WELCOME

Welcome to my Christmas blog. If you arrived here from my other blog, Gracenotes For Today then you already know all about my love for cardmaking, home dec items, sewing projects and graphic design.

This site will host anything with a Christmas theme, either NEW or that was previously on the Gracenotes For Today site. Also, to the above list, I will include some of my poems that are perfect for use with cardmaking.

I'm so happy you decided to drop by. Please feel free to comment on anything you see here that inspires you.

~ Grace

November 22, 2024

Under the Mistletoe

8:36 AM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Mistletoe Moment

When it's impossible to be with your special person on Christmas, we can reminisce or dream of a mistletoe moment with that loved one. Although this year is a little sad because of travel restrictions, my mistletoe card will bring a smile to my recipient's face (and possibly a tear).

Design Details

For this card, I wanted an arbor for the couple to stand under. Design Space did not have an appropriate arbor so I made my own using a window frame and removing the inside panes and bottom ledge.

The couple are from the Suburbia cartridge, since I knew my recipient would appreciate the vintage look.

The gold background is actually sparkly but not a thick cardstock -- perfect for this application.

To fill the space on the right, I decided to use an embossing folder that I've had for a few years but never used. The ornaments needed a little something extra, so I painted them with clear Wink of Stella. Photos just can't capture the shine and slight sparkle.

Mistletoe Moment

I actually designed the circular mistletoe sentiment to be placed on the card's front. It just didn't fit well there, so I came up with an inside design. The mistletoe sprig is the same as the one used on the arbor, just larger for impact.

The inside verse was prepared in word, using a circle shape as a mask, exactly the same size as my "Cricutted" embellishment. This method let me type my words all around the circle. I was able to get the correct spacing by keeping the "masked circle" on my screen until my message was completed. Then I deleted that circle.

Above photo illustrates text wrapping around the sentiment piece.

February 21, 2024

FAMILY SKATE - Two Christmas Card Designs

4:43 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Family Skating Silhouettes

This Christmas, I decided to design something more NON-traditional, and yet, it IS traditional. What do I mean?

I came across silhouettes of people skating that just happen to look EXACTLY like my children! This technique is not your typical Christmas design. Yet, the designs themselves are nostalgic for me.

A Swiss-like Scene

Daughter and Son-in-Law

My daughter and son-in-law love to travel. One of their favourite places is Switzerland. They also love to get out in the fresh air and go for walks, no matter if it's winter or not.

I designed this card, keeping in mind their love for Swiss home architecture, mountainous terrain (hills, in this case) and big beautiful pine trees. The couple skating on this card look exactly like them!

Long and Winding Skate Path

Daughter, Son-in-Law & Granddaughter

This little family is perfect for my other daughter's little family. They were thrilled with it and told me: "It' just like US! How did you do that?"

It's like I always say: Cardmaking has to be personal to the recipients, or why bother! This year, I was delighted with how these two cards turned out.

November 02, 2023

BELIEVE IN THE BABE

6:54 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Believe in the Babe of Bethlehem

The Title Says It All

In recent years, each Christmas season we see the word "Believe" showing up in holiday decor items. But what does THAT mean? Believe in what?

Of course, for many people, it is assumed that the word means believe in Santa Claus. However, the Christmas story, the REAL story is not about a jolly man in a red suit. In fact, St. Nicholas himself knew about and reverenced Jesus.

The Design

The card is 5 x 7" in shades of soft teal, taupe and aqua, with accents of gold foil cardstock.

I created this card as a reminder of the truth about Christmas. The Babe of Bethlehem, of course, refers to Jesus who is the entire reason for CHRISTmas. In fact, one fabulous Christmas store in Frankenmuth has become world-famous for its size and Christmas decorations, trees and ornaments. Busloads of people flock to Bronner's year round to experience the sparkle and delights the store holds.

What I (and thousands of others) love is that Bronner's specializes in Nativity sets and scenes, and Christmas items that are all about the birth of Jesus, who was and still is, Saviour of the World.

Poem Inside: My Christmas Wish for You

I wrote this special poem especially for Christmas 2020. It was a sad time of lockdowns and despair. Yet, the beauty of Christmas was not lost by those who treasure its meaning and joy.

I'd love to know your thoughts about this card.

December 12, 2019

Tis the Season - Christmas Card

11:56 AM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Featuring Snow Background

Tis the Season Christmas Card. Designed by Grace Baxter

Tis the Season card inside. Designed by Grace Baxter

Tis the Season Christmas Card - Inside

Card Details

Buck and Doe Christmas Card, designed by Grace Baxter

Card size: 5" x 5"

Cartridges Used:

Anna Griffith's Winter Wonderland - Buck and doe

Winter Frolic - Tis the Season sentiment

Christmas - Pine trees

Trees: 2 sets

Cut 2 @ 1.848w x 1.379h

Cut 2 @ 1.924w x 1.458h

Deer:

Cut 1 @ 2.959w x 2.679h

Cut the buck from gold CS and the doe from silver

Background:

Cut from beige cardstock 4.5" x 4.5"

Spatter with watered-down white craft paint

Snowy Hill:

Cut a piece of white cardstock 5.5"w x 2.5"h

Tear the top edge and add sparkle pen. I used Wink of Stella, Clear

November 26, 2019

Double-Flip Nativity Card

4:33 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Christ the Saviour is Born

I designed this card to tell the story of Christmas. Shepherds in the fields, amazed by the large star over the stable where Baby Jesus rests in the manger.

Card Front

3-panel nativity scene Christmas card. By Grace Baxter

Christ the Saviour is Born ~ Card Front

The Nativity panel is doubled to display when card is closed and open.

Card Inside

O Come, Let Us Adore Him ~ inside panels

Details

Card size: 12"w x 5-1/2"h

Closed card is 4" w x 5-1/2"h

All panels created in Cricut Design Space. Bottom banner spans the entire card; designed in Word.

Front panel: The words 'Christ' and 'Saviour' are cut twice from white and once from gold foil cardstock. Inside, the large gold star was made the same way.

Fonts used: Cricut Sans and Botanicals

Shepherds from: Dimensional Scenes - Nativity

Nativity panel: December 25th, Teresa Collins

"Christ" and "Saviour" from Every Day is a Holiday

August 03, 2018

Beautiful Skater Tag

10:54 AM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Elegant Tag for Girls of All Ages

It's fun to make unique tags for that extra large gift, or for the gift that is going to bring the most excitement and joy to the recipient. This one is frosty with a touch of nostalgia in the skater.

Skater

The gift wrap used is actually very shiny. I Cut a pretty frame from Elegant Edges out of glittery aqua cardstock (pic doesn't do it justice). Frame size is 5-1/2".

The skater and all her layers are cut at 4 inches. Skater is from Winter Woodland cartridge.

Dress and Skates

The dress is cut from sparkly dotted cardstock from DCWV Cherry Limeade stack. The pic doesn't show the raised shine of the skater's dress.

The trim layer pieces are plain white cardstock, glittered with sparkle dust.

Skates are plain white cardstock with silver glitter added to the blades. Isn't she lovely!

December 24, 2017

CHRISTMAS JOY

1:34 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Sending Christmas Joy

The perfect card design for a sister who shares my memories of skating together, years ago. Oh, the hours we'd spend on the ice until our toes were frozen! (Click pictures for close-up.)

ice skates Christmas card - created by Grace Baxter

Figure Skates, Shimmery Gold accents, Snowflakes and Greenery

Details

This card is a generous size: card base measures 4-1/4" x 6-1/2". It is thick with layers and needed to be mailed in a protective, puffy envelope to protect the skates.

Everything was created in Cricut Design Space EXCEPT for the punched pine branches. See list of cartridges below.

Inside

Figure Skates Christmas Card -- Inside

Poem and Verse, by Grace Baxter

Cartridges Used:

White embossed background overlay, flourish design label, from Elegant Edges, embossed with snowflakes
Gold foil frame, flourish rectangle, from Elegant Edges
Sentiment frame shape, label from Heritage
Figure skates, from Go Canada!
"Sending Christmas Joy" sentiment, written with Alphalicious font

Merry Christmas, Friends!

December 22, 2017

2-Minute TAGS

4:05 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Gift Tags in a Flash

Here is the quickest way to make pretty Christmas tags for your gifts.

Start with a package or two of gift tag stickers. I bought mine from Joanne, on sale. Choose the red and green combo, gold and silver, or blue with silver. I like a variety to go with any bag or wrap.

Gift tag stickers are, when stuck directly on a gift -- flimsy and ordinary. They also get thrown out with the ripped off wrappings. With my beefed-up tags, they can be used every year! Just save them after all the gifts are opened.

Tags From Scraps

It's a great way to use scraps of foil cardstock, which we know can be pricey. I also used regular matte red and green.

Punch the corners and punch a small hole for ribbon or cording to go through. I always have red, green, gold and silver cording on hand for Christmas tags.

I also punched some tiny notes from silver CS to use either as confetti or to glue to other tags. I like the added gleam. Foil tags give sparkle on the gifts when the tree lights shine on them.

Cutting Tags from Shimmer and Foil Cardstock Scraps

Have fun making these easy, pretty gift tags!

December 11, 2017

EASY NOEL BLOCKS

12:20 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Easy and Fun NOEL Blocks

These Christmas blocks make up so quickly, you might want a few sets that say different festive phrases!

SUPPLIES

4 wooden cubes. Mine are 3" x 3" x 3"
White cardstock
Silver shimmer cardstock
Gold foil cardstock
Red foil cardstock (optional)
Red rhinestones
A favourite chunky font. I used the Storybook font because of the elegant serifs.

LAYERS

The above photo shows the 4 layers. Bottom to top they are: silver, gold, red, green. RED layer may be omitted if using red gems. See breakdown of layers below.

Silver layer, bottom	Gold layer
Red layer added	Green layer added

DIRECTIONS

Cut squares from white cardstock to fit your blocks.
Cut letters as large as possible, leaving 1/4" border
With any Cricut machine, cut the various layers from Silver, Gold, Red and Green.
Red cardstock is optional and not really necessary IF you plan on using red rhinestones to give the blocks a more sparkly and chunky look.

Thanks for visiting.

Merry Christmas!

July 08, 2017

What's YOUR Favourite Theme?

6:23 PM | Posted by Grace Baxter | Edit Post

Favourite Christmas Themes

Do you have a favourite Christmas theme that you enjoy seeing year after year?

I'm going to be starting on my Christmas cards earlier this year and I want to include designs that my followers enjoy seeing as inspiration.

I'd love to know YOUR favourite choices! Tell me your faves and I'll see what I can design around those themes!

Here are a few standard Christmas themes:

Nativity scenes: manger, Baby Jesus, wisemen, angels, star

Christmas Trees: inside or outside

Floral: Poinsettias, holly, ivy, mistletoe

Home & Hearth: candles, fireplaces, hot chocolate, mittens and scarves

Snow: snowy scenes, snowmen, children with sleds etc.

Sleighs: Santa's sleigh, reindeer, old-fashioned sleighrides

Nature Scenes: woodsy backgrounds with deer or other wildlife

Music: Musical instruments, choirs, carolers, Christmas music.

Here are a few of my cards from previous years, in the above themes. Click any picture for larger view. For details on any card, click the card title to the right of the picture.