Want to get a head start on your handmade Christmas cards? It’s a little over a month until Christmas and most of us are already making our Christmas card list and dreaming up ways to wow our friends and family with handmade cards that are truly meaningful.

Card making can be a very simple process, a great hobby to pick up for novices, but it can also allow you to let your creativity soar and make some breathtaking, complicated designs. The choice is yours. And learning how to make cards has never been easier, thanks to places like YouTube, where avid card makers post tutorials every day.

We’ve done some video tutorial hunting for you, to show you a few great examples of cards you can make following step-by-step instructions on YouTube videos. Even if you don’t follow the tutorials, you can get inspiration and ideas for your own card designs, and go it solo!

Tutorial #1: Coordinating papers and glitter glue. According to the creator, this card takes only 5 minutes!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXEp2e3jGHE[/youtube]

Tutorial #2: Pop-out Christmas card tutorial.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf1l995NeV4[/youtube]

Tutorial #3: Simple Christmas card using the Cricut.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s19HkzZkRMo[/youtube]

Have fun getting into the holiday spirit!

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If you’re entertaining this Thanksgiving, one of the most festive ways to greet guests to your table is place cards, which give people an indication where they should sit down to the meal. Place cards can really enhance a table’s setting, so the more memorable the better.

It’s very easy to make your own place cards to really stamp your personality on your Thanksgiving table. All you need to get started is card stock, scissors, and a pen or marker to write names. Of course, you’ll probably want to get a bit fancier, so the addition of different types of Thanksgiving or autumn specific card stock, watercolor pens, stamps, glitter, brads, and other fixings may be desirable. Take a trip to your local crafts store and let your imagination run wild in the card making and scrapbooking aisles!

There’s a great tutorial available on YouTube to guide you through making unforgettable, eye-catching place cards for your perfect Thanksgiving table setting using Lawn Fawn stamps. The video guides you through all the materials you’ll need, including brands, so you can track down every component before you get started. Of course, you can deviate some from the tutorial based on what’s available to you and where your own creativity takes you.

You can check out the tutorial right here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFd8wkTKG2o[/youtube]

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Thanksgiving is almost upon us, so that means it’s time to make those handmade Thanksgiving cards you’ve always wanted to try! Handmade Thanksgiving cards are a beautiful way to show loved ones that you care, and are truly thankful for their presence and contributions they make to your life. Few things show how heartfelt your feelings are like something made by hand with love!

With card stock in autumn colors, a festive stamp or two, some markers or watercolor pens, and funky scissors for creative borders, you can make a perfect card that’s either very simple and elegant, or very complex and unique. The only limits to what you can create for a handmade Thanksgiving card are time and budget. With both those elements conquered the sky’s the limit!

One such unique card design can be found on YouTube, created as part of the “Maria’s Monday Madness” series.  It features stamping, coloring, cut-outs, ribbon, brads, and more. Check out the video for a thorough tutorial you can follow to recreate the card, or get inspiration for your own design, right here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCuFSU2boaE[/youtube]

Happy Thanksgiving!

This blog sponsored by: The Image Shop

Scrapbooking is a fun, rewarding hobby, but it’s also one that can do a number on your checkbook. Part of the reason is that many stickers, decals, and background paper are just too cute to pass up, the other reason is that scrapbooking requires a lot of different tools. And, in order to try new techniques and keep up with the latest trends, you’ll need to purchase new things on a regular basis.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save on scrapbooking tools so that you can enjoy the hobby while staying within a reasonable budget. A little bit of planning and attention to detail will go a long way in finding the best deals!

1) Have a swap night with viagra. Don’t have friends that are interested in scrapbooking? Reach out to acquaintances and mutual friends on Twitter or Facebook and try to get a swap night together with them instead. Here is where you can exchange scrapbooking supplies – trading ones you don’t use for one’s that you’ll love.

2) Keep your supplies organized. Choose clear plastic containers so you can see what you have in stock at all times. This will eliminate the chance that you’ll buy doubles, and also encourages you to use the products on hand.

3) Buy in bulk. Whether you hit up a craft show or buy online, buying in bulk can save big money. Since you probably won’t need to buy 100 pieces of something, shop with friends where everyone can split the bill and make out on the purchase.

4) Shop online. Many online sites have competitive prices when it comes to craft supplies, scrapbooking ones included. Look for clearance items and free shipping, and be sure to always price compare. Just because one site promises to have the best prices, doesn’t mean they really do.

5) Utilize scrapbooking accents that you already have, such as ticket stubs, menus, postcards, invitations, and drawings. All of these examples are ones that have already been completed and don’t cost anything to add to your scrapbook. Plus, they truly capture the important moments in your life.

6) Check out garage sales, resale shops, and online classified ads. You never know what you can find for next to nothing, such as glitter pens, organizers, old stationery, and craft scissors.

7) Establish a monthly budget. It’s best to set aside cash so that you can’t overspend on a credit or debit card. If you have trouble sticking to your budget or aren’t sure where it goes each month, consider keeping a monthly tab. Here, you can keep your receipts and see what you’re spending your money on – and if it’s worth it.

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Image c/o scrapbooking365.com

Are you looking to sell your home? In this market, sellers need to be more creative and stand apart from the competition, which is why it’s not uncommon to see unique and creative ideas when it comes to selling a home. If you’re one for scrapbooking, then our helpful ideas will come easily to you. If not, reach out to someone you know that enjoys doing scrapbook pages. Or, use your own computer skills to make a digital scrapbook flier instead.

So what’s all this talk about scrapbook pages anyway? When selling a home, having an Open House is a necessary part of the selling process. It’s the Open House where prospective buyers get to come and see the home, which should reflect nothing but the best in. This will be the primary goal of your scrapbooking flier – to highlight all the features of your home.

Using digital photos of the interior and exterior of the home, simply print them out and paste them onto scrapbook paper, or use a scrapbook template tool and fit them in digitally. Underneath the pictures, you can write a short blurb about the photo and what you want buyers to know about your home. Include such facts as the square footage of the home, the address, and what schools are in the area.

For an added appeal, choose to go with a black and white theme that is less cluttered and elegant looking. Or, highlight your home’s features using colored prints that showcase such things as painted walls, plush green grass, and cherry colored cabinets. Making copies at a local store will do the trick and give you plenty of fliers to have on hand.

These scrapbook fliers will certainly be a hit with buyers and they can also serve as invites to the big day, especially if you add a quick note about when the Open House will be. No matter what, these scrapbook fliers will showcase your home in a positive light, while being a competitive force in a difficult marketplace.

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Image c/o pammejo-scrapbookflair.com

There’s no denying it – we live in a digital age. Whether it be digital photos, office faxes, or emails, using digital media is a surefire way to save on the costs of paper, while still getting the same results. Many businesses have shifted their focus to using digital tools in place of hard copies, thus saving money and trees. Yet even in a world where digital means eliminate the need for paper, it hasn’t had an effect on stationery.

Yes – stationery. The beautiful card-stock-like paper that comes in an abundance of colors and used for a variety of craft projects. In fact, stationery and digital media make a great team and compliment each other rather well. Small craft stores are especially happy to see that even though many people use digital tools, stationery is not a thing of the past.

Why? If you’ve ever received handmade invitations, customized announcements, or handwritten thank you notes, the uniqueness of these items is clearly defined. As the holidays are slowly creeping up, families know that it’s these very same cards – unique, quality, handmade cards – that friends and family are looking for.

While digital media tools certainly make things easy, they can’t replace the beauty of making your own custom cards and invitations using stationery.

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Image c/o mysticmedusa.com

It’s almost time to send out Halloween greetings to friends and family, which is a fun tradition to begin – cards are not just for Christmas! Halloween, like all holidays, is a great way to reach out and say hello to loved ones, and remind them you’re thinking of them.

And there are few ways to show you’re thinking of someone as well as making a card by hand. It’s a card and a gift, and people truly appreciate the time and effort.

You may want to follow a pattern made by an experienced scrapbooker to help make sure you get a perfect result. Thankfully YouTube is a playground for paper art enthusiasts, new and veteran alike.

Check out this beautiful autumn motif card that’s just right for Halloween greetings:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dB9KAfK-RI[/youtube]

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Have you noticed the rising costs of greeting cards? It’s almost impossible to buy cards for everyone on your list at major holidays unless you have some serious cash to burn. Even generic cards (i.e. not a brand like Hallmark) can cost a hefty price.

If you have a good printer you can use any one of the many create-and-print greeting card services online, some of which are offered by major greeting card companies. The idea is simple: you buy some card stock or actual blank cards (Hallmark manufactures them and sells them in multi packs with matching envelopes) and then you print the outside and inside of your card using your home printer. Sign it, slip it in the envelope, and you’re in business!

You can stamp your personality on the card by replacing the default text that the services fill in with your own writing. And there’s no saying you can’t do some paper art, too. When I use a create-and-print I always use paints, glitter, and glosses to create textures and make colors pop, giving each card a really professional appearance. You can find lots of supplies in the card making and/or scrapbooking section of your local crafts store.

One of my favorite things to do is accentuate lighter colors like pastels with a pearlescent semi-transparent paint, and use a high gloss finish to create raised patterns. I use a glitter glue (instead of loose glitter, which inevitably makes a mess, though it produces some of the prettiest finishes) to give the card a little sparkle. These were all inexpensive purchases at a local crafts store, and they have helped me design cards that have delighted friends and family for years.

In the long run, even if you have an upfront cost for the cards, envelopes, and decorative supplies, you will find that you save money by printing your own cards, and your cards become significant gifts because you took the time to make them yourself. Thrilling recipients and keeping your wallet intact – what a deal!

Image by Michelle Walz Eriksson.

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As a kid, scissors were just scissors. Enter the scrapbooking world and scissors become a whole new concept. In fact, those new to scrapbooking agree that a course titled Scrapbooking Scissors 101 is necessary before heading to the nearest craft store. While the choices may seem overwhelming, knowing the different types of cutters and what they are used for will help you become a smart shopper. Let’s take a look.

Craft shears. These are great for cutting paper, which you will be doing a lot of. Choose ones that have stainless steel blades and use them only for cutting paper so it keeps the blades clean and sharp.

Fine tipped scissors. Just like regular scissors, except these ones have fine tips for small, detailed work. Examples include a quick trim or tiny cut, as well as working with stickers and die-cuts.

Scissors. Since you want to keep your craft scissors strictly to paper cutting, make sure you have a regular pair or second pair of craft scissors on hand for extra cutting – trust us, you’ll need them!

Paper edgers. Your new best friend, paper edgers allow you to cut in straight lines and decorative styles using a variety of blades. They’re perfect for adding decorative borders for photos or captions. Most people warn that it’s not necessary to invest in a large set of edgers, however, as a few will usually do the trick.

Exacto knife. Perfect for when you need straight-edge cuts on thicker materials, such as foam or felt. An exacto knife can get the job done with careful precision. Be sure to place a protective pad underneath so you don’t chop into your table or desk!

Trimmers. For those of us who can’t cut a straight line, trimmers are the perfect solution. They allow for quick touch ups and straight cuts while being easy to use – even for us crooked cutters.

Circle cutters. Not only are cutting straight lines hard, but so are circles! Getting a perfectly round shape every time can be achieved with a circle cutter, however. For pictures, word bubbles and deco dots, circle cutters save time and aggravation.

This simple video shows what you can do with a pair of craft scissors – saving time and money!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhFptXKAgpk[/youtube]

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Whether you have a birthday to celebrate in October or you’re planning an annual Halloween bash, there’s no better way to let your guests know the details than with creative, Halloween-themed invites. Often times, people are quick to buy packs of invitations, which are not only expensive, but also take plenty of time to fill out the invitations and the envelopes. Plus, if you’re handwriting isn’t up to par, you may want to skip handwriting your invites all together.

To save on time but not exactly money, other people choose to have their invitations custom-printed. While these invitations have a professional appearance, they do come with their drawbacks. For example, have you ever approved the details when you realized they weren’t right? Or, how about when the custom-printing job was far from what you imagined? There’s no going back when dealing with an outside company.

What to do? Instead of settling for Halloween invitations that are time-consuming and expensive, print off your own invitations using custom seasonal letterhead! These sheets of letterhead can be purchased in bulk packs of paper for low prices so that you have plenty of paper to work with. You can word things how YOU want, change around the layout or words as many times as you’d like, and even add a personal touch, such as with digital photos or a company’s logo.

Once you determine how everything should be, simply print off your copies, print off the addresses on the envelopes and you’re done! It’s as easy as 1-2-3 and you get professional results that hardly cost a thing! There are so many types of letterhead available, including ones with decorative borders of pumpkins, bats, skeletons or black cats. Plus, there’s plenty of room to type whatever you need, such as details for a pumpkin carving or costume contest! Matching envelopes put the whole package together so that you can feel great about your upcoming party!

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Image c/o The Image Shop