Traditional Christmas Card

Hello friends, hope you're doing wonderful.  Are you spending some time outside in this lovely autumn weather?  I've been going to cross country meets as both my grandsons are running in this sport.  The parks they've been running at are really gorgeous this time of year.  I just love how the trees are showing off God's glory for all to enjoy!  Even though I'm so immersed in the fall weather at this time, it's really time to share another Christmas card with you.  This card is a traditional style of fold, nothing fancy.  But between the pretty Joy of Christmas Designer Series Paper and a few dies and embellishments, I think this is a very pretty card.  Sweet and simple.  That's what I like.

Like I said, it's a very traditional Christmas card that's quick and easy to make, but so pretty to look at.  These would be terrific for making a pile of cards to send out.  Just check out how quickly you can make them. 

The card base is Real Red.  It measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.  The gorgeous watercolor-looking print is from the Joy of Christmas Designer Series Paper.  I can't mention enough how much I love the prints in this paper set.  Each and every one of them is fabulous.  It's so easy to make a gorgeous card when you're starting out with this!  The measurements for the print are 5 1/4" x 4".  This was attached directly to the Real Red card base using adhesive.

Ooops, before we go any further, I forgot to mention that before putting the DSP onto the card base, I spattered it with Gold Wink of Stella that I have left-over from several years ago.  Taking the lid off and flicking the brush tip across this gives you a nicely spattered background.  If you've got any other type of gold paint (Pearl Ex, Gold Mist, etc.) just flick it over the DSP to give it a pretty sparkly shine.  It adds so much extra elegance to the finished card.

The sentiment used here is from the Magical Meadow stamp set.  I liked the idea of a sentiment going across the whole card, so I used the Nested Essentials Dies here.  The sentiment is stamped with Real Red ink onto the smallest size of this shape of die.  The Real Red cardstock was cut from the next largest size die.  I really like how they almost span the whole card front, but not quite so you can still see just a smidgen of that DSP on either side.  

Before adding the sentiment, turn it over and add a couple of strips of Tear & Tape to the back.  Then coil about 30" or so of the Simply Elegant Trim around the fingers of your hand.  (I never measure this first.  Just make sure it's big enough to show on the top and bottom of the sentiment.  I just wrap it until I'm happy - about 3-4 times wrapping it around usually gives me the look I want.  Add this to the back of the sentiment sticking it to the tape.  Then use a good number of Dimensionals to this so everything stays attached to the card and doesn't unwind.  Place on the card front above the center point.

The inside of the card has a layer of Basic White that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  This has the sentiment stamped with Real Red ink to match the front.  There's a 1/2" strip of the DSP that I had left over from a project, so that was tucked at the bottom of the white layer to bring the colors from the front into the card.

One last thing.  I felt it needed just a bit more bling.  I added just one of the gold Brushed Metallic Dots to the card front.  I liked the softer brushed look instead of a bolder sparkle since there was so much going on already.

There you have it.  Another Christmas card to add to my stash.  I'm so happy with the way this card turned out - quick and simple, but with an elegance to it.  Hope you get around to making some of these cards too.  Be sure to leave me a message and tell me what you think.  Thanks for stopping by and stamping with me.  If you're shopping, please use the Host Code at the top of this post.  I do appreciate it!  Make sure you look at all the Online Exclusive items and check out the Clearance Rack too.  You don't want to miss any treasures.  Right?  Hope you stop by again soon.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon