Making Holiday Cards {2009}
Making
cards for the holidays is something many crafters enjoy this time of
year, and to jump start your creative process here are cards from four
different Fiskars design team members. Each one created a sketch as
well as three different takes on the sketch so you have over a dozen
ideas to get you going!
Designer: Stacey Kingman
It’s that time of
year! Those of us who love to send handmade holiday greetings are
thinking about what they are going to look like this year. Colors,
size, design, the message - so many decisions! Here’s help.
This sketch is versatile and makes the creative process easy to get
started because the design is simple, but easy to manipulate into a
variety of card styles. The more cards to be made, the simpler the
process needs to be. With this sketch and some great Fiskars tools, you
can create Christmas cards that are unique and relatively simple, but
they will look amazing!
Card #1
The
new Limited Edition Pine for Me Squeeze Punch is the key to making this
quick card look more complex than it is. I used the bottom two sections
of five punched trees and created a fun, festive Christmas wreath by
arranging the larger pieces in a circle with the smaller pieces layered
on top. [Photo - Christmas Cheer Card Process] The strip across the
lower section is ¾” wide and I notched the ends with my scissors. If
you are planning to make a pile of these cards to send for the
holidays, use the Push and Print Stamp Factory to stamp multiple
sentiments in no time at all. The card is 4” X 6”, the music patterned
paper is 3 ¾” X 3 ¾”, and the pink text paper is 3” X 5”. I rounded
the corners with the Around the Bend Corner Squeeze Punch. This card is
a perfect candidate for mass production because the pieces are so easy
to create and assemble, and the wreath make it look like you spent a
lot more time than you did!
Card #2
For this card, I used the same sketch and the same
punches, but the resulting card is quite different from the first. Here
I used the Pine for Me Squeeze Punch and the Around the Bend Corner
Squeeze Punch, and I added the Star Pop-up Punch and some scalloped
edges with the Scallop Rotary Blade. I highlighted the center tree in
the design by punching a fourth tree and placing the pieces over the
center one with Adhesive Foam. The star is also adhered with Adhesive
Foam. I love how the foam makes the tree pop out from the card! [Photo
– Merry Christmas Card Side View] This is also a 4” X 6” card and the
center piece with the rounded corners is 2 ½” X 4 ½”. The striped piece
is 1” wide and the scallop-edged cardstock is 1 ¼” wide. If you are
mass-producing this Christmas greeting, the Push and Print Stamp
Factory will make stamping your sentiment a snap!
Card #3
My third card based on this sketch is a bit more
involved, yet a great card for mass producing because it utilizes
several tools that do all of the detail work for you. The card starts
with a 4” X 5 ½” base. Lay the card out flat and use the Ultra
ShapExpress and the Super Sized Circle Template to cut the front panel
so that it has a curved bottom. [Photo – Season’s Greetings Card
Process 1] To create the pinked edging, cut a piece of 4” X 5 ½” red
cardstock and adhere to the inside of the front panel. Using the
Pinking Paper Edgers, cut along the curve. [Photo – Season’s Greetings
Card Process 2] Cut a piece of patterned paper to fit on the inside
panel. Although this is the inside of the card, it is also becomes part
of the front because the front has been shaped. Using the same
patterned paper, cut a 3” X 3 ½” rectangle and round the top corners
with the Romantique 3-in-1 Corner Punch. The strip along the lower part
is 1” wide. To make the scalloped “brackets,” punch patterned paper
with the Extra Large Seal of Approval Squeeze Punch and cut in half. I
printed the sentiment from my computer, but you could stamp or
handwrite something here, too. Finish by using the Snowflake Pop-up
Punch to make three red snowflakes. If I were mass-producing this card
(and I just might do that!), I would still add light inking to all of
the lighter paper pieces and machine stitch the inside panel and the
front strip. I love these details and they would be important for me to
include, but you could skip the inking and the stitching and still have
a unique card that would be easily reproduced and a joy to receive!
Designer: Lisa Truesdell
I don’t like to buy a lot of new supplies to make holiday cards – I prefer to see what I can use from my existing stash.
For these cards, I started with one multicolored snowflake paper
from Cosmo Cricket, and then dug through my patterned paper to find
monochromatic sheets from a variety of companies that complimented the
colors in that sheet. I also pulled out every Fiskars star punch that
I own – Squeeze Punches in two sizes, a pop-up punch, and a small hand
punch.
I came up with a and then modified it into two cards and a gift
tag. While the design is simple, the punched shapes “floating” on a
transparency have a big impact.
Once I’d trimmed my cardstock to 5.5in x 8.25in, I folded it into a
card that measures 4.25in x 5.5in. I love making cards in this size –
you can get two out of an 8.5x11 sheet of cardstock, and it’s easy to
find envelopes that fit it. I used the new Retractable Fingertip Craft
Knife to cut a 3.75in x 5in window out of the center of the card, and
then trimmed two pieces of transparency to 5.25in x 4in. I attached one
transparency to the back of the front of the card. I used my Round N
Round Squeeze punch to punch a circle from my snowflake patterned
paper, and attached it to the center of one transparency. I layered
stars punched from vintage text paper and yellow patterned paper over
my circle, and I added a sentiment typed on the same yellow patterned
paper to the bottom right of the card.
I used my pop-up star punch on my monochromatic patterned papers,
and then set my second transparency over the top of the card. Layering
the second transparency while you’re working on the placement of the
stars lets you see how it will look with the existing elements. Once I
was happy with the arrangement, I used a little liquid adhesive to
stick each star in place, and then attached the second transparency
behind the first one. A border of stitching finished this card.
I started this photo card with the same steps as the last card – but
I rotated the orientation of the card to fit my photo. Then, on one
transparency, I stamped a “Merry Christmas” sentiment from a Heidi
Grace stamp set repeatedly to create a background. I attached that
transparency to the back of the front of the card. I printed a small
photo (2.5inx1.67in) and attached it to the front of the transparency.
I cut pink patterned paper slightly bigger than the photo and attached
it to the back of the transparency, behind the photo. My next step was
to punch yellow stars using my pop-up punch. I attached them in a
rectangle on the second transparency, and then layered it behind the
stamped transparency. I finished the card with a row of stitching
around the border.
I wanted to use the same basic design for a transparent gift tag. I
trimmed two pieces of transparency to 3x4in. I used my Seal of
Approval squeeze punch on some vintage text paper, and layered a pink
patterned paper circle typed with “to” and “from” on top. A row of
stitching and some tiny punched red stars finish the centerpiece of the
tag. To dress up the tag, I used my star hand punch on more patterned
papers, and attached them to the second layer of transparency. I also
trimmed a narrow piece of striped patterned paper to add to the bottom
of the tag. I attached the second transparency behind the first, then
punched a hole through both layers and added some red and white baker’s
twine. This tag would look beautiful layered over a gift wrapped in
simple paper.
Designer: Katrina Simeck
Handmade holiday cards don’t have to be a chore! Starting with a
simple sketch, it’s easy to create a collection of cards to send to
family & friends. 
This card starts with a very simple “window” design…but turns into 3 distinct card styles!
note: card base is 5x7 inches, with a 3x5 inch window. Use the
lines/guides on your Fiskars Portable trimmer to ensure that the window
is evenly cut.
Merry & Bright
This photo card is a great way to share a
holiday photo with everyone on your list. Since it calls for a 3x5
photo, it’s easy to order duplicate copies of your favorite snapshot. I
used the small Round n Round punch, and Snowflake pop-up punch to add
wintery accents. The Merry & Bright sentiment is a stamp from Heidi
Grace…stamps are great for cards because you can use them over &
over again!
Winter Wonderland
This
card takes the “window” concept literally! Adding strips of cardstock
creates window panes, and the winter scene was created with Fiskars
Pine for Me squeeze punch. Since I can imagine sitting inside with a
cozy mug of cocoa, I added a cup to the card using the Fiskars Bistro
Brew squeeze punch.
Sparkle
This last card reverses the window idea…with a 3x5 inch
raised mat. I added detail to the edge of the mat with Fiskars Quilted
Corners border & corner punch. I punched bright ornaments using
Fiskars Jingle Bulb squeeze punch…alternating colors for a little more
festive color!
Designer: Lisa Storms
This sketch is very versatile and works well for mass production.
The card front is 4.25" x 5.5" which is half of an 8.5" x 11" paper
folded in half. This fits perfectly into a standard A2 invitation
envelope. The main block in the center is 3" x 4" and is divided into
two sections by an overlapping strip. The top block is perfect for
patterned paper, repeating punches, or a large image. The overlapping
strip can be a ribbon bow, block of paper punched with decorative edge,
or row of punches. The bottom block houses the card's sentiment.
Sweet Holiday Wishes
This first card is all about the gumdrops, as they are one of my favorite things during the holiday season!
The XL Funky Love squeeze punch creatively cropped as shown makes
quick work of these treats. A layer of glue and crystal glitter that
resembles glitter gives them texture and sparkle. This card design
allows the row of candy to take center stage. Rounding all corners
with the Round the Corner squeeze punch adds a polished look in seconds.
Peace
With this second card, the overlapping row is replaced by a simple
tree branch hand-cut from chipboard. The limited edition Cardinal's
Song squeeze punch cleverly cropped of its feet and top tuft, paired
with a medium Comma Comma Chameleon squeeze punch fringed with Micro
Tip Scissors, make a pretty dove perfect for the holiday season. The
new Snowbubbles corner border punch is a must-have for holiday
crafting. In seconds it adds such a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to
any project.
Season's Greetings
This third version flips the sketch sideways, while keeping the
sentiment horizontal for readability. The overlapping strip is
replaced by a series of three knotted strings. These are simple and
inexpensive and held in place by the dips of the scalloped decorative
edges from the Scallop Sentiment border punch. Just be sure to start
at the same position when punching each side so the scallops align.
Randomly knot three lengths of white string (the knots could also be
doubled up for more impact) and tape to back of cardstock fed through
scallops. While it can give a snowy look for winter, this technique
can be used year round for an easy decorative element. While rounding
all corners with the Round the Corner squeeze punch, try punching all
corners of a small sentiment for a cute label look. The card is
finished off with a few Snowflake pop-up punches for pops of color.
We hope these ideas have inspired to put a little homemade love into your cards this year!
By Fiskars Design Team @ Fiskars Craft
