Thursday, July 19, 2018

Get Crackin!

My friend Jenn Shurkus had a great idea for sort of a challenge around Christmas cards.

She calls it "Get Crackin' on Christmas."

It just so happens that my class in July was a Christmas class, because that is about when I start thinking about Christmas cards, and I try to get my friends to do the same!

So at class we made three simple cards with the stamp set that probably 90% of my Christmas cards will come from, because it's ridiculously adorable.

I had them bring just a handful of markers to the class, and we used them on all three cards - you'll see the others later.

For this one, I just wanted a little aqua bird. Doesn't he look like a little Julius Caesar with his holly crown? I hope he's keeping his eye on his ides, if so.
Bird Christmas Card by Understand Blue
[All supplies are linked below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.]










GKD Amalgam Ink Pad- Jet Black
[ GNK | SSS ]
Season's Tweetings | 6x8 Stamp Set –...
[ HNB | SSS ]
Season's Tweetings | Honey Cuts |...
[ HNB | SSS ]
Copic Marker REFILL R29 LIPSTICK RED...
[ SSS | ELH | MFT ]
Copic Sketch Marker YR16 APRICOT...
[ SSS | MFT ]
Copic Sketch Marker YG07 ACID GREEN...
[ SSS | MFT ]
Copic Sketch Marker BG32 AQUA MINT
[ SSS | MFT ]
Like Magic Sequin Mix
[ N&T | SSS ]
Ranger .5 Oz. MINI MULTI MEDIUM MATTE...
[ SSS | MFT ]
Marvy Uchida JEWEL PICKER Tool 91GRC
[ SSS | MFT ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ MSW | HA | SSS | ELH | SBC | MFT ]
Absorber - Synthetic Cleaning Cloth
[ AMZUS ]
Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -...
[ BLIC ]
Mudder 10 Pack White Buffer Sanding...
[ AMZUS ]
Xyron ADHESIVE ERASER 23675
[ SSS | ART | AMZUS ]
Essentials by Ellen Storage...
[ ELH ]
Teflon Bone Folder - Ellen Hutson LLC
[ ELH | SSS ]
Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- White
[ GNK ]
Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two...
[ SSS | ART | BLIC | ELH ]
Ink Off Cloth
[ INK ]

I stamped the whole thing in Amalgam ink, and then colored him with these colors: BG32, YG07, R29 and YR16. I just shaded the little crown with green on the aqua. Then I added these sequins and the sentiment did most of the heavy lifting - I love that clean font!


So Jenn and a few others are hopping today with their Christmas cards if you want to take a peek!



I will be giving away a few stamp sets from my stash today - so all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me about your holiday cards - do you make them? If so, when do you start? How many do you make? Lay it on me, stringbean!

OH - and to answer a question left on a recent blog post about why I include the manicure blocks in my supply list and what I use them for - I lightly sand off ink smudges with them! It's kind of amazing how many times I get a little oopsie on my cardstock - but a little light sanding does the trick. For me the sanding eraser isn't as good as these little blocks. Thanks for asking!

Loveyameanitbye.

57 comments:

  1. He totally looks like Julius Caesar! LOL. Love your card!

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  2. Your card is really sweet and simple! Love that kind since I make tons of holiday cards every year. I try to start early and this blog hop was just the inspiration I needed to get going.

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  3. OK, I thought about stretching the truth a bit but decided on total honesty! I haven’t sent out Christmas cards in DECADES! I always mean too, especially since I started making my own, but somehow it just hasn’t happened yet. So your Christmas in July is kicking me in the butt to FINALLY get them done and sent out! And I love your little aqua bird!

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  4. Come on ... it just doesn't get any cuter than this? Love your card Lydia ... my little CC is in my lap right now as she flew into the window and needs some cuddles.

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  5. I love this sweet card. That font is swoon-worthy!
    As a professional procrastinator, I start making my Christmas cards around mid-November, if I’m lucky. Then, the first week of December, I usually change my mind about the card and start over with a whole new stamp set and layout.
    Thanks for the inspiration to get started early.

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  6. Love this little fat (I mean plump) holiday birdie. :) Also this comment may or may not sign you up for a Nigerian prince to be delivered to your door step. LOL (this is my first time reading your tag line before comments) :) Thanks for joining us for Get Cracking!

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  7. Awww!!! How sweet!!!
    I love making Xmas cards! I usually start at the end of November and I send about 15/20 holiday cards.

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  8. What a sweet Christmas card Lydia, I love the mixed font of the sentiment. The bird (AKA Julius Caesar, LOL) is adorable.
    I make a ton of Christmas cards (mostly in Jan.) as I have a million ideas and everything is still out. I now have a 2 yr. stock pile of them made ahead. Plus, I make just over 50 Christmas gift cards for my Mom & my MIL for their gift giving as they don't shop any more. Also, I like to give bundles of Christmas cards as birthday gifts for my friends and family who celebrate birthdays in the fall. (This gives me an excuse to make more. haha)

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  9. Well, I've 5 Christmas cards made so far but don't usually get cracking until November. Silly, as I do love to make holiday cards. Love your blue birdie card today!

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  10. I start making my Christmas cards in October/November, and usually make about 40-50.
    Terry tinyfeet 22 yahoo com

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  11. I have a thing for bird stamps and trees. I can hardly resist cute birds. Anyway, Love Julius Caesar twenty bird. I have made my cards in the past but don't always. Probably because I send about 100. If I do make them, I start in October-ish. The last ones were that folding technique that I can't remember. They were gorgeous but I almost lost my mind since they are a bit tedious.

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  12. LMAO! Of course I make Christmas cards..... the REAL question is do I MAIL them �� I’m forced to start now because my design team bosses tell me I HAVE to!

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  13. This little bird is so freaking cute! I'm really tempted but still haven't used all of what I bought for last Christmas. So, to answer the questions, yes I make all my cards, I start in July teaching 1 or 2 cards a month to my Seniors (in age) class so that they have a "supply" by December. I have 130 on my current list with requests for people to be added. I used to make all one design, now I make 30 or so of each design but have to keep a spreadsheet of who got what because there is always carry over inventory to be used the next year. I try very hard to make single layer cards but usually fail miserably! To satisfy my OCD-ness I have a 3 ring binder with samples of what I have sent in prior year. Love your work, mean it!

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  14. That’s an adorable Christmas card! I make somewhere around 70 Christmas cards each year, although the number varies depending how many people are on my list and if I have any cards left over from the previous year. Normally I make most of them in the fall, but this year I started in January. Each month I design one card and make six to eight cards with that layout. I’m hoping this will free up some of my crafting time later in the year so I can actually make some gifts, too.

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  15. I LOVE your sweet little Christmas bird! I make all of my Christmas cards, and usually start around the end of the summer, after I see all the new Christmas designs! I make 25 cards, but this year, I'll have to make more because we've moved and have met so many wonderful new friends!

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  16. I usually make about 30 cards and make them all year round - mostly because I follow several christmas card challenges.

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  17. Cute card. Yes I make my cards. And I have already started.

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  18. I need about 75 cards every year. I get bored, so I make only 4 of each design. I stay interested and friends and family get unique and original cards. I love your work!! Mary Ellen

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  19. Oh man, he is pretty cheeky with that holly wreath. :)
    I do send handmade Christmas cards out to a saved list. Since I mail out about 50 each year and also like to have cards and tags for gift giving I like to save a bit of time by making 6 or so of each design at a time. So thankful for the MISTI which is super helpful. I alwqys have good intentions to start now but I usually am seduced by the new sets that come out in Sept and then wait for them to arrival and magically it is time to send them out and I have barely begun. Yikes!

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  20. What an adorable card, I love it! I usually send around 30 cards but this will be the first year I will be making my own cards so we will see LOL. I just got my first die cut machine (Spellbinders Platinum) and am gathering supplies. I am new to papercrafting/cardmaking/mixed media so I may be taking on too much too soon with Christmas cards but here's hoping I get at least a few made to send out this year :)

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  21. Oh my gosh, so adorable! I love that bird with the holly wreath on its head. I only make about 12 Christmas cards and typically make them REALLY late. One year I was even finishing them up on the flight to see my family :D

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  22. LOVE the card and the super cute chick. I make tags, simple to elaborate, small to large, mostly for non-profits to sell as fundraisers. Millions.

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  23. First of all, I LOVE your little bluebird!! SO CUTE!!!!! Yes, I do make my own cards. I like to send between 80 and 85 cards every year. Unfortunately not everyone appreciates handmade items so I only send about 50 handmade cards....when I can. I try to make at least 50 and I should be starting now.....:)

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  24. What an adorable card. Love the sweet birdie.

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  25. Aw, I love little round birds, so cute! I make my Christmas cards starting early November, I am incredibly slow in my process but I only have to make about 20 now, most of my family has passed on. I do make some for the Caring Hearts campaign but those are CAS and quick to make.

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  26. such a cute card - I make over 40 Holiday cards and start Mid November so that I can mail early December:)

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  27. I do make Christmas cards...last year I made 150! I don't think I started until until mid October and the last card was mailed out December 23rd! I would like to say that I will be done making them in November...be realistically that isn't gonna happen!!! Love your darling card!!

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  28. How cute a card! Julius Cesar yes, too funny. I only make a few cards for crafty friends. Others either just dont mail cards anymore don't see the difference in a handmade card.. So, the special ones get the special cards!

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  29. I love your cards- but I love your commentary even more! I make about 75 cards that are non-denominational peace/holiday /winter and about 15 Hanukkah for my family I usually start in the fall but it depends on when Hanukkah falls that year

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  30. Adorable little Julius Caesar! Super cute and CAS card. I usually make about 175-200 Christmas cards. I try to start in July/August. If I get a late start in September/October then I'll make more than one card of a given design.

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  31. I love your card, the sentiment is so lovely and the color is gorgeous! I make Christmas cards, usually at least 25 (because I don’t start until Late November or early December and I am lucky if they get mailed a few days before the holiday... thanks for sharing!

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  32. I try to make my cards but some years I fail. If I start early enough, I have time to create the 80 that I send and try to get them in the mail in the first few weeks of December.

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  33. Just love that little bird. I send out around 65 to 70 Christmas cards every year. All of them are different cause I get bored if I make the same one. I usually start in the middle of November, right after my Thanksgiving cards. I'm retired so I have lots of time.

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  34. I like to make Christmas cards but I don't usually start them until December.and sometimes I don't finish them! 😂

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  35. I love the colour choice for this little birdie. I wouldn't have thought it. As for Christmas cards... I've already started! I usually make 30 - 40 to send out. I'm making more and more each year. Everyone is different and I try to make them with the recipient in mind.

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  36. I LOVE this card and love the design and colors!!!!
    I do sent handmade holiday cards and start as soon as I have the inspiration, I need about 60 every year, and start making my list Dec 1st and send them out by the end of first week in Dec!

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  37. Hi there! Your little bird card is awesome. Yes , I do make my cards every year. Around 50 and I start as soon as I get a great idea! This hop has got me thinking it is time! Lol

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  38. i do make holiday cards all year long but I don’t get inspired till November to do Christmas cards

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  39. Your sweet CAS so delightful, it made me smile!! Thanks for sharing.

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  40. Adorable card!

    I don’t make my Christmas cards but I do make invitations our annual Christmas party and incorporate my favorite card ideas.

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  41. Love this adorable bird and the color. I used to make my Christmas cards but since I have been doing craft shows I keep running out of time. Maybe this year? Thanks for the tip on using the manicure blocks.

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  42. I start in July as each year I never know if I’ll get accepted for a Fall craft fair table so I need to have my Xmas card numbers up there to cover the cost of the table. I send out about 10 cards half get handcrafted as I know they appreciate my cards and the others receive a $1 store card as I know it’ll just end up in the garbage, I only return Xmas cards to those who sent to me the previous year. Eash year the list gets smaller.

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  43. What an absolute cutie! I love the scripty sentiment too. I usually just make some hand made cards for immediate family and friends (about 6-10 in total) and I start pretty late...Dec!

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  44. I make Christmas cards year round. I end up making about 175 or so. Only 70-75 are for me. The rest for friends or my Mom. I hate making multiples so they are all different. I may use the same supplies on a couple of them but always change something up. That's why I do 'em year round! Also I try to convince myself when it's hotter than Hades, that I'm feeling nice and cool with the Christmas theme, lol!

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  45. He is a cutie for sure. I'm a new card maker so this will be my first year making a significant quantity of cards. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  46. Love that sweet little aqua bird! Just adorable!
    I am a last-minute kinda gal, despite better intentions! I make maybe 12-15 cards in December and mail them pretty darn close to the holiday!

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  47. I make my Christmas Cards early in the year and work on them for weeks, making a few at a time. Approx. 100+. By November we finalize the list, and print off labels, which I put on and start writing notes in the certain ones. They all get mailed out Monday after Thanksgiving and then I can start to play making any I just feel like making. No rush, and then I start the next year. I have boxes ready of all the ones for this year. Already way over 100 done so now it's onto 2019! This way I'm never in a rush and have fun doing them.

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  48. Love that cute bird! I do make cards, but only a limited number...I only send to about 40-50 folks I only keep up with in Christmas cards. If I talk to you normally, you don't get one. lol.

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  49. This is such a super cute little chick !! About the question, I’m sending cards right after January 1st. But I’m not confident enough to do them myself.
    [margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]

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  50. I usually start making my Christmas cards in October and only send out around 20 handmade cards. We do order cards with a family picture on it and send those to everyone else (100-150).

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  51. I do make my own Christmas cards but I don't start until Thanksgiving weekend or later. I don't usually have time until then!
    I adore your little bird!

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  52. LOVE this cute bird card, super adorable holly ring hat and I LOVE the scripty sentiment! - I have the Snowbirds stamp set from Honeybee but I think I NEED this one too, lol! I make my Christmas cards, about 100 plus about 40 or so holiday Thank yous as well. I usually do them year round and knock a dozen out at a time when the mood strikes. Thanks for sharing your incredible talents.

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  53. This is so cute! I make lots of cards at Christmas time, 55 or 60 for me and then around 75 to 100 for others!

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  54. Yes yes yes, I make ALL of my Christmas cards each year but I'm always madly scrambling to get them finished and mailed in December. I vow to get started earlier every year, and then I get stuck in the same old rut. I usually make about 50 cards each year, but I also make all of my gift tags, and a lot of paper projects to tuck in with gifts...so that all adds up. I really need to take your lead and make multiples of ones that I like but I can't seem to stay on track..sigh.

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  55. Gawwww! I keep trying to leave a comment but the page just freezes up so please excuse me if it turns out that they all posted! Anyway, I only make about 20 handmade cards every Christmas and send photo cards to everyone else. My crafty friends get handmade cards, as do my daughter's teachers. I love that adorable chubby blue bird with is silly holly wreath crown!

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