Hand Crafting Your Own Greeting Cards
Card making is a fulfilling creative pastime which combines collage, rubber stamping, and a variety of other techniques to create one-of-a-kind handmade cards for friends, family, or for sale!
There are a variety of techniques which are easy enough for children, yet many advanced projects take great care and practice.
This page is an introduction to some basic card making techniques and resources for anyone who wants to try this fun pastime!
There are a variety of techniques which are easy enough for children, yet many advanced projects take great care and practice.
This page is an introduction to some basic card making techniques and resources for anyone who wants to try this fun pastime!
It's So Easy!
quick steps to beginning card-making
Step ONE:
Get some card stock from your local craft supplier, or from an online shop. You probably have an A.C. Moore, Michaels or Ben Franklin in your area. The selection is vast. You can buy scored cards ready for folding in numerous colors and sizes, some with matching envelopes.
You can also find great card stock at the websites of the retailers listed above.
Step TWO:
Choose a selection of rubber stamps, inks and decorative papers which call to you or fit the themes you want to create in.
You may also want to consider specialty scissors with edging designs or any of the numerous decorative hole-punches available from Fiskars and other suppliers.
Step THREE:
Get any embellishments you might want to use, anything from stickers and ribbon to buttons or leaves. Many companies provide metallic accessories which are popular.
The variety of paper crafting supplies is overwhelming. When you visit the scrapbooking department at your local craft store, let your imagination run wild!
Get some card stock from your local craft supplier, or from an online shop. You probably have an A.C. Moore, Michaels or Ben Franklin in your area. The selection is vast. You can buy scored cards ready for folding in numerous colors and sizes, some with matching envelopes.
You can also find great card stock at the websites of the retailers listed above.
Step TWO:
Choose a selection of rubber stamps, inks and decorative papers which call to you or fit the themes you want to create in.
You may also want to consider specialty scissors with edging designs or any of the numerous decorative hole-punches available from Fiskars and other suppliers.
Step THREE:
Get any embellishments you might want to use, anything from stickers and ribbon to buttons or leaves. Many companies provide metallic accessories which are popular.
The variety of paper crafting supplies is overwhelming. When you visit the scrapbooking department at your local craft store, let your imagination run wild!
Amazon Has Deals on Card-making Books!
inspirational and instruction titles for your collection
More and more publications are coming out which focus on the creative use of paper in card making as well as home decor projects. Here are a few you might look into:
Card Making Project Ideas
There is no shortage of inspirational material for those interested in card making, as numerous books and periodicals are devoted to it and related paper crafts.
For projects, you can go with a simple traditional style or try your hand at popular avant garde mixed media techniques.
My personal preference is to take my card stock and apply rubber stamping ink in a random (or planned) pattern across the surface. Then I select the main rubber stamped image I want to use and apply it to the background. I choose a coordinating stamp and apply it in a darker or complimentary ink color positioned partially atop the first image.
Another alternative is to cut a sheet of patterned craft paper to a desired size/shape and attach it to the card stock (I use a simple glue stick for this.
Then I add a variety of stickers, chipboard shapes, ribbon, or any of a wide range of the available embellishments.
The cards I make are blank inside and usually not geared towards traditional greeting card themes. These are art cards or decorative note cards. You may choose to do birthday cards, anniversary cards, or friendship cards as the season or event warrants.
For projects, you can go with a simple traditional style or try your hand at popular avant garde mixed media techniques.
My personal preference is to take my card stock and apply rubber stamping ink in a random (or planned) pattern across the surface. Then I select the main rubber stamped image I want to use and apply it to the background. I choose a coordinating stamp and apply it in a darker or complimentary ink color positioned partially atop the first image.
Another alternative is to cut a sheet of patterned craft paper to a desired size/shape and attach it to the card stock (I use a simple glue stick for this.
Then I add a variety of stickers, chipboard shapes, ribbon, or any of a wide range of the available embellishments.
The cards I make are blank inside and usually not geared towards traditional greeting card themes. These are art cards or decorative note cards. You may choose to do birthday cards, anniversary cards, or friendship cards as the season or event warrants.
Card Making Photos
These are photos featured on flickr, tagged with the keywords
"rubber stamping", one of the most frequently used card making techniques. I will change keywords occasionally to provide a greater sample.
"rubber stamping", one of the most frequently used card making techniques. I will change keywords occasionally to provide a greater sample.
Other Periodicals Dedicated to PaperCrafts
There is an increasing number of magazines dedicated to paper crafting and card making. The titles listed here are popular examples.
Click to subscribe today!
Click to subscribe today!
Scissors and Edgers
Get started with some basic supplies.
More Card Making Supplies
Related Pages!
Don't miss these related pages to carry you further on your creative journey!
Please Sign my Visitor Log
submit
-
Reply
-
margie3
Feb 16, 2011 @ 8:48 pm | delete
- Thanks for all the creative ideas.
-
-
Reply
-
StarryNightsDiva308
Jun 30, 2010 @ 9:57 pm | delete
- Fantastic resource from one card maker to another!
-
-
Reply
-
HenryE
May 19, 2009 @ 10:00 am | delete
- Thanks for the tips!
Henry
-
-
Reply
-
OhMe
Oct 7, 2008 @ 8:25 am | delete
- We have a neat shop in our little town that has tons of stamps and teaches stamping. I have seen some of the creative cards so you have inspired me to take one of their classes. Great lens.
-
-
Reply
-
aLundy
Sep 9, 2008 @ 11:59 am | delete
- Great lens - really informative.
-
- Load More
by TankDog
TankDog
Tank Dog is a collector of lenses that interest him. Often eclectic but sure to enjoy, take a look around, I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy!
- 141 featured lenses
- Winner of 3 trophies!
- Top lens » Nautical Themed Bathroom Decor
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!