I’m a procrastinator. By the first of December I am just beginning to think about my holiday card list. By the 15th I am feeling the pressure. I’ve locked myself in my stamp room with a gallon of sweet tea and a bag of Snickers bars. I’m there for the long haul.
This year I have promised myself that I will not wait until the last minute. My heart, my waistline and my temperament can’t take another year of card making stress. This holiday season I created four cards. All are simple and most are quick. I even included "Quick Tips" just in case you are locked in your stamp room with a bag of Snickers bars and pressing need to finish fast.
Simple and quick cards do not have to be boring. Find an interesting focal point and design your card around it. I loved the colors in this plaid ribbon, and I designed a card to match. Be sure to read the "Quick Tips" for this card. With some minor modifications, you can complete this project in a flash. 
Do not be afraid of "white space". The unused space on the front of a card provides a place for your eyes to rest. Abundant "white space" and the soft cool colors are soothing and comforting. Have you ever looked one of the trendy stamping magazines and gotten dizzy from all the colors and activity in the cards and projects? This holiday season slow down, simplify and enjoy this peaceful season. 
Do you have a need for speed? This is the perfect design to produce 50 - 100 cards in a day. Create the individual pieces assembly line style. Enlist the children, spouse, co-workers and neighbors to cut and punch. The techniques used on this card are simple and the whole family can help even the non-stampers! 
Are you ready for a little sparkle? Glitter glue is a quick way to make any of your holiday projects sparkle. Use the colored glitter glue alone or apply clear glitter glue to any image from holly leaves to snowflakes. Glitter glue is a fast way to make all your projects twinkle.
Here are a few more "Quick Tips" for you holiday card making marathons.
· Use patterned paper as backgrounds and punched images.
· Use multicolor inkpads to add interest to a simple image.
· Punches. Punches. Punches.
· Create the cards assembly line style.
· Buy pre-made product such as tags, envelopes, and cards.
These simple and quick cards should get us out of our stamp rooms in record time. I hope that this year by the 15th I’ll be sitting in front of the fire with a fat cat in my lap and a mug of hot apple cider in my hand.
Most of all I hope you all have a joyous and simple holiday season.
