Hoping to drum up some stamping conversation

Okay, well - no offense to the vendors, but COMMs and ADs are all that's been around of late... it's a bit sad. Of course, I cannot complain since I haven't been doing my part either!

So, I have hardly stamped at all in the past nine months (no, I'm not pregnant), but recently I had occasion to make some shower invitations. Even though I didn't stamp on them at all, they're quite nice in their simplicity, and it got the creative juices flowing again (thank God!)

I'm working on Christmas cards - everyone's favorite topic this time of year (sorry, Pat!) But, really, my topic isn't about Christmas cards (although you should definitely feel free and encouraged to chat about what you're doing this year for the holidays, if anything, stamping-wise). My deal is this: my "A-list" cards this year are going to be bulky and delicate. How would you advise mailing them? Mailing them is a must, and I don't want to spend $1 per box in order to ship them in boxes - although perhaps that will be my only choice. So - any creative tips for mailing a (~5x7) card that will probably be ~1/4 - 1/2 inch thick, with delicateness to that thickness that would not withstand an envelope, or even a padded envelope, I don't think.

If you're curious, I'm doing snowflake ornaments using the Holly Berry House "medalions" snowblossoms. I stamp and emboss the image three times per ornament, cut and layer portions of the image to make a three-d dangly.

Come out, come out wherever you are! Let's get a discussion rolling! Start a topic of your own if this one isn't for you!

Kind regards, Alison

Reply to
Alison Bowes
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I too, make all my Christmas cards; I make them for my father as well. I've got 110 done and only 10 more to make! Because of the number I do, mine aren't as elaborate as yours sound, so regular envelopes do it for me! BTW I don't make 120 of the same card. I usually do 8 - 12 of one design than move on to another design. That way I don't get bored. The hardest part is deciding which card to send to whom!

Reply to
Judy

I don't have any constructive ways to mail your cards, but they do sound wonderful! And, I'd love to see some chat get started in this group!

Suz

Reply to
SuzaStampin

*laugh* That's one way to shake me out of the woodwork.

But no - I only object to the idea of *my* stamping holiday cards. You go right ahead and do whatever you enjoy! I'm sure they're wonderful.

Ah, there's the rub. I'm not stamping anything for the holidays (or much of anything else) these days; I've taken up knitting. And discussing those projects, as much fun as they are, would be waaaaay off-topic for this newsgroup. (If anybody wants to see some of this stuff, it starts here:

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'm sure I'll get back to stamping one of these days. I've got all those *supplies,* for one thing. Maybe I'll even incorporate stamped images into the packaging for all the stuff I'm knitting. But at the moment, I'm all about what a friend of mine calls "the yarn crack" ('cause it's just as addictive as stamping.) Good for you for trying to revive the newsgroup, Alison. I look forward to what people have to say.

Reply to
Pat Kight

I took a class Saturday on how to make a greeting card box. It was interesting but didn't close perfectly so will be trying it again with an "experts" help tomorrow. I don't think the side pieces were cut large enough because they didn't met when closed.

I keep talking about starting my Christmas cards but so far nothing has developed on paper. I usually wait until a week before Christmas and then I'm rushing like mad to finish them. I always promise myself I'll do better next year but the same thing always happens. Anyone else have this problem or am I one of a kind? :-(

-SAD-

Reply to
Wave Jumper

I save up all the pieces of bubble wrap I come across throughout the year and I use it to cover the front of any delicate cards then just use ordinary envelopes. Hope this helps. I have not decided on my cards for this year yet.I do about 120, November will get me going.

Lin

Reply to
Lin

Speaking of bubble wrap... I take a brayer and run it across an ink pad (I use More Mustard) then across the bubble wrap (bubbles up) then I turn the bubble wrap bubbles down facing a piece of cardstock (I use white) and brayer the back. It makes a background that looks like a honeycomb.

Cecelia

Reply to
Cecelia Medbery

I don't stamp Christmas cards, but I have found store bought cards that had large empty spaces upon which to stamp something quick and pretty. And then seal it and off it goes, stress free.

Nancy

Reply to
Nancy Handy

year (never waste anything) lol

Lin

Reply to
Lin

Forgot about the bubble wrap thing - I last used it on an altered book page with luminiere - came out great! How can I get this into my Christmas cards? I have supposedly decided on the one I want to make for the majority of my cards - but still keep getting ideas and making more cards. I have done individual cards the last three years (only send out about 60) and now I'm trying to stop that because I don't keep a record of who got what and am reluctant to repeat any cards. I have a few cards that would be worth repeating - maybe I'll make them up as gift sets. If you want to see a few of my cards try:

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have just tried putt>

Reply to
hansen

Alison, I made cards like that a couple of years ago. In fact, the Holly Berry House stamps are what got me into this in the first place.

If you can stand to change the size of the card (I did about 4 1/2" square ones) you can mail them in CD gift boxes. I bought them at The Dollar General Store for (I think) 3/$1. They are cardboard and have bright gold, red or silver holographic designs on them. They stood up to mailing. Of course, I took them into the post office and had them hand canceled. If I recall, they were about 1/2" thick.

HTH, Cindy

Reply to
teleflora

My ONLY problem is deciding what I want to make. I change my mind a dozen times and finally it is the last minute and I have done nothing. I have plenty of free time, I have access to any materials that I want. I just can't come to a decision.

Cindy

Reply to
teleflora

Really great cards, Janet. I'm impressed. I am also bad about remembering what card I sent to who. So I have to come up with all new ones every year. Birthdays and everything. I NEED to start writing stuff down.

Cindy

Reply to
teleflora

Thanks Cindy!! I will definitely look into this!

Alison

Reply to
Alison Bowes

Pat, I looked at your knitted pieces and feel the bug myself. I bought a book for beginners, but it was undecipherable to me. I was hoping you could recommend a beginner's knitting book which is easy to follow? Thanks, Anya

Reply to
Anya

Sorry for the delay (busy, busy week). The book generally credited with sparking the latest knitting revival is Debbie Stoller's "Stitch 'n' Bitch: A Knitter's Handbook," which has clear instructions and some simple but cute patterns.

Me, I'm such a geek that I googled "how to knit" and "knitting lessons" and taught myself the basics on line. Then I discovered that some of my long-time friends were closet knitters, and now we get together on Sunday evenings to stitch - it's really helpful having veterans to help show you what you're doing wrong.

If you have a decent local yarn store, see if they offer classes - even JoAnn's and Michael's sometimes have beginner knitting classes.

Reply to
Pat Kight

Janet, Just went to your web site. Your cards are beautiful. Gave me some great ideas. Thanks

Reply to
Mickey

Reply to
hansen

What a great idea! I'm going to give this a try.

Lynne

Reply to
King's Crown

Sorry for my own delay in thanking you for your suggestions. Lately, I am lucky to get online because my sons are always on and we are *still* dial-up with one phone line. Anya

Reply to
Anya

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