Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Craft Hoarders Anonymous October Blog Hop


Welcome to the Craft Hoarders Anonymous October 2016 Blog Hop! Your favorite Hoarders are back with a quarterly hop! We will be hopping once per quarter, starting today! Many of the designers are offering prizes, so make sure you check each blog!

I am offering this prize, which includes two of my Gloria Stengel Designs wood mount stamps by Hampton Art!
Besides the stamps, I found some other duplicates in my stash: a Candied Apple Distress Ink pad, a Fiskars ribbon threading punch, a Zig water brush, a set of ki memories decorative brads, and some washi tape! 

For a chance to win, just post a comment to this post and I will do a random draw on October 16th! 

Let's get started on the Hoarders post! I say, it's never too early to start making Christmas cards. (I don't say that. I procrastinate to the last minute! But, perhaps this year will be different! It could happen!)
My blog is the first blog in the hop! After visiting me, hop over to Bonnie Garby's Blog next! For the full list of Bloggers, see the list at the end of this post!

For my project today, I have decided to share a way to make QUICK Christmas cards - using an assembly line method and using UP your 6x6 paper pads! Let's face it. As hoarders one of the things we love to hoard is paper! I have a huge stash of 6x6 paper pads. And I need to use them!

I know that making Christmas cards can be a chore. The best way to churn out cards in bulk is to design something that's easy to replicate, and set up an assembly line. 

I decided on a very simple, multi-layer card design, with a large sentiment. But, because I am me, I had to complicate it with more layers and some trims!

Here's how I set up my Christmas card assembly.
I pulled out all my non-Graphic 45 Christmas 6x6 pads and spread them out on my desk. (I am still hoarding my Graphic 45 Christmas pads for another project. Don't judge!) I found 16 pads! Most of them barely used!
I decided on a color scheme, and pulled three pads from Authentique - Festive, Joyous, and Wonder. All have the same shades of red and green, and the neutrals for all three are black and vintage white. 

I cut and scored a stack of black cards (5 1/2" x 4 1/4"), and cut a stack of vintage white panels (5 3/8" x 4 1/8").
Next, I decided on a large, die cut sentiment with a smaller stamped sentiment under it. I die cut the script words from black cardstock, then I glued them to the ivory cardstock (2" x 2 3/4"). I used my MISTI tool to stamp the smaller sentiment. Once I had all the sentiment blocks ready, I mated them with black cardstock. 

The reason that there are only 6 cards so far, is that die cutting and gluing the large script sentiment is a huge pain. I have the matching word stamp, so for the rest of my cards, I am going to stamp the "wishing" and "sending" parts!
Once I had all the cardstock panels and sentiment panels ready, I began going through the 6x6 pads and matching up prints. I selected 2 prints for each card. The main print is cut to 5 1/4" x 4". 

I found some left over bits of lace in my stash, as well as some rolls of lace. I cut pieces of lace to about 6" long. I wrapped each main print with the lace and secured the lace to the back of the paper. I then attached the main print to the card front. 
The second print is cut to 5 1/4" long by various widths, depending on how much of the paper was left in the pad. The widths vary from 2 1/4" to 3 1/2". Once I cut the paper to size, I matted each piece with black cardstock and attach the pieces to the center of each card front. I slid the panel under the lace. 

I added the sentiment block to the card. I then used some red twine (I found a huge spool of it in my hoard!) and tied a loopy bow around the lace. I then glued a snowflake button to each bow. (Another thing I hoard, apparently, is snowflake buttons!
I added a second ivory panel to the inside of each card. I can stamp or write a message when it's time to mail the cards.

If you cut all the paper and trims in advance, and set things out ahead of time, assembling cards is a snap. It took me about 1 hour to cut everything for 25 cards. It took about 15-20 minutes to assemble 6 cards. (Fussing with the bows and buttons is a bit time consuming.) If I work on the project while I watch TV, I can probably get 50 or more cards ready in plenty of time for mailing in 2016. 

If you want to have flat cards, don't add the trims and embellishments. Or, go for something low-profile. Another way to save time is to discard the die cut items and stamp the message instead. Or, use a computer generated message or a pre-made message!

Thanks for visiting this month! I hope you are inspired to make something fun with some of your hoard! 

Now hop on to Bonnie Garby's Blog!

Make sure you visit all the ladies in the group. They have some AMAZING projects to share. and there is blog candy to be won! Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win my prize!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Blog Hop List:
Gloria Stengel (you are here)
Bonnie Garby
Tracey Sabella
Jacquie Southas
Pam Bray
Wendi Robinson
Amber Milone
Teresa Horner
Donna Idlet
Marisa Job
Debbie Seyer

The Hoarders will be back again in January with our next hop!



Designer paper: Authentique 6x6
Lace and twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon
Cardstock: black, natural white
Dies: Simon Says Stamp
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Sending and Wishing
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Buttons: craft supply
Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG tape runner, hot glue

41 comments:

  1. I love these, Gloria! A terrific way to use that gorgeous paper!

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  2. Gloria, what a great idea! I will be CASEing this layout, thank you so much for the inspiration!

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  3. Beautiful Christmas cards - thanks for sharing how you assemble so many. I think I fuss too much and the project always ends up taking way longer than I planned!

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  4. What a beautiful set of cards, love this design and the papers. Saving to my Pinterest favorites board for inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. What a crack up! I totally watched a movie this morning and made Christmas cards. (Though I'm slow, I only got 12 done.) I'm working on them for the Caring Hearts Card drive. I'll have them up on my blog tomorrow. I love your black card bases. I have some black 8 1/2 by 11 in my stash, I think I'll give that a try too :) Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I have so much Christmas paper, it's just pathetic! lol I should just get it all out and make cards ... I'll be done for the next 50 years. lol

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    1. That is funny! I know!! I could have cards for the next 100 years if I just made them quickly instead of taking 3 days per card! ;)

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  7. The cards look great and thanks so much for sharing your assembly method. Very helpful. I pinned your cards.

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  8. Great card design. Certainly no judgement here about hoarding the Graphic 45 paper. Some paper is just so pretty you have to hoard it (I mean save it for a special project)

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  9. Pretty set of cards! I love the papers and sentiments! Love your assembly line ideas... I tend to procrastinate too!

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  10. Thanks for sharing your idea for using different papers. Love your cards. No judging, either. I have so much paper, it's embarrassing. But I just love it so much, it's very hard to part with.

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  11. I love your idea. I have seen some of this wider tape, that I don't have, been wondering about getting some to have on back of cardstock before I cut the words out. Gluing is a pain. I have not found it in the stores and have not looked online. You inspire me to quick cut out some cards. Love the misti.

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    1. I have taped the back of the sentiments and cut the tape with the paper, but...for some reason on this day I totally forgot to do that! I do have some wider tape...perhaps Scor-tape makes a very wide tape?

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  12. Gloria, these are beautiful...simple, but elegant. Assembly line is the best for large quantities, for sure. I LOVE the die cut sentiments!

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  13. OMGoodness! So much to love here. First of all, I love the cards you made. I have lace that I could be using on cards! I love die cuts as well, but sometimes just stamping the image or sentiments moves the project along so much faster, that's for sure. Your two stamps are so versatile and I can see them on cards right now and the rest of the stash is wonderful as well. TFS! And thanks for the chance to win these amazing things! Hugs! kReN

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  14. It is amazing how each card can look so different with just a change of paper. Great layout for assembly line production. Thanks for a chance to win some fun stuff. It's also nice to know that I am not the only one that ends up with duplicates. I guess that's just confirmation that I really liked that product.

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    1. Many times I get extra goodies for design teams and already have them or....sometimes I buy 2x. I somehow ended up with 3 extra Candied Apple ink pads!

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  15. Your cards are so beautiful!

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  16. What a clever way to use non-holiday papers to make holiday cards. I love the idea of using the 6x6 pads so there is less cutting. I haven't done much assembly line card making, but this is the perfect way to handle my Christmas cards. Maybe I'll get them finished BEFORE Christmas eve!!

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  17. Love, love, love! Girl, you are so blessed with talent!

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  18. Such great cards, Gloria!! I adore that you share what you've learned in the process and will do differently!! You do have a lot of 6x6 paper pads. You're Christmas ones total more than all of mine put together. lol ~ Blessings, Tracey

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  19. These cards are not only quick and easy but also beautiful! I love the touches of fabric lace that make these stand out from the crowd!

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  20. Great cards! I too am a procrastinator. Your tips are very helpful.

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  21. Love the cards. One of these days I hope to make my own Christmas cards. Thanks for the great designs.

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  22. I really like how you added texture and interest by tying off the lace with a cute bow and snowflake!

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  23. Gloria, what a great way to craft the stash. Great layout for mass producing. Guilty of hoarding my Graphic 45 paper, too. But, I love the Authentic papers that you decided to use. I only have 1 6x6 Christmas Lawn Fawn paper from 2012. Now I wish I had more. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  24. Love the big bold sentiment, which looks absolutely great when paired with those muted colour Authentic patterned papers. What a generous candy offer, keeping my fingers crossed for this. Thanks!

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  25. Your cards are always beautiful but I love that you made a whole batch of wonderful cards with your hoarded papers. The white lace adds great texture to your designs and the pre-cutting and stamping makes these do-able for even someone like me. Thank you for sharing and for the fabulous giveaway!

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  26. These are lovely Gloria, the splash of lace is a really nice touch : )

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  27. Great cards! Easy to make a bunch of so that we can get Christmas cards done on time!!! Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win some yumminess!

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    1. Just finished the hop and am in awe! Total awesomeness all along the way!! Thanks for having me along on this fun journey!

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  28. I love these Gloria! Elegant and simple. Thanks for inspiration

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  29. Gloria, these are fabulous cards!! It's making me want to start my cards today!! Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial so to speak! Love this!!

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    1. By the way, I'm lusting after your Jillibean Soup Christmas pad!!!! I have the stickers for it...We scrapbookers never have enough!

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    2. I am afraid to show you folks ALL my 6x6 stash...it is considerable. hee hee

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  30. Great designs, ideas and tips! And your cards are beautiful!

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  31. Your cards are gorgeous! It is nice to be in a place with no judging lol. I'm like you as far as assembly line creating. I do it with cards as well as any project that requires me to make multiples. I try to set up my work space ahead of time so that I'm not handling the same piece of a project more than once. It's a little tricky at first but you will never regret learning to create this way. The proof is in the pudding your cards speak for themselves tfs.

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  32. Love this set of assembly line cards. Great choice of papers.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  33. Anonymous4:30 AM

    Love your ideas!! Thanks for sharing them!

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  34. These card inspired me to start my Christmas card. They are awesome! Thank you.

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