Christmas Card 2012
Here is my Christmas card for this year. I always try to make cards that don’t take a lot of time but still meet my personal standards, and most years I fail. I start with a base design but then add one more little touch here and there to make it perfect, and then when you multiply that by 25-30 cards it turns into a lengthy process to get them all done.
Not this year! I had my Silhouette Cameo sketch the sentiment with a red fine-tip American Crafts marker using the Chomas Creations adjustable marker holder, then cut the trees and rectangle from white cardstock. I ran that through my Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots” embossing folder, glued some green pattern paper onto a white card base, then attached the embossed section on top with foam adhesive to give the window a little lift.
I stuck a photo and letter inside the card and done! Fastest Christmas card I’ve ever made.
The only problem came when I took one to the post office to make sure it would be O.K. in the machines, and they told me I needed to pay an extra 20 cents per envelope to guarantee it wouldn’t jam in the high-speed machines. I told them I’d take my chances and send them through normally. I’ve used these same foam dots on all my last few years’ Christmas cards, so I’m hoping it won’t turn out to be a problem.
If any of you get my cards with “postage due,” please let me know and I’ll send out flat cards from now on! (And reimburse your 20 cents, if you want.) 😉
Update: These seem to be getting to my family and friends with no postage issues.
Merry Christmas!
Font: Aunt Jana Sketch
Trees: Presents and Trees ID #23174 in the Silhouette Store
I bought that adapter thingie from Amy Chomas and haven't used it yet, so thank you for the inspiration. These cards may well be my quickie cards this year, since I haven't gotten around to making many yet. It's not the last minute yet, is it?
No, it's not last minute yet! Last year I think I mailed mine three days before Christmas. 🙂
I made several of these this year, I just love the design. I didn't actually use the sketch pen, mostly because I was too lazy. I left off the sentiment altogether. I posted them on my blog this morning if you'd like to have a look. Thanks for the inspiration! And yes, a few of mine went out Saturday – 3 days before Christmas!
I love how you did your cards like this, Jackie! Love your blog. 🙂
What a great card! How did you get the Silhouette to sketch the handwritten part without it being an outline of the font?
That's the beauty of the Aunt Jana Sketch font. Silhouette has two sketch fonts that are specifically made for sketching and have no outline (plus they are still real fonts and work in other programs). I've included the link to this font you can buy from Silhouette at the end of my post above.
Thank you!! I can't tell you how long I was trying to figure this out last night after buying a few "sketch" fonts and them not working. Just purchased this and the Amy Lou font and they worked perfectly. I love your stuff 🙂
Glad to hear it! 🙂
Kelly, what a beautiful, crisp, card, hugs
Thank you so much, Sandi!
Kelly, this is beautiful, I love the idea of using the silhouette to make this. I just spent a couple of house cutting and making trees by hand to put on a card.
Thank you for sharing your talent.
Kelly, what size of card did you make? I just downloaded the file.
Thanks
This is a standard A2 card size (letter-size page cut in 1/2 then folded in 1/2). The base is 4.25" x 5.5" and the white embossed piece is 3.75" x 5".
Thank you for replying so quickly Kelly.
I just cut out just had to see it done.
Another question how thin are your dots that you use that will go through the mail. Mine are too large so will want to invest in skinner ones and save postage.
I have a package of Silhouette sketch pens .45 are these too large? I see you said you used a fine tip. I will need to put it in my blade holder. Again I see you use Amys adjustable marker holder. I assume you have used Silhoutte pens and blade holder. How are these two pen holder different? I am into easy and only a first time of even trying to sketch.
I have looked for a video on how to use them and haven't found a good detail one. Do you have a suggestion for a video to watch? Do I sketch first prior to cutting out the trees?
Also is there a video on how to
My written tutorial for using sketch pens is HERE. You do sketch before you cut, and do not unload the mat after sketching while you swap out the pen for the blade.
Silhouette sketch pens will work fine; they are gel pens and I used a marker, so it needed a fine tip. The very easiest to work with are the Silhouette Sketch pens, but the Chomas holders are much more versatile as you can use any of your own pens or markers (depending on which holder you get).
Have you checked out Silhouette America's You Tube channel for video tutorials?
I'm still waiting to hear how my cards survived the mail with the foam dots. "3D Foam Squares" by Scrapbook Adhesives/3L are on the thinner side compared to other brands.
Thank you Kelly for a great tutorial and a printable PDF that I can follow along with. I made my tree cards a couple of days ago and just ink stamped them for now.
I am going to learn to do the sketching now this week.
I loved your card this year, its hard to believe it's as simple as you said it was. Plus your cute perfect handwriting, I just love it.
We are well, thriving and too busy for a card this year. Maybe next year.