Thursday 4 December 2014

A December Documented (or Daily) Prompt - make 3 X 4 cards from the scraps left on your work surface after completing another project :)

Good morning and happy Thursday to you all!  It's December ... woot, woot!  Can you hear the song :  "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." LOL.  It is one of my signature songs - I sing that portion of it in response to all sorts over the earlier part of December.  When my mom told me they had decorated the dining room at her residence, that was my response.  When my friend told me she was starting her Christmas shopping, I sang that portion of the song ... you get the picture.  Have I now implanted that in your brain for the day - will you be singing it all day???  Yay, my job is done LOL.  We can now move on to the subject at hand :

I made about 50 Christmas cards this year, here is a selection of them :


Here is my scrap table after I finished making all the cards :


So we all have messy desks after a project, right?  Please do not disillusion me if that is not your case!!  We all hate the cleaning up part, right?  Except for my cat Chopin that is (you can see his paws up in the right hand corner LOL) who loves playing in the leftovers, but usually just makes the mess messier LOL.  And finally, cleaning up that mess takes away from valuable crafting time, does it not?  So what's a crafter to do??  

TURN THAT MESS INTO 3 X 4 CARDS FOR OUR DECEMBER DOCUMENTED ALBUMS !!!

I did not buy anything this year for my album, used only things I had in my stash (the Scraptastic December kit will be Christmas themed, but it may not get here in time for me to use it in the album).  I am using a 6 X 8 album, with pocketed pages but did not have a single 3 X 4, or 4 X 6, Christmas/winter themed card.  So I cleaned my desk :


As I was making these cards, I thought of three different categories of cards that I would use in my album, and that I could make ahead of time :

  • date and event specific
  • event specific, but no date
  • generic filler cards
The generic filler cards are the easiest and fastest to make.  I just trimmed scraps to the 3 X 4 size, rounded the corners and then searched for little bits on my desk that matched the colour and that I could layer :

There is still plenty of room to add a title or a date.   I search for different shapes and sizes from that little scrap heap, at least 3 little bits, so that I can layer.  Each little layer touches at least another one.  I also add just a touch of dimension or bling for texture and pizzazz !

Then for the event-specific cards, although I don't know yet when these events will happen :


We have not yet had our first real snow storm - that 20+ cm snowfall, but it surely will come and probably sooner rather than later ... maybe in the next few days.  So I am ready with my card.  

I don't have a tree in my house because I have my kitty and my sister has two, plus Oliver, our golden retriever; and we spend a lot of time at each other's homes.  So no trees for us.  But my mom has one, her residence has many, we have one at work, other family members and friends also have trees.  So a page will definitely be dedicated to Christmas trees.  My card is ready.  I used twine for some added texture here to represent garland on the tree and stickles on the tree to represent the lights.

Lastly, the presents.  I document shopping, wrapping, giving and opening so I am not sure where is card will wind up in my album ... probably buying because it is actually a gift card holder that I made. I may decorate the inside, or add the list of the gifts that I buy as well as who they are for:


And the very last category, is a card that is very specific and very personal to my Christmas period :


This will be the title card for December 18th.  I work in an Italian gourmet food shop and bakery and Christmas is our busiest time of the year.  We get all sorts of special orders for pastries, cakes, food, baskets .... so on the 18th of every year, I become the "List Lady"... I make lists pretty much all day - special orders by category, orders from vendors, extra staff on call, ingredient lists, crew load lists .... lists and more lists... At the bottom of each of my lists, I always write, and then sing when I give the list to whoever  "And, a partridge in a pear tree" !!! LOL

So now I have implanted a second song in your brain for the day ... wouldn't want you to get bored singing the same song over and over ... so now you have two.  You don't have to thank me, it was a pleasure!

There you have it, I hope I have given you a few ideas for 3 X 4 cards; they are so versatile and easy to make and much more fun than cleaning off the desk !!!

Pop on over to our facebook group, December Daily Inspiration Group - Anything Goes,  for lots more inspiration and gorgeous projects.  There are close to 200 amazing DD crafters in the group making beautiful stuff.  Also pop on over to Sue's You Tube channel (shiles728) to keep up to date with everything going on in the group.  And, of course, there is still time to join in Kristy Nitro's amazing challenge (Kristy Nitro on You Tube).

Are you still with me?  All the way to the end? .... Wow, you are as amazing as I thought.  Thanks so much for sticking with me and my ramblings!  Have a wonderful fun-filled day and don't forget :  SING IT FOR ALL TO HEAR !!!

My job is done LOL.  Hugs xoxo
 

14 comments:

  1. Your desk is beginning to look at lot like Christmas. Great cards and love your ramblings.

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    1. LOL !!! It sure is Melinda :) :) Thanks so much for stopping by and singing along :)

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  2. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Yay!! :) Your Christmas cards came out beautifully Moira. I use to make cards all the time, but not anymore. But I do make 3x4 cards! :) I think this is such a wonderful idea! I could go right now on my craft table and make a whole bunch from scraps. And it's easier because everything is out already! :) Thanks for posting this prompt, I can't wait to see what everyone does. All of yours came out great and will be wonderful in your DD. My fave is the tree.:)

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    1. Thank-you so much Sue !!! See, that was my rationale - it is all already out on the table LOL, plus I hate the cleaning part but then I can't progress to the next project if my space is messy LOL... So win-win I say. I only started making Christmas cards again about 3 years ago; they are a lot of work but I enjoy making them and sending them to people I know will appreicate the effort - those who don't get a phone call LOL.

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  3. Great, great idea. I am finishing my Thanksgiving PL tomorrow at a crop, then will start my DD and Christmas Time PL. I will for sure be doing this idea. Thanks

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    1. thanks for stopping by Cathy. Please share when you do :) :)

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  4. Hi there!! I got your prompt from Sue (Shiles728) and here is my video of the start. I plan on embellishing when I get something to put on it, like some photos or what not. Thanks for the encouragement!! xoxo Jen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s_yjZYYV8Y

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    1. Yay !!! Loved your video Jen ... Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of blogworld :)

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  5. LOL I was already singing that first song. Love your idea about the gift card. TFS Caroline xx

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    1. thank-you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment Caroline... keep singing LOl :)

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  6. I love using my scraps for cards! I used to always make a card with my scraps after a layout, but then I got out of the habit somewhere along the way. (got the idea from watching scrapbooking on TV) Love all the card that your created Moira. And too bad I could not hear you singing......lol.....'cause I would have joined in.....:)

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    1. Hi Roni!!! it is probably best that you could not actually hear me sing - I only sound good in my head LOL. Thanks for stopping by my friend

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  7. I love all of the cards that you made. I need to start using my scraps like that. Thanks for sharing. Jen

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Jen... you will see, it is easier and way more fun than cleaning up LOL :)

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