December 05, 2008

Crafty Christmas


Each year for the past six, I've hosted a holiday cookie swap. Everyone bakes six dozen cookies, and goes home with six dozen assorted cookies to gift to others or eat (unfortunately, it always seems to be the latter for me. Wha WHA.). The big swap is this Sunday, and I've been working on a crafty project to give as favors.

First, I bought a couple of vintage postcards. My criteria was (1) old and (2) cheap. I scanned and printed on off-white paper to give it a little "oomph" (that's technical crafty speak for upping the vintage quotient), but regular white paper worked just fine, too.


Then, I mounted on very thick board. The thickest I found was about $5, but it was enough to use for 22 postcards. I left a a small border around the art so I could go back and trim once the glue dried (so the corners wouldn't start to turn up).


I applied glittery borders and used a fine tipped paint brush to add some sparkly highlights to the art.


As the glue dried, I did notice the boards were curling up a bit. This is where having an old house with random old house parts comes in handy. Once the glitter was totally dry, the cards spent the next 24-hours under a vice corbel:


Flat as a pancake!


Now I've got an assortment of glittery goodness...some with small hooks to hang on a tree or a the wall:


And others with larger loops to hang on doorknobs:


The great cookie swap is this weekend. I'll be baking my (semi) famous biscotti, and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures so you can join in the revelry, which tends to just look a lot like this:

28 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Mrs. Shorehouse! I wish I lived on the Jersey Shore so that I could crash this party!! Such cuteness. I love those ornaments! Thanks so much for the tutorial. You do good work! I lovced your vice. LOL! I have some vices that look like that, only they are twenty pound buckets of paint. ;-)

The best part, though, was your cute picture. You are just a doll, but I knew that, picture of no. There's just one thing wrong with this picture and your post, now you've got me craving cookies. LOL!

Happy Friday and have fun at your party!

XO,

Mrs. Magpie

j.cro said...

I'm number ONE!!!

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA

You own your very own fancy paper cutter!! I was going to say I can't believe it, but actually I can.

You are my crafty inspiration my friend.

I was thinking about biscotti the other day - I'm going to have to make some.

Six dozen cookies is a lot - good luck with that.

xo

j.cro said...

Damn, I took so long to write my comment I was no longer #1.

*sigh*

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I "lovced' your vice??? I need to go back to bed now. I was up waaaaaaaay too early. ;-)

Sheila

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Mrs. M -- I was all tanned and relaxed in that pic from having just returned from St. Croix. This year's picture I will look worn and tired, and a tad more puffy, LOL.

J. cro -- I'll be baking biscotti for the next several weeks...the hoo ha is in Hoboken so I won't be down this weekend, but next week, biscotti will be coming your way! (and p.s. I borrowed the paper cutter from Mike's office. And p.p.s it's awful. I wound up cutting with a scissor!)

Tina said...

You have such wonderful style. I've never been to a cookie swap. Sounds like loads of fun! and a few extra pounds on the hips as well. Love the ornaments. So sweet and vintage.
T

Ms. Tee said...

Hi Laura!

You look so cute in your picture! And your cards are just adorable. I may have to try that. The cookies look amazing, too. :)

Hope you have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Great idea. I love the photo that has the star burst effect (last postcard shot) very magical looking. Thanks for sharing. I love visiting your blog!

Sue said...

Oh come on now....I just told Salmugundi that I'm spending the weekend baking Biscotti....we need to compare recipes...and if I'm living back in Jersey next Christmas I expect and invitation to the cookie party!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

HI Laura!
I've always wanted to do a cookie exchange! None of my friends are bakers however, so I'd be the only one baking...lol. I can't wait to see what cookies you all exchange at this year's party. Have fun!

Love your postcards -- nice idea!

Hugs, Pat

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I had to come back to also tell you I love that cookie apron! It's almost as cute as you are!

Rue said...

Hi Laura :)

I could never be in a swap, cuz I'd eat all the cookies and come empty handed. So sad, but so true LOL

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those cards! If my children hadn't broken my printer I would make some right now. That's how much I love them :)

Oh and you are absolutely beautiful inside and out ;)

xoxo,
rue

abeachcottage said...

great tutorial, what a good idea, I'd like to try that

oh and what a sweetie you are in the picture...

Sarah

Melissa said...

Laura,

Thank you so much for your kind comments. They meant a lot to me.

Melissa

Maureen said...

Wow! I love those ornaments. I would want one on every door knob in my house. So lovely.

Have a great time at the cookie swap. I can't wait to see pictures.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Brilliant ornaments! Love the cookie swap idea. I'll have to ask around the Jersey Shore to see just how famous your biscotti is (lol). Have a great time tomorrow.
♥, Susan

vicki archer said...

Such beautiful cards, they look magical. Your biscuit talk has made me hungry.... xv

heidi said...

You're awesome! The cards are gorgeous, and the added sparkles in the doorknob pic.... well, they just put me over the edge!
xoh

Linda Lou said...

You are too adorable Miss Laura, I don't think I have the craft ability to make those cards, very nice thought for your guests, and I am sure your biscotti are scrumptious-care to share the recipe???

Susan said...

beautiful !! I love glitter !

Just found your kind comment re: my big red boy. Thanks ! Much love from the gang at 29 Black Street. xo S.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Laura, is that you in the pic? You cute thing! and you crafty thing too. Love your vintage postcards all decked out. I just can't get into paper crafts that much, but I love to see what everyone else does.

Anonymous said...

I love glitter, and vintage, and cookies! Ohmyword! Wonderful post, lady!!

please sir said...

Such a clever idea - they look amazing!

Joyce said...

I'm reading backwards! OK toffee now biscotti!! My pants are tightening as I type!! How was the cookie exchange?
I love the vintage card projects!! Even the way the flash caught the hightlights giving little stars...

Mrs. Limestone said...

Love it. Great use for old cards. (And Im a sucker for glitter)

j.cro said...

YAY!! Biscotti!!!!

Jean Martha said...

those cards are so cute!!

pve design said...

Yes please, I would love a cookie!
Enjoy every minute of your craft-extravaganza.