Whimsy Stamps ~ Quick Easy Christmas Cards with an International Twist!

Hey crafty friends, I have been having the best fun doing some Online Card Classes with Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner lately. They have a stellar line up of different teachers working with them each time. Cathy Zielske, Jaycee Gaspar, Laura Bassen and Dana Joy taught classes this time. I've taken classes with each of these instructors before, which is why I wanted to come back for more. The pace is great, the inspiration is wonderful and though I'm a pretty seasoned crafter, I still either learn something new each time or am reminded to dip back into old techniques I've not tried for a while. I cannot afford the expensive classes that are offered by 'craft companies', where they provide you with stash as part of the classes, these are prohibitively expensive for me in New Zealand. So I'm always delighted when the Online Card Classes pop up, because although they may suggest some fabulous current stash to work with, they always encourage you to 'shop your stash!' So these classes are accessible for me and the baseline cost of the classes is really reasonable. I really enjoy them and they are wonderful value for money.

If you've been following my Instagram posts, you'll have seen that I posted a lovely set of cards first in greens. My favourite colour you'll recall if you've been following me a while. I was super excited to create this set, because I followed one of the classes Laura Bassen taught, adapting the design to work with what I had in my stash. I happened to have this cute tree from Whimsy Stamps, which is very 'whoville' in style, I think. I had this comment from someone on my IG posts and I couldn't agree more! I think this quirky fun tree worked so well for this adaptation of Laura's design. 

My first go at this design was the green trees that I paired with the Kiwi Christmas sentiment 'Meri Kirihimete'. I actually cried when I first saw this stamp set, because it meant so much to me that Deb and Denise from Whimsy Stamps would include a Kiwi Christmas sentiment in the set! I was deeply touched by this and I have to say, I absolutely LOVE the font they chose for it. This set of two cards, inspired a whole lot more in different colours and using more of the wonderful Merry Christmas Around The World Sentiments from Whimsy. 

The next set I made was in blue and I added the lovely Italian Christmas sentiment Buon Natale to this set. I have a couple of Italian crafty pals, I'd love to send these to, fingers crossed they like blue! I toyed with the idea of adding some embellishments to the trees and did try a few options, but the design was way cooler completely CAS. I think it's striking and so fun in every colour! 

I then made a couple of cards with a more rainbow theme. I have a couple of German crafty friends, I'd like to send these to and the rainbow theme with it's uplifting hopeful vibe was just the ticket for these two. I paired them with different envelopes, these looked great with yellow, green and orange envelopes.

For my last set for now, (there will be more for sure, I'd like to use all the sentiments in this set), I've stamped these Dutch Christmas greetings. I went back to green, because I loved the first set so much and I'm really pleased with these. I'll perhaps go for a purple combination for the next set I make, but for now, I'll address and post these off, because International post takes an age and I'll be lucky if they arrive before Christmas! 

The cool tree I used for these cards is from the Whimsy Stamp Set Season's Creepings, quirky, fun and a little dark! But there's no hint of darkness in this design, just quirky fun. Most of the lovely envelopes I've paired these cards with are from Gina K Designs. All the inks I've used without exception, for these designs were from the VersaFine Clair range. They stamp so beautifully, I just used an acrylic block which made this batch make come together very quickly. If you want a 'perfect' finish, by all means use a stamping platform, but these inks are just so good, I didn't have much issue if any with ink skipping. 

Whimsy has a really wonderful New Release out right now, full of Christmas joy and some super fun themes for the New Year. Check out that amazing Lava Lamp die! If you're new to Whimsy or haven't shopped there for a while, my links will give you a one off 10% discount.

Click image above to see Gina K's full range of Envelopes at SBC

(I share thumbnails to the elements I design with in order to make your search for them easier, in case you like something I've used. I do use affiliate links where possible, which gives me a tiny commission but costs you no extra whatsoever. If you're new to Whimsy or haven't shopped there for a while, my links will give you a 10% discount. It helps the companies I design for to improve their marketing practice and track my contributions if you use these links. I am deeply grateful if you use them for these reasons. I am proud to design for the companies I do and always feel happy to share where my inspiration and where my crafty stash comes from. I am occasionally gifted products to use, but I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own.)

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