Have you ever gotten one of those really cute cards from a friend and you ask them, “Did you make this?” and the answer is yes and you think to yourself, “How did you do that?”
Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s easy! You can do it! Learn how!
These are a few simple steps to basic card making. Trust me, these are the basics.
Some of the things you will need to get started:
8 1/2 x 11 inch cardstock paper, envelopes, and/or already cut cards
I have chosen white, but there are many colors to choose from.
A base sheet of paper
Print and Colored papers
There are thousands of different colorful papers to choose from! Some come in single sheets and others come in books of different designs. These can also be used for scrap-booking. Since it will soon be spring and Easter I have chosen to go with this fun book of “Blossoms & Butterflies” from JoAnns. Pretty much everything I’m using is from there. I really don’t have a lot of places to shop from here in my little town, they have cute stuff and sales often.
Just looking through the different designs has me excited to get started!
You also want to have coordinating solid colors. This will add depth to your cards and also accent your prints.
If you’re going to have all this paper, you have to have a paper cutter! I like the big one, but the little one is nice to have for small projects and for times when you are crafting somewhere besides home.
Your base sheet of paper will be determined by the size of the envelopes you are going to use. The standard envelope will hold a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch card. This is simply an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet cut at the half mark of 5 1/2 leaving you with two 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch cards. Then fold them in half for your base of the card. If you are using the already cut and a folded cards you won’t have any cutting to do at this part making it a little easier to get started.
Here is the fun stuff! These are things that make a boring basic card transform into a super cute basic card. Punches! Small flower punch, large flower punch, butterfly punch, round edge punch, and cute little detail punch. So, You don’t need all of these, but you will want a couple of them once you see how cute they make your card look and you can use them forever! Also, there are a variety of punches to choose from. You don’t have to have these punches you may want the bunny rabbit or star punch. Which ever punch you choose will add great detail to your card making.
I didn’t buy mine all at once, just here and there when they were on sale. I would suggest one or two at first unless you can and really want to get more.
Here are some examples of what they can do:
Then you will want to have some double sided tape. You can use a glue stick, but I really prefer using the double sided tape rollers. They are fast and they really do stick. I found a pack of 10 once at Costco! They sold out really fast around Christmas time and haven’t seen them there since, that was a good deal!
Also, get some brads. The brads come in many, many colors and sizes and even shapes, but I’m going with small and colorful, because it’s Spring!
Next, I brainstorm…
I find several different pages of print that I like, pairing them up with solids that match and then I cut and punch and place things next to each other. I don’t do any gluing! Wait on the gluing until you are absolutely sure!
Still brainstorming…
If you are a little unsure here, just to get you started make some cuts that are
5 1/2 x 1 or 2 inch
4 1/4 x 2 or 3 inch
Still brainstorming…
OK, here are my ideas. Look what you can do by simply turning the card from a vertical card to a horizontal card. Same card, but totally different feel.
With all of these cards you could add stamped words or handwritten phrases. Write “Thank You” on the front or “Miss You.”
“Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!”
“Happy Easter” or “Spring Fever – I’m in the Garden!”
See how one more layer adds a lot to this card?
White base card, pink solid, then print with more detail on top. Layers add depth.
Look at this cute little card. So, so basic. But so, so cute!
What if we added another flower? What would it look like?
And another?
Now, this is a little more than basic. Stamping. I’m not going to show you that here, yet, but look at what a basic stamp can do to this card…
Look at how rounding the corners softens this card.
And then you can put a delicate corner to it and Tuh-Duh! It’s amazing!
I think when you make the card, it is a gift in itself. So much time, effort and thoughtfulness goes into making cards. Make your cards meaningful by putting a little bit of you into them. Your friends and family will love them and appreciate the effort.
I love to make my Christmas cards. I spend hours adding pictures and small details by hand to each card. Get creative and sew the edge with a zig-zag or use your finger tips as the stamps to create beautiful artwork. Or dried flowers from your spring garden. If you are new to card making and not so sure yet, just try the basics. It takes practice, but have fun doing it. If you are an experienced card maker show me what you’ve learned, I would love to see it!
Everyone loves getting a card from time to time, teachers, moms and dads, grandparents, even children need a little card that says you love them every once in while. Next time you can tell them you made it when they ask.
Have fun crafting!
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