Monday 7 December 2015

2015 #23 Quick and Easy Christmas Cards {by Keren Baker}

 2015 Topic 23: Christmas Gifts and Cards

Hi everyone (Keren) here, joining you this evening with a post about quick and easy cards and wrapping. As we're getting nearer Christmas, long and complicated Christmas greeting cards and gifts are probably not the order of the day. So, how about some simpler ideas?


I wanted to do something easily to replicate. Ok, yep, I realise you're not going to fussy cut 100 sets of beautiful greenery, but it gives you the idea of what you could do with one-layer stamping and maybe add this dimension for the more special recipients


As the process is so simple, I don't want to insult you all with step by steps, but I wanted to use the elegantly beautiful Sara Naumann stamps E Sara Naumann 17 and  E Sara Naumann 18

 ESN17
ESN18

To create the cards and present tags, I've quickly swiped over Frescos on a dry brush in a mixture of Sherbet and Candyfloss. The great thing about these cards is the easy base- just a large Manila Size 10 tag folded in half!! So what else to create?


Don't just whip up cards, multi coloured stamped tissue paper is a lovely way to dress up presents. I wanted to use a non-typical Christmas colour scheme and the tiny tags look really sweet with a smaller version of the card's design.


I didn't want to forget about the trimmings. This ribbon was tied around a throw we bought previously and so I hung onto it, knowing it would come in useful one day. I've used dye ink to stamp on it, but it would look equally good in Fresco paint.

This project was originally about using cream bleach with paint. It didn't quite produce the results I was hoping for, but the rubbing off the bleach did produce a rather nice satin finish to the paint. Hopefully I'll have perfected the technique by the next time! Do stamp on the present as well as the greeting. If you're batch creating, think of ease and simplify, or you may well still be stamping by next Christmas!

Can I wish you all a really happy and peaceful (well, a girl can dream!) Christmas!!  
Keren x @craftstampink (Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest)

Fabulous Keren .... I love the simplicity of this project (at this time of the year who doesn't) using the large tag and the swiping of Fresco's .... BUT the added dimension you have demonstrated using the stamped holly/berries AND co-ordinating tag is utterly brilliant. Thank you Keren for a delightful start to the week. ~Gillian

15 comments:

Helen said...

Great ideas Keren!

Mac Mable said...

Clever idea to fold the tag as your card base and to have it all matching, so very pretty and loving the non-traditional colours x

Lauren Hatwell said...

This time of year I think we're all grateful for quick and easy card ideas. These are fabulous and certainly no-one would feel hard done by to receive one of these beauties. They're fabulous. Lx

Virginia L. said...

Outstanding design from Keren! Love her work!

Kirsten said...

They're all so lovely! Gorgeous colour scheme too.

Unknown said...

Love the alternative colours Keren and the set of card, tag & wrapping makes something really special to give.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Gorgeous! Love the pink and green together!

Lucy x

Helen Gullett said...

Keren, both card and tag are beautiful. Pretty color combo and those leafy brances are gorgeous!

Craftyfield said...

Love the fresh colour scheme!

Deborah Wainwright said...

Fabulous Keren love how you have used the stamps very pretty xx

Susan Battensby said...

Beautiful makes. I so love the second bird stamp set, can see so many
possibilities for using that one.

Julie Lee said...

Wow, Keren! These are the most wonderful ideas - simple but so very effective. I love the colours and the use of the text! Inspired and so helpful at this very busy time! xx

Ros Crawford said...

Fabulous creations ... You have to be the queen of fussy cutting!

I Card Everyone said...

Gorgeous, Keren! Ditto Ros, and such a beautiful present!
=]

Etsuko said...

These are so beautiful. xx