The Holiday One-for-One Swaps wrapped up yesterday, but that’s no reason to end the parade of holiday cards. Am I right? We saw dry embossing, heat embossing, intricate cutouts, amazing layouts and glitter – lots and lots of glitter. You know how I feel about glitter – yet, the glitter just kept coming card after card after card.
As I am writing this blog post, Thursday’s episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show is playing in the background. She apparently shares my opinion of glitter:
This is the time of year when glitter is everywhere. Everywhere. I went to a friend’s house the other night, and there was glitter in the Christmas tree, glitter on the ornaments, glitter on the garland. It was really the most glitter I’ve seen in one place – and I’ve been in Cher’s closet…I would like to think of myself as a positive person, and I try not to force my opinion on anyone, but I am anti-glitter. Glitter is, in my opinion, not a good thing. Seems obvious – it has the word “litter” in it. We should call glitter what it is – it’s shiny garbage.
Today, I’m sharing the simplest Christmas card ever made – and not a spec of glitter. I call it Christmas in a Flash: a little bit of work, a whole lot of beautiful. 
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- Too simple? How dare you! I understand there’s such a thing as “too simple,” but I really don’t think this card crosses that line. Although there’s a whole bunch of white space on this card front (it was snowing that day?), there’s a whole bunch of fun things to look at in that itty, bitty corner.
- Plan the color layers. After a season filled with Cherry Cobbler (one of my absolute favorites), I feel like I neglected Real Red a bit. From the start, I knew I wanted to use three colors: Whisper White, Real Red and Lucky Limeade. I also knew what shapes I wanted to layer together to complete the image on the card. I carefully considered the colors before completing the layers on the card – starting with the center of the ornament. I knew I wanted the heart to be red (duh!), so I worked my way out from there, making the ornament Limeade, the Curly Label Red, the Modern Label Limeade and the sentiment Red. The combination worked perfectly!
- Shading. I know, I know. I’ve shown you this shading technique over and over. I like it a lot, so I want to make sure you are listening. If you would like to know more about how I added the shading effect to the ornament, check out my AMAZING video tutorial here.
- Note Cards. Don’t forget about those note cards in the catalog. They’re small, but they come in handy for a quick and easy card. Have you put off making your Christmas cards? How much time did I just save you?
Stamp sets: Every Little Bit, A Fitting Occasion, Petite Pairs Inks: Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Real Red Stampin’ Write Markers Papers: Note Cards, Real Red, Lucky Limeade Accessories: Modern Label punch, 1″ Circle punch, Curly Label punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Blender Pen
I am so blessed to have so many dedicated blog followers. Y’all really make this fun, and I appreciate you.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
And I look at EVERY entry you make! Enjoy them all. Thanks for your dedication and creativity. (and your willingness to help others with your ingenuity)
Very pretty and super fast Christmas card Brian, thank you. Well, I guess you are not alone when it comes to the GLITTER thing. I’m glad you told us you don’t like it before the card swaps, otherwise I would have use some on my cards, I don’t go crazy with it but I think it adds such a pretty sparkle to certain cards. I did use the “safe” GLITTER called Dazzling Details from SU, on a couple of the cards I sent for the swap, just thining of you. One question…..how do you feel about Embossing Powder? Do you use it at all? Just curious, you know?
What a super sweet card! Happy weekend. When is the next video….are you holding out on us??
{Gasp!} Such a darling Christmas Card and I’m pleased to say it’s sitting on my piano! Thank you for thinking of me and your kind personal note inside. You know if I started with a pile of Note Cards & Envies I would have mine in the mail as well. So looking forward to your 2013 projects my friend and of course your next Awesome video! Miss you
I love this card and when i recieved this from you I was like a kid in a candy shop! Your’s was the first Christmas card that i have recieved in the mail from anyone this year other than your swap i participated in…loved that one too. This is simply adorable. Thank you so much!
Love this little card…as I told you I went to my catalog to find the stamp set….never paid that much attention to it before and lo and behold SU had examples on the other page in different colors ….I am a proud ownwr of one of these little darlings … (AND I didn`t know you could regular mail this size) Maybe I`m just so girlie that I think Christmas and glitter go together … that`s what makes card making such fun….I don`t care for the over distressed look or the over use of Washi Tape or the torn out note book paper…. there are all kinds of us creative critters ….and as my grandmother use to say …. “If we all were alike what a boring place this would be ” …..later
Yes I will keep this beauty in mind if I run out of cards. I’ve been making Christmas cards since July. Must stop making. Must start sending. Thanks for your blog, sharing all your creative ideas and making me laugh each day!
Another wonderful breakfast with Brian! As soon as I grab breakfast, I go to the computer and scroll down to this blog. Since I read every word (including the comments) after I drool over your latest creation, it’s a perfect time for breakfast. When there’s a video, I can linger over coffee while I play it several times. Have a great day!
Is this card “too simple”? …No! Adorable? …Yes! By the way – I can’t help it – I still like glitter. Sometimes my cards or projects need just a little extra something and the glitter does it! However, if I participate in one of your future card swaps (I hope there will be “future” card swaps!) …I will be considerate of your intense animosity for the embillishment and contain my card in clear packaging, as others have.
Brian, when I saw this I thought it was the most darling, artistic card ever! It is sassy and simple to do and can be used with get well, birthday and even thinking of you. Thanks for setting the pace. i would have never thougtht to put those three elements together as a stand alone but it is stunning, to the point and the white space just says clean! I love it! And I will be using this technique in the future.
Simply beautiful…
You make me laugh, Brian! I really identify with your glittery comments because I don’t like it either! I so enjoy reading a few favorite blogs every morning, A day without Brian is a day without sunshine.
I love your card, Brian! And I did not see all of the white…my eyes continue to be drawn to your focal point of red and green….this would be nice in the small size as well. I love clean and simple and you totally rocked this!
I love your card and it is sitting on my mantel. I always forgot about those size cards to send or give. By the way, I told my husband I got it from Brian :). Psst….his big brother does not live in Atlanta.
It’s the way to go when you mass produce. Your card is sitting pretty in what I call my ‘safe haven’ so I can admire it everyday. I also saw Ellen’s show on glitter, what a hoot! Visions of you surrounded in all the glittery cards, made me chuckle.
I, too, love to sit down with my coffee and read your post each day, Brian, and I also read all the comments. It’s such a nice way to begin the day. Many times I have to come back later to put in my comments. (Most likely, the caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet when I read your entry!)
Your precious little Christmas card arrived here the other day, too! The design is just perfect for the size of the card. I should have measured the card out when I looked them up in the catalog … I guess I thought they were bigger. These are great for all the times you need a “little” note, but end up taking all that time designing a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 size!
Well, back to my cards … I’m up to 53 and that is not enough. I made about 150 for our card ministry and sort of lost my mojo!
I love this card and it is on my Card tree so I look at it every time I pass the dining table. I just love it!! It is the absolutely perfect size for a Christmas Card and brought lots of cheer into my day!!
When I received this beautiful card you truely made my day!!
Simply perfect, Brian! Love it!
Perfect card, Brian! I love it…and I must say it is just as cute in person as it is on your blog 🙂
This card is prettier in person. I just received mine with the lovely hand written note. It was my first Christmas card of the year. It made my day. Thanks Brian
Hi Brian! I have been following your blog for quite a few months now and I have to say I love your style of card making. I have never left a comment though until now. I love the look of glitter but hate the mess. I just had to share this with you because when I was watching Ellen on Thursday and she started her speech on glitter, I immediately thought of you!!! So funny.
Keep on with your fabulous cards. Merry Christmas from the great white north (Canada )!!
so freakin’ cute!
I received one of these from you Brian and loved its simplicity yet interest immediately. Thanks for sending to me!
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