Clear Christmas Cards – One More Little Idea

Of course you already know that the clear plastic packaging that we see so much of today with our purchases is a gold mine for creative card making and scrapbooking ideas. Today, we will share a little Christmas card.

This is the finished card. Now I’ll back up and tell you how it was made. First a rectangular piece of packaging was cut and folded in half. The fun part of this card making craft is putting the design into the plastic. For this card, this was done using a cuttlebug and a Christmas embossing folder. Once it is run through the cuttlebug, you have a fabulous clear card already started!

But I like to be able to sign my name to a card before I give it away, so next we will add something we can sign. This is done using a round cardstock disc. It has been embossed on one side with snowflakes, then highlighted with a small gold ink pad.. A hole is punched into the top, and a metallic string is threaded through the hold. Make a small hole at the top center portion of the plastic card and then tie the disc inside the card so that it hangs directly behind the embossed circle. Add a Merry Christmas greeting using clear rubber stamps and you have a finished card.

Above is a view of the card from the back. You can see that there is room to sign your name below the Merry Christmas greeting.

Happy Stamping!!!

Texturing Light Metal with Clear Rubber Stamps

I recently came across some light metal sheets and metal shaping tools that looked like they would be fun to use with clear hobby rubber stamps. It worked well. Here is one of the finished results…

This design is made with the Mittens clear hobby rubber stamps but can be done with any outline clear hobby rubber stamp.

To begin place the piece of light metal over the hobby stamp on an acrylic handle.

Lightly rub a wooden dowel across the surface of the metal until a faint impression of the stamp design shows through.

Using a plastic stylus, lightly press into the spaces of the design pronouncing the lines more clearly. Continue until you are satisfied with the results. Create a border by lightly pressing the stylus into the metal as it sits upon a foam mat. Use a ruler or other straight edge to ensure your border is straight.

Secure to a card using double sided sticky tape.

Here is another sample of this same technique.

I tried this technique with tin foil as well. To have success you have to use the heaviest tin foil you can find, and be very gentle when using the plastic stylus or the aluminum foil will tear.

Happy Stamping!!

 

 

 

Making Christmas Cards with Rubber Stamps

With December only a few days away, it is time to get those Christmas Cards ready to go. Rubber stamping is an easy way to make your own Christmas cards and send a little of your own personality along with them. To make a basic Christmas Card use an outline like this one.

Basic Card Making Outline

Basic Card Making Outline

1. Use your rubber stamps to create a focal point such as a poinsettia or nativity. This is C. Mat it with D.

2. Design B on the outline. You may choose a Christmas print that you enjoy, or stamp one of your own with a corresponding stamp. For exampe, if you are using poinsettia’s on C, stamp the same image on B allowing it to overlap. Second generation stamping (stamping more than one image before re-inking) will add depth to the pattern as well. Add some greenery and ribbon images as well for more color and interest.

3. Once you have B place it on your card anywhere. You can put it horizontally across the top, middle or bottom of the card or your can place it vertically on the left, right or the middle. Once you are happy with where B is placed, decided where you want to place C. Again, it can be anywhere on the card.

4. You may wish to leave a little room to stamp a Christmas wish on the front of your card. Use dimensional sticky foam to pop out C for a little extra emphasis on your focal. At this point you may add a Christmas ribbon or tag if desired. Embellishing will add your own personality to the project – but it also the time consuming part. Embellish as much as you have time for.

Now you have designed and made your Christmas cards, you are ready to post them. Your friends and family will love and treasure them each time they look at them. For more card ideas and layouts visit our card gallery.

Christmas Angels & your Stamping Hobby

With Christmas fast approaching, this is a great time to start making your Christmas cards. This week, we offer a discount on all our clear angel hobby rubber stamps. Angels become an extra special part of Christmas as we consider the many angels in our lives. These are people like a special friend, parent, child or anyone you have special feelings for. Craft a card or scrapbook page with angel themes and ideas. Don’t hesitate to acknowledge the angels in your lives, check out the angelic clear stamps today!

4433stitchangel-b

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