glad tidings

i don't know about you, but in the past few years, probably since i started paper crafting, i've been bitten by the Christmas bug in October.  it's most likely because that's when the scrapbook companies start releasing their Christmas lines and other designers create beautiful things with those products.  it always makes me want to pull out my holiday stash--or buy the new products(!)--and get right down to work, work, work!

this year was no different.  i haven't quite gotten into the full holiday mood yet--no Hawksley Workman's Almost A Full Moon (my requisite Christmas album) playing in the studio with pine scented candles burning--but it's only a matter of time.

i have, however, been making Christmas cards in my spare time.  what i have to share today is a simple set of 4 minis using My Mind's Eye papers with K&Company and Making Memories tags.  my husband will be happy to know i haven't bought any new Christmas supplies yet!  i have so much already that i'd like to see what i can do with my current products.  

for this group, i wanted to keep them simple by using similar items on each card.  i began by choosing 4 papers from the My Mind's Eye Everyday Fun Kraft 6x6 pad.  i cut those in half to make a 3x6 panel which i then folded to make a card.  (i made 2 sets of these cards.)

then i chose just a few small items, sticking to a cream, red, and green palette--i must be feeling traditional this year!  the vintage-looking sentiment tags with the simple images are from a Making Memories kit i got a few years ago.  the other tags, which are kind of hiding in the background, are from K&Company, purchased last year.

  

the K&Co tag here has a poinsettia and pinecones, while the MM embellishment says "Christmas Greetings."  then i added one or two other small pieces like hemp twine, washi tape or burlap to complete the card.  this one uses buttons and lace, as well.

and here's the whole lot looking well-matched and coordinated!  but i didn't stop there...

i didn't have envelopes to go with the cards so i got creative and made some out of small glassine bags.  the bags were 3"x5" to start but i trimmed an inch or so off the top and hand-stitched it closed.  

then i trimmed just a smidge off of the side with pinking sheers.  this made a cute little pocket for my card.  i stitched on a small simple tag, cut from a 5th style of MME paper.  

and there you have it: a sweet set of mini Christmas cards, all ready for holiday packages!  too bad they have to wait two months to be used...oh, well.  at least they won't be lonely since i hope to be making a lot more things like this in those two months!

have a great day...i'll have more holiday fun for you later this week!