Hello everyone,
Have you started your holiday cards yet? Are you getting nervous that you won’t get them done in time? Well, I have a few quick and easy holiday card tips to share with you using easy ink blending and stencils from the November Maker Forte release! To shop Maker Forte, click here.
My first card is super easy! I used Maker Forte’s pre-cut to slimline size Snowflurries Perfect Blend cardstock and distress inks in Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot. These colors create the most beautiful sunset, and the Perfect Blend cardstock makes it very easy to do! I have a short video tutorial below using Perfect Blend cardstock and ink!
Once my ink blending was finished, I dried the ink with my heat tool. This made it easier for the next step, which was to add the Nativity silhouette using the Nativity Slimline stencil.
This stencil is awesome for slimline sized cards, but you can also use on A2 sized cards! To create that silhouette effect with the Nativity Scene, I used Black Soot ink. I finished the card by adding shimmer to the large star so that it would stand out. This card took less than an hour, guys!!!
The next card steps it up a bit! Let’s take a look:
I used the Deer To Me Scene, which is a stamp and stencil bundle. You can stamp your silhouette and use your stencil as a mask to ink blend around the scene! Or, you can ink blend first and then stamp over the ink, which is what I did here.
TIP: Let the ink dry between layers so the ink will apply and not lift back off.
I used distress inks in Evergreen Bough, Pine Needs, and Chipped Sapphire, again going from light to dark. Once the ink was dried, I stamped the silhouette scene using Versamark black ink. This is a good, juicy ink to use for silhouettes!
Now, here’s where we step it up from my first card! I added clear embossing over the entire card! I applied Color Hive embossing glue ink pad over the entire card panel and then added clear embossing powder. Once it’s heat set, there’s a beautiful shine over the card! Credit goes to Alexandra Stapleton for this idea, that was brilliant! I finished my card with the Peace on Earth sentiment on vellum paper.
My final card was easier than the previous two!
I used the Winter Swirls stencil for this card because it includes the positive piece. I placed the positive piece where I wanted it on my card. Next, I did some ink blending using Catherine Pooler’s It’s A Boy, Fiesta Blue, and Something Borrowed, moving from dark to light in color.
Then I did second and third generation stamping with a tiny snowflake stamp and added my sentiment, using the same color inks to create a monochromatic look. This stamp set, called Wrapped Christmas, has the sweetest holiday sentiments in beautiful calligraphy. You’ll reach for this one time and time again!
I hope that you got some great ideas on quick, easy holiday cards that look like you’ve taken hours to create! Maker Forte has a huge line of stencils that are perfect for this technique, and there’s plenty of time left before the holidays to stop by and grab a few! Use my affiliate link by clicking here. I receive a small commission at no cost to you, and I thank you kindly for your support! For my Instagram page, click here.
