Easy-Peasy Fabric Scraps Christmas Card Tutorial

So, here I am, blogging from the UK!!!  At the moment, we're in Devon, staying with the in-laws. 

I apologise for this post being a little late - we have been super-busy (cleaning, tidying, entertaining, driving back to the UK, Christmas shopping, visiting relatives, and eating, Eating, EATING)!!!  BUT I'm sure you all understand (because you've probably been racing around like headless turkeys too).  

As soon as I could pinch a few minutes to myself, I'd planned to show you some photos of the Christmas cards I made earlier this month.  But, now that I have a bit of time, I've decided to tell you HOW I made them too.  They were very easy, and didn't take too long.  And the method I used could be applied to all sorts of simple christmassy designs - and to images to suit cards for any occasion!

Here are my finished cards:

Here's what you'll need to make them:

• Some reasonably thick card (or pre-made blank cards)
• Lots of fabric scraps
• Some bond-a-web
• Pens
• Scissors
• An iron and ironing board
• A pressing cloth

And here's how to make them:

1.  Take your card, cut it to the size you want, and fold it in half (or cheat - as I did - and buy pre-made blank cards).

2.  Pull out a load of fabric scraps to use for the project, bearing in mind how you want the finished image to look.  Also, be careful to choose fabrics that aren't see-though for any bits that will be layered on top of other colours (you can see that I forgot about this 'rule' with the fabric I chose for my elves' faces). 

3.  Draw around each of your fabric scraps, on to bond-a-web.  Then cut out the shapes, just inside the lines you drew (so that the bond-a-web bits are slightly smaller than your fabric scraps).

4.  Put your iron on to a medium-heat setting (without steam).

5.  Place one of your fabric scraps face-down on your ironing board.  Then place your bond-a-web piece on top (making sure that the sticky side is touching your fabric and the papery side is facing up.  Then iron over the top of the bond-a-web until it is stuck to the fabric.  Repeat with each of your fabric scraps and bond-a-web pieces.  

6.  Now you need to draw and cut out the separate pieces for your design.  Big, simple shapes are easiest!

7.  Lay your pieces on to your card and move them around until you're happy with the design.  Take note of how the pieces overlap each other, and remember to stick them down accordingly.

8.  Take your first piece.  Pull the papery backing off the bond-a-web and lay the piece in place on your card.  Then take a pressing cloth, lay it over the top of your card, and iron over the whole thing until the fabric is stuck in place.  

9.  Do the same with all of your pieces, building up your design.  

10.  When all your fabric bits are stuck in place, you can add 'extras' with a pen (I used 'fineliner' pens to draw on the snowman's arms, the elves' faces and hair, and the snowflakes and stars).  

11.  Tadaaaaa - your card is finished!!!  Write it, pop it in an envelope, and post it off to someone you love.  

Give it a try!  It's lots of fun, and the possibilities are endless!  I'm already thinking up ideas for next year - a pile of pressies, perhaps - or a little gingerbread house with an icing roof - or some holly - or a Christmas pud.....  Any other ideas???

Anyway, before we get carried away planning for NEXT Christmas.....  I have good intentions (at the moment) to blog again before the big day - I'd like to show you all the pressies I've made!  BUT, just in case I can't squeeze another one in, I thought I'd better take this opportunity to wish you all a VERY merry Christmas!!!  I hope Santa brings you what you've wished for, and that you have a magical day!!!

Carly

x