Making Jeweled Christmas Cards

These Christmas cards are sure to sparkle, thanks to metallic paint, clever beads, and more. You'll have trouble deciding which one to make!

On Angel's Wings

A three-dimensional angel provides an extra touch of elegance to this simple card. The acetate wings lend an ethereal air, and the card's blank interior provides room for a heavenly message. Here are the materials you'll need:

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. This is the completed On Angel's Wings card.

• 2 pieces white cardstock, 61/2x9 inches each
• Blue cloud-print paper, 6x41/4 inches
• Rubber cement
• Angel stamp
• Ink pads: black, pink
• Acetate
• Fine-line permanent black marker
• Scissors
• Sponge
• Acrylic paint: light gold, dark gold
• Toothpick
• Heart stamp
• Colored pencils: yellow, pink, peach
• Tape
• Foam mounting tape

To Make an On Angel's Wings Card:

1. Fold white cardstock in half to form a card 61/2x41/2 inches.
   
   
2. Attach cloud-print paper to front using rubber cement.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Use rubber cement to affix cloud-print paper to cardstock.

3. Stamp angel on second sheet of cardstock, using black ink. Lay acetate over angel and trace around outside of wings with permanent black marker.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Trace around wings with a black marker.

4. Cut out wings inside black lines, leaving a longer tab where they will attach to angel's body. Lightly sponge wings with light gold paint. Let dry. With toothpick, use dark gold paint to draw in feathers. Let dry.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Draw feathers using a toothpick and dark gold paint.

5. Stamp heart in pink ink below angel. Cut out heart and angel, cutting off angel's wings.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Stamp a pink heart below the angel.

6. Color angel using colored pencils. Attach acetate wings to back of the angel using tape.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Use colored pencils to color angel.

7. Attach angel and heart to front of card using small pieces of foam mounting tape.

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Use foam mounting tape to adhere angel and heart to card.

Beaded Card

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. This is the finished Beaded Card.

Spread holiday cheer with this adorable and easy-to-make card. Here's what you'll need to get started:

• Card stock: white, green, red, goldenrod
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Craft punch: star, circle
• Paper glue pen
• 22-gauge gold wire
• Wire cutters
• Package alphabet beads, 4x7mm

To Make a Beaded Card:

1. Cut white card stock to 11x71/2 inches. Fold in half to final card size of 51/2x71/2 inches. Cut 4 green 2x2-inch squares and 4 white 13/4x13/4-inch squares. Cut pattern pieces in colors indicated on patterns from template. Download the template here. Punch a goldenrod star using craft punch.
   
   
2. Refer to photo above for placement of pieces. Arrange green squares on card; glue in place. Place white squares on green squares; glue in place. Place and glue green tree, red trunk, and goldenrod stars. Glue white stripe on red ornament and goldenrod cap at top.
   
   
3. Wrap a length of gold wire around heart, with wire ends starting and ending on back of heart. Gently curl 1 inch of wire; glue to back of ornament's cap. Glue pieces to card.
   
   
4. Cut 8 inches of wire, and make a small loop in 1 end. Thread on alphabet beads to form first word, form a loop, place heart bead, form a loop, and thread on last word. Make a loop in end of wire to hold beads. Trim excess wire. (We used "Joy," "Peace," "Love," and "Warmth," but feel free to choose your own sentiments.) Repeat instructions to make second beaded wire. Glue wire strips to card; place glue dots on back of beads to hold securely.
   

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Make words by threading alphabet beads onto wire.

Star Card

This star card is sure to shine bright because it was made especially by you! You'll need the following materials to get started:

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Here is the finished Star Card.

• Card stock: white, goldenrod
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Personal paper trimmer
• Microtip paper scissors
• Goldenrod thread
• Paper glue pen

To Make a Star Card:

1. Cut white card stock to 81/2x51/2 inches; fold in half to final card size of 41/4x51/2 inches. On front flap of card, measure 11/4 inches down from top edge and 13/8 inches in from each side of card. With paper trimmer, cut an inner opening of 11/2 inches square.
   
   
2. From goldenrod card stock, cut a 3-inch square. Inside square, center and measure a 13/4-inch square. Cut out inner square.
   
   
3. From white card stock, cut a 3-inch square. Inside square, center and measure 11/2-inch square. Cut out inner square.
   
   
4. Cut 2 goldenrod stars from star pattern on template. Download the template here. Cut five 11/2-inch lengths of goldenrod thread.
   
   
5. Glue a thread end to back of each star arm. Glue second star to first, covering threads. Open card, and place star in middle of opening. Glue threads to sides of opening. Place white square frame on opening, covering threads, and glue in place. (Trim threads if needed.)
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Glue threads to sides of opening.

6. Glue goldenrod frame to front of card over opening.

Whether you like to jazz things up with jeweled Christmas cards or prefer a more traditional greeting that features trees or snowmen, the handmade cards detailed in this article are sure to deliver.


About the Craft Designers:

Christmas Tree Card by Rebekah Meier
Tree Card by Jill D. Evans
Sending Holiday Wishes by Phyllis Dunstan
Snow Buddy Pencil Toper by Trena Hegdahl
From Our Family to Yours by Janelle Hayes
Snowy Stationery by Trena Hegdahl
Cross-Stitch-Look Christmas Card by Laura Holtorf Collins
Merry & Bright Greetings by Jill D. Evans
On Angel's Wings by Rice Freeman-Zachery
Beaded Card by Jill D. Evans
Star Card by Jill D. Evans