, I typically do this process hand on hand when selecting the focal point, that way I don’t waste too much time in matching things.
For instance in the cards I show in this post, I knew I would use the Wrapped in Plaid designer series paper (DSP) as I was going to die cut the large pine tree for my Christmas cards. Therefore, it made sense to use the same patterned paper for the cards.
One great tip when choosing the patterned paper, is to use one from a collection or pack. In my case I always use Stampin’ Up! designer series paper packs because these always color coordinate very well. This definitely makes the designing process very easy.
Try to not go by the one sheet stack, though you can find gorgeous paper, you will waste way too much time trying to match it with other papers and most of the times you can’t even find one that coordinates perfectly.
Look out for the sketches for your cards or layouts
The next thing to do is to look for sketches or layouts that are simple to follow, that way you can just just the paper accordingly and start making your Christmas cards.
The big tip I can give you when making quick and easy Christmas cards, is to look for easy sketches. Try to avoid going for overly complicated sketches with many layers. In fact the less layers the better. I share more about sketches on this post. And while this post is about Halloween cards, I know you can apply the same tips when making quick and easy Christmas cards. By the way on this post I share a link to my Pinterest board for sketches. So, if you are interested in easy sketches make sure to follow it on Pinterest.
Also try to go for a sketch that showcase or displays the patterned paper you selected. This easy trick will make the big difference, as you make your Christmas cards.
All the sketches I used on these cards are extremely simple, yet the cards look stunning, as these showcase really well the patterned paper. Don’t you agree?
Schedule some time to cut and assemble cards
Now the fun begins!!! Once you have decided on your sketch and the designer series paper and the focal point, it is time to make your Christmas cards!
First step is to break the card into tasks. For instance, cutting the patterned paper, die cutting the focal point, stamping, tie bows, etc. Schedule some time to be making each of the tasks you identified on the first step. Secondly, once you have all the different elements, then schedule some time to assemble all your cards. You will see that you will make quick and easy Christmas time, without any trouble! believe me 🙂
Tutorial on how to make Three quick and easy Christmas cards
Now regarding the cards I show on this post, let me share the following video tutorial, where you can see specifically how these cards were made!
I go over measurements and colors for these cards step by step. Additionally, on this video tutorial I share some tips and tricks on how to use the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint! So if you have been wondering how to use the puff paint, make sure to watch the video!
Please know that this is what I showed last week during my FB live, if you are interested in catching me live, you can like to my page https://www.facebook.com/CreatingWithAllie/ and you can turn on the notifications to let you know when I go live! which is typically on Thursdays at 7pm CST.
Here is the supply list as well as the links to all the products I used to make these cards. If you are interested in getting any of these products you can click on the images and these will take you to my online store. I truly appreciate your support 🙂
Want to remember this post for later? Save these Quick & Easy Christmas card Ideas in your favorite board!
