This year I said I'd make my own Christmas cards. It's something I aspire to every year... but somehow every year the last posting date hurtles towards me more quickly than the previous year and the inevitable happens... I run out of time. Every year! This year though it was different, I'm not sure if it was the ridiculously early trips to buy supplies (in the year, not in the day), or the public proclamations (the first one was in August, I think) that did it, but this year I actually did it. Of course having more time helped, but typically despite having plans and supplies I didn't start until late November!
It all started on Pinterest, like so many of my crafting aspirations do. I'd seen some delightful little paper trees on gift tags made from a semi-circle, folded simply. How hard can that be I thought - well, once I'd found something round and suitably sized for my cards, it wasn't actually that hard. Phew! Infact the hardest thing was working out if I had a book I'd be ready to sacrifice for this project or if I should pop along to the local charity shop and buy one.
Then I found one of those books that I'd struggled to get into, had read but didn't really get what all the hype was about but I'd kept at the back of my bookshelf and knew it'd just be perfect for this project. I was pretty certain there'd be no rude bits ready to emblazon themselves across the front of my Christmas cards too, so that was a bonus! It did feel odd tearing the cover off a book and pulling out its pages, but for me and this book it was the right thing to do!
I was pretty sure this ribbon would come in handy, and well every tree needs a star right. So after a trial run, I set up production - trees, ribbons, stars, washi tape for the trunk and glue at the ready.
And I was rather happy with them. But after twenty or so I fancied a change so I reverted to an old favourite. Triangles as trees, again with washi tape for trunks and this time a miniature stamped star.
Once again I was looking for another design idea after making another twenty or so cards of the double tree design. This time I used the same template but chopped through the shape to give it this stacked patchwork look. I'm glad I thought to cut several layers of paper at once, otherwise I think there wouldn't have been so many of this design!
I was really pleased with how each of the designs turned out - yes, they're quite simple, but for me that's what appeals most about them. Yes, they look handmade too - but that's because they were, I hope you agree that adds to their charm.
I also made some simple gift tags too - I'd bought plain luggage tags and simply stuck some of the leftover paper in strips diagonally across the tag. I dislike throwing paper scraps away and this was a great way of using them and creating some unique gift tags at the same time.
So once I started I was on a roll and throughly enjoyed making these cards and tags. Now I just need to convince myself to start a bit earlier next year!