Easy Christmas Cards - Batch Making How-To

Posted on 28th June 2015 by Angela Dodson
Filed under All Papercraft Tutorials, Design Team

Hello, it’s Angela here again and this month I’m sharing a how-to for making Christmas cards in batches.  Batch making usually means making a uniform quantity all the same, however with a few subtle and easy changes you can make a batch of cards that still have a unique feel to them.  Instead of stamping by hand I am using a set of download digital stamps called ‘Baa Humbug’ from Pink Petticoat.  These digital stamps are ideal for batch making as they comprise 8 different images and print 4 to an A4 sheet.  They also include the sentiment so this saves time over individually stamping an image and sentiment.  I have chosen this set as it has a cute fun theme and would also appeal if making cards with your children, the sheep require very little in the way of colouring and still give an effective look.
 

Successful batch making is really a production line, it’s easier if you have everything all ready before you start assembling.  You can print off your images, cut and colour them in advance.  You can also have a stock of embossed backgrounds and card blanks already made to size.  Adding little charms or buttons upon completion allows you to make each one with a subtle difference. Here is a step-by-step to show how I created these cards:

Download the image set and print off onto papermilldirect white linen card (I have chosen white linen as it gives a textured effect and also will run through most printers).  Use a circle die to cut out each image and set aside.

Using a scalloped circle die (a little larger than your circle die) cut a scalloped circle for each image from the papermilldirect Christmas Red card.

Create your card bases using A4 sheets of Christmas Red card by cutting each sheet lengthways and scoring and folding.  Trim card down to approx. 5” x 4”. You will get 2 card bases from each A4 sheet.

Using a snowflake embossing folder, emboss White Linen card and trim each piece down to 4 5/8” x 3 5/8”.  You will get 4 snowflake backgrounds from each A4 sheet.

Add a little colour to your images using your preferred medium.  I have chosen to use pro-markers being careful not to smudge the ink by just dabbing the colour in place, adding just a little red, green, blue, and yellow, the majority of the image remains uncoloured.  You can also add a some glitter if you wish, I used stickles but was careful not to use it on the ink or it could smudge. (coloured pencils would work well too).

When images are coloured and dry, glue each to a scalloped red circle.

Add 2 lengths of green & white bakers twine across the bottom of the white snowflake embossed panels, securing ends to the back with double sided tape.  Glue snowflake panel to card front using dabs of wet glue.

Add a little metal charm or a button to the right hand side and secure in place. (I tied through the bakers twine and also added a little 3D foam under the charm to keep it in place).

Glue completed sheep image circles to card front using wet glue and press down firmly.  Add a white insert of panel inside for your greeting and your batch of cards are now complete.

I made this batch as a set of 4 cards; you may wish to make in bigger batches i.e. all 8 images in the set or multiples of 4.   I also chose all mine to be Christmas Red colour, you could mix up the colours festive greens would look good too.  Bakers Twine is easy to work with for batch making, you get a lot on a roll and unlike ribbon there are no difficult bows to tie.  This card style would work well with other digital or stamped images too, please do share your batch making tips and pics, Angela x

Materials Used:

White Linen Card – papermilldirect - https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card

Christmas Red card – papermilldirect - https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card

Baa Humbug Image set –Pink Petticoat - http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/baa_humbug/baa_humbug.php

Circle Die – Sizzix Framelits set #657551

Scalloped Circle Die – Sizzix Framelits set #657552

Snowflake Embossing Folder – Dovecraft Krafty Christmas

Promarkers – Berry Red, Mint Green, Pastel Yellow, Duck Egg -  Letraset

Glitter Glue – Stardust Stickles – Ranger

Green & White Bakers Twine and Metal Charms from my own stash

Adhesives: Double Sided Tape, Cosmic Shimmer Glue (clear), 3D foam pads

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