Saturday was a really big day for me! You already know that I shared my first online tutorial with you (well, I ASSUME you know about it – if you don’t, then please check it out here before reading futher).
Two really big things for me yesterday:
The Tutorial Video. My day started wonderfully, with all your amazing feedback, comments and emails. You really embraced my video post, which only encourages me to make more. It’s a crazy cycle – you tell me that I inspire you to try something new, which only energizes me to make something else for you. I spent the rest of my day planning and scheming for my next video venture. Oh, there will be more.
My Big Christmas Card Project. If you have been following my blog carefully (most of the discussion was in the comments, not in my actual posts), then you will know I’ve been working on a huge project for the past two months. Now I’m gonna let the cat out of the bag! Here’s some background: in early October, I met an amazing woman at a local fundraiser event. After looking at a sampling of my cards, Nancy asked if I would design and make her Christmas cards. After I joyfully agreed, she disclosed that she wanted 300 cards – you heard that right. 300!
So, what does that have to do with yesterday? Well, I’ll tell you. Yesterday, I delivered all 300 cards to Nancy so that she could begin writing out her Christmas sentiments. She was really excited about that – a true lover of stationary and the hand-written message. Here’s a quick shot of Nancy, sitting in the back of her car, holding her box of cards:
Isn’t she beautiful? When Nancy and I first spoke, she told me she really liked the combination of the deep red in Cherry Cobbler and the brightness of Lucky Limeade. I immediately knew I would design her cards with the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack, so I got right on it. I completed between 40 and 50 of each design, which helped me to keep my sanity as I powered through these 300 cards. Here’s a peek at one of my favorites: 
Oh, but I won’t stop there! Here’s a look-see at the variation of cards I was able to create with this designer pack – they all have the same basic layout, and each is beautiful in its own right. Look carefully. They seem really easy, but there are a lot of gorgeous layers on these cards:
Here’s what I really love about these – the patterns are not traditional Christmas patterns, but the cards are unmistakenly Christmas. Which is your favorite? Before you begin commenting, I will tell you that my favorite is the last one (#9). I don’t know what it is about this pattern, but I think it’s stunning in this design – I hope it’s not cocky of me to call my own creation “stunning.” OK, now tell me which is your favorite.
Stamp sets: More Merry Messages Inks: Cherry Cobbler Papers: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack Accessories: Window Frames Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Thanks,
Brian
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Absolutely stunning – and I would agree that the last one is perhaps my favourite too! They all look so perfect – well done! It is inspired me to get back into my craft room and have a go!
You are amazing! With all you do, you were able to complete such a huge project! I am in awe! My favorite is the second card.
Brian, what an amazing collection of perfectly beautiful cards!! Each one is cut and arranged and put together perfectly!! I make about 30-40 Christmas cards every year, I start like in October but 300!!!!! You are amazing, Brian King and Nancy sure looks super happy to receive this gorgeous cards, who wouldn’t?? I think I’m going to copy the design, can I? I’m not to familiar with the card making rules and regulations when it comes to reproducing something seen on line so, if this is not possible, please tell me.
In any case, you did a wonderful job, I couldn’t figure out what kind of big project you were working on but now that we know, it was worth the wait.
Oh, and by the way, my favorite one is #4.
Love them…great design..here is my question…I am a frugal stamper and trying to get my class to be that as well….did you punch out the framelit image from the underneath layers or do you find that too tedious?
Hi Wilma, I’m pretty frugal with most of my stamping – I don’t like to waste. That sometimes takes more time to be frugal. For this project, though, time was of the essence, so I didn’t pay attention to the waste. Here’s a link to a post I wrote about this very question: https://stampwithbrian.com/2012/09/14/do-your-little-bit-of-good/
300….holy smokes. They are all gorgoeus. The last one was my favorite too….you are officially a card rock star in my book. Have a great day. After my vendor fair on Thursday, I will be a cranking card machine to get mine finished up!
I think Nancy is lovely! What a treasure to have 300 of those stunning Christmas Cards! How beautiful they all are with the colored layers and smart sketch! I won’t CASE you, ( I dis like that about this business) but will surely enjoy these beautiful creations right here. Never used Festival of Prints! I suppose I should have picked up a pack! Congratulations on this great job completed!
How very exciting your blog is this morning…. I am so proud of you and I`m not even yo mama ! I will try to keep this short…I said TRY….love these cards…each one is a star…my favorite is the last one also …but that cozy little flannel plaid tugs at me and even though I like my chevrons in small doses that one is an eye catcher. You did something that I like to do …one dsp series used for a set of cards …FUN FUN !!!!! Last but a major fact …I leave your blog with warm fuzzies…. you don`t talk about how the swat team raided your house by accident or Bandit`s tail fell off during the night !!! THANK YOU !
I am a sucker for plaid….so number 3 is my favorite but they are all wonderful. Actually, it was hard to pick a favorite….you did a “stunning” job….and loved the video…thanks so much for sharing
They look awesome!
For me, it was a choice between the 3rd and 4th card, and I picked the 3rd card. I love the plaid. I debated about getting the window framelits. This might push me to get it.
#8…….. No,no, #1………… Wait a minute, #5….. No, definitely #8………. Oh, golly, this is so DIFFICULT! I really like ALL of them. Great job, Brian! 🙂
Thank you, all, for your wonderful comments. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, stampers are the kindest and most supportive people in the world. I really appreciate all of you – even those who are quietly observing. I am thankful for you all!
What an undertaking! I envy the time you get to spend in your stamp room. I’m a sucker for lucky limeade, so I have to pick no. 2, though I wouldn’t turn any of them away. You continue to amaze me with all you do. I’m sure I can speak for all your readers… WE are grateful for your inspiration.
I prefer the second sample with lotsa green and the quirky little pattern-so fun. You, Brian, are a stampin’ maniac. Way to go!
5 is my fav! It presents like little church windows…so chic! These are fantastic & Nancy’s smile says it all, what a lovely lady! She is going to have a blast sending these beauties out. Great post, thanks for sharing!!
Great cards, Brian. Her smile says it all!
I am about half way through making my 150 Xmas Cards. I couldn’t imagine making an additional 150. Congrats. The cards turned out stunning. I love the Festival DSP pack. I am sorry but I can’t just pick one favorite. They are all so awesome!
Hi Brian:
First of all congratulations on getting 300 Christmas cards done! I am so impressed. I try to make 10 Christmas cards a month for the “special” people in my life and I have a hard time fitting that in with all the birthday and anniversary cards I send each month. So, as you can tell, I am in awe of your abiility, especially with you working full time. Yikes, where do you get the energy?
Anywhoooooo – I like the last card best and I think it’s because it’s Victorian looking and Victorian Christmases were so yummy beautiful.
Brian, these cards are GORGEOUS! All 300 of them! Yikes! THREE HUNDRED! A daunting number to write and send plus all those postage stamps! What an amazing job you did – the idea of the same design with the 9 different patterned papers culminating in such an elegant array! And Nancy looks just like my memory of a lovely Southern lady from Atlanta. I can almost hear her speaking with the Southern accent. (Our oldest was born in Atlanta!) I’m sure she was just so very thrilled which these, Brian!
I almost went with a tie between #4 and #8.
I do love #9 with its toile-like pattern which also reminds me of Atlanta for some reason. However, I am going with #8 as my favorite!
Congratulations, Brian, on your huge Christmas card order! May it bring you added success in your stamping business! Hugs!
Hi Brian: Great Job!!! I can’t imagine making that many cards using the same pattern. If I really like a card, I will make 4 to 6 of them and that is enough. I like variety when I’m creating and get bored when I do more than that. I have to say that I like all the papers you chose, but #1 is my favourite. I like the red and green and it reminds me of snowflakes. I am sure that Nancy is thrilled with her cards.
Way to go BK! 300 cards is a huge order. All the cards are beautiful! Even Jason was impressed. :). Hope u had a wonderful turkey day. We are home from Disney. That is a phone call story. I love u.
Brian,
These cards are simply gorgeous! Nancy looks so happy and all of the cards packaged in that BIG box is a very impressive sigtht!! I love your layout and the way they are all so carefully coordinated! My favorites (of course I can’t pick just ONE!) are #’s 2 & 8. Thank you for sharing these materpieces with us!! Just curious – did all of that cutting dull your framelits die at all? I have often wondered how many actual cuts you could get out of the SU dies. Your project could possibly provide a “shout-out” for SU!!
I like #3! Wow-300! I make cards for our church and make 35-45 at a time-and I really have to consider what I am going to make-because I know I will be doing each thing 35 to 45 times!!!!!
300 cards!!!! You rock star!!! The cards are lovely, no wonder Nancy’s smile is so big! I am partial to #’s 4 & 8, if you are keeping track…. Happy Stamping Sunday!
Wow Brian, I thought by 50 or so give or take was an undertaking but 300!! You are the rock star of stamping!! Can not pick which is my fave…………….I like the last one, but I love the paid and the green one is cool……………What the Heck they are all my fave!!! Good Job!!
How lucky she is to have you for a friend! Brian, you are special and a real gift to SU…
I guess I jumped on the bandwagon a little late!! I just sat down to peek at your blog and my tongue is still hanging on the floor! I LOVE these holiday cards! I have to say that the last card is my favorite! I also love the ‘pop’ of number 7! Keep on bringing it Brian. Has a nice ring to it “Bring it Brian”!! LOL Happy stamping my friend!
Wow, Brian, congratulations on some stunning cards. The simplicity makes them elegant. I’m sorry but I can’t pick a favorite because I like them all. You must have been exhausted. Also, your video was wonderful! Thanks for all the time and effort you put into your blog – I don’t miss a day! Well done!
Wow…these are wonderful – I like them all but since you asked, I think that #3, plaid, is my most favorite……can easily see why she is sooooooo delighted! You are truly a magician and am guessing that she will contact you again next year….!!!!
Beautiful, simple, elegant–but very lush and rich with all that layering—the perfect Christmas card design! My fave is #3, because I love plaid at Christmas-time, but I also really love #7–that red chevron makes me think of candy canes! –Terri
oh, wow! These are all gorgeous! I don’t think I can choose a favorite–every time I look at them, I change my mind, LOL! You did a fabulous job!!
FAB-U-LOUS!
My fave is also the last one. I think it’s a classy brocade without being too frou-frou. Would love to ask privately a question or two about making cards for other people – could you email me if you have a little bit of time? I won’t pester. 🙂
300 cards! That’s unbelievable! I think my favorite is the last one, too. Great job! And congratulations!!!