Handmade Christmas Cards

Over the years I've aquired quite a lot of decorative bits; papers, ribbons, things pulled off old Christmas cards etc. So I thought I would use a few of them and make a few last minute Christmas cards.

The main part of this card, the bauble in the middle, was taken off of an old Christmas card, bow included. I then found paper and card that matched the colours to make the squares behind it. I put a scrap piece of gold ribbon behind and added the Happy Christmas, which I have on a sticker sheet.

I've got a whole pack of blank red folded cards which are perfect for Christmas cards. I added some poinsetta scrapbook paper to the lower half and some gold ribbon with a bow to the middle. The plastic gold angel, which I've placed on a paper circle, is another item I got off an old Christmas card.

 This card took the longest but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. First I had so pick out all the red sequins from various packs, arrange them in a tree shape and then stick them all down. I was watching CMAs Country Christmas at the same time which made the task less monotonous.

Do you like making Christmas cards? Are you someone who saves bits from old cards for later use?

Cake and Card

It was my Mum's birthday last week and in addition to getting her a present I also made her a cake and a card.

For the card a roughly drew a flower and then cut out all the parts with a scalpel.

I put a piece of coloured paper on the inside to highlight the cut-outs.

The cake was a standard Victoria sponge.

To decorate the top I tried putting a plastic doily on the cake and sifting icing sugar over it.

It kind of work, but I piped on some extra icing just to define the pattern.

And I put the cake on our 'I love you Mummy' plate.

Oh yes.

I'm back!

Panic over people, my laptop is back.

It had a virus (eep!!) but the folks over at PC World made it all better.

Anyway, right before that all happened one of my very best friends turned 21.

Her boyfriend made her the most awesome cake. A giant cupcake with many little cupcakes around the edge.

And it tasted goooood.

Here's the card I made her.

I thought I'd give 3D decoupage a try.

I printed out the same photo four times (taken from our Cromer beach trip).

Then cut out more and more sections out of each photo and stuck them on top of each other using sticky pads.

I think it makes a regular photo look a bit more special.

Paper Weaving for Mother's Day

This would make a great hand made Mother's Day card. Mums love handmade!

I actually gave my Mum a different card for Mother's Day and this was her birthday card.

Anyhoo, this is how it's made:

First select a bunch of papers. I went for all blue but a mix of different colours could look good too.

Then cut them into small strips.

Cut a shape out of a card. I went for a flower. It's a classic for Mums, right?

Figure out how wide the woven paper area needs to be based on the shape you cut out then line up strips of paper and stick some sellotape across them all at the edge.

Then start weaving.

When you're done secure the paper with sellotape all around the edges and even on the back.

Then stick the paper weaving to the inside of the card.

Your Mum will love it!