Christmas Workshop: Mario Makes Christmas Cards!

Posted by Mario Bosquez

It's a perfect time to send greetings of love, warmth, and friendship. So I decided to create pop-up cards with special messages!

Martha Stewart's Christmas Workshop has an array of pop-up suggestions, but I decided to create a simple gift-box design topped with a red ribbon and calligraphy.

I purchased white and blue card stock; trimming the interior card 1 1/2 inches from the bottom to have space for written messages.

I folded both cards in half, making certain they fit into an envelope that could fit two folded 8-by-11-inch sheets of card stock.

Using a utility knife, I cut two parallel lines into the white interior card; making sure both lines were equal in length and positioned exactly over the fold in the card.  By the way, the cuts in the paper are horizontal.

As the instructions in the Christmas Workshop suggest, fold the interior card while carefully pushing out on the design. Voila! The beginnings of a pop-up gift card begin to take shape.

The next step: Using a glue stick, I applied the adhesive to the back of the interior card and attached it to the top portion of the outer card.

Measure two strips of ribbon to match the length of the gift box and attach with a glue stick. I think it's best to use a fabric ribbon.

You can learn to tie the bow the Martha way! After you finishing tying the bow, attach it by gluing the bow ends to the card.

Using a calligraphy pen and festive ink you can write holiday messages on the card. Here's the finished card!

What's your favorite card design?

Comments

[Peg]

How long did it take to make this card?

[Mario Bosquez]

Hi,
Thanks for your question...

Once you have the card stock (available at most stationery supply stores), the calligraphy pen and ink, ribbon and glue...this card will take approximately 20-30 minutes to construct. Thanks and happy holidays!!!

Mario Bosquez
Host/Living Today

[Lauri]

Hi Mario,

This question isn't about the card, but I couldn't find anywhere else to write.

What was the name of the lady you had on your show that talked about parties and entertaining this week (maybe yesterday?). I wanted to check out her website and couldn't remember it. I looked all over the website for a schedule of guests for your show and had no luck.

Thanks!
Lauri

[Mario Bosquez]

HI,
Thanks very much for your question. Her name is Marley Majcher and you can reach her at www.thepartygoddess.com

Thanks very much for joining me on Living Today and Happy Holidays!!!

Sincerely,

Mario

[Carol]

You can get a little fancier and make more than one present. It takes only a tiny bit longer and looks really great.

See: http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2008/05/pop-up-card-tutorial-lesson-1.html

(scroll down to the picture at the bottom of the post)

[Mario Bosquez]

Dear Carol,

I LOVE your suggestion!!! I checked out the link and will incorporate this multiple gift concept into the gift cards I am making for my nieces and nephews. As soon as I make them... I will post them here.

Many thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Sincerely,

Mario
Host/Living Today

[Carol]

Hey, have you done sliceforms at all? I just finished my cards for this year with a sliceform pop up Christmas tree. I was pretty pleased with how it came out. :)

Direct link to that page:
http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2008/12/smells-like-christmas-spirit.html

Carol
Extreme Cards and Papercrafting

[Bernadette]

I to could not find any place to send an email. How do I get the cookie recipe's, from your guest last week?

[Mario Bosquez]

HI and Happy Holidays!!!

Carol...I checked out the sliceforms and the idea looks great!!! Do you have a link for a how-to?

Also, for Bernadette and everyone... for recipes from "Living Today" write to me at livingtoday@marthastewart.com

We'll get the cookie recipes right to you!!!

Sincerely,

Mario Bosquez
Host/Living Today

[Carol]

I'm just finishing up a post with a sliceform tutorial. It should be up by early Sunday morning.

[Carol]

http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2008/12/sliceform-christmas-tree-tutorial.html

[nancy maldonado]

Attached is a letter requesting that you participate as a Latino voice in our book "Hispanic Children and their families.

I hope you will agree to contribute to our project.

Thanks so much,
Nancy S. Maldonado

Association for Childhood Education International 17904 Georgia Ave, Suite 215Olney,Maryland 20832 (301)570-2111, (800)423-3563,FAX: (301) 570-2212 Email us at headquarters@acei.org

January, 2009

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are very excited to share with you that we are currently working on a publication project for ACEI (Association for Childhood Education International) that will highlight Hispanic/Latino Children and Their Families. The approved book proposal covers a variety of topics that are of interest to educators and professionals who work with Hispanic populations. In seven or eight chapters we plan to address cultural identity, the concept of family, child rearing practices, health issues, school relationships, children with special needs, images of Hispanic families, and celebrations. A detailed proposal can be provided if you desire more information regarding our work.

We are writing to request your help. In order to truly represent the myriad of voices within Hispanic culture, we are providing the opportunity for a response forum made up of a select group of representatives from the media, religious settings, educational institutions, policy makers, artists and health professionals. These reflective voices are being incorporated in order to celebrate the diversity of our culture and to validate our work.

As a unique ‘voice’, we would ask that you consider reflecting upon one of the topics addressed in the book and provide your insight by sharing your lived experiences. This reflection would bring a unique element to our work that would highlight each chapter and help it ‘come to life’. We are asking for no more than three to five-type written pages of reflection, so that we might compile some excerpts in order to share a more representative vision of each topic. If you find that putting your thoughts on paper becomes difficult, we can make arrangements for a short – 30 minute interview where we would transcribe your ideas for you. Ultimately, you would have the opportunity to edit this piece in order to ensure that it is a true reflection of the ideas you wish to share.

Please consider being a ‘voice’ for Latinos. Your participation in this project is very important to us in that it will help make our work authentic for Hispanic families. We are certain that you are aware of the fact that the minority population in this country exceeded 100 million for the first time last year. Of this number, Hispanics were the largest minority group (44.3 million), and they are the fastest-growing minority group. By sharing your stories and your insight we can bring ‘life’ to a topic that is very important. If you are willing to participate, please respond so that we might share with you the projected timeline for this project. We would also welcome any recommendations of others who might consider sharing their story.

Saludos,

Nancy S. Maldonado Lilia C. DiBello
Lehman College of the City University of NY Barry University
Bedford Park Blvd. West Miami Shores, FL
Bronx, NY10468
Nancy.maldonado@lehman.cuny.edu ldibello@mail.barry.edu
718-960-7882 ,718-652-1656 305-899-4827