Hurray! Our first few Christmas cards arrived yesterday (thank you!) and now I feel like Christmas is really happening. Christmas, as Little E would say, "is open". Here, we wait until everyone is home in the evening and then we divide up the little pile of post and try to guess who it has come from before we open them in turn.
So I'm glad that I had made start on a batch of my own at the beginning of the week. Usually the first thing I do is pull out my Martha Stewart Christmas tree punch: it (and the buttons!) appeared on my cards last year, and the year before that, so I thought it would be fun to try to use it (and the buttons!) again as a kind of signature.
As I tried out a couple of ideas I thought about the cards I had made in the past: same elements, different look - mmm...in 2011 I made white cards, very clean and simple. Was I feeling very serene at the time, or was I looking for a way of calming myself down? Last year I wasn't feeling well in the run up to Christmas. I made cards with map paper: was I looking to run away from it all? or was I really looking forward to our big holiday in the summer?
Now, this year, this year I've been knitting and making quilt squares and thinking about dressmaking....
...and when I looked at what I had come up with for my cards I could see how I'd been influenced by the other crafts. I had used a Martha Stewart postage stamp punch to create little quilt squares without even really thinking about it. And I've gone from all white to - totally bright. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year!
So just for a bit of fun: do you think your cards have something to say about you?
28 comments:
Mine simply say, "I am thinking of you at this special time, and recycling old cards too".
I send cards because I an selfish enough to want to be a little part of everyone's Christmas.
I think my cards say I'm slightly obsessed by Christmas as they tend to be a bit full on with lots on them lol. The ones I've bought to be posted have a vintage feel to them, which yes that is certainly me lol
Your cards are beautiful. I totally think my cards say a huge amount about me. They positively scream procrastinator because, although I was going to make them, I haven't got round to it :)
I can see the quilting influence...lovely bright cards Sian. I have made some loaded cards (unusal for me) and then more simpler ones with stamped images...not sure what that says about me!! x
I do love your bright and happy quilted look :). As I rarely make cards, I am hoping that just says "Sorry, I am not a card-making gal" rather than "I am chronically late and procrastinate!"
Do you know, I've never really given it much thought, but I will be now! I've made a 'patchwork' card before but with plain 1" squares. I love the idea of using a stamp punch as it gives a stitched together look.
I can certainly see the quilting influence....and doesn't work so well on paper.
I think mine say something similar to Sandra....christmas obsession...but the fact they've been batch made this year probably says I'm a bit bleeeeh about cardmaking at the moment!!
Oh, I love that "quilted" border! I've never really thought about it until you posed the question, but yes, I can see how crafty projects influence one another. I think the little design projects I do at work also influence my crafty projects and vice versa sometimes. Thanks for pointing this out - it's a neat observation!
For the first time in years, most of our cards are photo cards printed professionally. I made about 20 cards, several different designs. I'll have to think about what they say about my attitude toward the holidays this year. I know which one is my favorite!
Fab cards!!
Never really thought what mine say about me - I suppose in the main, they say I like cute and Penny Black stamps.
I'm with Karen, most of my cards are photo cards as well. I just got an email that they have shipped. I still will send out a few handmade ones - which say about me that I'm trying to save time this year. Is Christmas coming faster each year or am I just moving slower? Don't answer that!
Lovely cards Sian. I'm not sure what mine say about me!
They look like fun cards Sian! I don't think ours says anything about me as I ended up buying cards this year. That reminds me - I better get them all written today. We got our first one a couple of weeks ago - from John's sister who decided to mail it while she was back in England for a bit, better that than trusting the Turkish mail system. :)
Your cards are lovely! I like your idea of sharing the opening of cards you receive. I wish I'd thought of that when mine were little.
Amazing cards Sian!
My handmade cards definitely reflect whatever my current crafting obsessions are and my taste in rubber stamps.
The photo cards are a nice reflection of our family.
I usually make a hand full of cards to send to people I know will appreciate them and then have photo cards made to send to my "regular" family and friends.
I just ordered my photo cards today, and they won't be in for a week.
Rinda
Oh, I love the quilt-y look of your cards!
This is the first year in many that I've handmade our cards & they're all different. I really enjoyed it and think it says that I'm enjoying my crafty time so much this year.
They look great, and I like the idea of having a recurring theme.
very cute and happy! I think the fact that I haven't even moved in the direction of making my Christmas cards yet this year simply says I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.
What lovely cheerful cards Sian. I've made a couple so far using photos of my 3 granddaughters, these are for close family and I know they will be appreciated. I have received my order of sizzix dies so plan to make some more using these. It's fun to play with new ideas and even more fun when you go at it freely and after find things fit so well, as your designs do.
My lack of cards says "Good Lord that woman is lazy!" I'm really horrible at mailing them and finally just gave up a few years ago. Its better for everyone this way.
Very cute cards!
These are nice Sian. how interesting that the style of card says so much about you. I have two styles when it comes to Christmas cards. if you receive one from me I am happy. And if you don't I am probably sad/stressed x
Haha...well...my cards currently say I have no idea what I'm doing! ;o) I'm about ready to purchase a box of them and call it good because I need to get some of them in the mail ASAP! Your cards are so lovely, Sian, and I love that they mimic your stitching right now.
I sent my Internationals today ... I think I am cutting it fine!
Gorgeous! I'm sending fewer and fewer cards as the postage is just getting ridiculous. Must make a couple for family though - for hand delivery!
They are such beautiful cards Sian. I like that little patchwork!
Your card is beautiful! I guess the cards we send do say something about us. I'm not making mine this year but have chosen a very nature themed card with owls on it. This year I am all about celebrating Winter Solstice so nature is the theme! Love Little E's wisdom. Christmas is open is too cute. This post is reminding me that it is time that I get signing my cards. I usually have them mailed out by this time.
These are lovely - I do like that punch. My cards this year are completely digital. Planned to be hybrid but I ran out of time.... So that probably says something about me this year.
That is such a fun card, I can definitely see the quilt influence. I love your tradition of opening cards together as a family.
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