Over on ConfuzzledomBev wrote about making Christmas cards, and apologised for the fact that she mentioned Christmas in September. But as anyone who makes their own Christmas cards knows, the sooner you start, the better.
As I wrote in a comment: I too am producing Christmas cards – and Thanksgiving cards – at the moment because I try to sell them at the annual church Convention (end of October) to raise money for the charity Phone Credit for Refugees. I’ve made about 20 so far, but am going to work on lots more, as I’ve done a piece of ZIA that I’ve photocopied 40 times to put onto cards. What I must remember is that if the Bishop’s secretary asks me if I can handmake 200 cards for the Bishop to send out my answer this year must be “Sorry, no”. I said Yes last year and then spent every weekend, in November – and several evenings – churning out Christmas cards. It rather sucked the joy out of the creative process – although there were two good things that came out of it: 300€ for the charity, and a lot of rejects that I used for my own Christmas cards that year!!
I really MUST remember to say “No” if Sophie asks me – however flattered I am!
But I have made quite a lot of cards using a new piece of ZIA
Having reduced it a little, I then took 40 colour photocopies, and have started to make cards like these:
As you can see they are all fairly simple, and I can put together about 8 of these in an hour. If I can sell them at 2,50€ each, or 10 for 11€ then hopefully I should make a fair few bob for the charity.
I have made some others too – these were using a fold that I saw in one of the many card making magazines that I have bought over the years when I’m in the UK.
Sorry if the photo isn’t very clear – I’m not very good at photographing my cards anyway, and these are in plastic wrapping too, which doesn’t help.
For these I used various papers, embellishments & tags, all purchased at Noz over the years. Cheapskate. I also had to experiment quite a lot to get the square in the right place – and having finally succeeded I forgot where I wrote the measurements. But I used the ones that weren’t quite right anyway, as you can see:
…and the gold card used on this one came from a chocolate box!
Some others were fairly quick makes, using a Make-Your-Own-Christmas-Cards set (again from Noz – I love that shop!!!) but with a few extra embellishments:
The “vintage” look tag that I used on this one was from a pack of 10 for 50cents! Yes, Noz again!
And for others I just used recycled Christmas cards that we had received:
Those I don’t sell at Convention I can try to sell at Church, and those I don’t sell at Church I can use for my own Christmas cards. Or keep for next year – I still have some of the rejects from the Bishop’s cards to sell (slightly wobbly cutting, or paper which I decided wasn’t appropriate after all!) this year. Why not?
View from the Teapot 
I make my own cards too as I find that it’snot a big thing in France. I’ve bought a few bits from Action but I order the cards from a UK company in batches of 50. It still works out cheaper and much more satisfying. Your design is beautiful!
Thank you! I don’t know Action as a store – is it a discount food shop, like Lidl, or something else?
You’ve made a fantastic start!
Thank you, Michelle! I meant to do some more yesterday afternoon, but got carried away drawing Celtic knots instead. Hey-ho.
Your cards are always gorgeous, Mouse!
I like to take Christmas cards slow, so maybe it isn’t too early.
Never too early, Pompom!! I think if you start early you are less hurried and enjoy the process more.
They are gorgeous. I LOVE the candle ones – simple but so effective.
Thank you, Bev. The drawing of the ZIA took a little time, but now that’s copied, the cards are easy to make.
Oh these are beautiful! Esp the Zentangles!!!
Thank you!