First of all, it's hot. As if July wasn't bad enough this year.
Second, the mad rush of back-to-school creates total chaos in our house. September is always so much calmer. So much more peaceful. So much quieter. And September is the prelude to my favorite season of the year: autumn. Oh how I love autumn! Pumpkins! Mums! Turning leaves! Crisp blue sky! Cool breezes! Corn mazes! Apple fritters from Hidden Valley Farm!
August, however, does not deserve so many exclamation points.
Where was I?
Oh, yes. Third, it's August 1st, and I have only made 10 Christmas cards. Last year by now I had probably 100 cards. I need at least 120.
I'm FREAKING OUT, people!
So expect to start seeing a number of Christmas cards here on my blog. I don't do mass production, and I have a ton of Christmas stamps, so I can get all sorts of jiggy with Christmas cards. Of course my favorites are the simplest ones. Like this.
Uh, huh. Oh yeah. Blue, baby.
So do tell. How many Christmas/Holiday/Solstice/Whateveryouwanttocallthem cards have you made for this December? How many do you need? Do you mass produce, make small batches, or make one-of-a-kind cards?
Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts Swirl Christmas, Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas
ink: Memento Blue Danube
paper: PTI white
accessories: rhinestones, because bling is good
I absolutely love your style of card making. Wish I could do it myself. Another gorgeous card!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card...and great inspiration for Christmas. I make about 140 clients. Up until last year, I did mass production. I prefer making quite a few different cards, but I need to get a move on with my cards for this year. I've only made about 25 so far. I did post one today though!
ReplyDeleteTo date - none made but I do have my prototype.
ReplyDeleteNeeded: 100+
And,yes, I mass produce. It is the ONLY way I would ever get so many cards done!
And, yes, they are simple. I spend hours writing personal notes in each card, so that is where the personal part comes in....
Paper Doll
My birthday is in August, I can't share your hate of the month :)
ReplyDeleteI only make about 10 seasonal cards. That covers my immediate family and a couple close friends. I truly do not like to mass produce cards and I avoid it at all costs - besides, I prefer to tailor my cards to the recipients.
Great card! I only make 30-40 cards, all the same. The week before Christmas is when I usually start...only because the entire layout does not come together until about then. This is the year I am going to start early!
ReplyDeleteI usually have some left from the past December, I don't really send that many anymore. No mass productions, mainly small batches. I have no idea how you manage to make so may cards before Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBoth my wedding anniversary and my birthday are this week, so I cannot hate August. I do hate this heat though.
Petra
I am SO with you about August vs. fall......I have had it with summer this year, and to think we have another month of it - yuck!
ReplyDeleteChristmas - I don't do nearly as many as you, maybe 60 or so (and the list is getting smaller each year). Haven't done a single one. I prefer singles or small batches of several designs. I need variety.
I love blue for Christmas and I love your design!
I have about 20 made. I usually make between 70-80 cards, so I'm in good shape. I love making Christmas cards and I may make extras as gifts this year. I get bored easily and don't like to mass produce, but if I really like a card, I may do small batches of five or fewer.
ReplyDeleteI hate August, too, but only because it means that summer's coming to an end and the days are getter shorter. It also means the students will come back to campus and I so enjoy it when they're away.
beautiful card and I hear you about August. As for your question...I have maded 8 cards so far this year but I only need maybe 50 (and I have LOTS from last year that I made as I forgot to send them, lol). When I create I do several one-of-a-kind cards but I also makes small batches (as in 2-4) of severall too.
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny! I love August. Our schools don't start until after Labor Day, so we have plenty of time. AND over here in Portland Oregon, our summer JUST STARTS in August!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I only give out hand made Christmas cards to a few family members and close friends. Maybe 12 at the most. Sigh, just too busy to make many more than that. Hey, I said it was SAD! lol!
I LOVE this Susan....And you know I LOVE the bling!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made any Christmas cards for this year. I usually make several small batches of multiple cards for a total of about 40. I need to get started.
ReplyDeleteHaven't made one yet this year! I usually make about 25-30 cards; individual designs for family and a couple of close friends, the rest are the same design that I can do in one or two batches. Should probably think about getting some done before the Thanksgiving and November Birthday rush!
ReplyDeleteI have 2!!!! that is it!!! I don't like to mass produce either! I have been dreaming about getting a few stamping friends together to do a christmas card stamping frenzie at my place but it is just not coming together .. sigh! Love this blue beauty!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card- love the simple way of your art
ReplyDeleteelma
July hot? here ist was to cold!
I love, love this card - the colour, the simplicity of the stamped design and the lovely sentiment. Fab!
ReplyDeleteI don't do mass production of Christmas cards either. I like to play with all my goodies :) I've managed about 40 so far!! Only about 140 to go ;) I make some to sell for the Scouts too.
I make a random number -- just stop when I can't take it anymore -- last year I did not mail any so this year I am prepared. I think I've made about 50 so far (including those from last year). A few are duplicates in different colors, but mainly all different.
ReplyDeleteI hope to be done in August this year and move on to gifts. And yes, August is hot. Then again this whole summer is!
Brace yourself! I have 70 made and I don't need nearly that many. I use somewhere in the neighborhood or 30-40 each year. I adore blue on Christmas and your card is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteBrace yourself again ..... I am up around 85 Chrimbo cards so far - mine are all individual and (so far) less than half my "stock" are CAS but I think that's set to change now I've seen your fabulous "blessings" card!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday (even if it IS a Tuesday in August!)
Kathyk
Forgot to say that last year I sent out 105 handmade Christmas cards - so still have a short way to go!
ReplyDeleteKathyk
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ReplyDeleteAha . . . well . . . I've got about half a box full made so far . . . haven't counted them . . . but I TRY to make AT LEAST one Christmas card on the 25th of each month, which I call RUDOLPH DAY! Sometimes I make more, sometimes I don't manage ANY!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting yours sorted!
Hugs, Sandra
Ah,yes....Christmas cards. As of yet I have none made. I usually make three or four proto types and spread them out on the counter and my husband and I decide which one in the card for the year. I mass produce...usuallly making about sixty or so cards.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited to see what you come up with for the year!
I'm so glad you're back!
love the blue - and my Christmas cards are always non-traditional colors.
ReplyDeleteI usually make between 30 and 40 - mostly mass production, except for my son & his wife and the 2 grandsons all get personalize individual cards.
Oh yeah... haven't started any of them LOL love the pressure!
Very cool card. I've made NADA for Christmas. Dislike mass stamping with a passion. Have done it for Christmas. No fun at all. Probably why I haven't sent cards for two years.
ReplyDeleteI hate summer in general, I do NOT like this miserable heat. 108 here in Dallas yesterday, thats just not right.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, LOVE your first Christmas card; blue must be your favorite color. LOL
I'm lucky and need only about 40 so I make a mixed batch; about 20 one-of-a-kind and then small batches of like cards though not mass produced. I like to change something about each of them. Haven't started yet, will probably wait until November then panic.
Well, I always have high hopes of making at least a dozen custom one-of-a-kind cards (I don't mass produce) so that I could give them to family members and then add a few to build up my stash. I stamp the images or cut the cardstock, bu then sadly I never find enough time to finish assembling all of them! So, although I'm ashamed to say that I usually finish one or two.... I'm proud to say that I have the beginnings of about 50!!
ReplyDeleteI've not made any yet this year. Last year I hauled all my Christmas stamps with me when we moved from FL to NC for the summer and it was a mess. I decided this year not to do that so I'll start frantically making them Nov 1 and end up with about 80. I make them 2-3 at a time because after that, they start getting sloppy.
ReplyDeleteI need about 120 too. Last year, the closest I came to "making" something was to photoshop my own CostCo style Christmas card and print them at CostCo. The only reason those got done is DH threatened to send out cards for the family instead. Likely I'll do the same thing this year. One day I'll get back to handmade but I always mass produced a clean and simple card.
ReplyDeleteI love making cute Christmas cards but family and friends love pictures of the kids. Alas combining the 2 is too much for me. I just make some cards for gift sets and then mail out those pictures cards that you get made at a photo lab. I have noticed over the past few years that I'm not getting many cards (of any style)for Christmas. Hopefully the world is not getting too busy for people to connect once a year!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I mass produce. I make about 5-10 prototypes, using different stamp sets, and choose the one I like the best, then make about a hundred of them. I know it's not creative. But I know my OC-ness, and if I did as you do, I'd agonize over which well-loved person gets which card, and when I ran out of the "best" cards, I'd panic! To avoid this, I do it all over the summer, usually when my husband is out of town and I can go non-stop. So far I have about 50 made --- sponged and glittered and blinged --- and I love them!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you will be showing some of your Christmas cards. I need ideas! I usually only send about 30 cards and I do make very small batches. I had hoped to have had a couple finished by now but I haven't. So samples are welcome.
ReplyDeleteFabulous card today! August is okay with me at least we aren't too cold but Christmas, now you're talking! Best time of the year! I LOVE making Christmas cards and have at least one full box of cards and more scattered around various boxes. I will be making more but will really be in the swing of it by middle of December and will want to continue all year around:0) I don't send as many as when I was working in school, two classes of 30 or so children called for batch making but I still loved it and miss it too, Gay xxx
ReplyDeleteLovely card-a real stand out! I do about 10 per year-and I don't mass produce either as the cards are tailored for individuals.
ReplyDeleteStay cool-autumn birds seem to be coming down from the mountains here already... so fall is coming! And locally the kids start back to school August 8! Hope those buildings are air conditioned!
Beautiful!! The pretty font on the word "Christmas" really makes this card lovely!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I've only made my Christmas cards one time. It stresses me out to know I have to get them all done. Since I teach kindergarten, August is extra hectic for me anyway. So I just enjoy making cards that I use in our card ministry at church. :)
I love your blue card. For you. Personally, I have never liked blue for Christmas, neither cards nor wrapping paper nor decorations. Must be red and green. I have no idea why! I did send out a blue card once, because the manger scene stamp I used had a gem star glittering over it, and it seemed like the sky had to be blue -- blue card base and the image distress embossed in brown.
ReplyDeleteZip, zilch, nada. None made yet. I never start before fall. Just can't think Christmas when it is hot! I mass produce about 100 cards. Like Sue, I can't decide who gets my favorite one, so they all get it. I don't mind mass producing, once I have a design I love. I make one-of-a-kind cards for the five grandkids. In November.
As for pictures, a couple of times, I made an 8x12-inch stamped and die-cut layout with pictures, took that to Target and had them reduce it to a 4x6 photo which they made into a card for me. On one, the pictues were round ornaments on a tree. On the other, the pictures were box-shaped with a die-cut bow on top on a matching mat, like presents. Otherwise, I just slip a picture inside the card. Love pictues from my friends!
Love your pretty Christmas card! As for my Christmas cards made - zip, nada, none! Usually by this time I have a prototype made and ready to go but not this year. I only need about 35 and I do mass produce my cards.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card...love that blue, too.
ReplyDeleteWe'll just have to agree to disagree about August...one of my favorite months as well as a slightly sad month as summer begins to wane.
Christmas cards? Last year was the first time in many, many years I just didn't get them done...life got in the way, yet we all survived. This year, I have the stamp selected and I'll mass produce about 75. Gotta start now because each needs to be individually colored.
For the last two years, I've participated in the Splitcoast Stampers' Christmas Card Challenge - you set your own monthly goal and post that many each month. My goal is 6 per month which gets me close to the 80 I need for the year - I make 20 for my mother, 15 for each of my two sisters, and the rest are for me. So 6 per month for January through July gets me 42 done so far!
ReplyDeleteI make individual ones - can't stand batch-producing. But I'll do a batch of a theme sometimes - eg. a bunch of snowflake cards, but using different stamps, or a bunch of paste embossed / brass stencil ones - so that I don't get out too many supplies at once.
For my own that I send out, I often tailor the card to the recipient - I find that a good challenge and lots of fun.
Love your card - blue and white is my favourite colour combination.
I'm sorry your August isn't much fun. For me August brings, friends, family, presents, surprises. I love August, if you didn't guess already my birthday is next week. :D
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are 10 ahead of me. I usually send out about 70 and don't exactly mass produce but I do some that are the same (10 at the most).
ReplyDeleteI usually start in July and it is on my mind. Been busy with gardening and canning so just a little time for crafting. Will be starting soon. Lovely card and thanks for inspiration. I think I will be doing CAS cards this year.
love this blue card, susan.
ReplyDeletei have those stamps, so i cd make this lovely blue card, too.
i make paper tag/ornaments for my christmas cards. i decided it was rather a waste for folks to throw away their cards, so i started making tags to hang on the tree. (i'm repeating, repeating myself!!) usually send about 100 cuz we have lived around the country and have many folks to keep up with. for years i made them all the same, then 2 yrs ago i made 4 or 5 different kinds to keep things interesting for me...or last year i made them in 4 different colors..... then try not to stress over which card to which friend. when was the last time you opened a card from your dear friend and thought ..... oh no. i wish she had sent me the other card......?
thanks for the fun reminder to start making some. i have been thinking about them!!!!!
marty
ps. donelda. i"ll come over to your house and make cards. sounds like great fun.
sandra. rudolph day! i LOVE it!!
This is a beautiful blue gem of a card, Susan! As to number of Christmas cards made so far... ONE. But I did think yesterday, ooh, it's August, time to start soon. I don't need nearly as many as you, but I do like to have lots to choose from when it comes time to send them out!
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I can't believe how organised people are. . .I need around 50, and I don't usually mass produce, although last year I did come up with a design that I made about 15 of when I ran out of time at the last minute! This year. . . I don't think I have any yet. Oh dear! I'm starting Friday night - stamping Christmas with friends. I hope I do the rest in time. :-)
ReplyDeleteMichelle.
Beautiful card Susan. I love the blue.
ReplyDeleteI have a love-hate relationship with August. I love that it is harvest time for fruit from our trees and vegetables from the garden. But I hate realizing that summer is drawing to a close and I don't have my projects done that can only be done in summer and winter will be coming before we know it.
My my my you are so organised i am still in turmoil after the holls i have about 100 cards to make i just make a few designs up then batch make them Luv Sue x
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