It's that time of year, mass production of holiday cards!

Are you interested in making your own holiday cards this year?  Would you like to make card packages as holiday gifts for friends, family, teachers?  Would you like to sell your cards at a small craft show/vendor fair?

I am going to go through here, a step by step process or recipe, I follow for making large quantities of cards.  I'd love to have you follow along!  (also, I'd love to hear your tips, ideas on this topic, and of course see your cards!)  (This is my process, my system, don't feel locked into it, use what works for you!  I have just found over the years, this approach works for me.  :)

My recipe will include, background cardstock for the actual card, patterned papers for the front of the card, a cute holiday image for the front of the card, a sentiment for the front of the card, and some misc. embellishments.  My recipe will include making cards in the standard "invitation" size, that is 5 1/2" by 4 1/4".

My first step, is to decide on what type/color of cardstock to use for making the actual background card.  This time around, I have decided on Kraft colored cardstock, that I picked up inexpensively in a package of 50 sheets at my local Michael's store. 

My second step is to prepare the cardstock, for use in cardmaking.  First, I trim the paper.  I place it on my Tonic trimmer, and cut the 8 1/2" by 11" sheets I have purchased in half.  That is, I cut the paper in half at the 5 1/2" mark, so I end up with two pieces of cardstock, from every 8 1/2" by 11" sheet I use.  I continue cutting until I have cut the entire pack this way.  Yeah, it's not huge excitement, but is easy to do while watching tv, waiting for you child to come out of school, etc.. 

My next step is to get the smaller pieces folded in two, in the shape of a card.  I accomplish this best by using my Martha Stewart scoring board.  I have tried other methods over the years, but I find this easiest and most productive.  I score each of the cards at the 4 1/4" mark.  Yes, I do each and every card, until they are all complete.

Next step, fold along the crease line, and voila!  You now have 100 card bases to begin decorating! 

I will post again in a few days with the next step(s).  The work above will take some time, so join me, and get started!  I'd love to see your final project!  Thanks for stopping by!