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i made 30 cards...not one the same ....and had a blast doing it ! but, i found that all of mine were thick !! extra postage required. next year i swear (have i done this before??) that i will make flatter cards.
i will have to see if i stick to that resolution......very hard for me to do that.
I think that might be an American thing - I don't think we have to pay extra postage for that in Canada...but I'm not sure if I have ever tried. But, I think that if it's a regular letter size envelope, it doesn't cost us extra.
Will have to check it out.
__________________ Check out my blog for ramblings and samples: here
LOL, I thought I was alone. Yes. I have now made that resolution. They can also get ruined in the machines if you do not pay the extra. It's ok for occasional cards, but a bit much at Christmas time.
I live in Canada and it is definitely more postage required for mailing.....trust me I know. I have had cards returned so now when I make a card I take it to the post office and they have an acetate slot that they measure your card with....if it goes through the slot it is regular price, if it won't go through you pay extra and that slot is so thin and narrow most of my cards with pop dots don't fit through. If I can't get to the post office and I am not sure I will add an extra stamp.
For some fun card ideas that are flatter then most check out the gallery with one layer cards ....olc. Sometimes the cas...clean and simple gallery has some cards that would mail great too. I feel your frustration.
My cards were my gift to my friends...so I don't mind the extra postage. While I was going to have to spend the money anyway I used square envies. So far they are a big hit and 6 have framed their's for permanent Christmas decor...what a compliment! Each had not less than 30 pieces of bling on the tree.
I won't be joining that resolution. I like knotted ribbon and pop dots, so I just can't resist a little lumpy bumpiness. I don't send that many cards at the holidays, so I don't mind sticking on an extra stamp. I do understand how it can add up fast if you're mailing 30+ cards though.
__________________ *Alice* All science is either physics or stamp collecting. -Lord Kelvin
I always get hit with the extra .20 charge. Even if it is a brad or knot on a ribbon! I tried very hard this yr to make flat cards. But of course there are "special" people on my list that I will spend the extra mpostage on!:mrgreen:
I will let you know after I mail them out how I did postage wise!
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
I don't think I could stick to that resolution. I am, however, going to try a lot more CAS cards this year. I'd like to join in on those challenges!! You can make CAS cards with dimension, right?
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Mine was a flat cuttlebug emboss...Winter Houses. Very simple and easy. I did have to color in all that snow on the houses and trees. I also stamped and embossed in glitter Santa and his reindeer at the top. That's about it.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I went with flat cards this year. I was tired of trying to make bows and ribbon flat, so this year's cards don't have ribbon on them. I did use dimensionals, but they really don't make a card that lumpy to cause problems.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
I mailed out 65 cards on Monday morning - yes some were lumpy, others bumpy and others flat - I put a reg stamp on 64 of them and so far have not gotten one back yet - the 65th card was a 5 X 5 square so that got a 61 cent stamp. I never bring the cards into the post office - I always drop them in the box in the parking lot....in the past 5 years that I have been making cards and mailing them I have never gotten one back for postage due!
I live in Canada and it is definitely more postage required for mailing.....trust me I know. I have had cards returned so now when I make a card I take it to the post office and they have an acetate slot that they measure your card with....if it goes through the slot it is regular price, if it won't go through you pay extra and that slot is so thin and narrow most of my cards with pop dots don't fit through. If I can't get to the post office and I am not sure I will add an extra stamp.
For some fun card ideas that are flatter then most check out the gallery with one layer cards ....olc. Sometimes the cas...clean and simple gallery has some cards that would mail great too. I feel your frustration.
I have one of those things at home now ... I was tired of getting my cards back needing extra postage so I finally broke down and bought one ($20) only to get it free!
I definitely focused on mail friendly Christmas cards this year as postage seems to be getting more expensive every year. :confused: Only special people get the thicker cards!
We don't pay more here - I've even managed to send a bar of chocolate to the States and had it classed as a normal letter rate . And that was at the post office - if I'd been stamping it myself to save queuing, I'd have stuck more on , for sure. I don't think it would affect what I made if we did have to pay more, but I suppose special people would get the bulkier cards.
Last year, my cards were lumpy, and I had to add a cardboard cushion, plus pay the extra postage. I send 100+ cards. This year, they are flat. I will make more embellished cards on a one-at-a-time basis. My DH asked why I just can't stamp an image and send the card. That hasn't worked for me, so far. Eileen
__________________ The best things in life aren't things.
Contact your local postoffice and they will give you lots of helpful information. My packet included the same heavy cardboard 'slot' measuring device they use at the postoffice windows plus another cardboard information sheet that show all the sizes of envelopes you can use etc. My packet didn't cost me a cent, but was worth LOTS!! I finally felt I got something for the higher postage they are charging. It is so nice to be able to have an idea if extra postage is needed.
Oh yeah, we pay more in Canada. And I don't mail any handmade cards. Just hand deliver them. I CAN'T make flat cards!
I'll bet that any of your friends that don't live close to you (who might happen to know what great cards you make) are greatly saddened when they read this... :(
Unless of course that they find out you plan to hand deliver a handmade card to them! :p
__________________ Heather ...... My Gallery You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Ralph Waldo Emerson Founding Member of the Punchkateerz - "You don't have to be crazy to be one of us, but it sure helps."
I will just pay the extra amount if it is necessary. I mailed all mine out last Monday and so far none have been returned for additional postage. Mine had pearls on them to make them bumpy and were all mailed in clear envelopes.
blessings.
I'll bet that any of your friends that don't live close to you (who might happen to know what great cards you make) are greatly saddened when they read this... :(
Unless of course that they find out you plan to hand deliver a handmade card to them! :p
Hi! No, I'm afraid there are no immediate plans for a hand delivery. And, sadly, seeing as I don't have a mailing address for that same friend, she might have to do with an emailed greeting...:( I wonder if that friend is coming this way to do a bit of Christmas visiting?;)
We used to be able to post any thickness of envelope in the UK but then they introduced a new system based on the size of the envelope and the thickness.
So now rather than take the chance I take everything to the Post Office where our rather elderly postmistress tries to "post" each card through her template stencil (it it doesn't go through the slit it costs more). It takes ages and the queue behind me just grows and grows but it's worth it.
I tend to send flat cards to most of my list and the bumpy ones go to the special people.
Mine were flat this year too. It was as much to save time and keep things simple as to save on postage though. My daughter got married in November and I was ready to relax after that.
I did all my posting yesterday which included five parcels for overseas and all up it came to $101.50. Ooops! LOL
OUr letter size is pretty generous, certainly brads and a knot in a ribbon will go through. It costs 55c to post a letter but if it is a just a card, and the envelope is clearly marked CARD ONLY, then it's only 50c.
My handmade cards are just as much for me as anyone else, so I don't mind extra postage to make them like I want. I think mine were flat enough this year, but I made them square because I just like that shape, and that costs extra too.
I've not had any lumpy cards returned to me, but I've received several in my mailbox (to me from others) marked "postage due." So be aware, your card might not come back to you for postage but instead arrive with a "bill!"
Now I just slap on another stamp if there's any doubt, that way I won't worry I'm sending it postage due.
My cards were my gift to my friends...so I don't mind the extra postage. While I was going to have to spend the money anyway I used square envies. So far they are a big hit and 6 have framed their's for permanent Christmas decor...what a compliment! Each had not less than 30 pieces of bling on the tree.
what a nice compliment that they have framed them and use them as holiday decor! i'm sure they're beautiful... have a link to share?
This was my first year at making my own cards. They aren't flat (button and flat ribbon bow), but under the maximum weight. I line the envelopes and that helps protect them. IF any of them get returned, I'll go flat next year. So far-crossing fingers-I haven't had any problems with my cards getting to their destination in good shape.
most of mine needed extra postage...i dont min for the most part, but next year i will send flatter ones to all but the most special of friends. i hate for them to get destroyed....i wonder if they really do hand cancel them.
it is very hard NOT to embellish, and some embellies arent even that thick....multilayers and popdots and brads and ribbons all add to the bulk.
Our postage is not only high but also, GST of 5% is added to what you see on the envelope. Next year, in July I think, PST (provincial sales tax) will also be added as a harmonized tax. That means it will cost and extra 13% for a stamp but you do not see this.
It costs $1.16 to mail a regular letter or card to the US now but by the middle of next year, we will have to add another 13% to that plus the increase of the postage, which seems to happen every year.
The harmonized tax will only go into effect in British Columbia and Ontario. Those living in Alberta are very lucky as they have no provincial sales tax.
Overseas is presently $1.65 plus 5%. Next year plus 13% unless you take them to the Post Office together (overseas only) and it is more than $5, it will not be taxed. Very complicated.
I made 9 different card designs for a total of 87 cards. Only 2 are completely flat. I put an extra sheet of white CS for protection. The white CS I use depends on the embellishments I used. I use PTI or GK 120 lbs for cards with brads and buttons. GP for others. I think I will end up with the extra $.17 on some of the 7 designs but that is okay. I will double check with the post office next week as I don't want the person getting my card with "postage due."
Our postage is not only high but also, GST of 5% is added to what you see on the envelope. Next year, in July I think, PST (provincial sales tax) will also be added as a harmonized tax. That means it will cost and extra 13% for a stamp but you do not see this.
It costs $1.16 to mail a regular letter or card to the US now but by the middle of next year, we will have to add another 13% to that plus the increase of the postage, which seems to happen every year.
The harmonized tax will only go into effect in British Columbia and Ontario. Those living in Alberta are very lucky as they have no provincial sales tax.
Overseas is presently $1.65 plus 5%. Next year plus 13% unless you take them to the Post Office together (overseas only) and it is more than $5, it will not be taxed. Very complicated.
True, and I'm sorry for complaining. We are fortunate.
hahahaha! Good luck with that resolution! The forst year that I really committed to making cards I made these lovely 5.5 and 6x6 cards. BIG MISTAKE I learned! Especially when we have to mail alot of international cards! (MY DH is from Ireland!) After that I made that at the very least the international cards were from a box! hahahaha
Let's face it, I haven't had time to make Christmas cards again! Maybe next year.....;)
I try to tell myself the same thing about ALL my cards, but I just can't do it. LOL! I like my extra layers, images on pop-dots, and embellishments. I figure I still get off pretty cheap at 64 cents per card. (I mean 64 cents in postage. Who knows how much I really spend on materials per card. :p)
i made 30 cards...not one the same ....and had a blast doing it ! but, i found that all of mine were thick !! extra postage required. next year i swear (have i done this before??) that i will make flatter cards.
i will have to see if i stick to that resolution......very hard for me to do that.
anyone else making that resolution?
I've made that same resolution twice now, but never actually do it. ;)
next year i will make flatter cards
