I’m not sure why July elicits thoughts of Christmas. Maybe it’s because it’s the middle of the year, sort of. Or maybe because it’s pretty hot in this part of the world and folks are longing for cooler weather. Whatever the reason, businesses and artists alike participate. So, I thought I’d get in, just under the wire, and play along.
This project went super fast and requires minimal supplies, which makes it ideal for assembly line construction if you need to make a ton of cards. If you haven’t seen it already, here’s the video showing all the steps for this quick card project:
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STEP BY STEP
Trim & Emboss the Focal Panel
SUPPLIES
- Park Lane A2 Embossing Folder – Snowflakes
- Neenah Classic Crest 80# Cardstock
- Tim Holtz 8.5″ Comfort Trimmer
- Spellbinders Platinum 6 Manual Die Cutting Machine
TIP: If you use a layering die set to cut your panels to size, be sure and do this BEFORE embossing with your folder. If you run your pre-embossed panel in the machine, it will flatten the embossing and the 3D effect will be mostly lost.
STEPS
- Trim the 80# card stock to panels that measure 3 ½” x 4 ¾”
- Place them in your embossing folder and emboss with your favorite method. Any Christmas or Winter themed design will work for this set of cards.
- Set aside.
Trim the Framing Panels
SUPPLIES
- Tim Holtz 8.5″ Comfort Trimmer
- Silver Glitter paper (use your favorite brand)
- Red Shimmer paper (use what you have)
STEPS
- Trim your framing panels to 3 ¾” x 5″, mine are red and silver glitter card stock. This will leave a nice little ⅛” border all around the embossed panel. It wall also allow for a ¼” of the card base as a frame.
Stamping & Heat Embossing
SUPPLIES
- Stamping Platform (This is a link to The Misti. The one I use is no longer available, but they all do the same thing.)
- Simon Says Stamp – INSIDE CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
- Vellum
- Audrey Blue Cardstock
- Anti-static Powder Pouch
- Versamark Sticky Ink
- Stampendous Detail Silver Embossing Powder
- Wagner Heat Tool
- Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels Die Set
STEPS
- Place your vellum and teal pieces in your stamp platform.
- Use the anti-static powder pouch to treat your vellum and blue card stock. This prevents the embossing powder from sticking to the background.
- Use the Versamark ink on the stamps, make a good impression.
- Apply embossing powder to stamped image.
- Heat with heat tool until melted and smooth.
- Trim vellum and blue sentiments as desired. I used the paper trimmer for the vellum parts and the Sentiment Labels Die Set for the blue strip.
Assemble the Cards
SUPPLIES
- Neenah Solar White 110# Cardstock
- Mini Score Board
- Teflon Bone Folder
- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider
- Scor-Tape
- Envelopes
STEPS
- Cut your base card stock in half so you have two panels 5.5″ x 8.5″.
- Score these pieces at the 4.25″ mark for a A2 sized, side folding card.
- Position the vellum sentiments onto the embossed panel and fold the edges around, crease.
- Place scor-tape on the flaps to adhere. Or, you can also tape the flaps to the back of the panel with scotch tape.
- Use the tape runner to adhere the embossed panels to the silver and red frame panels.
- Use the tape runner to adhere the panels to the card bases.
- Use scor-tape to adhere the blue sentiment strip to the embossed panel of one card.
Boom! How easy was that?!
Like I said at the beginning, these cards would be perfect if you need to make a lot of them. Assembly line creating would be really easy with minimal supplies. The design would also be great to make for coworkers or customers if you, or someone you know, owns a small business. Plus, they’re basically one-layer cards so no extra postage is needed.
If you try this technique, be sure and share your artwork with us on the @ladymichellecreates Facebook page. Also, if you haven’t already, be sure and visit my YouTube channel, subscribe, and click the notification bell. I upload a video every week.
Thanks for spending time with me!
Blessings & Hugs,
Michelle
Lady Michelle Creates 