Decent greetings cards cost a fortune to buy. I'd rather spend our hard-earned cash on a decent prezzy and take a bit of time and trouble to create something unique for my friends and loved ones.
There are many computer programs that will help you and your children produce thoughtful, appropriate cards for each occasion. But I love to make my own by hand, using all sorts of materials & techniques - given a few minutes it isn't hard and it is great fun to see what you can come up with. All you need to start with is a rectangle of stiff paper or light card, folded in half, a craft knife or sharp scissors, some glue, pens and whatever else comes to hand...
| Some torn paper, pressed flowers and glue and you're away... Gel pens are a great investment for those of us who aren't calligraphers (or borrow your daughter's!) Use your normal "best" handwriting; go over it several times and add curls and thicken lines to embellish. Or add a "shadow" in a different colour - take your time and don't rush it. | |
It looks more professional if you have envelopes the right size - these are quite easy to do. Either use good quality computer paper (80gsm rather than 60), light card or even an appropriate wallpaper sample - not vinyl, it's too thick to fold well and doesn't stick. Measure your folded card; you need a piece of paper just over twice as long and two inches wider. Place the card about one-third of the way down the strip and mark each corner with a dot. Then cut down from the top to the first dot, and out to the edge at a slight angle. Repeat on the other side, then from the bottom do the same; you should end up with something shaped like this...
Fold the side flaps in, then fold the bottom up over them and stick down. Insert finished card, then address and decorate as you will! The beauty of this is that you can make cards & envelopes in any size; sometimes less is more and a tiny card can have a big impact!
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Two tiny cards made with two strips of contrasting paper and a large punch (a tremendous bargain I found on Ebay). |
A mistake I often made to start with was to try to fit too much onto a card - things wouldn't stick down and if they did it looked anything but artistic & thoughtful. So I'd recommend experimenting with a few scrap pieces of card, paper, fabric, ribbon, lace and whatever else first until you find your own style. Strong contrasts of colours bring a simple card to life. "Matting" means adding a complimentary or contrasting layer below your main focal point, cut slightly bigger than it is to "frame" it and draw the eye onto it. Below I've used a gold "mat" to frame the folded rosette.
| Paperfolding adds another dimension... |  |
Alternatively, use a longer rectangle of card folded into three. Cut a rectangle - or a circle, or an oval - in the middle third, and use it as a window to display something - a cross-stitch motif, perhaps, or a tiny piece of patchwork. Jamjar lids make good templates, as do plates from tiny teasets, or ceramic jewel box lids - anything hard enough to draw or cut round. Stick your focal item behind the "window", then stick the right-hand flap (from the front!) down behind it to secure it, then turn over & write inside the left-hand as normal.
When you really get going, you'll find yourself making cards in spare moments even when there's no need for them. So perhaps my next project to put up online should be a Birthday Book to organise all your handmade treasures into!...
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Kozy Kards & Krafts - some lovely ideas from a fellow Fractured Frugal Friend
Card Inspirations - Lots of ideas from this dedicated card-making site, including a useful section on TeaBag Folding.
Ebay - browse the latest crafting bargains - but make sure they are bargains & don't get hooked!
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