Monday, November 21, 2011

Ella fun...


Recently, Ella Publishing asked me to write up an article on tips for making assembly line Christmas cards. They have free E-zine articles, free blog posts with tips and tricks, and inexpensive E-books you can purchase related to scrapbooking, photography and much more.

Would you like a few tips on creating fast and fabulous holiday cards? Visit the Ella Ezine to see five card samples to help you on your way to creating them! Here are a couple of my samples for the E-zine:
On this first card, I simply stamped the Background Basics: Houndstooth background, added a strip of kraft cardstock, tied the twine on. Then I die cut a Damask Snowflake and stamped the JOY from the 2011 Holiday Tags.
Not too difficult, right? I love the look of the gray houndstooth with the red and white!

On this card, I stamped the floral stitches from the Stitches & Swirls set, then I wanted to add a sentiment over the top, so I needed something solid to stamp on. I cut a "Holiday Photo Finishers" strip from kraft cardstock. I stamped peace on it with True Black ink.
Last, I cut the Holly Jolly die from Pure Poppy felt.
(Full supply lists can be found at Ella.)

Who doesn't like a good giveaway? I hope to have these on a regular basis on my blog. After all, I want you to have a good time visiting me! I love to be able to give back to my readers.

Please visit the Ella site to read the article, then come back here and leave a comment for your chance to win some of this beautiful twine like I used on the JOY card, courtesy of Scrappantry on Etsy! Two winners will be chosen, one to receive a set of Vintage Twine (9 colors - 90 yards total) and another winner to receive some Divine Twine (10 colors - 100 yards total).

Which card can you see yourself making out of the five in the article?

77 comments:

mary bartolotta said...

Hi Danielle!! love your cards...after looking at them on Ezine, I think I'd make something with the gray and red combination...love the snowflake and the red circle..not traditional colors for holiday, but love it! thanks for the giveaway!!

Patricia said...

The cards are all beautiful- but I especially love the felt tree one- quick and easy and it looks great! Thanks for the chance!

Leonie said...

All the cards are beautiful Danielle. I am all inspired now to get creating for Christmas. Thanks for sharing & the chance to win some of that yummy twine.

Anonymous said...

I love BOTH your "quick assembly line" xmas cards. I can't choose just one! HA! ~Shonna M.

Zarah said...

Wow... They're all beautiful!! The pocket-card roooocks but I think my absolute fave has to be the dry embossed one. So elegant, andstill a bit fun & quirky. It has personality! I love that! :D

Thanks for the chance to win! :D

Nilsa said...

Such beautiful cards! They seem easy and doable... off to try and make some! Thanks for the inspiration!

jen shears said...

What a great feature! I love them all- I think the pocket card is super fun & different! :)(I'm probably most likely to make the dry embossed one though!) Thanks for the chance!!

Evgenia Kovtun said...

Well, I am no different with my answer. In the article I loved the dry embossed one. And your first card looks fabulous and simple! Love the stamped background and lovely twine. Thank you for a chance to win some! It's not sold in my country.

Crafty Peoples said...

I love cards 2, 3 & 5 but I think card 2 with the die cut felt holly and the photo finisher die cut piece is my favorite! I love that it's simple but the the design of the die-cut strip adds a little flair and the holly and kraft card stock add some texture. Thanks, as always, for your great designs!

Diana Fleming said...

I actually am inspired by all of them... wonderful cards!

rush said...

i especially like the card with the dry embossing although they are all so nice. thank you for the tips and for sharing your cards.

Lisa Voerg said...

I want to say that all of the cards that you created are so beautiful. I really could see myself creating the snowflake card, pocket card or the holly card. They seem to be the cards that I am instantly drawn to. Thank you for the inspiration and the chance to win.

Holly Saveur said...

Great 5 tips Danielle and gorgeous cards...like them all...the pocket too...they one I would love to make is the one with the felt tree and twine wrapped around it..love the little hart!
The embossed ones I have already been making with the strips from Provocraft..and they look so cute.

chiara84 said...

I love this little christmas tree and will love to make it. Thanks for this chance to win!
Chiara84

debb said...

I love the photo holder and will be using this idea! love it! Thanks for the opp!

Debbie W said...

I loved all your cards, clean style and just beautifully put together. Thanks for the chance to win the twine.

Master P said...

I adore the red, white, and gray card with the snowflake!!! Fabulous card and awesome article!!! Thanks for the chance to win some twine... I need it!! :o)

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

Once again amazing work! I love being an email subscriber and having the inspiration come through my mail! Thank you! I especially loved the dry embossing one, so very creative and it doesn't sound as hard as it looks! Thanks again!
Lisa

Dolly said...

I am inspired by all of the beautiful cards! I think using 5 or fewer supplies will be something I try this year! Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

Lovely cards Danielle. These don't look like the typical assembly line cards. Thanks for the chance to win some lucious twine.

Nancy said...

Such a difficult choice to make since I really like all of your cards and your tips are very helpful. I think though I'd have to pick the first card with the houndstooth background stamp (since I have this one, but then again I have the stitched floral one too)! Well that's it just have to make all of 'em. Love your simple but effective added pieces especially the felt items.

famillemarleau said...

They're all beautiful cards. Great ideas. The one that I would most likely do is the one with dry emboss, I love doing it. So it would be the Happy Holiday card. Thanks for the chance, Johanne L.

Sharon Huffman said...

I opened and read my article from Ella before reading this and had already decided. To try the first one, inly with strips of paper rather than stamped background because that's what it looked like on this tiny phone. Now I can see it with a stamp. I also plan on doing the dry embossing. Thanks for sharing all this quick and lovely cards!

Nancy Guse said...

The one I would make would be the quick pocket. That would be great to put your Christmas photo card inside and send to family. Thanks for doing the giveaways!

Miriam Prantner said...

Great tips! I love the use 5 or fewer items one (reminds me of my 5 ingredient cookbook)! But my favorite card was the one with the dry embossing....adding the button to accent the ornament. So cute!

andie smith said...

awesome tips! i love that quick pocket you created and love love that christmas countdown embossing folder! :)

Renee R said...

Love, Love, Love the gray and red! The houndstooth stamp just got bumped to my must-have list. Thanks for sharing...always inspired by your work!

Mel said...

The stamped background one. I actually have Stitch stamp on it's way from PTI...this card design is perfect for it!

Sarah Weaver (A Beautiful Life) said...

Wow! So pretty and inspiring! I love the five or fewer tip - a reminder to keep it simple!

Also, I am hosting a giveaway on my blog right now too! A $25 gift certificate to p.s. i heart you's etsy shop is up for grabs!

http://www.sarahleeweaver.com/2011/11/giveaway-ps-i-heart-you.html

Nancy L. said...

beautiful cards!! thanks for the chance to win some yummy twine!!

Marlou McAlees said...

Danielle, love each and every card you made and shared with us :) loving the little pocket card, very sweet idea :) thanks for a chance to win and your ideas are always unique! love your style!! Ps got sorted with sewing machine, ;) Santa Claus is bringing me a Pfaff 1132, I cant wait!!!! :) xx

Unknown said...

I really liked the "pocket" card, but probably to put a gift card inside instead of a traditional photo... I also am waiting for my "Stitches and Swirls" set to come in the mail, so I'm obsessed with anything you guys come up with for that set! I already have most of my cards completed, but I may have to try out some of those that you've displayed.... fabulous work! Thank you.

Leigh Penner said...

What beautiful cards, Dani! I just got the Stitches and Swirls stamp set yesterday and am hoping to ink it up today!

Erin Pieronek said...

Some nice tips. I love making my own holiday cards. Each card you made looked special even though they were simple. I will start the work when I get home from eating that turkey!

Lexi said...

Tough to pick just one but my fave is the one with the dry embossing.

Flor said...

What simple but gorgeous cards! I would probably make the peace card. Simple, yet elegant. If I had twine I would make one of the other ones, but I don't have any yet! I love doing assembly line style cards for the holidays!

Cecilie said...

While all your cards are stunning, I instantly pinned the first one. It is just amazing and I must try my hand at a similar one. Wowsers!

Anonymous said...

I love the pocket card, I send a photo every year and this is going in my file for next year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Teresa

Janet said...

What beautiful cards!

Connie B said...

I love the houndstooth background!

Melinda said...

Thanks for sharing the tips! Makes cardmaking much easier! My favorite is the pocket, I like including photos in my cards, so this would be my choice!

Anonymous said...

They're all beautiful... but I could see myself making the "peace" card with holly. It's beautiful, simple, & I already have most of the supplies!! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful ideas. My favorite is the JOY card.

Kate Yetter said...

My favorite is the first one with the snowflake,pearls and twine! Your cards are always so beautiful! Love this twine!

Rebecca Ednie said...

I love the pocket card idea. Haven't made one in ages. So pretty.

Melissa Bove said...

Love all your gorgeous cards Danielle!! But that Quick pocket card is amazing!! What a fabulous idea for Christmas cards!! I may just have to use that one!! Love it!!

Meghan said...

All three cards are lovely but I think the dry embossed one is amazing!

Playing with Paper said...

I love the felt tree card so cute!! But I also like the pocket card you can do so much with them.

Dyna said...

I can see myself making the dry emboss card. Just LOVE the texture it gives. Love your blog Danielle. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Sonia said...

Totally Gorgeous Danielle!~ Love the twine.
-Sony
Sonia-Studio60

Anonymous said...

I could see myself making the 5 or fewer designed card. They're all so pretty and look easy so really any of them would be great for holiday cards. Thanks for the chance to win!

Polly in MN

Anonymous said...

Great cards!! I think my fav was the 25 Pocket card! Thanks for the chance to play : )

Yvonne..... said...

I LOVE your snowflake card and you posted this just in time. I can't wait to take this idea and make my Christmas cards. They are simple but gorgeous and easy to mail. I would love to enter the drawing too! Thank you!!

Stacy Simpson said...

Since I love to include pics of my boys in our Christmas cards, I love the idea of the pocket card. Now, do I use up these crafty supplies and make them or just order from Shutterfly?! hehe

Annmarie said...

I love the five or fewer card with the felt tree. Which is what I need to help get my cards done quickly so I'm not sending them out after Christmas....LOL

Deborah R said...

I would love to make the joy card! I love the joy stamp with the snowflakes and the damask snowflake die. Looks like I'll be adding to my PTI order! Thank you for the great idea and for the wonderful give away.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards and great ideas. I love the one with the felt tree. Dawn

Debbie Pereira said...

I LOVE the embossed card and the pocket is a great idea to protect the photo.

brooke. said...

Definitely the pocket card!!

Rachel said...

just love the floral stitch stamp-beautiful cards as always!!!

Suzanne Daniels said...

I love the Felt Tree Card. I have PTI's tree die and this would make a wonderful card. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for such a wonderful giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Great article and lovely cards, as always! The pocket card is definitely the most like something that I would make and send. Thanks so much for a chance to win; I absolutely LOVE twine. Have a wonderful thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

I always admire your cards, and these are no exception. I love the pocket card for a family photo! Thanks for a chance to win---I love using twine.

Karen Dunbrook said...

thanks for a great tutorial...I totally want to create the eb card with the circle punch...

missybug said...

i love the happy holiday card!! Buttons, gotta love em!!! thanks for an opportunity to win!! I have wanted to get some of that twine...this is awesome! hope i win.

thanks
melissa frances

katrynka said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I think I like the snowflake the best. I always LOVE snow:)

Hester said...

I love the card with the felt tree!

Gina said...

Thanks so much for the give-away, Danielle. Of all the cards, I love the first one (the Joy snowflake that you show here) and the pocket card -- what a great way to send a photo! I really like that one.

Lynn said...

Style-wise I'd make the felt tree card. But, I am so inspired by the grey houndstooth + red + snowflake combo. I have that houndstooth stamp set and haven't inked up yet, but I will now! Great article.

Anabelle O'Malley said...

Gorgeous cards, Dani and awesome article! I can't decide if I like the embossed card or pocket card best. Thakns for introducing me to Scrap Pantry. I'll be ordering some goodies for sure.

Anonymous said...

The first one is my favorite one "loved them all though", thanks for a chance to win!

lkuo said...

i love the idea of hanging a button - such a cute card! and starting off by deciding on the size of the envelope is great advice!!

Anonymous said...

Very nice article. I like the little window made with a circle punch. Thanks for providing an option for the button too. Jane S

LisaM said...

Awesome card ideas Danielle! Love the pocket card and the felt tree with the twine, I will be trying that. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win!

Jan Garber said...

The Happy Holiday card with the embossing was definately my fave! I am a sucker for running everything through my Cuttlebug! Pretty fast at it, too! Makes assembly line work easy-peasy!

Karen Letchworth said...

I love them all, but I am a HUGE fan of felt. I also love the pocket idea. What an awesome give-away!
Blessings,
Karen L
karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Your cards always blow my mind! I love the 25 card, that pocket is so cute. Thanks for the chance to win.