Stampin' Tip of the Month 

Recycling Holiday Cards  

Are you getting worried about sending out hand-made holiday cards because you don't have any supplies, and you haven't started yet?

Well, don't worry, you still have plenty of options:

1) Give me a call at 719-205-5957 and we can customize a project for your needs. You can go through the catalog, my SU! Web Site, and my blog to get some ideas of what you might like to start with. I can give you a number of ideas to use with the same supplies, so you can get the best bang for your buck! Then we can place your order right away and get your supplies here in time for you and I to get together for a stamping session to get you started on your cards.

2) You can go to my SU! Web Site, and click on the SHOP NOW button at the top right. If you haven't yet created a login for yourself, you'll want to do that before you do anything else. Then, click on the heading that says Browse Projects in the left sidebar, and you will see hundreds of samples of cards and projects you can choose from--with the supply ordering lists right there to check off next to each one! Order whatever you need online, and then call me so we can make arrangements to walk through making your cards or projects together.

3) If you don't want to spend money on new supplies, then consider looking through your old holiday card stash, and cutting up the decorative parts to make or embellish new cards for yourself! If you're like me, you have a bunch of old cards that you've received over the years, as well as those stray old cards that were extras and never got sent out.

You can get by using this recycling method, but you'll want to get some staple supplies to help you out: 

• a reliable paper cutter, trimmer, or hobby blade and cutting grid (live by the carpenter's adage - measure twice, cut ONCE!)
• some reliable adhesive (remember to put adhesive on the surfaces of BOTH pieces you want stuck together, for a firm hold!)
• an assorted collection of card stock to use for your foundation level, in colors that will match your card stash supplies
• envelopes for mailing your cards

Matching your card stock to your supplies can be the hard part, since all your cut up recycled card pieces will be from different manufacturers. That's okay, you can choose a set of Neutrals Card Stock, and just layer on top of that!

You can just layer recycled cards onto card stock and leave it like that, or you can add some personalization and bling.

For personalization, there is a great stamp set on page 139 of the catalog called Many Merry Messages (item 107121, $33.95) which contains 8 different holiday greetings. Four of the greetings are large ones for the outside of a card, and four are phrases meant for the inside of a card--though you could also put the phrases on the outside of your card as your greeting. Two of the phrases even comment on the new year, so they are quite versatile!

To add some bling to your cards, you may want to add ribbon, brads, or other decorative elements. This is fairly easy to do, even with recycled card pieces, because you can get supplies in colors and assortments which will coordinate with most other colors, such as:

• Gold or Silver Metallic Cord
• White Grosgrain or Tafetta Ribbon
• Natural Hemp Twine
• Silver Designer Brads (choose from Flower, Filigree, Circle, or Star Assortments)
• Silver Clip Assortments
• Gold or Silver Brads (200 per container)
• Vintage Asst. Brads (50 ea. in black, silver, antique brass, pewter)

There are endless options, and remember that you can use markers, ink pads, or ink refills to dye our white ribbon any other color you want! It takes just a few minutes and dries very quickly, so it's easy to make a ton of different colored coordinating ribbon for cards, packages and tags throughout the holiday season.

Just remember, when you add bulk to your cards, you increase the chances of having to pay more for postage. If your card is thicker than 1/4" in a closed envelope, you will have to pay a surcharge to send that card.

In addition, if one portion of your card sticks out significantly higher than the rest of the card, you will have to pay a surcharge to have that card hand-canceled at the post office, as it will be "non-machinable". You'll may into this if your card uses very thick ribbon that is knotted on the front of the card. 

I have not encountered any problems with using the 1/4" grosgrain, or the tafetta ribbon, in either bows or knots on the front of a card. I've also sent cards with 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in a tight square knot with no problems. Hopefully this gives you some idea of the tolerances.

So, think "flat" when you think about embellishments. And don't forget to decorate your envelopes. A simple stamped greeting on the back flap of the envelope, and maybe a decorative flourish or image on the front (to the left of the recipient's address) can make your cards stand out!