31 Day Challenge Post #6

Christmas Card Memory Book 2012

This mini I created is the first of a trend I KNOW I'll be continuing for years to come.

 I have seen many versions of this on Pinterest for this creative way of keeping cards together from a special occasion or holiday as a keepsake.

I used my Bind-it-All to make a bound book of all my christmas cards this year.

 

 

I punched all my envelopes ONLY. I chose this technique so that I did not ruin my cards, as well as to protect some the the beautiful handmade cards I also received this year.

You can see here how you can still pull out the cards and use the envelopes as pockets.**

 

**I ALWAYS use a letter opener to open all my cards or mail I will save so that it's nice and clean, and I can use them for projects like this. I love having both the card AND envelope.

For the envelopes that were very thin, or had tears, I just used coordinating
 washi tape to strengthen where I was going to be punching.

 I used scraps of cardstock to stamp some of my favorite Christmas images to add a little more interest to the album.

For my covers I used 2 pieces of Kraft cardstock glued together to add sturdiness.

(cover is unfinished)

 

I used Prima Chalk Ink in White to stamp on my cover. Added some washi tape and sealed with Claudine Helmuth's Matte Mutli Medium

 

I made this cute tag using this adorable vintage reindeer stamp from Michael's, that I got on clearance after Christmas!!! I just added some hints of color to the wreath, berries and the white if this fur using colored pencil.

 

 

I used washi on the spine of my covers where I punched to re enforce where I punch.

 

 

I plan on making another book of all my wedding cards,  and in the future I will do this for my baby shower cards, my future Mother's Day cards, etc!!

How do YOU save your cherished greeting cards from loved ones over the years?