by 11 people |
Hand Crafting Your Own Greeting Cards
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
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
Card Making Project Ideas
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.
The Poem of the Ocea...
Rubber Stamped Pink...
Mixed Media Collage...
"Art & Natu...
Cupcake THinking of...
Blue flowers Thinkin...
Thinking of You purp...
Spread your wings &a...
Time flies
Fly, Butterfly, Fly
My first ATC swop
unfinished ATC
StazOns!!!
Thank you card
Thank you card
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Scissors and Edgers
Fiskars Mini Craft Scissors 4"
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/10/2009) 
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Fiskars Comfort-grip Micro-tip Scissors
Amazon Price: $12.93 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
FSK96907797 - Personal Paper Trimmer, Fits Standard Binders, Gray
Amazon Price: $10.89 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Fiskars Rotary Cutter-45mm
Amazon Price: $14.94 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Rotary Paper Trimmer - 12"
Amazon Price: $41.69 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
More Card Making Supplies
Fiskars 9550 7097 Mini Diagonal Cutter
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Artograph 10 Inch by 12 Inch LightTracer Light Box
Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Xacto X5096 Scrapbooking Knife Kit
Amazon Price: $14.45 (as of 07/10/2009)
Related Pages!
Don't miss these related pages to carry you further on your creative journey!-
The Rubber Stamp Room
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Welcome to the Rubber Stamp Room on Squidoo! Rubber stamping is a fun, easy, and very creative way to express your sentiments or create amazing art! The variety of stamps available is virtually endless. I wanted to put together a place which would f...
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Online Origami Outlet
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Ohayo! (That's Japanese for hello!) Do you love beautiful handmade paper from Japan and other Asian countries? I do! In fact I'm somewhat obsessed by all the bright colors and pretty patterns! This is THE place to find beautiful origami and chiyoga...
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Paper Crafting
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Paper Crafting is a broad term which covers a wide range of creative pursuits from scrapbooking and collage to rubber stamping and card making. I'll provide an introduction to some of my faves along with resources for supplies!
Please Sign my Visitor Log
OhMe wrote...
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.
Posted October 07, 2008
GypsyOwl wrote...
5*fav and lensrolled to 'so you want to design greeting cards."
I love the handmade cards!! Thanks for the great tips on making cards by hand. I have been dabbling in hand made paper making as well. I love the feel of that kind of paper. I've discovered a supplier of paper made from sustainable materials that your readers might enjoy discovering as well.
Find more information at http://www.squidoo.com/lifemadesimple
Thanks for yet another fabulous lens. Please consider adding this one to the Holiday Shopping Cooperative group and I will feature it in the 'How-To' section there.
To Join visit http://www.squidoo.com/groups/holidaycooperative Your lens would provide people with a great way to make their own holiday cards! :D
Posted September 07, 2008
I really like your layout. It has been an inspiration to me as well as for Theresa. As I am new to this.
JudyColeman
Posted September 02, 2008
