How To Make Your Own Christmas Cards

Christmas is nearly upon us and I haven't even thought to buy anything yet, least of all Christmas Cards. Then I suddenly had a memory pop up of when I was a small child sitting at the table making my own Christmas Cards. And I remembered the fun too! All that glitter splashed over the table top, everything turning to sparkles as I pasted and glued my way through a whole bunch of home made cards. The funny thing is that I had forgotten how easy it is. Christmas cards today are so expensive and not everybody can afford to buy the selection that have many different pictures. If you buy the cheaper Christmas Cards they tend to have exactly the same picture on every one. Not everybody likes that. I know I like to send cards that have a variety of scenes.

The good thing about buying cards is that it is very simple to just write your name and the message inside and post them. But where's the fun? The idea came to me when I was browsing in a local craft shop. I suddenly stopped what I was doing and gazed up at the colorful assortment of pens, multi colored paper and card. And then I spotted something I absolutely loved when I was a small child. Plasticine! Multi colored bendy strips of dough that you can make anything out of.

I was standing there trying to figure out a really good reason why I should buy it, and thinking, maybe I can take up modelling clay again, when I turned around, and spotted the glitter pot. I felt like a child again. So, I thought, why not? Armed with my bag of colored cards, multi colored pens and pencils, and the all important glitter, I headed home and started on my project. So far I have made three Christmas cards, and there will be more tomorrow. I may even add some paints too. I really enjoyed making them, and I am sure you will too.

First of all make sure that you have everything you need before you start. This may sound obvious, but the process of making the cards involve glue, glitter and paint or pencils. It's a messy combination if you don't get the order right. And you don't want to be sitting there drawing a lovely picture, or painting then suddenly realise that you have got the wrong glue. All the necessary pieces are available from your local craft shop.

Lay out a large tablecloth to stop any bits and pieces sticking to your nice polished dining table. And place newspaper on the floor near your chair. It's much easier to do it this way, instead of spending hours hoovering up later.

Ruler

Scissors

Any size card that you prefer.

Paints

Crayons

Paper Glue

Felt all colors

Ribbon.

Glitter.

Stencils.

Silver and Gold Paper.

Before you start, a good idea is to print a pattern of a Christmas tree from your computer. Then cut out the shape and place it over green felt and cut around to get the shape as perfectly as you can. Before sticking to your card, place the felt on the table and cut small round shapes from the multi colored felt.

Then stick them onto the tree. Leave them to dry, and while you are waiting, draw the background pattern on your card. At this stage you should have folded the card to produce the line down the middle. You don't want to stick the tree in the wrong place.

A good idea for the background is to either draw a picture, or just get the paper glue and run it around the card in patterns or swirls. Then before it has a chance to dry, sprinkle the glitter, don't try and follow the pattern, just cover the whole of the card. You will find that when you stand the card up, the excess glitter will just fall off. Make sure you do this over a piece of paper or another card so that you don't waste glitter.

Then get the ribbon and run it around the edge of the card or down the front. To make sure that it stays in place, gently glue the back of the ribbon and place it on the card. Then get a large makeup brush and gently brush it into position.

Then add the Christmas tree. Try and make it centre on the front of the card. Just leave to dry. You can of course use photoshop to produce your pictures, but to get the effect in the picture, you can easily do it yourself. Just paint the card red, then when its dry, take a small piece of cloth and dab it into black paint, making sure that it is not to thick, maybe add a small drop of water to the paint. We don't want it to look too dark, just a slight shadowy grey or black. Simply slide the cloth around the edges of the card and smudge with your fingers. Then you can add your christmas tree, or make a stencil and sprinkle glitter into the shape making sure that you either do it straight on to wet paint or glue.

We have all got loads of photos of our families laying around in the house. Most of these never see daylight as they are kept in drawers or albums. So a good way to show them off again is to make them into Christmas cards. The great thing about using old photos is that you can dress them up. Maybe add a felt Christmas hat to one of the children in the picture. Or cover the surround with cotton wool to make it look like snow. There are so many variations that you can do.

Poems

We have been concentrating on the front of the card, but don't forget that you have to put a phrase or poem inside the card too. You can have fun with this as you can make the poem funny, or whatever you think fits the personality of the person you are sending it too. And of course you can decorate it with as much glitz and glitter as you like.

The card is not just about the outside, you have plenty of space inside to use your imagination. Why not try a pop up part?

Pop Up

Get another piece of card that is the same size as the one you have made earlier. Using the ruler, make a square about an inch into the card all the way around. Then draw a simple Tree or whatever you wish onto the middle of the card. Don't make it too complicated. Just a simple picture will do. Make sure that it covers half of the left side and the same on the right. So the seam goes through the middle of the card.

Once you have drawn your picture, make sure the tree has segments along it. (see Picture right) then fold the card and cut along the segments making sure that you don't cut it out completely. When you have done all of the segments, turn the card inside out and push through the segments. Then stick it to your ready made card underneath.

These are just a few ideas on how to make your home made Christmas Cards. I had forgotten how much fun it is!