I've been in mass production mode over the last week making Christmas cards. (Yep I do remember saying I was going to start them in July! Maybe next year. Hmmm - maybe next decade.)
That's all my doves getting a coating of crystal effects and sitting out to dry!
Here's the finished card ...
My first prototype is on the left then I tweaked it a bit for the finished version .....
Those little finished touches can make quite a difference.
Here was my first red panel with the greeting stamped in White Craft Ink ...
I thought it needed a bit more oomph so I stamped some snowflakes in the background, sponged some Riding Hood Red ink round the edge and embossed the greeting in white. I used my mat pack template to do the pierced hole pattern in the top right for a bit of balance.
The base card is Sahara Sand and I've used Wish For Peace and Snow Swirled - my two favourite Christmas stamp sets. Whisper White ink for the background snowflakes. Sahara Sand ink for the dove.
Now for my relatives and family friends I usually include a pic of the kids on the card. Got the Santa Hat out and snapped 70 zillion photos until I got a 'wow' shot. (Sending up a thank you for digital cameras!!??)
I decided to use my squares layout. Have used this design for heaps of cards this year and it always seems to work. Plus I love punches when you're doing a lot of something!
Here's the green squares in production ...
And my little teeny table all set up for assembling in front of the telly! I resized my kids pics and put 6 onto a 4" x 6" file using photoshop, then got them printed at Harvey Norman. Perfect size to fit in the square punch.
And here's the finished product ....
I have a few Christmas gift packages to finish then looking forward to doing some 'non Christmas' stamping! I've cleaned up my study (shock, gasp!) and my desk is looking all gorgeous and just BEGGING to be created on!
Well, things to do. Cuppa is finished. Better get moving!
Hope you are getting some moments of peace and quiet amidst all the pre Christmas hustle and bustle.
Cheers, Sue
These are super beautiful cards Sue. Thanks for mine! I love the family one as well - gorgeous, especially with that rhinestone perfectly placed.
Wishing the Madex family a happy and relaxing Christmas with lots of family cuddles!
Posted by: Claire Daly | December 23, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Simply gorgeous...the card and your children!
Posted by: Christine H | December 23, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Wow ! They were worth all the hard work! Absolutely gorgeous! Merry Christmas to you and your family... love Robyn
Posted by: Robyn | December 23, 2009 at 07:12 AM
Beautiful cards as always Sue, love them both but especially love the one of the kids. Sending Christmas wishes from the Sadler family to all of you - have a fun and relaxing time Love Nikki x
Posted by: Nikki | December 23, 2009 at 08:21 AM
These are gorgeous, Sue! Loving the final version of your dove card (amazing what a bit of sponging and extra stamping can do to 'finish off', isn't it?). Your idea with the kids' photos is fantastic. The cards turned out beautifully - clever thing, you. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your much-loved family. Christine xx
Posted by: Christine Blain | December 23, 2009 at 03:06 PM