Quick and Easy Christmas Cards

 

Hi, there!  Are you all staying warm, or are you freezing?  I’m doing a little of both because the dogs still need to go out for a good run to keep in shape, but, oh, how nice it is to come inside afterward.  A cup of cocoa and a little stamping time – Heaven!

 

I’ve been getting cozy with the Christmas cards.  Now that the season is here I can’t seem to stop.  Today I’m sharing a couple I made this weekend, very quick and easy with a Sizzix cut and emboss set I picked up recently.  The Sizzix set is called Ornament Set #2, and the stamp set I used is Flourishes’ Christmas Classics.

 

 

 

A 4 1/2” x 6” card or larger is required to accommodate the embossing folder.  It works for me as I have a supply of envelopes to fit this size.  It’s such a beautiful embossed design, isn’t it?  Below, you can see a close up of the Copic colored image with Stickles glitter added to the berries.  The three tiny pearls were white, but I colored them purple with a V09 Copic marker.

 

 

The Sizzix Ornament Set #2 comes with a second embossing folder, as well, and some Framelits dies.  I found it worked best to cut the shape first, and then fit it to the matching design in the folder to emboss.  It’s very easy to match it up, and the embossing stays crisp if you cut first and then emboss.

 

 

Here are the parts ready to put together.  I used both large and small Spellbinders circle dies for the Cardinal image.

 

 

I loved the white on white, but wanted to try the folder on a color, too.  I used some Stampin’ Up! Core’dinations paper and sanded to bring out the design.  Just a simple sentiment and some designer paper makes this a very quick card.  Again I used the Spellbinders circle dies and added a Lacey Circles die cut, as well.  The sentiment is embossed with a pretty deep red called Claret.  The bow was made with a Bow Easy tool.

 

 

The second card with no coloring would be very easy production line stamp, cut, and assembly if you wanted to mass produce, especially if you had all year to do it.  It would be fun to relieve the monotony by using a few different colors, designer papers, sentiments, and ribbons.  But then, what would I do with all those Christmas stamps I love to color?

 

I’ll be back soon.  Stay cozy, my friends!

Comments

[Pauline]

Leslie, whenever I see your post in my Feedly link I know I'm in for a real treat and this is no exception. Love how you used the embossing folder to encompass your image. Very striking - the all white card, the cardinal just pops! Very elegant. Also, thanks for sharing a different alternative using core'dination paper, very nice effect, again another lovely card. I think I need to find this embossing folder! Have a wonderful day, and thanks for sharing - you are always in inspiration.

[Colleen Dietrich]

Absolutely stunning, Leslie! Wow. I never heard of this Sizzix product before. It makes quick cards very elegant and majestic.

[Maggie S]

Wow! These are both stunning! I just love the cardinal card. I still have a pair that are coming to my feeder even with the cold weather. I thought they'd be in Mexico by now. I love the pop of purple on the card also. Great card with the colors too.

[Tammy Hair]

Both cards are beautiful Leslie! I especially like the stunning cardinal!

[Francie in Montreal]

They are absolutely beautiful! Nicely done.

[Conniecrafter]

These are both just lovely, that embossing folder was a good find, great way to frame your images or sentiments, love your color combo on the second also!!

[Bobbi Miller]

Leslie, both of these cards are just gorgeous! I love them both, but I am very partial to the white one. Being from Chicago, the Cardinal is our state bird, and he just looks so chipper and "regal" perched on that wreath! I may have to invest in these products! Thanks so much for sharing! This is going into my "cards to make" folder. Hugs!

[nancy littrell]

Both your cards are simply beautiful Leslie. Thanks for sharing how you did your beautiful eb framing too.

[yogi]

they both look great, but I LOVE the white one
Have a great day

[Lynette]

Just your typical STUNNING cards, Leslie! What a gorgeous embossing folder and die! Very cool. I don't think I've seen them before. Wonderful coloring, of course, and the green card is very pretty, too.

[Sandy K]

Your white on white is beautiful. I want that Ornament Set #2. Where did you get it? I cannot find it. It is stunning.

[Sherri Dean]

Oh, how did I miss this post? These are just gorgeous cards! I'm in love with both of them. And now I just have to find that embossing folder!! ha ha I can't believe you & I were both working on red cardinals (probably at the same time). Yours is a knockout!

[Linda Carson]

Both of these are jaw-dropping gorgeous! Love the elegant simplicity! I've been watching for this Sizzix set since seeing yours. I found it for $10! By the time I went to order it...you guessed it..gone, gone, gone! Insert sad face..!

[Kathy Jones]

They're both gorgeous, but that white embossed one is my favourite!

[Donna Ellis]

Hi, Leslie - brrr cold! I was trimming flower pots yesterday - so imagine your heart sharing my time outdoors with snap dragons, geraniums, begonias and petunias! Your cards are beautiful, both so elegant. Thank you for showing how you made your cards. I had not considered fussy cutting an embossed embellishment like that - thanks for the inspiration! hugs, de

[Shannon White]

Wow!! these are both so Beautiful and Elegant Miss Leslie!! I LOVE the pretty embossing on both and the Darling Cardinal on your first one is Wonderful! ( One of my Favorite Flourishes sets too! ) 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

[Diane Hover]

Wow, these are beautiful!!Gorgeous coloring on the cardinal, and LOVE the embossing folders, making a note of this set...thanks for enabling once again...LOL!