How to Make Your Own Christmas Card [A Time to Give]

Learn how to make your own handmade Christmas cards with this step by step guide. I’ll show you exactly how I’ve made this Christmas card including all the papers I’ve cut and how I’ve coloured the sweet image so that you can create your own handmade Christmas cards to delight your loved ones. You’ll also learn how to keep your crafts on budget with affordable supplies and money saving tips.

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Digital Stamping

The Digi image is from Polkadoodles, part of their Winnie White Christmas range. 

There are thousands of different digital stamps availible online. Click here to take a look at my favourites.

I print my digital stamps onto Ultimate Graphic 160gsm paper. It’s bright white so my colours really pop and it’s super smooth surface makes blending easier.

You don’t need a fancy or expensive printer to print digital stamps. I use a very old HP Officejet, any inkjet printer will do.

I’ve coloured this little cutie with my Winsor & Newton BrushMarkers.

Here’s the shade’s I’ve used:

Promarker Brush Colours – Skin

Promarker Brush Colours – Reds

Promarker Brush Colours – Greens

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Designer Papers

I wanted to stick to traditional Christmas colours for this card so I picked out this Cosy Christmas paper pack from Make and Create at the Works.

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Embellishments

I’ve added a length of ribbon to this card. It adds a bit of texture and interest.

I’ve also included a little tag with a paper covered wooden heart. To cover the wooden heart with paper glue the paper to the heart with PVA glue. Leave it on a flat surface under a heavy object such as a stack of books. Once the glue is completely dry carefully cut around the wooden shape.

No Christmas card would be complete without a touch of glitter. I’ve used Stickles in red and green colours. I’ve added the glitter to the darker parts of my image, using it like an extra layer of shading.

To give the card a sense of depth I’ve inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Fired Brick.

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Take a Peak Inside

I think it’s such a shame to receive a beautifully decorated card only to open it and be faced with a blank page. So I use more of my designer papers to decorate the insides of my cards. I mostly use scraps leftover from the main design and a 10cm square of plain paper to write a nice message onto.

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How to Make this Card

Follow these step by step instructions to recreate this handmade card.

Start by colouring your image using the ProMarker blends included at the top of this post. You can also use any other colouring medium you prefer.

Choose a card blank that measures 6 x 6 inches square. I’ve chosen these kraft cards which are availible from my Etsy shop.

How to Prepare Your Papers

Cut your coloured image to measure 11 cm x 7.5 cm.

Choose and cut your papers. You can substitute any papers you wish. I have used white, red and green papers.

Cut the Following Paper Pieces:

• White 14 cm x 14 cm
• Red 12 cm x 10 cm
• Green 9 cm x 7.5 cm

Cut the Following Kraft Card Pieces:

• 14.3 cm x 14.3cm
• 12.3 cm x 10.3 cm
• 9.3 cm x 7.8 cm
• 11.3 cm x 7.8 cm
• 10.3 cm x 2 cm

How to Ink Papers with Tim Holtz Distress Ink

I use the same colour of distress ink to shade the edges of my papers. It gives my cards a co-ordinated look. On this card I’m using Fired Brick Distress Ink.

I start by laying my paper onto a piece of acetate. You can buy acetate in sheets or you can cut it from packaging which is just as good. You do need a flat sheet ideally bigger than the edge of your paper or card.

After choosing my ink colour I dab the ink blending tool onto the ink pad and sweep it from the acetate onto the edge of my paper. I always use a smooth sweeping motion starting and finishing on the acetate sheet.

There are lots of blending tool availible. I have the Ranger one and I’ve been happy with it so I haven’t tried any of the other brands. I use one ink pad for each colour family instead of one for each colour. One pad for all the reds for example. This means that I don’t have to buy so many blending pads and saves me some money.

Stick the image onto the 11.3 cm x 7.8 cm kraft card. Stick the two designer paper pieces onto their slightly larger kraft mats.

Applying the Ribbon

Stick the ribbon onto the bottom of the red panel.

Ribbon can be tricky to stick onto cards. This is my favourite technique for neatly hiding the raw ends and stopping them from fraying.

I lay my 2 cm x 10.3 cm strip of kraft card flat on my craft mat and stick a length of double sided tape where I want my ribbon. I make sure that the ends of the tape extend over the ends of the kraft card and left them stick lightly to the mat.

Then I place my length of ribbon to the exposed tape and press it onto the card.

I gently lift the kraft card and ribbon off the craft mat and turn it over. It’s easy to press the ribbon and the extra tape to the back of the kraft card so that the ends are neatly hidden from the front of the card.

How to Assemble this Card

I like to use 6mm double sided tape for most of my cards. It’s cheaper than the usual 12mm tape but it sticks just as well.

I use a pokey tool to remove the backing from the tape. It’s nice and easy and saves my finger nails from getting split.

When I want to add some height to the elements of my cards I use 3D foam pads. I generally stick one in each corner and one in the centre if the piece is on the larger size.

Stick the largest paper onto the card blank. Then stick the red panel to the left of the card using 3D foam pads. Next stick the green panel to the top right of the card with 3d foam pads. Next add the tag to the top right hand corner of your card. Then stick the image in place followed by the paper covered wooden heart in the top right corner.

Trim the excess twine from the tag to a length you are happy with.

For a finishing touch apply some glitter to the image and leave it to dry completley.

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Shop this Card Making Project

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Take a Look at my Etsy Shop

This handmade greeting card is available to buy in my Etsy shop.

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Follow me on your favourite social media channel for more card making ideas and inspiration.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Etsy

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Pin it Now, Craft it Later

I do hope you have enjoyed having a peak at my latest card making project. Please feel free to use my handmade cards to inspire your own creations, pin it to your Pinterest for later.

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