Don't want to buy expensive christmas cards to send to your friends and family? Make them yourself! The result is more personal, artistic and it even looks great! In this instructable I'll try to show you how to make my christmas cards using a stencil and spray paint. Easy!

In the process of making these cards I thought 'hey, I could make this into an instructable'. I didn't have my camera laying around so I had to use my iPhone. So please bare with the quality of these pictures.

Things you'll need:
- sheets of paper (preferably around 250 gr/m²)
- Spray paint (or ink and roller)
- (exacto) knife
- sheet of plastic
- a ruler
- designing software and printer or a pencil and drawing paper.

Step 1: Making the Cards

Start out by deciding on the dimensions of your Christmas card. I wanted mine to fit into a 14x14 cm envelope, so I went for 13x13cm (these are the dimensions of the folded card). I used some large sketchbook paper and cut it into sheets of 13x26cm. Obviously you can use whatever paper you have laying around, but it works best with heavy/thick paper, because of the oily stuff of the spray paint which has a tendency to sink through the paper.

for easy folding make a crease using a ruler and a blunt object (In this case I used a screwdriver, but you can also use the blunt part of a knife.)

Fold your cards.

Step 2: Creating the Stencil

Use your favorite designing software to create a christmas design and print it. Or if you prefer the old fashioned way, use a pencil and paper (or charcoal and papyrus). Make sure your design fits the dimensions of your card. (Ofcourse you may also use my design)

Use some tape to attach your design to a piece of sheet plastic and cut out the stencil using a (exacto) knife.

design.pdf
Download

Step 3: The Fun Part

You're almost ready for the fun part!
Make sure your piece of plastic is large enough to cover the entire card (initially mine wasn't large enough so I had to attach another strip of plastic). Using the stencil apply a thin coat of paint to your card. Remove the stencil and leave the card to dry.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3

Now it's time to make a bunch!

To prevent excess paint from dripping onto your cards make sure you clean your stencil occasionally.

Now all you have to do is add some holiday wishes and your christmas cards are ready to be sent!