Hi Stampers! November is here, and if you have yet to begin your Christmas cards you might be feeling a bit stressed. Not to worry, there is still time to create festive Christmas cards. You just need a plan of attack or a strategy that keeps you focused, streamlines choices, yet allows for variation in card designs. Today I am sharing my strategy based on on the points I just mentioned. Before we get into the specifics of the strategy, let’s take a look at today’s sample cards: For these cards I used items from the Joy of Christmas Suite. I used the JOY OF NOEL BUNDLE, the CHRISTMAS CLASSICS STAMP SET, and the JOY OF CHRISTMAS 12” x 12” DSP. JOY OF NOEL BUNDLE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS BUNDLE VIDEO STRATEGIES FOR CREATING CHRISTMAS CARDS WHEN TIME IS RUNNING OUT! STRATEGIES FOR CREATING CHRISTMAS CARDS WHEN TIME IS RUNNING OUT 1. Select 1 or 2 simple and versatile card layouts * Simple layouts include cards with limited layering. * Choose layouts that work well in both portrait and landscape orientation for variety. * This is not the time for complicated fun folds, but simple fun folds like Joy Fold cards or Gate Fold cards go together quickly, and add a bit of a twist to the normal card fold. 2. Select stamp sets that have coordinating dies. This allows for more focal image options. 3. Select patterned paper (DSP) from a single collection. This allows you to mix and match patterns without worrying about whether or not the colors and patterns match. 4. Choose card bases that are neutral (Basic White, Very Vanilla, CrumbCake, Night of Navy, etc.) or coordinate with colors in the DSP. * Stampin’ Up!®️ DSP packaging list the colors included in that collection. This information is also included in the product description found in the Stampin’ Up! online Store. 5. Select 2-3 ink colors that coordinate with the DSP or cardstock. 6. Add a bit of shimmer and shine, but keep embellishments simple. * Rhinestone Basic Jewels are versatile. Use them as is, or custom color them with Stampin’ Blends Markers (alcohol markers). * You can never go wrong with silver or gold gems or pearls on Christmas cards. * Wink of Stella is an easy way to add shimmer without the bumps and bulk of gems. 7. Never underestimate the impact of dimensionals. They are an easy way to add a little some a little something extra to a card. Now it is just a matter of preparing card bases, cardstock panels, and DSP. Next do your stamping and / or coloring, and die cutting. Then assemble your cards. Sign your cards, Place them in addressed envelopes, add a stamp, and mail. Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the season!!! Or at least have one item crossed off on your Holiday To Do List!!! MY SAMPLE CARDS * For all my sample cards I used the stamp sets, dies, and DSP mentioned earlier. * All card bases are A-2 size - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”. * Most cards have an inside panel of Basic White or other neutral light colored cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4” or 5 1/4” x 4”. BASIC ONE LAYER CARDS These cards are quite basic, but still very festive. They consist of a card base, one layer of DSP, plus a focal image and greeting. The greeting can be the focal image. These cards can be made in portrait or landscape orientation. ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Cardstock - Garden Green and Basic White * Inks - Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler * Rhinestones - 3 colored with Cherry Cobbler (dark) Stampin’ Blend * Stylish Shapes Dies - Circles, largest and next largest * Dimensionals ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Cardstock - Crumb Cake for card base and to stamp focal image; Cherry Cobbler to die cut letters * Inks - Pecan Pie; Water Color Pencils - Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green; Blender Pen, Wink of Stella * Dimensionals DSP PANEL AND STRIP CARDS Each of these cards require a panel of DSP that is 2” wide and a coordinating piece of DSP that is 3/4” wide. The length of these DSP pieces depends on whether you want the panel and strip to run from one end of the cardbase to the other, or if you wish to mount the DSP pieces on a separate piece of Basic White or other neutral cardstock ( 5” x 3 3/4”) to create a framed look. Remember these cards can be oriented as landscape or portrait cards. ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Card base - Cherry Cobbler cardstock * Focal panel / greeting - Basic White cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4” * Ink - Shaded Spruce * Embellishment - Festive Pearls, Gold, 5 ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Card base - Crumb Cake * Ink Crumb Cake NOTES * This card base is an example of using a neutral color of cardstock that is not included in the color scheme of the DSP, but still coordinates beautifully. * The portrait orientation of this card layout calls for a greeting that is tall and narrow. If you do not have a greeting like that in your stash, try the repeating greeting technique. For this card I simply stamped the “Peace on Earth greeting 3 times. VIDEO CARDS ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Card base and greeting mat - Cherry Cobbler cardstock * Inks - Cherry Cobbler and Shaded Spruce * Embellishments - Rhinestones - 3 colored with Cherry Cobbler (dark) Stampin’ Blend * Dies - Stylish Shapes - Circles, largest and second largest ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Cherry Cobbler card base NOTE * This card is identical to the NOEL card above, with the exception of the card base color and the direction of the focal image. ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES * Card base - Shaded Spruce * Ink - Shaded Spruce * Embellishments - Rhinestones - 3 colored with Cherry Cobbler (dark) Stampin’ Blend If you are finished with your Christmas cards for this year, congratulations! I am so happy you met your goal. If you are closing in on finishing your cards, that is great! You are on course!!! If you have yet to start creating you card, that is okay. You still have time. If the strategy I suggested works for you, great! If you need to tweak it a bit and make it your own that is terrific. If you need a completely different strategy, that is fine too. The important thing is you can begin creating your cards knowing you will finish them in time to send Christmas greeting to all your friends and family. No need to panic! You’ve got this!!! That is all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by! Until next time . . . Stamp Happy! Kim All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2023 Stampin’ Up!®️