Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 16

I've done dozens of shaker cards in the past, but when I saw a technique that removes the bulk of the card I just had to try it. This card is a two way shaker, meaning that open or closed you can see the shaker.

Having less bulk in a card allows for easier mailing and a reduced risk of getting damaged while being tossed about in the postal system.

Any card maker with experience in shakers will tell you that there is nothing worse than finding out the time (potentially hours) put into making a shaker card was all for naught because of postal damage. While I personally love the dimension that a traditional shaker has, this technique is far more mail friendly.

Two-way shaker card with copic coloured winter penguin skating on glossy ice with Christmas twine accent.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 14

Over the last few years, owls have become very popular at Christmas. We can see them more and more in holiday decor, so for the person on everyone's list that loves these feathered critters there is no better card than one with owls.

Shining snowflake patterned paper with three copic coloured winter owls, with stitched hillside boarder snowbank.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 6

It didn't really occur to me, until I was speaking with my Mother-in-law, to include a more religiously toned card in the series. I'm glad that she requested it, because the card turned out to be beautiful.

I wanted to keep this card simple and allow it to speak for itself.

Originally I had used a matte black instead of the shimmery background and while it looked good, my sister pointed out that black wasn't really a "Christmas" colour. Then I moved to a shimmery blue background and that didn't speak to me at all. I liked the black, but I loved the elegance of the shimmer. I think the card came together with the best of both options.

Gold embossed baby Jesus silhouette and greeting on shimmering black background with a gold sparkle boarder on the top and bottom.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 5

This card was so much fun to make. Not only did I get to include snowflakes, glitter and watercolour, I was also able to place it on a completely clear card base. 

This card can be displayed in either landscape (shown below) or portrait orientation, depending on your preference.

Sparkling snowflakes inlaid in marble watercolour background, framed in sparkling silver on a unique clear card base.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 4

This card has a raised and embossed shimmery snowfall background with raised greeting focus. Sparkling "Joy" over silver embossed large snowflake, with silver accent strip and colour matching twine for added interest. The above in scarlet and below in blue.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 3

To me, a classic sign of the Holidays is the Cardinal. The stark contrast between his bright plumage and the white of snow helps him to stand out as a sure symbol of the season.

Watercoloured Cardinal with gold embossed greeting and shimmery snowflake accents. Barely visible around him is a frosted blue aura, this helps him to stand out against the background and additionally lend to the illusion of winter.

For a different take on this card, as a custom request please see this post.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 2

I'm sure it is becoming very clear that I adore Snowflakes. They are featured on nearly all my winter/Christmas cards. There is something about their beauty and delicacy that appeals to me. Each one is unique just as people are.

Raised and embossed shimmering snowflakes add a perfect backdrop for a bold and sparkling Merry Christmas greeting. The above card has the greeting in deep red, below the greeting is in blue.

Winter and Holiday Card Series 2015 - Card 1

Whether it be Christmas, Yule, Solstice, or simply Happy Holidays; there's a card for it. Over the next few weeks I'll be showing the Winter cards I have created for 2015.

So let's dive right in!

This card features a blue ombre feature strip with sparkling die cut snowflakes and an embossed greeting in matching blue ink.

Here is the same design replacing the blue snowflakes and greeting with silver.