Single-layer simple Christmas card

This past week I've been frantically trying to get most of my Christmas tasks done. I made treats for a few gifts, packed up and shipped out the gifts that had to be mailed, and finished making my Christmas cards. And I think I bought the last Christmas gift today. Whew. The next item to check off the list will be mailing the cards; most of them are done, and I hope to finish the last bunch tonight.

Last Wednesday when it came time to finish creating the cards, I needed a design that was simple and easy to reproduce -- I still needed ten cards, and I knew that was going to be my last chance to make them. But I wanted something that was striking, too. I decided on a crisp white card base, a simple sentiment and three little pops of color.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Cardstock: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Merry Minis punch pack, rhinestones, Envelope Punch Board (for rounding the corners), Mono Multi liquid glue

I made nine cards with this layout; three cards using each of the shapes from the Merry Minis punch pack (tree, star and ornament). I placed rhinestones between the punched shapes to add a little sparkle.

Single-layer cards always make me a little nervous -- there really isn't any way to hide or disguise an ink smudge or crooked cut. Thankfully I got through this set without any major slip-ups. And I'm really happy with the way they turned out. (Although to be honest, I worry a little bit that other people will think it's too simple.)

Before I settled on this layout I made a version with the same sentiment and color combo, but using the Tape It stamp set instead of punched shapes.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Many Merry Messages, Tape It
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Rhinestones, Envelope Punch Board (for rounding the corners)

I liked this design, too, especially the greeting going off the edge of the card and the group of three rhinestones. But in the end I decided I wanted to have a little more Christmas feel to the cards, so I replaced the stamps with the punched shapes and tweaked the layout a bit. Which design do you like better?







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