Are you making or buying your Christmas & holiday cards this year?

[Warren]

Are you making or buying your Christmas & holiday cards this year? Also, if you make them, please tell us how you do it. Time spent, time for each, how much is done completely by hand, materials used, how they are received, etc...

[card-makin_junkie]

lol you arent asking for much are ya Warren? *grin*

I make all of my Christmas cards and i usually start a lil at a time, beginning in May after i visit the annual rubber stamping show. They are never all exactly the same (as i get real bored, real quick). That way everyone gets something a lil different =)

I try to top the card i make each year, but some years i have to step back and do something really simple yet elegant enough for me to be happy in sending them. Some of my relatives really look forward to the card they will receieve each year. A few of them keep them in some sort of album too!

As far as materials go, it varies. This year, its black cardstock made into cards that are actually small enough to hang on the tree as an ornament, with sizzix snowflakes cut out of fun foam and embellished.

The majority of the cards i make, i send with my parents when they visit extended family for Christmas, as i work retail and am not allowed to take days off in a row during the season =(

The others i either hand deliver or mail. The ones that i dont manage to mail, i save for furture reference, lol.

Anyways, i hope that is enough information, as i could go on and on about making Christmas cards *grin*

CMJ =)

[greatgrandma2]

Not sure how long it will take to finish all 90 or so but I'm spending the afternoon embossing trees using Dee's hand dandy embossing board--one of the best tools I have!! I'm going away next week so some simple cards will be stamped when I have a break at our Sr. Bible Conf. Many hours but hoping to get them out by the 15th!! *LOL**
Of course--most bd and anniversary cards will be bought except for family and special friends-even my own son has a bd on CHRISTmas!! :D

[i.r.stamper]

Well, every year I swear I'm buying my cards, that I won't stress myself out making my own. And every year on December 12th I get hit with this AWFUL feeling of guilt...and I go into a card making frenzy!*LOL*

THIS year, I decided to make it easier on myself, and start my cards early. (For me, early was November*wink*) I spent the ENTIRE Thanksgiving weekend stamping, and right now I've got 12 cards to show for it. Since I need close to 50 of 'em, I'll be stamping my heart out every day until Christmas!*LOL*

How I stamp 'em...usually, it's assembly line fashion. But this year, I decided to make one design, but vary the colors...some will be red, some green, ect. It's helped with the boredom of making the same card over and over again, but it's also slowed my assembly line down a LOT!*LOL*

Most of my cards will be delivered by USPS. Most will be sent by themselves, but some will be included in boxes of presents.*wink* OH, and two will be taped to my trash cans! See, last year I taped cards to my trash cans for our trash men. One was addressed to the Waste Pro Driver. The other was addressed to the Waste Pro Technician. If you could have seen the shock on those guys faces when they saw cards taped to those trash cans!*ROFL* (I also included a small monetary gift...and those guys beep and wave to me every week now!*ROFLMBO*) But the funny part was when they read the envies...they REALLY got a kick out of the "technician" part, you could hear them laughing their way down the street.*VBG*

WHEW, just re-read your post, Warren, you want a LOT of info!*ROFL* Ok, for my cards EVERYTHING is hand made except my cardstock and stamps used. Time spent? TOO MUCH!*ROFL* I'm SUPER slow, so it may take me an hour or more to make one card...and that's AFTER the design is complete. Add in the design time and we're talking WEEKS!*LOL* (Which is why I always go with just one design per year.)

Materials used...changes every year. This year it's dye ink, two colors of cardstock, gold EP, a gold paint pen, and lots of double stick tape!*G* I'm using one stamp for my main image, one stamp for the main background, and two tiny peg stamps for the layered backgrounds. Just a simple card this year.*wink*

Ok, I think that's all you asked!*LOL* Who's next?*G*

[teatah]

The time I spend making Christmas cards varies, as I make them all through the year. If I get an inspiration, I make up the cards asap while the idea is still fresh in my mind. I am always making cards it seems. I make up to 8 at a time assembly line fashion. Or I can make 2 to 4 at a time. It depends how ambitious I am at any given time. I have been known to stamp extra images when I am stamping things out. I have a basket with small ziploc bags in to hold the extras. I guess that is why I am so stocked up on cards. I am making them all the time. I don't have to worry about rushing at the last minute to make Christmas cards, since I have about a half dozen shoe box size containers just of Christmas cards. I just go to the containers the weekend before Thanksgiving, get out my cards, address them, etc. and away they go the week of Thanksgiving. All of my cards have already been sent out and received by the recipient. How fun is that to have that done already and be the first one to have their card received by everyone

[catmommy9]

I voted for *making them all*. Part of why I got into this stamping thing in the first place was frustration over not being able to find store-bought cards I liked! I once drove to about five stores, looking for Cat-mas cards...LOL! :D

Last year, I had several different designs, because I have so many kitty stamps that need using! I have even more this year. Plus, it is boring to make them all the same, so I'll maybe make half a dozen or so per design.

I will use stamps, inks, patterned and plain papers and cardstocks, and Sizzix & Quickutz die-cuts...and maybe some ribbons, too. Some cards will be more intricate than others...some people, who are getting gift cards/certificates from me, will get them in one of those accordian cards...like the one I made for Daylene for the Secret Santa exchange. Others might get less fancy cards.

Once I have a design, I can make a simple card in less than ten minutes. An accordian card might take over an hour.

Most will be mailed. But a few will be hand-delivered. Mike has asked me for cards for his boss and stuff, and he'll hand-deliver those.

I guess that just about answers it all! :D

[cbsumm]

Yes, I make my own cards. Last year was the worst because I waited until the last minute and that did not help the true spirit of the holidays. So this year I started in July and made the decision to make at least three cards each month and dedicate one hour of my time to Christmas each month on club day. My intention was good and I did get some designs lined up and images stamped. The follow-through was lacking. I also did a workshop learning some new techniques to add texture to cards. I attempted to make my class samples holiday cards by switching the suggested images. This helped some.

I usually make about six cards all the same and then switch designs so that I don't get bored. I would not make a good assembly line worker.

One of the local stamp groups I belong to did a really fantastic thing this year. We all brought our holiday stamps and spent the day using each others images to stamp up a huge batch of different card fronts. This was so much fun because I am making some star books for family members and my theme is "snowmen" and I own very few snowmen stamps; however, on club day, the snowmen multiplied and I had so many to chose from. I was also able to complete a variety of cards for my own use.

My neighbor wanted to purchase some of my holiday cards and I thought, "good, I have a stack completed for her to chose from." She came and looked and selected several designs; however, she wanted multiples of each. That is the reason my production line is in full swing. I need to complete her cards before I finish my own. I spent all day cutting the cardstock, stamping the images and now I'm adding the embellishments, eyelets, ribbons and so forth. Hopefully, I'll have them to her this weekend.

One reason I like to make my cards is the joy that comes back to me from those receiving them. There is no better compliment than to hear that a card you made was put on the mantel for all to see. It is this feedback that drives my creativity and desire to do better and try new techniques.

If it wasn't fun, I'd just go purchase some at the store.

Carolyn :)

[vangerhofer]

I make all my own cards for every occasion now. I never buy a single one. And the holidays, especially Christmas, has me making a great many. They are not all the same, however several do resemble a same pattern line. This year I have made around 80 cards and am now in the process of getting them addressed and ready to mail. It is a gift from me to all in the fact that a homemade card is filled with a lot of love and it enriches my life as well to spread a joy this way. Thanks for asking..hugs, Verna

[mlbdds1]

I usually make my cards for all occasions too, I can't remember the last card I purchased.

Larry

[andrew overton]

If you are a stamp artist you sure have to make your own cards, what other way would one get a great satisfaction than creating your own christmas cards. I have to make my own cards otherwise im sure i would be confined to the dog house,everyone loves the fact of recieving a handmade creation. Stamping is a versatile way of creating beautiful layouts and designs and i for one could never buy a shop or store bought card it just would not feel the same. i sure get busy making them but when its all done and i see what i have created , i visualise the smiles on peoples faces before they recieve them. Pity because most cards i send out by mail but im sure they like the suprise enclosed every single year.
Andrew O

[mcmoore]

I usually make my own cards....but since I have no time to stamp, no cards are made, and I refuse to buy....sometime I do have to cave in though, depending on the occasion. I only send to family and friends, so I do pray the understand when they don't get a card it's not because I don't care, they just know my crazy schedule and that I just didn't have time to make them!

[catmommy9]

On the subject of handmade vs. store-bought cards: one thing I have noticed since I started making cards is that now, Mike no longer gives me cards for Valentine's Day, my birthday, etc. He says that he's afraid that no store-bought card would meet up to my standards.

This really makes me want to teach him how to stamp...maybe I will have him help me with the Christmas cards, and see how he likes it.

Who knows? We might be able to get another male Club Posh-er! :D If someday in the future, you ever see someone with the handle of catdaddy9 posting here, that'll be him! :D

[Marta]

I make my own, too. That is the whole point of having a card-making hobby :) For christmas, I make all of them different, but perhaps next year I am going to simplify things :)

I make my cards whenever the mood strikes and save them in a box, that way I don't have to make them under pressure. I find I make much better cards, and enjoy it better too, without pressure. I work in spurts and sometimes I make quite a few than for months nothing. Usually just as my pile dwindles, I get back into the mood so it works out great.

My children take it for granted to make cards for everybody's birthday, invitations etc. (we don't send thank you notes). They usually draw them with markers or crayons, but we also make cards together and taught them about layering, framing, and of course, stamping. Even my husband made a card or two. He does not buy cards but he got inspired and made cards with the computer and some card stock. It rubs off the family :)

I think the last card I purchased was because I liked the design and wanted to get it for inspiration LOL :)

[JeanneLee]

I do send cards out...generally its been homemade for my family and a few friends...but I just didn't have time to make 40+...so I always buy a box on sale at my favorite Christian bookstore. ;) We make a family newsletter plus add a family photo...so whether it homemade or store bought our family and friends appreciate just hearing from us.

WE missed out sending cards out last year do to moving to a new home.
So this year everybody will be surprised to find we moved! ;)
Who knows I have this weekend to make a dent in getting my crads done...but I am waiting on a stamp set to come in that I ordered.

I have my dd to help this year...so assembly line should go fast! ;) Stamps, ink and paper are my main supplies this year...embellishments: ribbon...time spent on each card hoefully no more than 5-10 minutes each...but am I being realistic! :o

[AnnetteMay]

[QUOTE=Warren]Are you making or buying your Christmas & holiday cards this year? Also, if you make them, please tell us how you do it. Time spent, time for each, how much is done completely by hand, materials used, how they are received, etc...[/QUOTE]

Already voted "making them all" - would anyone HERE admit to buying cards?? LOL And I make my own cards generaly the "same" theme, with variations on color of ink/CS/extras.... Most of you have already seen my round "ornament" cards I posted on another thread and that is the one I'm sending this year.
I take the CS and the CD Disk to work, fold/cut when not busy. Then at nightI lay them all out and glue on the ribbon, add the glitter glue squiggles....I can do about 15 in an hour, and that's about how many I can lay out at a time. Then the next morning I sit with a audio tape/christmas music or a movie and twist the wire "loops", (about another 1/2 hour or so, depending in interruptions from cats/phone...) then last stamp & EP the sentiment, again about an hour. On average 15 cards takes 4 hours total, that comes to what? about 4 cards an hour? I also cut/fold/glue my envies while at work too. I'm so lucky to have a job where I HAVE to "look" busy all the time so my personal crafting is allowed.... LOL

Now the real trouble I have is writing the "letter" that I try to send out each card each year...that's why I usually don't get them mailed until Dec 23rd!!! I want the letter to be "current" and so many things "change" so often!! LOL

[andrew overton]

I think the idea of letting your hubby stamp Christine is brilliant, i know not all the ladies are in favour of this because maybe they will have to share those stamps.
What better way to teach your husband and making christmas cards is the best time, even he will feel he is sharing and thinking a hand made creation is made with much love .
You go for it, in fact show your hubby my message a mans words from the heart.
regards Andrew O

[JeanneLee]

:rolleyes: Oops! I admitted!
I'll go into hiding now! :cool:

[lovetostamp]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I buy some of my cards. I simply don't have the time to make all of them and don't want to leave anyone out that I want to give greetings to. For the last 2 or 3 years I haven't had time to make any Christmas cards. :eek: I sent only a handful last year to some friends. For me this is a hobby that I love and enjoy and I want to keep it that way ... no stressing. ;)

This year, I've already made at least 5 cards! Woo-hoo! I'm on a roll now ... LOL! :D

[greatgrandma2]

I won't have to buy any since I already have some and since I'm not going to make enough stamping-I will run some off on the computer-next to last resort before using bought ones. they may all go this year.
I'm with you Daylene, I'd rather send a computer generated(personalised) or bought than none at all-I still send my love.
Miriam

[andrew overton]

just finished making my number 75 card, i think the best way of making seasonal cards is to keep the design classy and simple. i have to make more in depth cards but these are close related ones and usually do 6. My tip for anyone who feels they find it stressful making seasonal cards dont make them all in a few weeks, best to stretch them out and do six to twelve at a time and no more, if you try to do too much it becomes very time consuming and the enjoyement is no longer there.
Happy seasonal Cardmaking to All .
Andrew O

[greatgrandma2]

Andrew, I tell myself every year I will start early BUT you know what-part of the fun is the stress-not too much, just enough so I can sort of moan and groan that I'll never get done. But I always do and I am always so HAPPY with my cards and notes and the love that goes in them. So don't let me fool you-if you think I am on the verge of giving up NO WAY. I'm having too much fun. Do them early-maybe next year. VBG

[kindredkin]

I always try to make at least 4, for my girls and hubby and one very special friend. Sometimes my creativity seems to work hand in hand when I know the deadline is near. It all comes together nicely.There's so much to do ast this time of year and Andrew is right when he says that if you make too many all at once, it takes the fun out of it... I'm always happy with my results so even if I start them late, I know it warms my heart when i'm all done and ready to give them.

[Bluedenim]

My husband and I will be making very simple cards this year. Last year I made some wire sculpted Snowflake cards ( 5 feet of wire per card) but they took for ever. This year I plan do do something a lot simpler

[greatgrandma2]

Hi Bluedenim
Welcome to the best stamping club ever! ;)
There is so much help available from our moderators and each other and the CHALLENGES!! We have so much fun and learn from each other at the same time. :D
Hope you will enjoy Club Posh as much as I do. Don't forget to let us see some of your work.
5 feet of wire on each card! :eek:
Miriam

[zooflorida]

All right, I am admitting, too. I try to make the ones for our family and close friends, about 30 in all. But due to our careers, there are always a bunch of stock cards that go out to colleagues and clients.
Bluedenim, after 5 feet of wire per card, I'd be wired, but I bet they were gorgeous! Thanks for joining us on the boards!
Smiles, Darby

[andrew overton]

Hi bluedenim welcome to club posh and great to hear you and your husband are making christmas cards, thats what i call team work well done and keep on stamping. Kind regards andrew O

[stampwilly]

I make all of my Christmas cards. I use an assembly line approach. I made all of mine in October. I have sent out most of them.

Stampwilly

[mcmoore]

April, you're finished and their mailed??? That's just amazing!! I wish I was....

[Shari]

This is one long thread. I will have to read everything when I get home from church tonight! But David and I work on our CHRISTmas cards together. He actually did a lot of the layering and I did all of the stamping. Now the cards are done and ready to sign, I just have to finish making the envelopes - can't send a card out with a plain envelope! I ran out of steam on Friday. So tomorrow it's back at it. AND I was too tired from the sale and the concert I was in yesterday to work on them. Can't wait to read all the replies. I just saw that April has her finished and out - way to go girl! and just another aside - the people who get Andrew's cards are really in for a treat. I've seen some of his cards in person over at Posh - nice, very nice!

[designerjoan]

My overseas ones are all made, envelopes stamped and ready to go. Just need to make sure thay get to the post office tomorrow!
Hugs Joan

[vangerhofer]

Yes, with the Christmas carols on the CD player urging me along, I almost have mine signed, sealed and soon delivered. There may be a stray one or two yet to make but I am pretty well caught up. Glad I started when I did now. Hugs, Verna

[andrew overton]

Im not so organised like Joan but i shall be finished very soon then i can get some sent and hopefully reach their destinations before post deadline.

[got2stamp]

I'm going to hand make all of the cards going to close family members and then I'm going to design a card for friends and make prints enough for everybody.

[mcmoore]

You all make me feel soooo guilty! I hang my head in shame! I don't have any cards done except for the ones that I sent to Iraq. I fear that time is running out on me! I'd need to take the next week or two off to catch up on everything I need to do before Christmas! At least my shopping is done! (thanks to online shopping!!) Now I just have to wrap them all!! :)

[andrew overton]

My cards are finished and today i posted them to various parts of America, the ones who i have their address have been sent. All i hope now they arrive to their destinations safely .
Vera dont feel guilty about making christmas cards, the quickest cards to make are production ones, simple in design and can take 5 minutes from start to finish.

These are the ones i used to make when i had 300 to send out, luckily its less this year about nearly 100.
If you would like an idea read the next post. Regards Andrew O

[andrew overton]

Well im back ive just eaten my Uk tea and now im ready.

Any colour cardstock of festive colouration
Dyebased quick drying inkpads
6" by 4" cardstock to mount work onto

Start to inkup a snowflake stamp any choice posh if you have one. take a turquoise green and stamp the snowflake onto a piece of white cardstock trim down to 4" square.
Run your inkpad around the edges of card to put on a fine border.

mount onto coloured cardstock use green if possible this will match with sample inkpad choice. With the 6" by 4" card fix down centally leaving an equal border, add a quick touch of silver glitter glue to snowflake use a tiny bit so drying time is minimal
Your quick card is complete.
Have fun happy quick seasonal cardmaking
Andrew O