• Use scrapbook techniques to create Christmas cards.retro christmas card design image by Christopher Ursitti from Fotolia.com
  
  Scrapbooking is a crafting phenomenon that has evolved into a life of its own, spinning off into numerous directions. One of those directions is the art of creating handmade Christmas cards. It's an art form that's easy to grasp. A quick trip down the scrapbook supplies aisle provides inspiration for making beautiful cards.
  
  

Joy

• A card that features joy is a fairly simple project that can be finished in 45 minutes. All you need is red cardstock, glittered dark green Christmas mat stack, a timber brown ink pad, jeweled gold embossing powder, an embossing heat tool, solid shimmery gold ribbon, a maison frames ink-stamp, letter stamps, a corner rounder, a 4-in-1 embossing corner punch, scissors or a paper trimmer, tape runner and a ruler. Once the cardstock is cut and folded, decorate by applying letters and a maison frames stamp onto the card and following up with embossing powder for extra shimmer. Give the card a final holiday touch by adding ribbon to the center.
  
  

Embossed Snowflake

• Complete an embossed snowflake card in an hour using dark blue cardstock, a stamp pad, winter wonderland embossing powder, embossing heat tool, Cuttlebug snowflakes, Provo Craft Cricut Opposites Attract, crystal brads, corner rounder, scissors or paper trimmer, tape runner and a ruler. What makes this card live up to its name are the snowflake impressions created by the Cuttlebug snowflakes, which are accented by crystal brads for a snow-like effect. The final touch is cutting the word "Joy" into the card with scissors or a paper trimmer for a holiday greeting.
  
  

Mittens on a Line

• Re-create the homey image of mittens drying on a line with this project that can be completed with 8-1/2-inch-by-11-inch natural paper, rubber cement, fabric remnants, string, cardboard, a pencil or pen, scissors, a hot-glue gun, mini clothespins, white glue and tissue paper. Cut out mitten shapes from the fabric and "pin" them to a line of string glued to the front of the card. Make more than one version of this card and offer the set as a gift.