My opinion on a great Christmas card is SIMPLE and CLEAN.This was our family Christmas card LAST YEAR! I LOVED it! And plan on doing a similar style THIS year.
I liked our kids photo and worked from there using Peaceful Wishes. Alot of people spend alot of $$$ on those photo cards. We just scanned our photo and printed 75 pictures. I made these in an HOUR! GO LAUREN!
I think a cool thing to invest in which keeps a professional look is a stamp (like above) with your names! Mine was from SU! It says
With Love, Jason, Lauren, Alexa, Noah, and Amber.
This helps decrease the writing, and keeps it clean. I have messy handwriting! Especially after 75 cards! And I can use it year after year on ANY card. Cool huh? And IMO if people complain you didnt HAND sign it-YOU MADE THE CARD! What more could they want? Then you erase them from your Christmas list!
Oh and another thing-print your envelope addresses. You create a file and save it-even less writing!
OK more cards!
I have a ton of awesome designs getting published this holiday season using some sets by Lizzie Anne, Green Grass Stamps, and MFT . I’ll get to share those at a later time.
You know the ones that got picked? Not the fancy ones, but the SIMPLEST ones! My point PROVEN! I had alot of success with my holiday submissions, as only 2 were rejected! Considering Im not one who submits alot-ever- that pretty good. And its going to pay for my kids Christmas this year!
Here are 2 rejects that were my favorites! LOL! Go figure!
This one was my all time favorite! I LOVED it! But while it has a clean look its not necessarily SIMPLE to recreate. The window has acetate behind it, and inside you can see the Christmas tree! I used little A Muse stickers for the tree lights! How could this one be rejected? Oh well! It is posted in the Lizzie Anne Sketchbook too.
Sets are by Lizzie Anne Designs Christmas in the City (LOVE that set), and Glad Tidings.
here is the other one-Tree for Sale
This was simple, but maybe too funky for the mag’s to handle! Or maybe they didnt like it! GASP! You never want to think someone looks at ANYTHING you make and says YUCK! I loved it and thats all that matters! RIGHT?
Now to this card! I HAD to HAVE Season of Joy! I just loved the look. I made the above card in less than 10 minutes. Now that is a Christmas card! The longest part was picking my design layout/idea! To recreate it would be maybe 3 minutes each-I swear!
It wont be my Christmas card for our family cause I like to use a photograph, but it could be made for a gift set!
I used RIVER ROCK! Holy non Christmas color-but with white and gold it totally works!
I love my flourish as the snow. Isnt it so purty?
Now onto the next one. I like to call this Blue Christmas!
Another super fast and simple design. The hardest part was the snow hill, and even that was super fast! I just used my CM wavy cutter-done! Another 15 minute card-again due to design idea taking the longest.
I plan on doing MORE with this set, but I think Ive given you some good ideas for now.
I am in a holiday mood-in AUGUST! Probably cause I swear I will NOT be running around like a mad woman getting gifts done last minute this year. I will say proudly that I did use alot of my alter-ables and made everyone a hand made gift last year! Given Alexa’s Chemo and stuff I think that was pretty awesome of me! (Patting myself on the back)! OK I know I sound horrible but when you accomplish a goal, its important to give yourself the good ole’ pat on the back you deserve! Nothing wrong with it!
And I ahve NO SHAME!
So I hope you get done whatever you need to this holiday season early! I am getting the kids Christmas photos done early September so I beat the rush of all you crazy other parents in November! And of course our cards will be designed, sealed and ready to go by Thanksgiving! I may even save some postage and hand deliver them to the family after dinner!
OK maybe thats too tacky.
Enjoy the day.
25 Responses for "Crazy for Christmas!"
OMG! I *love* your Season of Joy cards – especially the first one! They’re wonderful. I’m SO GLAD I decided to get this set! *dancing with joy*
Thanks for the inspiration!
WOW! All of the cards are beautiful. I can’t believe all the Christmas stuff I’m seeing everywhere now. I LOVE IT!
Love all of these cards, Lauren! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great Christmas cards. The season of joy is my favorite set from the Holiday Mini, and I love the cards you made with it.
Lauren, I just had to tell you how impressed I am with your cards! I started out at Stampin’ Up’s gallery, today’s additions, and clicked on your website from your card there. I’ve totally enjoyed looking at your pages! Your Christmas cards are awesome, and I really was tickled by your writing. You’re so interesting, and SO humorous! I feel like we just shared a cup of coffee! Keep up your very good work!
Sue Ciucci
I love every one of these!
Me again. I just spent the most amazing time going through your gallery — all 95 pages of it! I am positively blown away. Your creativity is so amazing. I love all your cards, but particularly your beach creations. They are stunning. You give all the rest of us hope!
Great Christmas cards! I was thinking of using Season of Joy for mine, too — thanks for all the terrific ideas! 🙂
I love all of your Christmas cards! I think I will go for a more simple design this year!
Congratulations on your other creations being accepted! Which publications, so we’ll know where to see them?
Thanks for the wonderful ideas and inspiration as always!! 😉
Lovin’ your sugestion for the personalized stamp! It’s great!!! And your photo card is super. I think I’ll have to give that a try for baby announcements when my little one arrives in October! Thanks for sharing Lauren!!!
All those cards are gorgeous Lauren!,You are just fabulous!!!
These are beautiful. And seeing your Season of Joy cards just reminded me I have a box sitting on the front porch with new rubbah! Duh! Busy day here.
You made me LOL with your cross them off your Christmas card list comment, Lauren. My grandma always says, “You didn’t even say ‘boo!’ in your card” So this Christmas her card is going to have one lovely handwritten message – “Boo!” I love these Christmas cards too. Thanks for making me think about it before the last week of November for a change.
I’m loving all your simple yet elegant designs Lauren. Nothing wrong with simple. Sometimes they make the most beautiful cards of all. Hugs to Alexa. Haven’t chatted with you about her in a long time and she appears to be doing well this summer huh?
I love all of your cards! You are right, simple does not mean easy.
I love all your Christmas cards, even last year’s card!!! I’m like you, I love simple, but elegant. I just may have to case your Season of Joy ones….gorgeous!!
These are all gorgeous Lauren, especially the card with your kids photo on it.
Oh, I am loving these, Lauren. I am a big fan of River Rock — and I love that you use the CM stuff and integrate it ;^)* There’s telling everyone that we USE WHAT WORKS!
I am curious about how MANY cards you submitted… I have dreams of having the ideas out of my head, into the world, and maybe even submitting them, someday. Right now, I am submitting myself to the wonders of my little ones — and loving it~ they come first… but stamping is right up there. I am in awe thinking that if you get good enough (and together enough to submit — HA) they actually PAY you to publish. Wowzers.
I think that it is much more fun to put the time into the presents and individual cards for birthdays and day-to-day times when people are not receiving tons of cards… and the elegance of a mass-produced card that _works_ cannot be underestimated. To make one that really does the job without breaking your back is sooo GREAT~ All yours do that, and I know you will have time to enjoy your family, which makes them all cooler, yet.
Wow Lauren…you are a holiday card QUEEN!!! I just love every single one of these christmas cards…each is more beautiful than the next. (I do like your first one the best though.)
All I can say is “WOW!” You are so right…simple is best, and I love love love your two monochromatic card ideas! I say, if those other people didn’t like any of your designs, it’s THEIR PROBLEM ;o) Your do amazing work, and don’t ever think otherwise!
Okay, I absolutely love your Hues of Gold card! I think it is very elegant. You got the right idea sister – K.I.S.S >>> keep it simple stupid! But you’re not stupid. Just a saying I mention to myself on occasion! Thanks for sharing your work!
Pat Jones
Stillwater NJ
I stumbled upon your site by accident and I’m glad I did. Your cards are just beautiful. I tried the River Rock one with the Season of Joy set and it IS as simple as you say, but very elegant. LOVE LOVE LOVE that Wreathful Wishes card!!
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I started adding today to the Stampin ‘Up Gallery’ and clicked on your website with your card. I’m blown away positively. Your creativity is amazing. I love all your cards, but especially your beach creations. They are amazing. You give us all hope. Congratulations your other creations are being accepted! Which publications, so we’ll know where to look?
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I’ll see what I can do – or provide me with an email and we’ll work something out.
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