How to Make DIY Christmas Cards with Goof Proof Greeting Cards

"Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when everything sparkles—tinsel, snow, and maybe even a little glitter from your last art project. For us, it’s also the perfect season to grab our favorite supplies and dive into making handmade Christmas cards. This year, we’re walking you through the process of creating festive cards with Cheap Joe’s Goof Proof Greeting Cards—an absolute game-changer for personalized holiday greetings.

Why We Love Cheap Joe’s Goof-Proof Cards

Let’s start with the star of the show: Cheap Joe's Goof-Proof Greeting Card Set - Deckled Edge, Box of 25. These beauties make creating custom cards a breeze. The set includes high-quality 5x7 card blanks with matching envelopes and, most importantly, cold-pressed watercolor paper inserts. That insert feature is a lifesaver—you don’t have to worry about messing up your design directly on the card itself. If a mistake happens, just redo the insert, attach it, and voilà—no one’s the wiser. Plus, the deckled edges give them that elegant, hand-touched vibe.

The Koda Card: Our Festive Inspiration

This year, we painted Koda, a regal Red Limousin bull that’s practically Christmas-ready in his rich red coat. We envisioned him pulling Santa’s sleigh (reindeer deserve a day off too, right?). The result? A whimsical, festive piece of artwork that’s personal and fun to share.

But here’s our pro tip for long holiday card lists: “Paint One, Print Many.” Create one larger painting, snap a great photo, and have it printed to fit the card size. This way, everyone gets a handmade feel without you pulling all-nighters to paint dozens of cards.

Step-by-Step Card Creation

1. Gather Your Supplies
   
   Here’s what we used to make our cards:
   • Tracing paper (Cheap Joe’s Starving Artist variety—budget-friendly and durable)
   • Carpenter’s pencil (ideal for transferring patterns)
   • Kilimanjaro 300lb Watercolor Block (no warping, even with heavy washes)
   • Kolinsky Sable Brush Set (luxurious, precise, and worth the investment)
   • Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Liquid Watercolors (vivid, concentrated, and just fun to use)
   • Master’s Watercolor Tray (perfect for mixing and keeping colors wet longer)
   
   
2. Create Your Pattern
   After printing a black-and-white photo of Koda for reference, I used tracing paper and my carpenter’s pencil to transfer the design onto my watercolor paper. A kneadable eraser helps lighten heavy graphite lines—great for keeping your work clean.
   
   
   
   
3. Layer Your Watercolor Washes
   I started with a light base wash for Koda, then layered deeper tones to add dimension. Santa’s sleigh got its own bold red treatment, and I used a touch of Phthalo blue for snow shadows. The process is so satisfying—each layer makes the image pop a little more.
   
   
   
   
4. Photo Finish
   Once the painting dried, I photographed it in natural light (pro tip: overcast days work best). After tweaking the photo, I printed it to match the card size. Mounting it onto the Goof-Proof cards was easy with the included adhesive strips.
   
   

Creative Ideas for Leftover Greeting Card Materials

Got leftover materials? Here are a few bonus projects:

1. Turn small scraps into bookmarks or gift tags.
2. Create coloring pages for kids by outlining a festive design.
3. Design mini paintings or magnets as keepsakes.

Whether you’re painting reindeer, snowflakes, or a festive bull like Koda, Cheap Joe’s Goof-Proof Cards make the process joyful and, well, goof-proof. Plus, the recipients get a one-of-a-kind piece of art they’ll treasure long after the holidays. So, grab your brushes and let the holiday magic begin!