This Christmas card has a clear window across the front, and the ornaments sit on top of it, so they look like they are hanging in the air. Amanda Charlesworth of the Create with Scrimpingmommy channel shows the whole make. It looks fancy, but every part is a strip of cardstock, a piece of acetate and a few stamped baubles.
How a Christmas ornament card floats
You cut the middle out of the card front and fill the gap with clear acetate. The top and bottom strips stay solid and carry the patterned paper. Each ornament is glued to the paper strips and to the acetate with tiny dots of glue, so you see the cream liner inside through the window. Open the card and the ornaments seem to hover.
Card size and card base
Amanda cut her base 8 1/4 x 5 7/8 inches and folded it at 4 1/8, a size that fits a UK C6 envelope. In the US, use an A2 card: half a letter sheet, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, folded to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Keep the window about the same: cut 1 1/2 inches in from the fold and 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom edge. Trim the mats and acetate to suit.
Paper weight
Use 80 lb cardstock or heavier for the base. The front is in two pieces held by acetate, so thin card will flop. 65 lb is fine for the mats and the stamped ornaments. Thin acetate, about 5 mil, bends without creasing.
Envelope and mailing
An A2 card goes in an A2 envelope (4 3/8 x 5 3/4). The ornaments and the foam under the sentiment add thickness. If the card is lumpy or stiff, the post office may treat it as a non-machinable letter, which costs extra postage. Weigh one at the counter before you mail a stack. If you need help, see our guide to making a paper envelope in a custom size.
Variations
- Colours. Red and gold, silver and navy, or kraft with white ornaments all work. Match the ink to the patterned paper.
- Kid friendly. Let a grandchild color plain stamped ornaments with markers. You handle the acetate and the glue.
- Quicker. Skip the sponged edges and the trimming. Punched ornaments with a white border still look neat.
- No acetate. Leave the front whole and pop the ornaments up on foam. You lose the window but keep the shape.
If you like this style, try making real Christmas ornaments to tuck in with a gift, or matching Christmas gift tags.
Making a batch for your Christmas card list
Work in stages, like a little assembly line. Cut and fold all the bases in one sitting. Then stamp and punch every ornament at once. A dozen cards needs about 50 ornaments. Ink and trim them while watching TV. Leave the acetate until last on every card, so no glue or fingerprints get on it.
Troubleshooting
- Glue shows on the acetate. Use less than you think. A glue eraser lifts small smears once dry.
- The bottom strip is crooked. Clip it in place before you add the acetate, and line it up on the fold.
- White edges on the ornaments. Trim close and sponge ink around the cut edge.
New to card making? Start with how to make a card. For another card with a clear window, see the shaker card.
