The 'wow' effect without the extra stamp

Oh, my!  It's half way through October already.   I've done a few Christmas cards but I haven't really gotten into serious production yet.  If I don't get going, I'll turn around and it will be Thanksgiving.

I have worked some on my Mother's card design.  She uses at least 25 cards so I have to come up with something where I have enough of the materials.  Also I want to think about postage this year.  The last two years I've made her cards that required extra postage - one square one and one lumpy one.  She can do this; however, there isn't any reason I can't design a pretty card that only needs one stamp.

This got me thinking of a few things that give holiday cards a special look without overpaying the mail carrier:

• heat embossing - my all time favorite technique makes any holiday card look as good or better than Hallmark.  The card above has the ornaments embossed in Stampin' Up!'s silver powder.  A plus for this card is the stamps came from the $1 store.
• embossing folders - in my case, I don't have this tool - yet.  (I've been thinking seriously of getting a Big Shot.)  
• flat ribbon - fold ribbon around a layer and adhere to the back of a side that will end up covered or use a banner of one or two ribbons for a pretty effect without the knot and bulk. Again the card above uses a fancy ribbon but it lays flat.
• Baker's twine rather than ribbon.  
• Stickles for some extra sparkle particularly on snowflakes
• Pretty designer papers. There are more and more holiday papers every year and now we can get them in 6x6 pads so you don't have to invest a lot to have beautiful papers to adorn a card.  Embossed or glittered papers as shown on the card above give you the effect without the extra work.  
• A 4" x 9" card for a letter envelope.  It is fun to do a different size but many take extra postage.  A card finished 4" x 9" fits in a regular business envelope.  
• Speaking of envelopes, stamp an image on the envelope for an extra handmade touch that costs nothing and takes very little extra time.

Avoiding bows, brads and flowers really help reduce the bulk.  The card shown above does have a brad, but it could easily be left off.

Are you making holiday cards this year?

Thanks for visiting!