QUICK AND EASY CARDS.

Note: Before I begin this post, I want you to know that I have placed a special prayer on the top of the home page of my blog, for the families of the Newton tragedy. My heart hurts for them and everyone affected.

I had all of my cards done and ready to mail the other day, when I realized I was short one card! Plus... I had put everything away! Here is what I did to get one more card made in very short order, maybe less than 10 minutes: 

1. Found a piece of kraft card stock, 81/2 x 11 in size. 

2. Went through some papers I had purchased and found a gorgeous piece of black glitter paper (not CTMH). 

3. Dumped out all the little extra shapes I'd cut using my (new) Cricut Expression (that I just love!) and pulled out a couple of tags and a few stars. 

4. Laid out a quick design on the kraft card (made 5x7 in size) by cutting my kraft paper 10 x 7 and folding it in half. 

5. Distressed edges with cocoa ink on the kraft paper and red ink on the cream card stock.. and I had already stamped a greeting on some cream card stock tags. Here is what I came up with!

 

I added a little twine bow and a piece of leftover ribbon (not CTMH) that I had. I used the CTMH Pear & Partridge papers for the tags which is still available. I hated to cut into it but made a bunch of other cards using it and they came out gorgeous!

I had previously cut some cream stars and green glitter paper stars of different sizes, so just put two together, distressed the edges in red and put a little jewel on top.  I stuck the green star flat, and put 3D foam tape under the cream star to make it stand out.  

On the inside, I stamped a blessing on cream card stock, distressed it and stuck it on.

This is the Christmas Love stamp set from Autumn/Winter 2011.  LOVE IT!

I'm loving my new (reconditioned) Cricut Expression!  I had cut extra tags and stars when I was playing around with sizes, etc.  This was a good lesson learned because then I could just pick through what I already had!  Neat!  I think I'll have little baskets of my shapes for the different holidays or seasons.  I've already started a scrap box with just Christmas scraps and a little basket with Christmas tags, labels and shapes.

It took longer to explain how to make this card, than it actually took to make it!

Here's another fairly quick card I made using the Dakota  paper.  I love the wood grain and tweedy design on the back! This paper will be so versatile so I bought the bulk pack.

I distressed the edges of the card in cocoa ink, red on the cream card stock and used the Nature's Gift stamps (from Autumn/Winter 2011).  I had a scrap of this cute snowflake ribbon and put a little twine bow on.

I used 3D foam tape to lift up the little tag, and used green glitter paper that I purchased elsewhere.  I LOVE GLITTER PAPERS! I matted the tweedy design with some red paper I had already cut and it fit perfectly!

Used some more of my extra stars, with 3D foam tape behind them, and a few sparkles.

 VOILA!  There are my two quick cards.

There's still time.................. get busy!  (as if you didn't have enough to do right?)