Is it too early for Christmas?

I don't think so!

I make about 200 cards each year, so I like to start early and make MULTIPLES of them.

It allows me to enjoy the Holiday time with less stress!

Last month we did two Card Kits in the Mail.

One that was all birthday card ideas and the second one was Christmas card ideas.

So, YAY! I'm thinking about Christmas already.

I know, it's still summer!

I know, there's no rush to the cold and snowy weather that is typical here in Wisconsin.

But, if you're like me and want to have a less stressful Holiday season then I suggest you get started early too!

 

Let me share a project idea that uses items from the Annual Catalog!

Beauty of Friendship

Simple elegance is how I describe this card.

I was inspired by a card I saw on cindyleebeedesigns Pinterest post.

The color scheme is similar. You'll notice similarities but there are differences as well.

Her card is horizontal and I chose to go vertical with my card.

She used the Inspired Thoughts bundle for her card and I didn't have that die set so I used the Beauty of Friendship bundle instead to cut out my tree and the red birds.

Pro tip:

Use inspiration where you get it. Cindy Lee inspired me, now I'm hoping to inspire you!

I used some retired (hoarded) Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper. It is an all time favorite of mine, so I like to use small splashes of it, so it will last longer.

If you aren't a paper hoarder like me, you could use Basic White cardstock and add some sparkle with Wink of Stella OR you could pick up some of the pretty Shimmery White cardstock that has the sparkle built in already!

 

Details:

The card shown is a standard size. It's 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".

Fold it in half for a left side hinge card front and done in Basic White cardstock.

Pro tip:

If you like your card front to be a little more sturdy you could consider using Basic White Thick Cardstock.

 

The pretty paper piece is cut in the Quick Cut size of 4" x 3" and from the Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper Pack.

This is a 12"x12" piece of paper, so you'll be able to get 12 pieces from each of the two papers in this style.

That's 24 cards if you want to make multiples all at once!

Since there's a second Saleabration this year that just started on Tuesday, you might consider getting all the THINGS in the nBeauty of the Earth Collection which includes the bundle, the paper, and a cool wood bark embossing folder AND will earn you a Level One freebie.

Add in the other bundle and you could earn a Level Two freebie!

 

More card details:

The accent piece is 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" and I used Night of Navy for it.

After layering and attaching the pretty paper onto the accent piece you will adhere the combined piece to the center of the card front.

Leave an equal space top and bottom as well as side to side.

Next attach your Basic White die cut tree onto the combined piece. Keeping the top of the tree close to the top of the pretty paper piece.

The snow piece is a 4 1/4" wide x approximately 1 1/2" high piece of cardstock (or glimmer paper) that has been cut using the Curvy die or you could use the die the Inspired Thoughts Bundle like Cindy used.

This is laid over the combined piece with the tree. I have equal spacing on the sides and bottom.

You can make your birds any color you'd like, but I wanted mine to be cardinals so I used scrap pieces of Real Red cardstock.

 

Pro Tip:

You can run both birds, the snow piece, and the tree through your die cutting machine at the same time to sped up the die cutting process.

 

Finishing up details:

The greeting is stamped onto a piece of Basic White cardstock that is 3 3/4" x 3/4" high.

I stamped my greeting using Real Red ink, but Night of Navy ink would look good on this as well.

MOST IMPORTANT!

Your last steps are to stamp a sentiment and write a message inside the card and get the card ready to mail once you start your Holiday card mailing!

One of my favorite things with this card, is it could be used for thinking of you, happy birthday, happy anniversary, or so many other occasions if your STILL not ready to start your Christmas Cards!