Hello friends! Christmas season will soon be upon us so it’s a good idea to start making these handmade Christmas cards early to avoid the stress during the season. Today I have a tutorial to show you how you can create stunning Holiday cards using a small number of cardmaking, stamping and coloring supplies (this is the time of the year when a lot of new people join cardmaking and try their hand at making handmade cards for the first time, so I wanted to share a video showing Holiday cards with a small number of supplies without breaking the bank).
Like this project? Pin it and save for later | Curious about my project photography? Click for details.
I do sometimes like to go overboard with my Holiday cards especially if I do a lot of die cutting and layering and my family love to receive those cards. My friends on the other hand prefer simpler & cleaner Holiday cards. In today’s video I’ll show you an example of an easy to make Christmas card using using just a handful a things. Lately I believe that less is more and that’s the spirit or the motto of my cardmaking video today.
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VIDEO TUTORIAL
As always, I filmed a video tutorial showing how to create this project from start to finish. I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it. Watch it below or on my Youtube channel.
Like this video? Please give it a big thumbs up (you can do this on Youtube video page right under the video) and share with a crafty friend! Leave me a comment too, I love hearing from you!
CARDS DETAILS
I started making my card by creating a striped background. Stripes are always fitting for a Holiday card and a striped background is very easy to make. It’s super simple – all you need is a marker and a ruler. Of course you can always stamp a striped background, but less is more is the focus of this post & video so instead of stamping a background I wanted to show you how you can make one or a bunch of backgrounds yourself.
Use some sort of grid under your panel (this can be either grid paper or the lid of your stamping tool if you have one; I would not do this on a cutting mat because marker will permanently stain it). Next, with the help of a ruler and chisel nib of a Copic marker (or any other marker) draw horizontal or vertical (or you can even go diagonal!) lines every 1/4″. You can decided to have wider lines if you like and space them differently if that’s what you prefer.
I used R89 marker to create stripes for this card.
Next, I stamped ornaments using copic-marker friendly ink onto white paper and colored them using the following Copic marker colors: R89, R39, R27, R24, R22 and R20 to create lots of dimension, deep shadows and highlighted areas on my ornaments to help them appear dimensional.
The light source for this card is coming from the left top side and thus the right side of my ornaments is the darkest – this is where I applied my shadows using the R89 and R39 markers. Next I’m used my transition shades the R27 and R24 to blend the shadows into a a circle highlight area that was colored using R22 and R20 markers to create an almost white like highlight on these.
Once my coloring was done I used a Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen to add a bunch of sparkle to these ornaments – this pen looks beautiful or darker papers and it really does shine here on these ornaments.
There are coordinating dies available for these images so I cut mine out and foam mounted onto the card. I show a variation of this card on video with a Glossy coated finish – be sure to watch it for more tips. I foam mounted my ornaments to spell the word Joy on the striped background, stamped the ornament string and “to you and me” sentiment in black ink. Lastly, I added several colored and die-cut stars.
I do have one more card idea using same stamp set and same supplies. Here I also added smaller ornaments in green along with some beautiful hanging stars and stamped “Have a Magical Holiday” sentiment in black ink.
STAMPTEMBER MAMA ELEPHANT EXCLUSIVE
Today is also the day Simon Says Stamp revealed Mama Elephant STAMPtember exclusive collaboration stamp set – isn’t it fun?
I made a large gift tag with it’s help, but it’s an awesome stamp set to use for Christmas cards and even envelopes! Here’s a look at my handmade tag:
BLOG HOP
Nichol Spohr
Keeway Tsao
Melania Deasy
Amy Yang
Gemma Campbell
Megan Quinn
Yana Smakula – you are here!
Francine Vuillème
Welcome to Mama Elephant’s #celebrating6years Anniversary Release Stampede with our wonderful crafty friends and designers! The wait is finally over! The release is now live and available for purchase in the shop!
To celebrate with you, Mama Elephant has amazing sale and promotion and giveaway! Keep reading to the end!
From 9/15 – 9/17: 10% off entire store! No code required!
From 9/15 – 9/30: Spend $100* – receive 1 free ‘Color Me Letters’ 4×6 stamp set | Spend $150* – receive 1 free ‘Color Me Letters’ 4×6 stamp set and ‘Hilly THANKS’ dies | Spend $200* – receive 1 free ‘Color Me Letters’ 4×6 stamp set, ‘Hilly THANKS’ dies, and ‘Hilly HELLO’ dies.
*Subtotal amount must be met before any shipping fees/tax/customs. Free item(s) valid only a single order/transaction. Limit one of each free offer per order. Orders cannot be combined. New orders only. Limit one free offer per customer/order. We reserve the right to cancel/modify orders. Free offer valid 9/15-9/30 or while supplies last!
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate this mega anniversary release, Mama Elephant is giving away of ten $25 ME gift certificates throughout the 3 day stampede! Winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the Stampede. Winners will be announced on the last day of Stamp Highlights. You have up to 4 chances to qualify to win!
1. Leave a comment on this blog post | 2. Like/share Mama Elephant on Facebook | 3. Follow/tweet Mama Elephant on Twitter | 4. Follow/comment Mama Elephant on Instagram. Each action qualifies for one entry, max 4 entries per stampeder please!
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
 Mama Elephant Joy Ornaments Stamps Shop at: SSS |
 Mama Elephant Joy Ornaments Dies Shop at: SSS |
 Mama Elephant Scripty Christmas Stamps Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink Shop at: SSS |
 Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R20 Blush Pink Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R22 Light Prawn Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R24 Prawn Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R27 Cadmium Red Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R39 Garnet Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R89 Dark Red Shop at: SSS |
 Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pen Nuvo Shop at: SSS |
 White Fun Foam 12 Pack 9 x 12 Shop at: SSS |
 Stick It Adhesive Handy Pack 5 Sheets Shop at: SSS |
 Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Stamp Platform Shop at: SSS |
 Misti Creative Corners Positioning Pieces Shop at: SSS |
 Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS |
 Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen Shop at: SSS |
SAVE ME/PIN ME TO PINTEREST
Like this card idea? Be sure to save it to one of your Pinterest boards for future reference!
Love your example and love this release! But then I love everything you do!
I absolutely love your work!
I love your card-CAS! I do like to color, too. I just don’t get to practice as much as I would like to.
Great video…love your card, it’s beautiful.
Me too! Love this card and plan to give something like it a try. A couple of years ago I was going thru an incredibly stressful time and was temporarily living with a friend. My craft stuff was in storage (my usual de-stressor) so I bought a coloring book and some cheap pencils to try to help me calm down. That’s when I fell in love with coloring. Came out of that difficult time with a new passion!!!! Watching lots of videos (including yours) and practicing has helped to improve my skills. Sometimes I stamp a bunch of images to color with various mediums without any intention of making a card … just to color. Adorable cats!!!! Thanks, Yana … and thanks once again for turning me onto Polychromos. I am loving them!!!!!
I love the bold stripes.
Great ideas. I already placed my order and I am glad I ordered this set
Such fun and beautiful cards! Beautifully colored. I love the graphic elements.
OMG! The shading is amazing! I love the vivid red colors you used!
Thanks for the tip on how you made the stripes. Such a simple tip that I never thought to use. Love all your cards and love ME.
Beautiful ornament card. Love the dimensions. The Merry Mail tag is adorable.
I love the Stamptember release and the new release today. I ordered from both and am excited to get my stamps!
After seeing your amazing cards I now want more mama elephant stamp sets! Your stamptember tag is the cutest and I love your coloring!
Love your holiday cards and large gift tag!
Great holiday projects! I love the new Mama Elephant release.
This release is beyond adorable!!
These are fantastic, Yana, I especially love the first one – simple, yet really classy and wonderful! The last one is also such a cute scene. What’s not to love in these? 🙂
Great cards, great video with great advice! I love your kitty cats–we used to have 4 indoor cats, they have all moved on to a “better place” but we now care for “God’s Cat Garden”, a group of feral cats, we have neutered them and care for them. They eat all those lovely spiders and scorpions that we really don’t want–here in AZ. Aren’t you missing the 110 temps??!!
Always love your cards, Yana! Such bright and cheery cards!
Fantastic cards, it’s good to know someone as talented as you doesn’t always get it right the first time. Your cats are beautiful, I can’t imagine leaving mine, but I wouldn’t want to take her to another country either. Glad you had family to take care of them. Love your family photo!
Stunning cards Yana! Ordered the Joy Baubles today so can’t wait for them to arrive.
What great ideas for making this card! It’s such a beautiful card!
Bright, cheery, beautiful cards. This release is so nice.
Wonderful release and your projects are amazing!
Love how your joy sentiment came out!
Great samples and love The Stamptember set!
Love your cards and the copic tips are very much appreciated
Great cards, especially love the striped Joy card, so festive.
Awesome cards with this sweet release! Beautiful colors and details!
Love love love your JOY card. I can’t wait to get this set. I really like you striped background!!! So easy but looks amazing!!! I would of never thought it was so simple!!! Thanks so much for the tip. Love all your tutorials. You are a great teacher. Thanks so much. Take care.
wow Yana, I love your colouring.. your style… your pictures… your blog . You took the stamp set to another level with a very simple and elegant design. love. x
Beautiful cards. I always look forward to seeing what you create. Thanks.
Fabulous cards as always. Love how you highlighted them to give the reflection of the ornaments. Wonderful release. Great inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
You make it look so easy in your process video 😀 :D. Lovely card!
Both cards are cute
and look lovely and
easy!
Carla from Utah
There can be true beauty in simplicity. Love the gleam you achieved on the ornament. I so enjoy your videos as I’m trying to improve my colouring skills. Thanks for the inspiration.
Fantastic cards. Love the shine
on the ornaments. The bright
colors are wonderful.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
These are fabulous, Yana – LOVE the reds you used – I so need to try them with some of the ornament stamps I have.
I love your tutorials! These cards are so fun!
Love your cards! 🙂
Love the card and tag. I will give the stripe background a try. Thanks for the video, I like watching them all.
Love these cards and your message that great cards can still be made with only a few supplies! Sometimes I forget that I don’t have to pile EVERYTHING onto my cards. Thanks for sharing this!
I always appreciate your consideration for all crafters. Nice cards!!
Love your card and the new release.
Beautiful festive creations! 🙂
Really nice job on your ornaments. And thanks for the stripey background tip. I love stripes. Just sooo much cuteness in this release.
Great cards. The ornaments are so pretty.
Gorgeous cards – love how vibrant your colours are!!
I love CAS cards. You did a great job on both of these (& great tutorial too.)
Love your bright and cheerful cards!