I saved wrapping paper to make this card (left) for example. I got some funky scissors and cut out three characters and the "merry christmas" greeting. The red checkered paper at the back is also from the same wrapping paper. The only thing I actually bought aside from the card itself here, was the gold fuzzy ribbon (vertical) right at the back. The other two gld strips of ribbon were from presents received - so I have recycled that as well. Because I used the funky scissors here, there is no need for any edging peel offs to finish the card off. It looks great! I loved this paper, and I love these cards.
The next card here (right) is a simple way of just using a gift tag from one of your presents. The backing can either be a piece of gold card, OR the card from a Christmas cracker. If you have some crackers which have a pattern or a texture which is quite nice, you can collect the pieces of cards after you have pulled them all, trim off the ripped pieces and flatten them by putting them in or under a heavy book for a couple of days. When you return to make your cards, the cracker-card will be flat and easier to stick onto the card which you're making. Easy!The last cards here (below) are an example of making a number of your own cards just out of one. These five cards have individual glittery trees on them, and before I cut them into five pieces, the original card displayed a line of all five trees. Cut each one up, stick them onto your card and finish them off with the appropriate colour of peel-off edgeing. Its SO simple. You can either leave them with no greeting if you like minimalist style cards, or you can buy silver and gold Christmas greeting peel offs which are also just as easy to add onto your card.
Hints and Tips: This Christmas, look at your own and other people's wrapping paper. After unwrapping, see if you can salvage some so you can use as background or foreground in your handmade Christmas Cards. Also keep ribbon, bows, and tags. When you pull your crackers, look at the crackers themselves. Look at the patterns, texture and colour of the cards, and think about how you can use the card for backgrounds. Save it all up and flatten it when you have a spare moment before you sleep off your Christmas dinner. Collect everybody's Christmas hats, ESPECIALLY if they have gold or silver foil bits. These can be very useful when cardmaking. Finally, have a look at the Christmas Cards you, your relatives and friends have. Most people don't save many of their cards and will gladly give them to you if you ask nicely! :o)
