Friday, September 30, 2011

Paper Crafts Magazine Presents: 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to Paper Crafts Magazine's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop. Today we are celebrating the new issue of Holiday Cards and More, Vol. 6 and World Card Making Day which is tomorrow (yeah!!!) & the start of the holiday card making season (double yeah!!!).
I am thrilled to be participating in this blog hop because it truly is my favorite time of the year... what could be better than having your scrap space full of beautiful Christmas & holiday product and having your house full of the smell of pumpkin spice? I had a friend in college who always referred to a great blend of food as the "perfect bite"... this brew of fall time  & Christmas card making is the "perfect bite" for me.

Today 12 designers from Holiday Cards & More will be sharing new quick n' easy holiday cards. Quick 'n easy cards are often the way to go when making holiday cards in mass. My favorite part about working in this issue was putting together the Super Scraps Card (p. 156) and step-outs to show you how you can use your scraps to make quick and easy cards by the dozen.

My card design for today's hop is one that I will most likely give to my girl friends when we get together before Christmas. I like to make all my gal pals the same card, so I need a design that will quickly translate to 8 or 10 cards. And when I say quickly I mean... oh no!, its 4 o'clock and I need to make the cards before I leave at 6:30 pm... and feed the kids, and wash the dog... that kind of quick.
To create this card:
1) make card from cardstock
2) adhere decorative paper to face of card
3) stamp sentiment
4) tie on bow and embellish bells

My tips for making quick & simple cards is to use products that you are comfortable with and love working with, for instance my top 2 go-to products are satin ribbon and patterned paper. So I started by finding a patterned paper that I loved and made that the focus of my design along with a big bow.  Lastly I try to add one novel item to add which in this case is the silver bells.


So... do you want a copy of the new Holiday Cards & More? It is fabulous... chock full of cards & projects that are just genius & totally doable. This issue is a must!  You can leave a comment here for your chance to win it, or you can order yours on line HERE.  All comments must be posted by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, Oct. 2.


- - - ETA- contest closed. Winner has been notified. - - -

Lastly, don't forget to stop by Paper Crafts Connection today for your chance to win a festive holiday prize and visit the 11 other designers for even more inspiration.



Thanks for stopping by today... enjoy the hop!


Products: decorative paper (ANW Crestwood), ribbon (Schiff Ribbons), bells (Creatology by Michaels), stamp (Very Merry Christmas by Hero Arts), cardstock (Papertry Ink).

200 comments:

Isha Gupta said...

Wow!!! This looks gorgeous. TFS your lovely cards.

Sandie said...

Wow - these are stunning!!!!! luv Sandie

rush said...

elegant cards, yet simple to make? this is a treat to my morning.

Karen Dunbrook said...

gorgeous, elegance...lovely.

richardbreaks said...

My three favorite things at Christmas, Simple (but elegant), Colorful, and SHINY!! Great job!!!

weze said...

love the card with the scrabble tiles! Would love a copy of this magazine!

Hussena said...

such gorgeous elegant cards,love the bow and the bells, so lovely.

Cyndie said...

Wow, that is gorgeous paper, and you have combined it with the ribbon, greeting, and bell in such a fresh way. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kelly Massman said...

how elegant!

Donelda said...

well, you can't get much easier than this ... but it looks like a million bucks!!!

Jen W. said...

Love those big bows and the cute little bells! :)

Hester said...

I am enjoying this blog hop with all these beautiful and easy to create cards!

Unknown said...

gorgeous cards!!!

Renee V said...

Oh wow! This is so beautiful, love the emossed pattern on the bottom, and the giant bow and bell are just fabulous!!

Crazy8farm said...

Gorgeous cards!! Love the embossed paper!!

Annette Allen said...

beautiful card.. love the gold.. you know you really don't see gold on cards to often.. I love how you embossed the gold.. fits perfect.. thanks for sharing..

Houses Built of Cards said...

Soooo gorgeous!!! Love how elegant they are!!!

housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

Agata said...

Your bows always leave me speechless! Gorgeous cards!

Detra said...

I just adore this card... so beautiful.

Jennifer Scull said...

oh my goodness, that decorative paper is amazing! add the big fluffy bow and it beomes jaw dropping! wow!

Lindzie said...

What cute little bells! Thanks for sharing! These are fabulous!

Scrapycandy said...

Just terrific! Love the ribbon, bell, and special paper!

Marie said...

Beautiful cards, and so great with the bells =) TFS!

Unknown said...

Great idea, Windy! They are fabulous :)
~Rachel in Sacramento

Pam said...

Very pretty!~ (can I be your friend?)

Miriam Prantner said...

Beautiful!

DonnaSue said...

Gorgeous and very festive! Love it!

Donna C said...

What elegance!!! The large bow paired with the shimmery gold is beautiful. The bells are just right as the third element to give the card such pizzazz.

Jessica said...

these are SO GORGEOUS!!!! love 'em!! :)

Cathy Fongjoyo said...

simply gorgeous!!

Kimberly Rendino said...

So elegant! Very nice!

Linda S said...

Gorgeous card! Thanks.

Unknown said...

Beautifully done! I haven't seen much gold in cards this year and yours really stands out! Love the textured paper with it and the little bells too!

jengd said...

Beautiful and simple! Lovely!

Gerri K said...

Beautiful!! So elegant but simple. Love it!!

jo said...

How elegant!

java diva said...

Stunning card! I am going to have to look for elegant paper like that.

Laura Isham said...

So elegant and beautiful! Love the bow.

Betty said...

Wow...so gorgeous! The gold is stunning!

JuPooh65 said...

This is a really doable card! Easy, quick and elegant. I really like the simplicity of it. Thanks! :D

Emily Keaton said...

What a fabulously elegant yet quick and easy card! Thanks for the great inspiration. :)

Lynn (toomanycrayons) said...

Great tips about focusing on a fab patterned paper that you love and the beautiful ribbon - both of which make big impact. Pretty cards !

Rachel said...

bee-a-you-tah-ful!

those bows, omigoodness! Gorge!

-rachel w k
rwkrafts.blogspot.com

Margie said...

Those cards are just gorgeous! Embossing sure makes them "feel" expensive!! Love them!

Queenie said...

OOOOOOOOOhhhh YUMMY!!! Love the gold with the rich, scrumptious ribbon!!!!! LOVELY!!!

elcrafty said...

your cards are beautiful! I love the embossing on them! thanks for such wonderful inspiration :)

Geri said...

This card is stunning! Wow - I am blown away by the simplicity and elegance of it. Do you have a tutorial for tying your bows cuz they are PERFECT? Thanks for inspiring me today.

Tricia said...

Such elegance, Windy, I love it!

Gregsgirl's crafty corner said...

I love jingle bells, great cards!

Lee said...

Beautiful cards! A gift in itself! thanks!

Nikki said...

What beautiful Cards and the bells are so sweet :)

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE your card and your tips are fantastic!!! This just gets me in the Holiday card making mode especially for tomorrow...WCMD!!! Thanks for the chance to win...

Diana said...

WOW! So very elegant. Love these cards.

Jessica K said...

Love the bows!

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Windy, your card is beautiful and elegant! Love the bells on the ribbon.

Nancy L. said...

ohhhh its so pretty with that red bow!!

Paper Sewn Visions said...

Wow! Very elegant. Thank you for the tips and sharing your creation.

Unknown said...

I love everything about your card! Those little jingle bells are the best!

diana said...

Lovely cards! So simple & elegant! TFS ;-)

marymac said...

Love the diffrent color combo's. Diffrent from the usual red and green. Beautiful cards.

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Ever so chic! Love them.

Elena said...

wow! those cards are so completely elegant - great job!

Michelle Looi said...

The ribbons give a classy touch to the cards! nice!

Casey said...

Beautiful! Love the ribbons!!

Sylvia said...

Fabulous cards, Windy! Love the elegance that you created, yet so simple! Have a beautiful day.

Denise Turner said...

Fun blog hop and great inspiration for cardmaking!

Unknown said...

love that embossed paper!! lovely cards Windy!

Heather Jane said...

So fancy they make me smile. I bet the tiny little jingle is so festive!

Marlena M. said...

These are GORGEOUS! ;)

Tammy V said...

Thanks for the tips, very elegant cards!

Shelly said...

What simple yet classy cards!! Just beautiful :)

Tanya said...

Oh these are gorgeous! Simple and yet oh so elegant, fantastic!!

Smriti said...

Your card is so beautiful!

Shanon said...

Really stunning cards! I love your tips for making quick cards.

Karen Letchworth said...

Your cards are SO elegant and beautiful. I'm really ready to do some serious Christmas crafting now.
Blessings,
Karen
karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

Sue D said...

Very elegant simple cards!
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card! Love the bells you added.

Pamela Haskin said...

Way to go girl! These are gorgeous! I am definantly going to make some of these for my girls. So elegant and classy! Thanks for a great idea.

Lin said...

I have that gorgeous paper in pink, but have been hoarding it! I love your idea to use it - thanks so much!

Noreen said...

Great classy look! I like the way the ribbon divides the embossed part from the plain part of the card. And the little bells!

Pegg S said...

I love big bows on cards! It's such a fun and special touch! Great cards!

Linda Kunsman said...

Positively gorgeous Windy!!!Pure elegance!!?- Would you make my bows for me??? :)

Lillian Child said...

So elegant!!!

mommakatx6 said...

Beautiful cards, love the bows and bells.

Cindy said...

Very pretty cards!

Barbara said...

Beautiful and elegant. The jingle bells are perfect!

Pat said...

I literally had my mouth drop open when I saw your cards! LOVE them!!! I love the quick, simple yet elegant look and these definitely captured that! :)

Mealley said...

Windy, I love the festive Christmas card! Nice and simple is always sought after.

Laura Evangeline said...

I love holiday hops! They put me in the crafting mood!!! :-)

Jennifer Rzasa said...

I love the texture!

Lori B said...

What a great quick card! Adding the jingle bells is just the right touch!

Kris in Alaska said...

Wow that is easy and fabulous at the same time! Love them! TFS!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

NatQuebec said...

nice classic holiday card :-)

Chunyuan said...

beautiful holiday card. Thanks.

LauraAnn said...

Easy but elegant looking card. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

Carole said...

elegant yet simple - great card !!!

Tigriswillreign said...

So simple and pretty! How on earth do you mail these? I always wonder how crafter's mail some of their creations... I buy padded envelopes for some of my bulkier cards but wouldn't want that expense for Christmas!

Unknown said...

Love the elegant look of these cards! Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty card. It would be easy to mass-produce these cards.

Mokinita said...

Hi Windy,

OMG the cards are plain gorgeous!
I love, love, love the colors and it's really something you can mass produce for Xmas.
TFS your creations,

Monica

jimlynn said...

So simple yet so beautiful!
Lynn

JuliaP said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards! Love this blog hop and thanks for the great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Ooh!Great quick idea but it still lok s elegant and sophisticated.

Judy1223 said...

Windy, what a fabulous idea for a set of cards! Beautiful! (They even leave you time to feed the kids and wash the dog, too!)

mcgeechs said...

WOW, gorgeous cards, love the embossing. Thanks for sharing. jeannett_mcgee@comcast.net

Meghan said...

Love the embossed gold paper! Marvelous!

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Love the classic and elegant look to these cards.

Priya Mohan said...

Wow..Gorgeous card!..loved the gold embossing and the ribbon add glamour!

April said...

Beautiful cards, Windy!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

I LOOOOOOVE this card set--beautiful! LOVE the big bows and that decorative paper! GORGEOUS:) Thanks for the chance to win--sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com

*Alison* said...

I love the embossed paper.. :) this is simply divine.. thanks so much for the chance to win..hugs

Cris said...

OMG! those cards are soooo elegant! Loooove them!!

Stacy H-W said...

Windy, these are gorgeous! Simple but elegant! LOVE THEM!

Anonymous said...

Such an elegant card - yet you make it sound so simple. I especially like the decorative paper that makes it pop. Thanks for sharing!

Lindsey said...

Wow! This looks so lush! And so smart to give everyone the same card. :P

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the brilliant tips! Your cards are so elegant and yet simple. I can't wait to try similar versions.

HawaiianLibrarian said...

Shiny ribbons and silver bells! Splendid holiday cards! Mahalo for sharing your design.

Unknown said...

Windy, I so love these cards, and you make it look so easy.

Samantha Mann said...

wow! i can't believe those are quick and easy cards! they look so professional and perfect! i'm blown away! thanks for sharing!!

Diana N. said...

Elegant cards! Mailable if you don't attach the silver bell. Love that gold patterned/textured paper!

Susie Stover said...

Windy they are so elegant looking. I love the gold textured paper with the red ribbon. Wow.

joy said...

Your bows are so beautiful - and I love the simplicity of these cards. Thanks for the inspiration!

Add Ink and Stamp said...

The addition of the bell is the perfect touch!

Becky Green said...

LOVE your cards!!!!!!! THIS is my style doing CAS! That embossing in metalic, REALLY sets them off!!!!!!! :)

Unknown said...

elegant cards

KathyK said...

So elegant! I wish I could tie a bow so nicely as you did!

Shauna K said...

these are fabulous!! i so love the bells :D

Carol said...

Love your card projects! The colors and design are great!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

sharon g said...

Classic Christmas. Nice.

Susan said...

Wow -- these cards look so expensive and beautiful. Love the whimsical touch of the silver bells!

Michelle said...

I really like how this card looks like a lot is going on, but it is actually simple.

Natasha Kara said...

These look so good. I love that they are so easy to make but look so elegant:)

Dawn T said...

WOW - I love this design :) It is so pretty looking... That decorative paper is stunning.

Lynne said...

Love your beautiful cards. Thanks so much for sharing them. I have some of that decorative paper - will have to dig it out as it makes a super Christmas card.

Holly Barrett said...

Beautiful, Windy. I love how you can change out the ribbon color to make them a little different without any extra work.

Debbie C. said...

Simple but oh so elegant.
Versitile but oh so elegant.

Jessie said...

These are very simple yet so beautiful! I love the colors and of course the jingle bell! :)

slbt17 said...

very pretty!
Love this!
Sandra ltb

POSH said...

Windy....your cards made my eyes bug out...they are just ASTOUNDING in their simplicity and beauty! I cant believe they were so easy to create...thank you SO MUCH for sharing them with us. Now I know exactly the cards I want to make for this Christmas.
Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful cards with us.

Debbie said...

Beautiful, elegant cards. Thanks for sharing.

Angela NJ said...

Love your cards - the big bow and embossed gold paper make it look rich, and the texture (and sound) of the bells) is an unexpected surprise. Thanks for the great ideas.

Carol said...

I just love that decorative paper. It looks like you embossed it yourself. The ribbon and silver bells definitely complete the card. Very Nice.

Denise Bryant said...

Fabulous cards! Simple but elegant! That is lovely paper!
DeniseB

Tina said...

I love the cards. Great work.

Tina

Krysta said...

Bells! Genius!

Amanda M said...

These are AMAZING! The big bows always set your cards apart, and that's why they're so eye catching. Thanks for the inspiration

b.c. Gurl said...

so elegant for so simple!! love that!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Love those big huge bows.

Brenda said...

Wow! How is that for an easy and yet totally awesome look! Fabulous!

Karen N. said...

Gorgeous! There's no way anyone receiving it would think you just threw it together.

Sandy said...

That is one of the prettiest and easiest cards I've seen. Great job!

Brooke said...

So elegant and a nice way to use up those nicer papers. I never know what to do with them!

Neha said...

Beautiful card!!!
loved it!
Thanks!

Lorraine said...

Very elegant looking card!

April said...

Love the sophistication of these cards. Nice formal touch for those special people. Thanks so much!!

April H.
akirb78 at yahoo dot com

Mary W. said...

Your paper choice and ribbon is elegant but so simple. Thanks for the idea.

margaeli said...

super elegant!!! And it looks super easy. What a great card; thanks for the inspiration!!!

Larissa Heskett said...

WOW!! VERY BEAUTIFUL THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)

Penny said...

Such elegant cards, love the bows!

Sharon Field / Inky A*Muse-ment said...

Gorgeous and elegant card Windy! TFS

Laurie said...

Love the easy elegant design that can be created quickly and looks so fab!

sheila said...

you simply rock!

Sandi said...

way cute, elegant and simple-love it!

Natalie Winterstein said...

Oh my gosh! Your cards are GORGEOUS! So sophisticated and elegant! I am in L-O-V-E! :)

Marcia Dehn-Nix said...

Your cards are so beautiful!

Darlene said...

Such elegant cards! I already made some cards with that same paper, not as beautiful as yours though,

RAP said...

I love how easy but beautiful this is. Even I could do it!

Unknown said...

Great cards. I love the embossing.

Tren said...

Oh wow, the merriest wishes cards are so beautiful. what a great idea

krash1717 said...

Cute card!!!

Melissa said...

Love the metallic. It really makes the cards different!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Sharon D from Canada said...

Beautiful cards! I love the embossed paper - so pretty with the big bow and sweet bell! And thanks for the chance to win a copy of Holiday Cards!

Peggy B said...

Thanks for your timely tips. Very helpful!

mema said...

I would like to win a copy.
I get really raddled when I try to make cards..but I am going to give it a go at it.
Thank you for sharing
mema
wilsonp58@yahoo.com

Leanne said...

Gorgeous card!

Darla said...

These are beautiful!!!! I'm with you... I always make card in mass quantities... Especially Christmas ones.

karahoward said...

Good advice on how to make cards. Your bows are just beautiful!!

mitz said...

...one word... Stunning.. what beauty this is.. thanks for the opportunity.. mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

Anonymous said...

Very elegant - love them!!

Jeanne Kelly

Mlightner said...

One word - wow!

Teresa Zuehls said...

What a stunning card! Thanks for sharing.

jen said...

another beautiful creation- as always!!! you make it SOUND so easy! :D

Stephenie said...

Beautiful cards! Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this magazine!

Leslie said...

OMG! Absolutely gorgeous! Love them - thanks so much for sharing!

Ravengirl said...

Your quick card is absolutely gorgeous! I think it must be the lovely bow that makes the whole thing work!

cappuccino and colour said...

Gosh what a super card! And thanks 4 the wonderful tips- great jumping off points!

Katie Ann Brooks said...

love, love, LOVE!

Anonymous said...

thanks....I have some of that gold embossed paper!...yeah!

Jeni said...

Beautiful cards! I love the use of the decorative paper & the large bows.

Angela said...

Wow! Super simple and GOOOORGEOUS! Love it!!

Marge said...

Your card just "nailed" my idea of a perfect Christmas card -- quick and easy, BUT also very elegant and totally classy!!! Totally LOVE your every choice and may have to find some of that GORGEOUS paper for my own special GF's cards!!! Can you say "CASEd"?!!! ;~)

Lea L. said...

These are very elegant and pretty!! Wonderful job!!

Veronica Z said...

Your cards are stunning! I love the gold embossed paper!

calamity jane said...

Oh my...these are so beautiful!!!

Melissa said...

These are so pretty! Love your bows!

Anonymous said...

What a simple yet elegant looking card. Thanks for the inspiration!

Tanya C. said...

I love your cards! The paper is stunning and the bow makes the card!

CraftyRia said...

Those cards are really beautiful! I will have to try that with some of my fancy papers!

Tina A. said...

So elegant! Thank you for such awesome ideas!

Katie said...

Great cards and great ideas! Love that paper and your bows! Thanks for sharing!

Katie B.