Christmas Card Holder

For a couple of years now I have wanted something to hold the Christmas cards we receive during the holiday season. Last year, I came up with the idea of hanging them off ribbon on a bookcase in our living room but I wasn't crazy about it. When I came across this adorable Christmas card holder, I knew I had to make one of my own.

Here's my version.........

(Pic taken on Dec 1 when we only had a few cards)

I started off with a piece of wood that is 12 inches long and 5 inches wide. Actually, it was one of those tacky cheap plaques from The Dollar Tree. I like using them for projects like these because they are already painted so you don't have to paint the sides. You do have to sand down the side you'll be decopauging on pretty well though in order for it to stick.

While it was drying, I got to work on my clothespins. Originally I was going to paint my clothespins red and green but then decide decoupaging scrapbook paper on to them would probably be easier and less time consuming so that is what I did. All I did was cut my scrapbook paper to fit the clothespins, brushed on a layer of Mod Podge, and then put the paper on it and smooth it down. I did that to each side.

Once my board was dry, I cut my scrapbook paper slightly larger than the board. I brushed a layer of Mod Podge onto the board and put my paper on it smoothing it down to remove any wrinkles or bubbles. Then I brushed on another layer of Mod Podge and let it dry.

I purposely cut the paper slightly larger than the board so I could sand off the edges of the excess paper. I like doing this because I think it just gives it a more finished look.

Using my Silhouette machine, I cut out the words "Merry Mail" as well as a couple of holly leaves and berries. I ran those through my Xyron sticker machine and stuck them on the board.

Then I took red and green ribbons and glued them down on the back of the board. I also created a hanger using some of the green ribbon and secured that in the back as well.

I really love how this turned out. My only complaint is that I should have used a bigger board. These photos were taken at the beginning of the month before many cards had arrived and now that more have it is starting to get crowded. But I figure I can double them up if I need to.

How do you display the Christmas cards you receive??

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