Do you want some fun modern ways to add Plaid to your Christmas Card designs? Today I have 6 cards to share with you doing just that! Welcome back to my Same But Different Christmas Card Series for 2020!
But before I start, did you know that I used to ‘Highland Dance’….
Here is something not so modern…. this is me in full ‘kilt’ attire, just a few years ago now… my amazing Mother sewed ALL of my outfits, can you believe it! I’ll bet she can remember the name of this Tartan, maybe I will have to ask her… my memory is that it was greys and blues…..
We had to travel to an amazing Tartan shop in Melbourne (a full day journey, though not quite horse and cart) which sold the fabric and I could choose anything, it seriously reminded me of the ‘wand’ store in the Harry Potter movies and I loved every minute of it!
Idea No. 1- Backgrounds
Starting with this amazing Christmas Plaid paper pad from Memory Box which was the inspiration for today’s cards. Highlighting a big bold Merry & Bright sentiment from MFT.
With a rectangle Hemstitch feature and a sweet little Copic coloured Penny Black Bird.
For my next background I added some golden die cut Festive Clusters from Altenew.
As well as a simple sentiment from the Festive Poinsettia stamp set.
Idea No. 2 – Creatures
Starting with a ‘classic’ plaid creature the Leaping Reindeer, but I did actually pop up the background for something just a little different.
I added a sentiment from one of my fave MFT sets called Hand-Lettered Holiday Greetings which I am happy to say was re-released this year!
My next creature is a ‘handmade’ die cut Harper-esque bird. Which I created using some simple circle dies from Ellen Hutson.
This sentiment is from the Love and Light Stamp Set.
Idea No. 3 – Stamped Plaid
Time to create our own patterns and I started the easy way, using the Tartan stamp set from Altenew. I added a Starry Night Christmas tree.
And a die cut sentiment from the Merry and Joy die set from Penny Black. ooh and a few Pinkfresh Jewels to decorate.
And my final design was stamped with a mix of striped stamps from the Plaid Play and Painted Stripes stamp sets. I added a Joyful Wreath.
And a Merry Reindeer with a fun little Chat Bubble sentiment.
Here they are together…
and more….
and again.
You can see my video here or Watch it in HD at YouTube.
I hope that you are inspired to create some Plaid card designs this Christmas and if you do, I would love it if you’d tag me so that I can see what you create!
And yes there is still more to come! Big Christmassy hugs,
Other Supplies: Cardstock Bazzill – Spinach / Leapfrog Copics – 0 / E31,33 / R 05,11 / W2,4 / G91,93.
 Neenah 110 EH |  Neenah 80lb EH |  Black EH |  Taffy EH |
 Gold Mirror ALT |  Christmas Plaid Paper Pack SSS | EH |  Foam SSS | EH |  Merry & Bright Die SSS | AUZ | EH |
 Hemstitch Rectangles SSS | OTH |  Snow Much Fun PB |  Festive Clusters Die ALT | SSS | AUZ | EH |  Festive Poinsettia ALT | AUZ | EH |
 Reindeer Leaps PB | EH |  Hand Lettered Holiday Greetings OTH |  Essential Circles EH |  Gingerbread Plushie Skellie Add-On Dies EH |
 Love and Light EH |  Tartan ALT | SSS | EH |  Starry Night ALT | EH |  Merry and joy PB | EH |
 Merry Reindeer ALT | SSS | AUZ | EH |  Painted Stripes EH |  Plaid Play OTH |  Joyful Wreath SSS | EH |
 Chat Bubbles PB | SSS |  Versamark Ink SSS | AUZ | EH |  Tuxedo Black SSS | AUZ | EH |  Nocturne SSS | AUZ | EH |
 Morning Mist SSS | AUZ | EH |  Limestone ALT | SSS | EH |  Rockin Red AUZ | EH |  Eucalyptus AUZ | EH |
 Sage AUZ | EH |  Copic Markers SSS | EH |  Pinkfresh – Jewels Mix SSS | AUZ | EH |  Powder Tool SSS | AUZ | EH |
 WOW Heat Tool SSS | AUZ | EH |  Opaque Bright White SSS | AUZ | EH |  Red Droplets EH |  Crystal Katana SSS | AUZ |
 Tweezers SSS | EH |  Spring Scissors SSS | AUZ | EH |  Scissors SSS | AUZ | EH |  Craft Knife SSS | EH |
 Gemini Junior SSS | AUZ | EH |  Bone Folder EH |  Stamp Blocks SSS | EH |  Mini Score Board SSS | AUZ | EH |
 MISTI ALT | SSS | AUZ | EH |  Mini MISTI ALT | SSS | EH |  Precision Tip SSS | EH |  Multi Medium Matte SSS | AUZ | EH |
 Zig Chisel Glue Pen SSS | EH |  Foam Squares SSS | EH |  Thin Foam Squares EH |  Foam Squares small SSS | EH |
 Foam Squares SSS | EH |  Tape 1/2 SSS | EH | Tape 1/4 SSS | EH |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
You have an amazing creative talent. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks so very much Shar!
I’m not normally into plaid but you have changed my mind. Lots of inspiring ideas here. I also enjoyed the extra side camera angle too.
Glad that you may give it a try, hope that you have fun with it Christine!
Wonderful cards, Therese! I love plaid/tartan, and I might just have to get me that Memory Box paper. Love the photo of you Highland Dancing too!
Yes, that photo was taken a few years ago now lol. thanks so much Linda!
Darling photo of you and your Mom is an incredible seamstress! Oh, and your plaid cards are amazing as well!
Yes indeed she is one of the most talented crafters I know, she can do anything and she was a great teacher too!!
Firstly I don’t think you had shared that bit here before – your mum sure sounds awesome! a whole day to buy fabric and then she sewed it that is a great effort.
WOW! Such great inspiration. Now I’m sure I have some plaid paper here! 😉
The gold foil is just stunning. Some great quick cards for when I haven’t got the right one!
Yes, I would have to agree about the awesomeness of my Mum, she is one of those people that can just do anything crafty, she is an inspiration!
Wow! All the cards are so lovely. I have to say the starry tree on your handmade plaid background was my favorite. So glad of the rerelease if the hand drawn greetings. Such a lovely script.
Cheers
Lisa
Yes I agree, the re release of this set made me so happy, I am sure I squealed… is that weird? lol.
After attending a catholic high school in Canada and wearing a kilt as my uniform, I thought I’d never really like plaid again but that paper is gorgeous! I can honestly say I love every card you made! My mom is a sewer too so I can appreciate all the work your mother put into your outfit! What an adorable picture!
Yes, I totally hear you lol, I had to wear Tartan style summer dresses and winter skirts to school too, they were never as beautiful as the kilts my Mother made!
Oh Therese, what can I say? All your cards are just fabulous and all so different too! I had to look in my stash to see just how many of the items you used that I have. I’m pleased to say I have the majority of the stamps and dies…and plenty of tartan paper pads. I have to say you had me as soon as I saw the tartan. It always tugs my heartstrings and brings back happy childhood memories. I was born in Scotland, had many a kilt and also took Highland dance classes. Sadly, I don’t have any photos. They’re probably in a album somewhere. Thank you once again for the amazing inspiration. I will definitely be putting it to use within the next few weeks. Your blog is such a great place for us getting to know just a little bit more about each other. Take care and stay safe â¤ï¸
I’ll bet you had some beautiful kilts too Delia and to be born in such a beautiful place as Scotland, it’s amazing and the people there are so lovely too! We had the most wonderful holiday there camping in our Combi, we drove right round, through the Highlands, to the islands and went to the distilleries (I was designated driver as my hubby is the whisky connoisseur lol)… yes, great memories to share, thank you!
Great cards Therese and I loved seeing that pic of you! It brought back my irish dancing days!
There are so many of us that ‘danced’ it’s such fun to hear!
What a darling photo of you, Therese! I did NOT know this – but never surprised to add another talent to your very long list! One day, we’ll have to compare our ancestry!
I’m MAD about plaid – any Tartan will do! Yours are all brilliant and set such an awesome stage for each and every on of your designs, my friend!
Cheers to another incredible Same but Different year!
Off I go… I might be playing a little Scottish reel music for background while I watch today!
=]
It was such a long time ago I feel like I have almost forgotten that i did it myself lol. But I do have a love for all things Tartan and this paper pad was perfect!
Thank you for these wonderful cards. I’m excited to rummage through my papers to find some plaids. I have to say, I love the leaping deer one the most. Very nostalgic!!!!â¤ï¸
To me that’s ‘classic’ plaid + Christmas lol. Glad to hear that you like them Michelle!
I love love all your cards, Therese – especially the one done in soft grays using the Altenew tartan stamps. I lived in Scotland for three years (husband in Air Force) and two of my boys were born there. There was a The Tartan Shop on Princes Street in Edinburgh and I bought a royal stewart scarf which i still have and all I could afford to buy – thanks for stirring up the memories.
Oh yes, there is nothing cheap about authentic Tartan lol, but I know that your scarf would be absolutely beautiful and timeless! I’ll bet you loved your time in Scotland, it’s the most beautiful place, thanks so much for sharing Betty!
This was such a fun video……..and a great hubby – ha! I love your take on the plaids and the elegance of some of these cards. Wow. Also love your photo. Now I feel like I know you even better. You are a real joy and inspiration!
Yes, he is definitely a keeper lol. And I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this video Maureen!
YOU highland dance, too? How exciting, and your mum is a fantastic seamstress! Love these plaid cards, Therese. Excited to watch the video.
Aren’t we a clever bunch of little dancers, there seem to be so many of us lol. And yes, my Mum can do any craft she puts her mind to, she is such an inspiration!
Loved seeing this picture. I came over from YouTube just to see it! Your Mom is a very talented seamstress and I’ll bet she has lots of other artistic talents, as well!
She is the most amazing woman and loves crafting, she can do anything! Me I stick to paper…. that sounds like a pun lol.
Such a wonderful group of cards, you have such a knack for design Therese. And I love that photo of you dancing and the comment about going to Melbourne for the material but not quite horse and cart. That cracked me up cause these days the grandkids are starting to make me feel like I was born back then. For a text message from my 16 yr old grandson and I had to look up some of the idioms and letters such as idk to work out what he was saying. Xx Aileen
hahaha I know what you mean! I saw this great meme the other day when a child asked her Mother what is was she did in the ‘olden days’, so she turned off their TV, took the phone off them and sent them outside to play until the street lights came on lol.
My heart goes pitter-patter for plaid every single time. You knocked the designs out of the park today girlie. And I didn’t know you “Highland Danced”. What a fun talent and memory. Thank you for sharing. You were one darling little girl and so beautiful now!
thank you so very much my friend, I probably really didn’t have a choice as my Mother used to teach and judge Highland Dancing so she started me at 4 years old lol. It was a lot of fun and kept me out of trouble…
What a cute picture. I love that style of dance. Think its too late for me to learn? 😉 amazing cards and creativity. You never cease to inspire and amaze. Be well my friend. Oh, and how sweet of your hubby to bring you flowers.
We are never too old to learn lol. thanks so very much Kim!
Oh Therese you take me back a wee bit with your cute photo no doubt doing the Highland Fling. I sewed my two girls outfits when Andy Stewart (showing my age here) came to town. Anything tartan catches my eye and sadly the passing of Sir Sean Connery dressed in his kilt and recently Jamie Frazer.
Loved watching you make these amazingly beautiful cards with the beautiful ‘tartan’ papers. My favourite is the deer. Thanks for another wonderful video. So nice to ‘see you’.
Thanks so much Ina, it was such sad new about Sean, I can’t believe that he was 90 years old, he seemed ‘ageless’ for such a long time. and Jamie Frazer, i’ve read the books (which were wonderful) but couldn’t watch the series as it strayed too far from the original story for me… maybe when I’ve forgotten the books I can watch it then lol.
I love each of these cards and they are all so different, from fun to elegant! I love your bird you created, your sparkle tree on the soft colors, the hemstitching, and that little deer poking his head out of the wreath!
Look at you in your tartans! What a great photo! I’m really feeling the love here today – first, your mom sewed for you, then your husband brought you flowers – life is good! I lived in Scotland for a short while and still have a “closer than a sister” friend there. She gave me a tartan pad of papers and knew I would hoard it, so she gave me two!
Thanks so very much Kara, I agree that Life IS Good! ps and my husband is a keeper lol.
I do love all the different techniques you integrate in all of your beautiful cards. You are definitely an artist. xx
What an inspirational post Therese! We have all learned more about you, and of course, been bowled over by your beautiful cards. Reading through the comments, I am impressed by the camaraderie amongst crafters – the love of sharing, both creations and personal stuff, and the support and recognition given so freely for shared creations. It is definitely my happy place, and I can rely on seeing and hearing such positive ideas! your cards are awesome and your photo is really cute!
Hi Ann, I totally agree with you, the papercrafting community is such a supportive and happy place to be! I have made so many wondeful friends and am happy to say that I have met many IRL too, though it is my dream to go to the Papercraft convention in the US one day… though that will not be for a few years, but it’s on my bucket list, maybe we should book a private plane for us all lol. One day I hope to do some live filming but have yet to work out the technicalities of it (I may have to ask my nieces and nephews how, or the 5 year old down the street haha). Hope you have to most fabulous weekend, Crafty hugs, Therese x
I loved your photo! I can imagine you dancing and it certainly looks like you enjoyed every moment! 🙂 the look of tartan, but just don’t use it enough, Therese! Thanks for the push.. I have some dear Scottish friends i make cards for and these are some fresh ideas! Take care!! Crafty hugs Helen x
What a gorgeous collection, Therese … there’s something comforting and cosy about plaid/tartan … add in your talent and skill in design and we get freshness, fun, festivity and a delicious touch of pizazz! My faves are the neutral plaid with the Christmas tree and the Merry and Bright with that tiny bird (love those hemstitch frames!). Not been around in blogland recently … that means I still have three more of your videos to watch … such a treat! What a fabulous photo … you sure have a talented Mum … must run in the family! Your DH is a sweetie … those flowers are just beautiful … hope they’re still blooming! Hugs, Anita 🙂
Yes, my Mother is one ‘crafty’ lady who can conquer any type of craft she puts her mind to, she is a great inspiration! So happy to see you here and I do hope you enjoy your catch up!