Make It Personal

Handmade items at Christmas are always extra special, and cards are no exception. Two years ago I decided to try my hand at making my own Christmas cards and found I thoroughly enjoyed it. I admit I didn't have time to make them for everyone on my list, so I concentrated on family members and my closest friends. I had so much fun that I did it again last year.

I love to paint, so I did original paintings, took a picture and made the necessary adjustments. Then I simply ordered the number of prints I needed online using Walmart's Photo Section. It was quick, easy, and best of all...it didn't cost much.

                                                 Painting

Craft stores have an abundant supply of cards and envelopes in every color, size, and quantity you could want. I used white because it just seemed to look better, and attached the photographs to the front of the card with double sticky tape. This enables the recipient to keep the picture if they wish. Because I used original artwork, I did sign, title, and date the back of the picture, and also made a note inside.

I then wrote a Christmas wish and printed out the number I needed on white copy paper using the computer, cut them to size, and glued them to the inside of the card. I then signed each one personally, of course. No shortcuts on that.

                                                                                            Seeded Paper

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Stamp

If drawing and painting isn't your thing, you can use pictures of your family, stamps, Christmas decorations, a child's drawing, and even something different like attaching another little flat card with seeds that can be planted. If you like to sew or do needlework, make a little ornament and attach it to the front. Have fun with it, the possibilities are endless!

pepper

Yes, You Can Do It!

Have you ever wondered how something is created? I discovered a new technique while on a trip and decided to try my hand at it, and take pictures of the steps as I went along. Here are the results.

Step One: I selected the background paper from my stash of scrapbook paper (don't use card stock) and a 3" X 3" square, stretched canvas. Measure the canvas and around the edges allowing enough scrapbook paper to cover completely. ( A 3 X 3 stretched canvas took a 5 X 5 piece of paper.)

Step Two: Spray the background paper with two coats of matte finish. This protects the paper and gives a good painting surface.

Step Three: Center and base coat your design. If you don't feel comfortable painting freehand, tracing is a great option. TIP: I cut out a second square the size of my paper, centered the canvas and traced around it, then cut out the center square. Put this on top of your background paper and you will be able to easily center your design.

Step Four: Apply shading and details to your painting. When the painting is complete and dry, spray with another coat of matte finish.

Step Five: Apply your words. These can be free hand, rub-ons, or stamped. Which ever works for you. Remember to add your signature. Spray with another coat of matte finish. I let this dry overnight to make sure it was completely dry and cured.

Step Six: To center the painting on the canvas I layed my cut out paper down first, placed my canvas over the cut out section, then placed my painting on top of this. Because the cut out and the background paper are the same size, if you line up the sides, your design will be centered.

To glue the background paper/painting to the canvas I used Liquitex Matte Gel (Medium) and applied it to the back of the paper and the canvas and let it dry. I think white glue would work fine. Let this dry. Fold the sides over and glue using the same method. Let this dry.

Step Seven: The final step is to cover the entire piece (top and sides) with either a glazing medium or a liquid poly finish. I used two coats of glazing medium, just because I like the depth of color it gives. I would think you could use a spray gloss or satin gloss also.

I hope you have fun with this. It really comes together quickly, the only waiting is for the piece to dry between steps.

pepper