Fellow CTMH Consultant Deb VanPatten devised a terrific cutting guide for a Christmas card workshop. I needed some thank you cards so decided to put her cutting guide to the test using Olivia papers from the new Autumn/Winter CTMH Idea Book (item x7128B, $12.95 and less than half the pack of paper was used). I used the colors from the papers to guide my ink selections (Pear z2197, Sunset z2191, Barn Red z2104, $5.25 each for each ink pad) and selected Colonial White Value Pack cards (x1410; 50 cards and envelopes for $14.95) as Colonial White is one of the base page colors in the Olivia paper pack.
I assembled my items, consulted the cutting guide, determined which paper would be used for each selection (Deb's cutting guide was set for the Mistletoe paper pack, so the names of the papers and designs are different). Here is a photo of what I gathered:
The somewhat translucent envelopes to the left of my Fiskars paper trimmer (item z338 for $29.95; I actually purchased mine with a 40% off coupon at a local craft store) are Paper/Stamp Organizers (item z335; 3 6x6 items for $5.25; I'll be honest with you: I've never purchased these. Instead, I consolidate my stamp sets and save the unused organizers for just these occasions. I happened to have stamped on mine with Staz-On ink to make them decorative). This cutting guide makes 10 each of 5 cards, so there are 5 organizers. I put the cut items for each card into one organizer, then I can take my time in assembling the cards. (Did I mention I have two preschool aged children?)
The image above shows the cutting-in-progress as well as the cut items lined up on each of the respective organizers. I'm a little methodical, so after I cut a page, I turn over the cutting guide. You'll note that the turned pages also contain one page of B&T; that was a page that needed circles cut out. I did that after cutting all the papers.
Once all my papers were cut, I readied the cards for assembly, When purchasing pre-scored cards, you will need to fold them. I find it makes a crisper fold to use a Bone Folder (item z1204 for $4.95); it also saves my finger tips from getting too sore from the folding. Lots of craft kits happen to come with scoring tools or bone folders, so if you have one already, start using it! A little note that it took me a long time to learn: the way to fold a scored item is to fold away from the indented score line. I used to think the ridge should be at the outer peak of the fold, but you'll notice your cardstock "cracks" when you do this. Here is my gratuitous scoring photo. Like my scar? When your children try sitting on the back of the couch, show them the cautionary tale of my escapades as a five-year-old!
Deb's terrific cutting guide utilizes five patterns from our "Wishes Card Confidence Program" How-To book by Jeanette Lynton (item 9033, now just $21.95). In addition to the five patterns I have used here, there are three multi-card "workshops" built in to the book to help you really make the most of your time and effort! I used the square card workshop last year to create my Christmas cards and CD cases. It went very smoothly and allowed me to customize each and really make an impact. (And I made over 200 last year!) Just follow the paper placement in the "Wishes" patterns, like I've done here:
When it came to having "sentiments" I pulled out some new stamp sets that I've really been enjoying in a number of projects. Featured are elements from Circle of Love (D1438 for $22.95 - this one also has an incredible peacock on it and feathers!), The Present (D1436 for $22.95), Everlasting Life (D1440 also $22.95) and Tag the Occasion (B1362 for $13.95). I'm excited to challenge myself to use stamps outside their first and obvious use, like the Everlasting Life is featured in the Winter stamp sets (near Christmas stamps). When using My Acrylix stamps, it is important to have the spongy "cushion" under your paper. Unlike rubber stamps, ours does not have the built-in cushion and you need a little give in this process! Just so you know...
The above stamping examples show first- and second-generation stamping. Both employ the Sunset ink, but the saturation is completely different (giving the effect of two different, yet perfectly coordinating) colors! A tip I learned recently: if you want to maximize your spending, buy deeper shades of inks first and utilize second- and third-generation stamping to increase the "number" of colors you can create!
I went easy on the embellishments for these cards as I need to get them out fairly quickly AND I want to put them in the mail without much extra postage (sometimes required if hand-cancelling is required). Here are my completed cards:
Please contact me if you'd like to learn more about card workshops like these! Hope you enjoyed this look at how easily these come together! (Really...even with my sweet Vs coming around to see what Mommy is doing!)
