DIY Christmas Cards

Here we are at mid-November . . . you know what that means - time to start thinking about Christmas cards!    I know not everyone mails cards anymore for the holidays - but I still do!   Despite the outrageous cost of postage - I just love the tradition of it and look forward to the weeks before the Christmas when we open the mailbox each day to find news from our friends and family afar!   Even if you don't send out mass quantities of holiday cards - I encourage you to send handwritten greetings to at least a few very special people - it means so much more than an email!!

So with that in mind, I wanted to give you some great options for beautiful & easy holiday cards.   I know some of you design your own cards & that is great - but I get tons of queries every year about 'kits' as a lot of people just don't have the time during this busy season to create multiple cards from scratch.   So here are my top recommendations this year:

1)   CTMH's Cut Above Holiday Card Kits:

Cut Above Christmas Card Kit (Z2064) - $14.25Cdn - 

Cut Above Holiday Card Kit (Z2065) - $14.25 Cdn

Pair either kit above with the Merriest Christmas Stamp Set (B1468) - $10.95Cdn to complete the greetings on your cards (I recommend stamping in red (ruby or cranberry) or black ink):

One of my finished Cut Above cards & pre-printed envelope:

Each Cut Above card kit contains the materials for you to make 10 cards (5"x7" size!!).   Embellishments include glitter trims and papers, twine, die-cut shapes, foam tape, etc.    I love these cards and they literally come together in MINUTES!!!!  So easy & so cute!   One stamp set gives you four different holiday greetings to choose from in gorgeous, trendy font styles.     As the cards are 5"x7" size you can easily fit a photo inside your card/envelope to send with your greetings.      Buy the one stamp set & then as many multiples of the card kit as you need depending on how many cards you plan to send out this year.  

2)  CTMH's Snowhaven Cardmaking Workshop on the Go:

The Snowhaven Cardmaking Workshop on the Go kit (G1085) - $27.50 Cdn, is the perfect option if you'd like to spend a little more time & effort creating your Christmas works-of-art because you enjoy the process & want to learn new techniques.    Each kit contains the materials & accessories, as well as the stamp set needed to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of the 3 designs shown above).     You will also need red, blue and grey inks to complete your cards (Cranberry, Glacier, and Slate are recommended to complete the cards exactly as shown).    Completed cards are standard 4.25" x 5.5" size.    Kit includes a full-colour workshop instructional guide!!   Easy to complete at home on your own in just a few hours!

3)   Go digital this year with CTMH's Studio J!!   

(See my post HERE on how-to with step-by-step instructions and photos!!)

Here are the cute cards I did last year:

Each Studio J layout is two 12x12 sheets (high quality photo printing!).   My cards were 5"x7" size - so I was able to fit four per sheet or 8 cards per 'layout'.    If your cards were smaller - you could obviously fit more.  

Until November 30th - you can order Studio J layouts for $5 (plus tax & shipping).   That's only $0.63 for each 5"x7" photo card!    (After November 30th - regular pricing applies - $7.75 Cdn per each 2 page layout or $0.97 per card).

Need envelopes for your photo cards!?!?  You can order those HERE.

Hope that gives you some ideas!!   Not too late to add a little 'handmade' to your holidays this year!!  With every order placed either online at my WEBSITE or via email by November 30th - you'll be entered into my draw for a $25 CTMH gift certificate.    One entry for every $25 spent.   Good luck!

Studio Saturday - At the Zoo

I haven't shared a digital Studio J layout with you for a while, but it isn't for a lack of creating - in the last two months alone I have created a total of 75 digital layouts (2 page layouts - for a total of 150 pages!!!!)      That is on top of all the regular scrappin' I do!!    Studio J is just SO quick & easy & the pages are gorgeous - love it!

When I attended CTMH Convention back in July, we were given 5 free layouts as part of our attendance package.  Here is one of the layouts I created (click to view it larger!!):

There is so much new & great with Studio J - if you haven't tried it in a while, now is a great time!

- no memberships anymore - which means ALL of the great content - all patterns, all papers, etc. are available FREE to all users!
-  Playing and creating in Studio J is still FREE!!  Use it to your hearts' content and decide if it is for you - - you don't pay anything until you decide to purchase a created project.   
-  layout prices are now $6.95 per two page layout - less than $3.50 per page - and you get free JPG's of all your layouts when you purchase the print!
- you can opt to purchase the JPG only for $2.95 per two page layout
- we now offer "Express Collections" for quick photo book making -- simply add your photos, titles, and journalling and voila - - gorgeous albums in minutes.  Each collection includes 10 unique two page layouts PLUS a front layout and a back layout for your album.   There are a variety of themes to pick from - you will love how easy these are!
-  Studio J layouts are now available free as Hostess Rewards when you host a virtual or traditional gathering AND layout purchases can now count towards gathering totals - earn free HOSTESS REWARDS when you create with Studio J - just contact me to set up your virtual gathering & start creating!  
-  Studio J purchases also count towards my own Creative Rewards Club!  

If you are new to Studio J - - I offer a FREE introductory lesson!   We can get together in person if you are local to me or via the phone/skype if you are long distance - - I'm happy to help you get started!   Send me an EMAIL to set up your appointment!

Give Studio J a try - - I promise you'll fall in love with digital scrapbooking!!

First Day of School - Digital Style!

A new installment of Studio Saturday for you today - - I have a layout to share that I created in CTMH's digital program "Studio J".

This two page layout features the Typeset kit -- great paper patterns & stickease for all your school themed photos!

A fun technique I used on this layout was to create transparent journal boxes which I layered over top of the very cool tags and ledger paper found in the Stickease selection for this kit.  This makes it look like I journalled directly onto the tags/ledger paper.

Contact me if you'd like to set up a Studio J consultant to learn how to do this (& other great Studio J techniques!)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Give Studio J a try - it is FREE to play with!!  Truly Faster, Simpler, Easier scrapbooking!!

Shop my CTMH website!

An Exciting Announcement from Close to My Heart!

INTRODUCING "STUDIO J"!!!

Have you heard the news??? Coming in Spring 2010 - Close to My Heart will introduce their new Online Digital Scrapbooking Program called "Studio J"! Everything you love about Classic Scrapbooking with Close to My Heart will be available in a digital format! That's right - EVERYTHING!! The Paper Kits, the Stickease, the embellishments, the layouts from our How-To Books - - it is all there!!! The program will be totally FREE for you to use and play with - you'll have access via my Website! Use it to plan your paper layouts or create complete digital layouts - it is up to you!! And when your project is complete, simply order your 12x12 printed layouts and have them delivered directly to your door!
FASTER, SIMPLER & EASIER!!

Want a sneak peek of the new program? Be sure to visit the Studio J Website to see what it is all about!!

Stay tuned here or on my Website for more updates in the coming months and for the big launch in 2010!!!