Yesterday morning, I made this handmade card for my daughter’s third grade teacher. Included with the card was a lovely poinsettia plant. Because my daughter had too many items to carry, I went with her into school, poinsettia plant in hand.
Her teacher loved the plant, and she really liked the card also. In fact, she liked it so much that she commented about it again, once I picked my daughter up from school. For myself, it’s not a big deal, I enjoy creating things with my hands, but I was pleased that someone genuinely appreciated the item I’d made. Β Her reaction, is the same one I have when someone makes me something that’s hand made. Even if the item is simple, I’m thrilled that someone has thought enough of me to take the time to craft something with their hands.
About the card
This is an ‘environmentally friendly’ card. The card was created from leftover scrap paper I had. The original paper is recycled paper I purchased from a local store. The small circle at the top of the tree, was actually a soda can.
More on what you can do with soda cans and a die cutting machine (such as a Cuttlebug) in a later post.
Although you can’t see it, the ‘butterfly’ is actually raised above the card. So it’s not flush on the Christmas tree. To get the raised effect you can use pop dots or you can get creative like I did, and use some other material to raise your creation off the card. Since I didn’t have my homemade pop dots, I made do with some moveable eyes.
The picture is actually a coloring page. I shrunk the image, printed it on regular printing paper, and colored it with my Bic Mark It pens. To make it ‘Christmasy’ I added a Christmas tree. Which is actually a triangle I cut myself, glitter was included to bring a bit of sparkle to the card.
What a beautiful card! I know I always appreciate people taking the time to give me a card, but when it’s one they’ve made themselves, that always means so much more to me.
I had high hopes of making some gifts this year, but other than my cookie baking extravaganza that did not pan out. But that’s OK– I’ll just start in January on gifts for next year!
π
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Thanks @Erika,
This is one of the cards I wasn’t too happy with, I tend to be very critical of my work, so I was really glad that she liked it.
I bet the cookies you made were appreciated by the recipients. Baking can take a lot of time too, and I remember in your cookie post it seemed to take a good bit of the day.
This past Monday, one of the ladies in our quilting group made everyone a banana nut loaf bread. It wasn’t expected, but I really appreciated that. π
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The card is beautiful. What kind of paper did you use when you created the card? The kids of my friends love to do stuffs like that, and I should probably tell them about it!
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Hello @Liane Markus,
Thanks, I use Astrobright, it’s made from 100% recycled waste paper. I use their card stock, the weight is 65lb.
My daughter loves creating her own designs with the card stock. I have a few of her sketches hanging in our house.
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Love the card. I’ve never heard of a Cuttlebug. I’ll have to check it out. π
Hi @Beth Ellen Nagle,
You should check it out, it’s a great addition if you enjoy adding die cut items to paper.
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I love it! Very creative and it looks really cool! I always prefer these personal handmade cards, they are so much better then the conventional christmas cards..
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@Cindy,
I do too, I do realize not everyone can make them… but they’re still nice.
I think your idea is great! WE must take care for the environment in every aspect in our lives, including X-mas cards also!I think my kids are going to love this, we can make it even together and I can try educate them on preserving the mother Nature:)
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Hi @Anna,
I try to do my part, with my old site I used to write about what I did to lessen my impact on the environment. We live in such a disposable society. I guess I should start posting more about that on Celebrate Life.
I hope your kids enjoy creating them as much as my daughter and me!
Aynaria recently posted..Two festive WordPress Christmas Plugins
This is truly wonderful! LOVE that it’s reusing elements π LOVE the lil angel and the bling! The tree is cute, too! Great colors! One of my fave cards of yours so far!!!
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