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Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Tips and themes.

Discussion in 'Knitting & Crochet' started by Yashikushi, Feb 4, 2010.

  1. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Have you ever went shopping for a greeting card and couldn't find the right one? Here are some neat ideas and themes to make a greeting card that says what you want it to say!


    [​IMG]

    When it comes to card making, there's nothing more fulfilling than the feeling of finishing a little work of art. And make no mistake - a handmade card is a work of art...

    Greeting cards are not only fun to make, they serve a valuable purpose. When someone receives a handmade card, they experience a level of joy that cannot be achieved with a store bought card. Make sure your handmade cards deliver the emotional message you intend.

    Your style, mood and materials are the ingredients that make your handmade card different and memorable. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, uniqueness is what a handmade card is all about.

    Whether it's a simple or intricate card design; Whether it's colorful and vibrant or black and white. Whether it's a normal folded card or a pop-up. I for one, would love to see your favorite card creations! In fact, now I'm turning the tips tables on you...


    1. Layer Papers. Shop the scrapbook aisle of your favorite craft store for many different types of papers, card stock, thick and thin, foiled, embossed and printed pattern papers are just as few. Layer the papers by cutting out shapes and various sizes of papers and then gluing them together to create a very expensive look for your card. Don’t go overboard with too many layers, but at least one different layer can make all the difference.

    2. Use the Right Tools. Invest in some paper crimpers, special edged scissors, various sized hole punches, a good glue gun and different types of adhesives. Using different edged scissors to cut your papers greatly adds to the impact and crimped papers and foils add even more interest. New hole punches are available in many sizes and shapes, these cut out shapes add style and definition to your papers. Use the right glues and adhesives for the materials you are working with. There is no point in adding embellishments if they fall off right away.

    3. Add Flat Interest. Depending on the theme or occasion for your card embellish it with some interesting items like ticket stubs, magazine cut outs, old photos, stickers, quotes cut from newspaper articles or cut outs from old calendars and postcards. Other interesting papers include old labels from wine bottles and gourmet foods, confetti and aluminum foil.

    4. Add Texture. Here is where your creativity can flourish. An unforgettable card will contain great texture such as pressed flowers, leaves and other plant material, ribbon, yarn, lace, buttons and other sewing supplies. Try using beads, bottle caps, sea shells or colored rubber bands. If your card is to be mailed don’t use too much texture or it will be mangled during transit.

    5. Create Your Own Envelope. Finish your handmade cards properly by creating a matching envelope. Use paper that is heavy enough to protect all your beautiful artwork, embellishments and textures. You should keep the theme going by using the same colored paper as the base of your card. Be sure to mark the envelope Non-Machinable.

    Remember to:
    •Accurately measure and cut the rectangle of paper to be used for the card, making. sure all corners are exactly 90-degree angles.
    •Work the back or blunt side of a craft knife to score the fold lines
    •Use a ballpoint pen to draw design lines onto foam sheets, and always cut using a craft knife and cutting mat.
    •Use a ruler to draw lines with a paint pen, and turn it onto its convex side as this will stop the ink from spreading.
    •Use deckle-edged scissors to give card edges a decorative look.



    Some of the papers that can be worked with:
    *Cotton Colored Paper
    * Metallic Paper
    * Banana Paper
    * Crinkle Paper
    *Silk Paper
    * Embroidered Paper
    * Lokta Paper
    * Tie and Dye Silk Papers
    * Mulberry Paper
    * Tshasho Paper
    * Deckle Edged Paper
    * Jute Paper
    * Sisal Paper
    * Leaf Imprint Paper
    * Leatherette Paper
    * Wool Paper
    * Floral Inclusions Paper
    * Moonrock Paper
    * Batik Paper
    * Organic Handmade Paper

    Some of the speciality papers that are utilized with are as follows:
    *Silk Screen Printed Papers
    *Hand Embroidered Papers
    *Beaded Handmade Papers
    *Wood Hand Blocked Papers
    *Marble Handmade Papers
    *Machine Embroidered Papers
    *Brush Painted Papers
    *Flock Printed Papers
    *Foil Printed Papers
    *Embossed Papers
    *Dew Drop Printed Papers
    *Rubber Printed Handmade Papers
    *Cutwork Handmade Papers.......and more


    Procedure of Making a greeting card.......To be continued.......
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2010
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  2. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Ideas and themes.

    How to Make Greeting Card????




    You'll need:
    • Paper grocery bags (one bag makes up to 12 4x6 sheets)
    • Scissors and/or paper cutter
    • Ruler
    • Pencil
    • Inkjet printer(for printing designs)
    • Thin cardboard (like cereal boxes) or recycled greeting cards
    • Glue stick or two-sided tape (not necessary for the machine-sewn version)
    • Your choice of decorating materials (thread, embroidery floss, yarn, ribbon, hole punch, needle, buttons, sewing machine, etc.)
    PROCEDURE:

    1.Start by cutting your bags along the corners, so you have two big sheets from the front and back and two narrow sheets from the sides. Most bags are exactly 12 inches across, so if you cut straight along the sides, you should be able to measure and cut right down the middle for two 6-inch strips. Then use your ruler and pencil to measure and mark 4-inch sections—you should have a couple inches left unused, so if one side is more bent/crushed, then don't use that side.

    2.Once you cut up all your sheets, you'll have a stack of usable recycled paper to print on! If some sheets are extra bent up, you can use an iron to smooth them a bit—just set it high, with no steam, and go over the back (no printing) side until it's smooth. (That won't get rid of creases, but it should make them smooth enough to print on.) Load the sheets into your printer just as you would 4x6 photo paper (make sure the blank sides are facing the right way).
    If have photo printer, photographic images still print out pretty well even on the brown paper; if you have a non-photo printer, you'll probably want to stick to simple graphic images and text only.



    3. Recycled cardboard facing the inner way, so the inside is blank, ready for writing.

    4.Then cut a scrap of bag paper to cover the back side of the card, and cut the cardboard exactly to size, with no border.

    5.Vector graphics like florals are perfect for printing on recycled bag paper.

    [​IMG]


    6.The papers are glued down just in the middle.

    7. Use a hole punch to punch small holes around all the edges, and across the top by punching through front and back layers together. You could measure and mark dots to be perfectly even.

    [​IMG]


    8. Then use a yarn needle and thin ribbon to go through all the holes, starting at one top corner and ending at the other,. shown with arrow

    One tiny button was sewed onto one of the flowers as a final touch!

    [​IMG]


    Here's what the inside looks like.:..............add your wordings.....

    [​IMG]

    Finished card.....

    [​IMG]


    TIPS..............

    1.Plan all of your homemade cards to be the same size so you can use just one envelope template.

    2.So the address is easy to see, use plain white self-stick labels on dark colored or patterned envelopes.

    3.Calendar pages, colored paper and non-vinyl or other un-coated wallpaper are also great envelope making materials.

    4.Envelopes outside of standard dimensions will require additional postage.

    5.When using slick or coated papers, always test whether the glue that you are using will hold.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2010
  3. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Ideas and themes.

    How to Make Greeting Card Envelopes???

    Homemade greeting cards are all the rage! But where can you find coordinating envelopes? Making custom envelopes for your homemade greeting cards is easy! Follow these simple steps....

    METHOD 1

    Step 1
    1.Make the Envelope Folding Guide
    Find an old envelop in the size desired. Cut a piece of cardstock the same size as the envelope. This is your folding guide. Set aside until Step 4.

    Step 2
    2.Make the Envelope Template
    Very carefully peel apart the envelope's glue joints. Flatten the envelope and position on another piece of cardstock. Trace around the edges with a pencil, adjusting the line if needed due to torn or uneven areas. Carefully cut the template out with scissors.

    Step 3
    3.Cut Out the Envelope
    Place the template on the backside of a piece of wrapping paper and trace around the edges. Carefully cut out your envelope.

    Step 4
    4.Fold the Envelope
    Place the folding guide in the middle of the envelope. Fold and crease the side edges and then the bottom toward the center.

    Step 5
    5.Finish the Envelope
    Glue each edge of the bottom flap to the side flaps, being careful not to get any glue on the inside of the envelope. Allow the envelope to dry. Embellish if desired.


    METHOD 2

    Materials:
    • Paper
    • Ruler
    • Bone folder
    • Scissors or craft/x-acto knife
    1. Draw your base template.
    First, draw a 5.625" x 3.625" (14.3cm x 9.2cm) box in the middle of your paper. This box is where the card will sit in the envelope. We're making the box 1/8" (3.15mm) bigger than the card itself to allow enough room in the envelope.

    [​IMG]

    Next, we want to create the bottom flap of the envelope. Draw a 5.625" x 2.75" (14.3cm x 7cm) box. Use one of the 5.625" lines from the original box as one of the lines in this new box.

    Now, we want to create the upper flap used to seal the envelope. Draw a 5.625" x 2" (14.3cm x 5.1cm) box. Use the other 5.625" line from the original box as one of the lines in this new box.

    [​IMG]

    Finally, we want to create the two side flaps used to enclose the card. You've already used the two 5.625" lines from the original box to create two new boxes. Now, let's use the two 3.625" lines from the original box to create the side flaps. Draw a 3.625" x 1" (14.3cm x 2.5cm) box on each side of the original box.

    [​IMG]


    2. Cut out your base template.

    Tip: For a more elegant envelope, you can cut the top and bottom flaps with curved corners


    [​IMG]


    3. Score your template.
    Use your bone folder to score the remaining lines on your template. This will allow you to easily fold the paper with a clean, smooth line.


    4. Assemble the envelope.
    First, fold in each of the side flaps.


    Next, fold up the bottom flap. Use glue or double-sided tape to adhere the bottom flap to the two side flaps.

    [​IMG]


    Finally, fold the top flap down and leave it open. Once you are ready to mail your card, you can seal the envelope with glue, double-sided tape, or a sticker.

    [​IMG]

    As you can see from the final envelope, cut the bottom and side flaps at a slight angle. This makes the corners of the envelope less bulky and gives more room for the card.

    Tip: Once you have a template that you are happy with, trace it onto cardboard. You'll be able to use the cardboard template for months to come.
     
  4. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Ideas and themes.

    ARTISTIC CARD-MAKING IDEAS FOR YOUR TASTE.

    A poet once said, “The greatest gift is a portion of thyself”. But because you cannot give parts of you to your loved ones literally, giving something that is an extension of your character and personality would be the best thing that you can give to them on their special day.


    Handmade cards are the perfect vessels to encapsulate your love for people special to you. While crafting handmade cards may seem a bit difficult and tedious, the truth is that it is an activity which does not require great artistic skills but rather, patience, imagination, and the willingness to experience something new and exciting.
    Here are some ideas for handmade card-making which you can use for your personalized card. RUBBER STAMPING


    Stamping with inks and paints can add amazing effects to your card. There is a wide array of stamp blocks available in specialty shops which come in different sizes and shapes. You can even create your own stamp block by shaping a sponge or rubber block into the shape you desire. You can use a variety of colors to create layers using your rubber stamps and to add vibrancy to your work. EMBELLISHING


    Embellishments are those things which can be glued to the card to add depth and flavor. It is better to think of a card theme first and then choose a set of items which you can use to achieve the theme than choosing from the assortment of decorations available and see what you can create out of them. The usual items used as embellishments are foams, beads, dried flowers, glitter, etc. However, there is really no limit to what you can use. In fact, you can try using photos, movie or concert tickets, part of old letters, or any other old memento from events you have shared with the person you are giving the card to. This would actually make your card more special as it contains happy memories you shared.

    ORIGAMI


    Using Origami is a good idea in creating a beautiful handmade card. Origami is the traditional art of paper folding which originated from Japan. Using origami, your card itself can create a representation of an object you think corresponds to the character of the card recipient or else fitting for the occasion. For instance, if you are making a wedding card, you can try folding your card into the shape of a bird, to symbolize color and vibrancy for the couple’s relationship. Using these tips, you may come up with your own ideas for an artistic and unique handmade card. Once you decide on a design, push through with it until the end. Quitting halfway through the making of a card will only frustrate and dishearten you from doing handmade cards in the future. If your project seems to be way off for the occasion, keep it for the next event. Remember that the most important thing in creating a handmade card is not creating the most beautiful one but having fun.



    Some eco friendly pre-designed cards from my collection (thanks to Google friend [​IMG])for your pursual.....
     

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  5. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Cntd.............
     

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  6. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Ideas and themes.

    More................
     

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  7. Yashikushi

    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Cntd.......
     

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    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: Hand-Made greeting Cards.......Ideas and themes.

    Some more................
     

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    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Cntd..................
     

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    Yashikushi Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    More to scroll......
     

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