I cheated this year! I don’t even feel bad about it.
Every year I enjoy making Christmas cards for friends and family. It always gets me in the Christmas spirit. Last year I did some ribbon trees and sewed them to colored card stock. This year will be no exception… but I’m running out of time. With over 50 cards to make…. I’ll have to cheat to get it done.
I’m not a traditional girl… I think that’s pretty obvious. Although I love traditional reds and greens during the holiday season I tend to always want the opposite. Doesn’t black, turquoise, yellow and pink just SCREAM Christmas to you? HA HA!
I decided to keep it simple and whipped up some vector images using photoshop and shaped them as needed. I chose a “Christmasy” font called Channel and started to put the front of the card together.
This is definitely where I cheated… by letting the computer do all the work for me.
I also used a blank card pack complete with pre-cut cards and envelopes which really saved me time.
Once the design was made I printed all the cards in solid black print. I love the way basic black looks on paper.
Even though I’m cheating I really wanted the cards to look “handmade” so I chose some paint colors and picked some matching decorative tape. I watered down the paint to give it a very transparent, barely there tint on the paper. Each “ornament” got a swipe with a paint brush.
Yes, I can now say “Oh, I totally painted these myself”. CHEATER!
It was actually really fun to brush the color on and see them come to life. After each card was painted I let them dry a little and then began using the tape across each folded half. I had several decorative tapes that matched the colors I was using so I mixed it up.
I then cut waxed linen for the ornaments and glued the string to the card.
TA-DAH! Cards for everyone!
And now for some Christmas Music! I told you it put me in the spirit.
Gorgeous! Love your cards. You’re so creative and talented. Happy holidays, Stacey!
Thanks Kelly. Honestly I was going to turn off the comments because I felt like this was so trivial… but then I forgot. HA HA!
THanks for the being so sweet. Love that you gave it a look. Hope the recipients enjoy them as much as I did making them.
I. Love. These!!!! They’re so you and so amazing and now you’re making me want to go look for more fonts. This isn’t cheating. This is hard work and full of love and a personal touch. But most important they really reflect who you are. How did I miss your ribbon tree ones?!! I love those too! One day I’ll get enough courage to sew on paper. I’m still working on the whole fabric part. If there are any typos on this I apologize. I am trying to type this on my phone and oh sweet mercy this is all kinds of impossible.
Thanks for putting it that way Alex. You certainly know a thing or two about hard work and love when it comes to hand made projects. You’re the best!
I’m embarrassed to even tell you how much time I spend looking at fonts. It’s crazy how many really cool ones are out there. My computer is pack with downloads. So silly! But so fun!
I thought this one just screamed Christmas. Glad you liked it. As for the phone… I always try and then give up and run to the computer. My fat fingers are just too much for those little keyboards.
Thanks for the effort!!!!
That’s not CHEATING, Stacey, it’s harnessing the power of technology, calling in some craftiness and embodying innovation. The cards look great – very mod.
Is that a little clementine peeking out of the back of the last pic? Looks like he’s shy but also trying to get a piece of the action.
And that bird and the bee rendition of Carol of the Bells is fantastic! Love her voice.
Nice post! Yet again :)
Oh man… you just made me feel like a super hero! YES, YES, I am harnessing the power! HA HA HA! Technology is my friend!
I feel like standing on my roof holding a staff and screaming (with a cape on of course!). Thanks, Jocelyn. I’m feeling so much better now.
Yes, that little clemmie rolled away thinking he could escape while I was piled under Christmas cards. Trust me, I caught up with him. He was juice! mmmmmmmm
I KNEW you’d at least listen to one or two tunes (music connoisseur that you are). I love her voice too. It always makes me feel good. It’s so sweet and kind of “off” in a good way.
well, shit. i clicked on the ribbon tree card link and thought, she’s not gonna beat these. i am not worthy!! these are absolutely striking! simply stunning. i love the b&w look with the pale color accents. you outdid last year and now i feel like an utter flop! ha, kidding…kinda. your recipients are getting a merry greeting and a work of art. can’t beat that! xo
You spoil me rotten!! I swear I was going to turn off the comments before I posted it and then forgot. DANG! I swear I felt like this was the stupidest post ever and it really didn’t deserve any attention. Then you come along and make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Thanks Tamara! Trust me when I say I appreciate you indulging me. The ribbon cards actually called for a little handy work but these were just flat out paint by number. HA HA HA!
Christmas is hard for me because I can never find cards I like and I hate buying things that aren’t me. Glad you liked them and support my cheating ways. Love ya!
So lovely Stacey. If that’s a cheat I’m very keen to see the results of when you actually put in some real effort…
HA HA! Thanks, Sandy! I think real effort would have stress me out too much. I send out too many cards and didn’t get an early enough start.
They certainly didn’t turn out as good as your tags. MAN, I love those!
That’s not cheating! The choice to print them just makes you smart. Nothin’ wrong with that! I still consider those to be beautiful handmade cards.
Thanks Jennifer! I’m so smart. Yes, you’re right. I’m brilliant!!!! (sarcasm) You’re so sweet and I certainly appreciate the support my friend. I’m just happy I actually had some ink in my printer. It never fails that when I’m ready to do a project I’m out of everything!! HA HA! It went fast and they’re all mailed… so that’s a win! Thanks for looking!!!!!
Those are totally adorable! Mod without being kitschy… very cute! Between you and Alex, I’m ashamed by my un-handmade cards. And actually my general lack of any personalized touch at all. (Other than licking the envelopes… which IS a personal touch!)
I used to order the folded cards that had space to say hello and write a little note… but in the last few years I’ve transitioned to the flat cards with printing on both sides… I don’t even sign our names anymore! Talk about cheating!
This year I was even tempted to go the fully cheating route of e-cards… but something about them is so???? I don’t know, not special at all. I guess since you get email everyday of your life, the Christmas ones kind of seem like just one more email.
Now that is a one of the best compliments ever! Mod without being kitschy will make me love you always, Victoria! Honestly, I hate kitsch! I enjoy other people’s kitsch and get a big kick out of it… but I don’t want it at my house. So thank you SO MUCH.
Ummm, yes, licking definitely makes it personal. I didn’t even lick mine so were totally even. I actually dream of being so organized that I pick out, order, and send specially printed cards just ONCE. That would be my dream come true. They’d be just as you said. Single card style, no notes and DONE! I’m loving how you operate.
I cheated a lot more than you. I used Microsoft Paint to write Happy Holidays! on a photo. Then, I waited until Shutterfly sent me a discount for 100 free photos. Done! After that I didn’t even feel like writing anything, so I used typed out a Top Ten list of our year, cut and pasted a border and printed that out to put in the envelopes with the photos. I am LAZY this year. Or maybe I am just too overworked to spend that much time on cards. I am proud of you. Your cards are beautiful.
Oh Jessica, you’re so awesome! I can’t even get my husband to take a Christmas photo so you are the queen of Christmas cards as far as I’m concerned. Trying to get him to take a picture would be more difficult then making a thousand hand made ones. YOU ROCK! And you can get your cat to wear a santa hat. You’re putting me to shame, lady! Ha Ha Ha! Actually your cards sound awesome and NOT lazy at ALL! That takes a lot of planning and following through.
No, No.. I’m proud, and super impressed. Thanks so much… loved the comment!
Uh seriously? How is that cheating. Try Shutterfly followed by mail merge and a quick stamping.
HA HA HA! Hey Rebecca! Well, it’s a mix of cheating and trying to be creative. Really… honestly… I think what you did takes way more thought and follow through.
And most people I know can’t do mail merge so you total rock my friend. :-) Merry Christmas to you!
I kept thinking I had seen that font before on your cards. I was really attracted to it. Check this out — you probably already knew the resemblance http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=899&tbm=isch&tbnid=kAlCY54qO_N2sM:&imgrefurl=http://funnyfact.com/hallmark-came-out-with-christmas-cards-in/&docid=mshpenfgeYz83M&imgurl=http://funnyfact.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hallmarkcards.jpg&w=963&h=711&ei=IgXVUL3jEur7iwLsxoGwBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=164&dur=55&hovh=193&hovw=261&tx=118&ty=119&sig=113892657236829372054&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=191&start=0&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:157
OH WOW.. that’s crazy! It looks almost exact. I wonder if subconsciously I went for it because I have seen it so many times before. Pretty great that you picked that up!
Well it certainly wasn’t as good as a Hallmark Card but possibly inspired by one (without me even knowing it). :-) Thanks.
This is so adorable, not cheating at all! I didn’t even THINK about sending out Christmas cards this year!
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
Hey Brittney! Thanks for the visit. I can’t imagine that you would worry a bit about Christmas cards with all that you’ve got going on. Seriously, it’s amazing to me how much progress you guys are making. That in itself is a Christmas gift. I know it was probably hard to “skip out” on some of the cards and decorations.. but this time next year I feel like you’ll be in a pretty merry place!
Happy New Year to you. I look forward to all the 2013 will bring to you and all the progress on your house.
Can I just tell you …in ‘public’ aka ‘blogosphere’ that I feel like an asshole for being so far behind on reading blogs. Literally just haven’t read any blogs at all. So on a brighter side I wasn’t just neglecting my own blog but everyone else too. So hopefully I’m not going to go M.I.A. anytime soon because I totally missed reading all of my favorites especially yours – Really I mean that. Anywho….your cards are sick like really awesome. I think you should maybe consider this as a possible Etsy option….you know if you haven’t already thought of that and as long as you enjoy it. Seriously awesome cards girl!
Girl, you have no reason to feel bad. You and I are both in the same state of mind. I totally understand. I’ve slowed down on my own blog and narrowed down the ones I visit. I find the more I stay away from it the more I accomplish in life. Of course I do love blogging so I could never just NOT do it but sometimes you just need a good break. You seem like you’re doing better and have those creative juices flowing. Your room looks amazing and I hope it keeps you focused, motivated and totally happy. You’re the sweetest …. Thanks Lindsey.
These are so great! I agree that it’s not cheating at all. It’s damned impressive.