Monday, December 10, 2018

Quick and Simple Ornament Cards

It's only 15 days till Christmas and I just this weekend finished the last of this year's cards and decorated the house.  I also made the annual Shutterfly photo book and calendar and did a bazillion other things (whew).  I'm running later than usual.  There's always a point at which the frazzle goes away and the fun begins, and I'm just about there.  How about you?

I have more CAS assembly line cards today.  Four of these with gold and red mirror card stock, glossy black bow, gold trim, and a little bit of non-Christmas designer paper.




A long, skinny die like this "merry" can make you crazy, trying to get it straight... glue on your fingers, pulling it every which way, grrrr.  Easy solution:  I cut it into a white panel first, then set the gold "merry" into it.  Slipped right into place.  Also, I drew a light pencil line on the card stock as a guide for lining up the die nice and straight.  Easily erased afterward.  Very quick cards!




However... I was then left with the four white "merrys" that popped out when I cut the negative space.  I couldn't bring myself to throw them out, so I layered two together (much more time consuming and troublesome) to make two sentiments, which I then colored with a red Copic and created two of these cards with the polka dot ornaments.




A score line helped with placement of the "merry" on this design.  Each designer paper ornament is layered onto a white ornament backing for substance.  The ornaments and bows are the quick and easy part.

The ornaments are not actually ornaments.  They're from an old set of JustRite Custom Charms.  I believe the Memory Box Merry Cursive die is retired, but the Poppystamps Prim and Proper Bow is current.  Good thing I'm not in the business of selling dies, right?

Merry merry!!


23 comments:

Glenda said...

Good early morning girl! I too am almost ready to have some fun! I don't do as much decorating as I used to and this year I'm going off to my daughter's house for Christmas Eve. A first! I love the first card as it is kind of classic looking and lovely with the gold and red but the second card scrolled into view and I do love all those polka dots and the red merry! Now onward to Christmas!

Sherri said...

Wow!! You continue to amaze me with your ideas for solving problems we all have! Cutting the die into the background first makes total sense and solves a problem we all have of lining a sentiment up straight! Brilliant!! I'm in love with both of these gorgeous cards! You are certainly proving that less is more! Hugs!

Diane said...

Fabulous idea to inset the sentiment!! All the cards are so pretty and easy mailers, and you are done with Christmas cards...good for you, I bet it feels GOOD!! Hoping to get mine out tomorrow, am still decorating but what I get out today is it!! I just want to be be able to sit and enjoy a bit of the holidays for a change , read a few good books and relax for once...but we have a company party Friday night..ugh...a surprise birthday this Tuesday...ugh...have to take my son to the dentist on Wednesday...double ugh for him lol...meeting my sister and niece for a movie on on Thursday, and a hair cut for me on Tuesday and I still have one more gift to get before weather turns ugly....just sitting and watching Hallmark movies are looking better and better to me..LOL!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love these. They are so beautiful and well designed. And, CAS is one of my favorite styles. Simple can be so elegant looking.

Yogi said...

pretty. Have a great day

nancy littrell said...

Two beautiful, yet very different Merry and ornament CAS designs, Leslie. I love them both. The 1st is very elegant and the 2nd Merry and Bright! TFS the tip on your 1st card for placing the Merry. I always use my SU Thin Tip Glue Pen for attaching all my dies. Especially helpful for the skinny dies.

Merry Christmas, my friend. Hugs..Nancy

Kathy Krug said...

I love these, Leslie. CAS elegant. I know what you mean about gluing the sentiments together. I love the look but is sure does take patience.

pam said...

Stunning CAS card designs Leslie, great tip with that beautiful script writing. love your choice of colours and layouts.
Pam x

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

Your cards are so bright and cheery and the sentiment is just perfect for these cards! I love the polka dots as they are among my favorites. Thanks for reminding me 15 days to go - must hurry! Have a great week!

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous CAS card love the non-baubles and bows great tip about gluing fiddly word dies
Carol x

aussie aNNie said...

Two stunning cards Leslie, love the Merry die and the mirror paper always looks classy.xx

Margaret said...

Super cute and they look super easy. I have some ornament dies. I may have to CAS your cards if I need any more. Both cards are so pretty.

Christine Alexander said...

Christmas will soon be here and then the chaos stops weather we are done or not :)
Love your CAS cards and I agree those darn thin sentiments are so hard to stick down.

Darlene said...

These are just amazing! You are so darn clever!!! Thanks for inspiration! I still have more to do but now that our big house party is over, I can concentrate on what else is needed (after I rest up and give my feet a little time up on a pillow that is! lol) Getting old is for the birds!!

Lynette said...

Ooooh, I love these CAS beauties, Leslie! So clever of you to place the sentiment that way. I suppose you could just use the template for putting the sentiment correctly and then remove it once the sentiment was in place, but I guess you'd still have to deal with glue on the tiny lines, wouldn't you?

Pauline said...

Wow, Leslie you never cease to amaze me with your creativity! Love both of these cards, very classy & elegant! I'm almost there, just trying to get my cards addressed and out in the mail tomorrow. I'm still short a few, so will need to come up with some quick ideas, or make something I have already done, which is probably what I will do. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous cards Leslie, have a wonderful day!

Conniecrafter said...

Your cards are just wonderful, I love the idea of inlaying the sentiment so that it will be straight. Neat idea to use the charms for ornaments , the bows are just the right size.
I so wish I was done, I still have cards to make and shopping to be done, ughhh!

Darnell said...

Thank you, Leslie, for quick and fun and festive cards, lots of tips, and a very creative use of the charms die! I'm, as ever, impressed! I especially love the way you set your flimsy die cut sediment into a slot! Mwah! And, of course, what's cuter than polka-dotted ornaments?! 🎄Happy Holiday Hugs, Darnell

laurie said...

Very clever way to use up the white merrys. I love your CAS design...everything just pops with all that white. Beautiful!!!

Cindy Beach said...

I'm just about to the home stretch too, Leslie! LOVE your idea of a CAS approach for quick cards and your tips are helpful too. The gold and red mirror card stock are elegant and I think the polka dots make adorable ornaments!

Ros Crawford said...

Beautiful elegant and colourful creations Leslie... You know that your cards are always so unique and totally un-case-able! Is that even a word?? Lol! It's always a pleasure to see what you come up with next... Have a lovely week!

Susie said...

Oh my gosh do I love all of these cards! I'm taking a page out of your book -- CAS designs from now through Christmas. Although the "Merry" may be retired, your designs still inspire me. Gorgeous! I'm just about finished with my cards so let the fun begin!! I'm absolutely amazed that we got all our decorations and lights up since we have both been feeling so punk lately. We did ride around the neighborhood tonight - festive lights on southern architecture is nothing short of beautiful! Teddy made baked clay ornaments tonight which made me smile. I'm sure I was seeing a future Christmas gift *tehehe*

Hugs,
Susie ~

Stacy Morgan said...

Fun and no assembly line feel to these either. The gold touches look great and the designer paper ornaments are super fun. Too cute!