oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828 
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 14, 2014 14:03:12 GMT
Do you make your Christmas cards? When do you start them?
I always tell myself I should start in like Jan or Feb but that never happens. I usually do get started in the summer though. I am going away for a week starting Wed so when I get back I will start.
I find I make "nicer" cards when I have more time, if I leave them to the last minute they become simplistic.
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natty
Shy Member
Posts: 16
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Post by natty on Jul 14, 2014 15:01:44 GMT
Last year and this year I have been making them all year through - one card a week. They are all individual and unique designs. I am not one of those people that deals well with making more than a couple of the same design! LOL I tried the Christmas card a week thing last year and managed to stick with it, cannot tell you how nice it was come December not to be stressed out trying to make emergency cards at the last minute. Am hoping to manage the same this year.  |
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 14, 2014 16:28:29 GMT
Last year and this year I have been making them all year through - one card a week. They are all individual and unique designs. I am not one of those people that deals well with making more than a couple of the same design! LOL I tried the Christmas card a week thing last year and managed to stick with it, cannot tell you how nice it was come December not to be stressed out trying to make emergency cards at the last minute. Am hoping to manage the same this year. I make all mine individual designs also. I hate the feeling of factory work. And it gives me a chance to try all sorts of things.  |
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Post by Dictionary on Jul 14, 2014 17:07:45 GMT
I probably won't start until August after I make some Halloween cards. I too do unique or individual designs, Although this year I was toying of making two or three designs and just repeating those. I think I want to keep them semi simple because of the postage (i.e no bulky cards)
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natty
Shy Member
Posts: 16
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Post by natty on Jul 14, 2014 17:57:35 GMT
I make all mine individual designs also. I hate the feeling of factory work. And it gives me a chance to try all sorts of things. Exactly, I do not have the stamina or attention span to do an assembly line - hats off to people who do! I love making individual designs for the same reason, lots of things to try and so many things to play with.  |
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Post by wandawoman on Jul 14, 2014 20:10:17 GMT
I don't like making multiples either, but this year that's what I'm doing. I have all the parts cut out and ready to assemble, but will wait closer to Christmas to finish them since there is a mailbox on each one which will have the person's address on it. I'm afraid some of the people might move before December and I don't want to waste all that effort and have to make another one.
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Post by amandad74 on Jul 14, 2014 22:25:52 GMT
I try to do them in fall, if I can. Last few years it has been first week of Dec!  I do the same design, so for me it's an assembly line. I can knock them out in a week - from design, creating, addressing.i do about 70. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 14, 2014 22:27:28 GMT
I always think I am going to make Christmas cards...but then I lose my mind, have a minor holiday meltdown and end up buying something.
I am a bad cardmaker. LOL
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pamp
Full Member
Refupea #2487
Posts: 172
Jul 1, 2014 20:14:17 GMT
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Post by pamp on Jul 14, 2014 22:34:33 GMT
I only make for the real special people on my list.Each card would be unique. I start during the holiday season.
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Post by patin on Jul 15, 2014 3:57:34 GMT
Last year and this year I have been making them all year through - one card a week. They are all individual and unique designs. I am not one of those people that deals well with making more than a couple of the same design! LOL I tried the Christmas card a week thing last year and managed to stick with it, cannot tell you how nice it was come December not to be stressed out trying to make emergency cards at the last minute. Am hoping to manage the same this year. I wish I could do that. Maybe next year. Do you subscribe to a particular challenge? I like the idea of new & different techniques. Mostly I have done the assembly line technique . Last year I was working on my 80 cards on a break at work.one if the young ladies I work with saw them& asked what I was doing. She said, "dang , when I grow up I hope I don't have as many friends as you. That looks like too much work." Lol |
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Post by julieinsweden on Jul 15, 2014 9:45:04 GMT
I've figured out if I make 7 different designs. The do batches of 8 of each design. Then I have enough to make sure that groups of friends - who might see each others cards - each think they are getting individual designed cards. It saves time whilst makes me look like super mum!
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Post by woodysbetty on Jul 15, 2014 10:58:49 GMT
I've figured out if I make 7 different designs. The do batches of 8 of each design. Then I have enough to make sure that groups of friends - who might see each others cards - each think they are getting individual designed cards. It saves time whilst makes me look like super mum! Brilliant!!! Such a great idea!! |
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bklyngal62
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,227
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Post by bklyngal62 on Jul 15, 2014 12:41:37 GMT
I always say I'm going to start early, but find myself working on them at the last minute. I was making different individual ones but decided that this year I am going to make an assembly line and make them all the same.
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Jul 15, 2014 16:44:35 GMT
I always say I'm going to start late summer but yeah that never happens! Usually come early november and I'm cranking them out.
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natty
Shy Member
Posts: 16
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Post by natty on Jul 16, 2014 13:28:02 GMT
I wish I could do that. Maybe next year. Do you subscribe to a particular challenge? I like the idea of new & different techniques. Mostly I have done the assembly line technique . Last year I was working on my 80 cards on a break at work.one if the young ladies I work with saw them& asked what I was doing. She said, "dang , when I grow up I hope I don't have as many friends as you. That looks like too much work." Lol The challenge is actually on my blog - I've been running it a few years now for a UK scrapbooking forum after being passed the baton by my crafty friend Ang who started it. It's open to all and is definitely a no-stress challenge. The idea is to use the prompt posted each Monday to make a regular card and if you so wish, to use the same prompt as a springboard for a Christmas card. The details are here and the prompts are all grouped under this category on my blog. |
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Post by LisaDV on Jul 16, 2014 15:32:03 GMT
Don't hate me, but I typically buy my Christmas cards. The last year I bought was 2008. I still haven't mailed them... I have good intentions, but no follow through. I'm hoping to mail some this year. And if I do, then I'll do your card challenge next year with an emphasis on Christmas cards, Natty. Your cards are beautiful by the way.
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natty
Shy Member
Posts: 16
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Post by natty on Jul 16, 2014 20:57:04 GMT
You would be more than welcome. I may be shaking it up a bit next year, as all this cardmaking has left little time or inclination for keeping up with my 2014 pocket album... but I think that's more down to time management issues and procrastination, and not least getting distracted by whatever I pop on in the background to "watch" while I craft. I am easily distracted from the task at hand!  And thanks for the lovely comment about my cards too. |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Jul 16, 2014 21:07:19 GMT
I make mine. But I'm not as creative as some of you. I find the design I like and then I assembly-line them.
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Post by ctpea on Jul 16, 2014 23:56:31 GMT
I did before I got married and had an instant family with kiddos. Ever since then it's been cards with pictures of the kids. But prior to that I would start as early as late summer/fall picking out designs and would select a couple and then start an assembly line.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,903
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Post by tracylynn on Jul 17, 2014 1:56:59 GMT
I've figured out if I make 7 different designs. The do batches of 8 of each design. Then I have enough to make sure that groups of friends - who might see each others cards - each think they are getting individual designed cards. It saves time whilst makes me look like super mum! That is a pretty great idea!! |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,850
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jul 20, 2014 17:24:45 GMT
I will be "cheating" on making my Christmas home-made cards.
Last year, after Christmas, M's had the Recollection's 8-pack of cards + everything to make them with for 90% off, and this is how I am making my "home-made" or "home-assembled" cards this year. I got 3 different styles, so I just have to sit down and put these together.
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kellyr21
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,000
Location: California
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Post by kellyr21 on Jul 20, 2014 20:12:51 GMT
I am hoping to make some this year. I saw MME two Christmas collection that look beautiful so I am excited about that. I need pretty paper to do my cards otherwise it is sort of hard and not as interesting. So I hope to see what other collections are coming out, too. After I get my pp, then I might start around Oct/ Nov. In the past I could make them up pretty fast but my mojo has slowed down so maybe I will start earlier to get them done. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 20, 2014 21:02:27 GMT
I do, but I only send 30-40 cards (rest get emailed annual letter) so it's not too bad. I generally make one or max two designs and start pretty early. I've done all my card fronts and just need to attach them to card bases for this year. There are a few people who don't appreciate handmade cards, so they get a bought one. I enjoy the process and it gives me an excuse to buy new Christmas stamp sets |
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Jul 20, 2014 21:21:54 GMT
My plan the following year after I scramble to make Christmas cards before Christmas is to start in August. Hasn't happened yet but I have high hopes this year. Haha!! I try to keep my cards pretty simple since I only create one design.
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Post by angee on Jul 21, 2014 17:52:42 GMT
I make my Christmas cards and usually start sometime in November. It might sound weird but I have no desire to make them unless it's getting close to Christmas.
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emhibb
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by emhibb on Jul 21, 2014 20:51:48 GMT
I've been making my cards for the last few years. I usually make a few different designs, just can't make 70 of the same design. I've been wanting to make a card with fewer layers, for postage reasons, but if I stamp and color (copics) on the front of a card, I don't like the coloring that shows thru on the back side of the card stock, so I trim this to fit on a layer of cardstock which then goes on the front of the card. (Clear as mud, right?) How do you handle stamped/colored images on cards? Layers? Or does it not bother you to have the color come thru on the back side?
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Post by ljs1691 on Jul 21, 2014 22:06:16 GMT
I love making my Christmas cards but by the time I get finished I am happy it is over. I find a style I like and go with it. I don't send out more that about 25 so it never gets out of control. My mom sends out maybe 80 but hers are many different styles.
I haven't even thought about it yet this year but my over-achiever mother is probably well on her way. I usually wait for the current year holiday releases. So, I guess I will think about it soon.
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Post by tampascrapper on Jul 22, 2014 0:39:07 GMT
I usually start in the fall. I ordered a set of Tim Holtz's new Christmas stamps which should be here any day so I might start early. I make about 60 but most of those were for the pea Christmas card exchange. I hope we do one here. I loved getting happy mail! And if I just send them to friends, I might need about 8 of them!!!
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skippet
Junior Member
Pea #417158 - Member since 2009 & only managed 17 posts
Posts: 97
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Post by skippet on Jul 22, 2014 3:12:20 GMT
I make my cards each year. I, too, go batty if I have to make more than 4 or 5 of one design, so I start about now and come up with a number of designs for specific groups of people. I am an old hippie, so my long time friends always expect & get some kind of a card that says "Peace on Earth" with an appropriate image. I also design at least one card, but usually more to celebrate the religious origin of Christmas & change up the inside verse(s) to try to closely reflect the recipient. In addition, I do a children's card & a more general holiday card. By changing out the color of the base or the ink or embossing powder I use, I can vary the projects enough to not feel like I am on an assembly line. I also do a special individual card or gift tag for some family members which involve coloring. I make them all without bulky embellishments so they are not costly to mail. If I am in a rush, using embossing powder is so much faster that coloring images, but last year I discovered a wonderful gold ink that stamps beautifully and dries incredibly fast. If anyone is interested, here is my "Peace on Earth" card from last year. I did them in either gold embossing powder or Delicata gold ink. This ink version took under 5 minutes each: www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2477702?&cat=500&ppuser=122120Also, as an fyi, the Delicata inks come in gold & silver and the cheapest I have found them is at Scrapbookpal. She has free shipping if you spend $25 which is easy to do! www.scrapbookpal.com/delicata/ |
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Post by robkaynel on Jul 22, 2014 12:45:58 GMT
The first few years I made cards, I did unique designs but last year I went to one design with just slight variations in patterned papers. Doing this I was able to each step in assembly line fashion and finished them in a couple of weeks. This is my plan for again this year. I usually try to come up with design around now & then do the actual creation in late fall.
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