Laurel Beard

because art shouldn't be so serious

Make Easy Handmade Christmas Cards in under 8 minutes

 

Ohhhhh, who is ready to get into the holiday spirit? I’ve got 4 Christmas card ideas for you today, all watercoloring and all anyone can do in under 8 MINUTES!!!!! Seriously, if you don’t watercolor, still watch! I bet you might want to after seeing this video. It is so easy, I promise. And you don’t need fancy watercolors or paper either! Use what you have on hand…… I’m Laurel and I’m all about the quirkiness and fun of crafting. It doesn’t have to be so serious! It’s fun! And anyone can do it!

 

Let me show you the cards up close and personal I am making in the video so you can see what is in store for you. First up, you must meet Fred!

This next card took 4 minutes to make!

Believe it or not, this took the longest because I stink at painting circles, lol!

And the texture on this tree. SOOOOOOO EASY!

 

So what are you waiting for?  I’ve got 4 EASY PEASY Christmas card project ideas right here for you. Give it a try!!! You are gonna love it!

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**Video Tutorial / How to use WATER on your projects: 6 Ways

Today’s projects and video is all about how to use water in your projects….. Adding to water to specific mediums (inks, gelatos, paint) can really elevate your projects AND stretch out your mediums and use them in different ways. Heck, you paid money for them… Why not find more ways to use them…….. Click below to watch the video!!!

Here is a look at the projects I created in the video. Some I turned into cards. Other’s I left blank intentionally and will put them in my background binder… It’s not really a binder, but I had to call it something. It doesn’t flow as good as magic mug…. Anywho, the background binder will hold all the backgrounds I made and can easily turn into cards when the occasion strikes!

Goodies used:

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Introducing the Ellen Hutson Christmas Release

I have Christmas on the brain… Last year, I was in Italy on Christmas. I am grateful for that trip because who knew the world would shut down just a few months later! The Merry Little Christmas stamp set and coordinating die comes with fun village images and trees and such. You could also make tags with this stamp set, but I chose to create a scenic village that reminded me of a trip years ago with the family when we went to Stowe, Vermont.

 

Stamping the images and watercoloring in the sky and road was really all that was needed to pull this scenic card together.

The Made This For You stamp set is comprised of lots of small images.. Great for tag making, but again – I made a card focusing on the small images……

A snowy, textured scene was my intent for this next card. I love the Birch Tree Die…. I love birch trees so naturally, I had to use this die…. I paired it with the Twirling Flurries Die (see the background there) and added lots of embossing paste to act as snow.

 

The full release can be viewed HERE! There are a ton of products in this release and I am only showcasing a hand full today. So be sure to check out the release page and let me know what catches your eye!

Goodies used:

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And the big ole’ oak tree

Oh, how I loved sitting under the big ole’ oak tree in my yard growing up! My brother and I built a fort and put little buttons on it and pretended it was a space ship. Fun times. I adore this new large cling Oak Tree stamp from Catherine Pooler. It’s large enough to cover a standard size card front and it has detailed wood grain etched in the rubber!

I thought the tree alone was a fantastic show stopper for the card….. Just some simple ink blending in the background an AWESOME sentiment.

 

In addition to the Oak tree, there is an amazing new stamp set that has “accessories” for the tree! Like a tire swing, leaves, tulips, bows….. Meet the 4-ever stamp set (also has coordinating dies).  On this card, I stamped all the images with Catherine Pooler ink, spritzed the panel with A LITTLE bit of water and let it dry….. I cut down a piece of vellum and adhered it to the panel with itty bitty dots of glue.

I flicked on some white paint for two reasons.

1.  It’s cool

2. It covers up the glue that you might see. (HA HA)

 

And last, a rainbow Oak tree. Come on… You knew I had to do it! And how cute are those hanging lights! Seriously…..

Now there are a ton of new products in this release…. From cakes to critters…….. I’ve linked to the entire release below in the product list….. Today, I am just using products from the Under the Oak Tree bundle….

So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite image from this bundle? From this whole release? Let me know in the comments!!!!!

Goodies:

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Video: How to make cards when you don’t have your supplies

How in the world do you make cards when you don’t have all your supplies with you? That was quite the debacle for me when I made these 9 cards! I was at my parent’s house and only brought a few things with me. So I had to improvise. Check out the video below to see what household stuff I found that helped me create these beauties!

 

A close up photo of the 9 cards made in the video just for you!

Goodies used:

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