Sunday, November 7, 2010

Thankful Cards

When my son was little, it always bothered him how things went immediately from Halloween to Christmas. Thanksgiving was the overlooked holiday as far as all of the stores and decorations went. So I made sure that we decorated properly for Thanksgiving and that we celebrated it the same way that we celebrated the other holidays which in my case means sending cards. Not quite as many as I do for Christmas but more than I do for Halloween. Given that it's always a busy time of year, I don't always have time to stamp the quantity of cards I need to make so I look for creative alternatives that still allow for a handmade touch and imprint. My computer is an invaluable art tool and it took me a while to stop feeling like I was cheating by using it.

My handwriting has gone downhill since the days when the nuns used to emphasize penmanship and with so many cool fonts to choose from it's just too much fun, so I like to use the computer to generate sentiments.

Created the "Give Thanks" panel using a leaf graphic from my graphics program, altering the color, using a transparent cracked effect and then layered the sentiment on top. Printed on white cardstock and matted with black. This card was made using metallic copper cardstock (Stardreams) and the DCWV Premium Stack "Naturals" that I used for my "Turkey Tails" banner. Finished with "M&My Big Ideas" Copper Willow foil sticker. Stickers are another great tool to use when you have to make a lot of cards.
For some of the other cards I made, I selected a Thanksgiving Corn graphic, changed it to black and white, used the same transparent cracked effect in my graphics program and an option to color behind the image in a complementary brown. Printed, trimmed, matted with black. As with the first card, finished with complementary colors of adhesive rhinestones.
 This card uses transparency overlays by Colorbok. Package of 10 ( it's called Nectar) was $4.99 regularly but I bought on sale for 40% off at JoAnn's. I fell in love with the copper foil effect of this so of course I bought 2 packs! Each design is different. For the cards I made using these, I just mounted using Diamond Glaze on a panel of DCWV foiled paper (Naturals) and the put the focal sentiment on top of the transparency using a foam dot.

Linking Up At:

Paper Issues Blog Design

Fine Craft Guild
Thanksgiving Party At All Thingz Related
 
  UndertheTableandDreaming

10 comments:

Christine said...

They are wonderful! I think it bothers a lot of people that Thanksgiving seems to be overlooked in the rush to get to Christmas. These cards are very pretty and meaningful!

Netty said...

We don't have Thanksgiving in England and we are definitely missing out. The word in itself sounds so special. I love your cards they are beautiful. Annette x

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said...

All those pretty things. I HAVE to resist buying scrapbooking supplies each time I go to craft stores

Lori said...

Gorgeous cards! And yes, Thanksgiving is an under appreciated holiday, I think!

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

Very pretty! I hate when Thanksgiving gets skipped!

Unknown said...

these cards are gorgeous!

Vicki said...

These came out really nice. I like how you mixed in the black and white image with the color cardstock. Very clever! I need to make some homemade cards. My stash has disappeared! I have no business buying any with so many supplies around...thank you for inspiring me!

lindalou said...

I really need to start creatinig more card "stuff" on my computer.

Sandy Ang said...

Lovely fall themed cards !

Cassie said...

How lovely!!! I love that corn image!! As much as I like my own handwriting, I still use a computer generated word! Thanks for sharing your fabulous cards with us at Paper Issues!!
=)