Create thoughtful Mother's Day or encouragement cards.
Handmade greeting cards are a crafter's way to create fun and make memories. The possibilities for handmade cards are as vast as the creator's imagination. The materials are inexpensive and easily obtained. Celebrate the anniversary or birthday of friends or family. Create thoughtful Mother's Day or encouragement cards. Include a poem or quote, even a bookmark inserted into the card will bring a smile.
Vintage Anniversary Card Preparation
The vintage anniversary card is a quaint way to say congratulations to friends or family.
A vast number of suggestions are available for making greeting cards. Two possibilities are a vintage anniversary card and an any occasion card. Variations of these cards will work well as a Mother's Day, a birthday card, Easter or Valentine's Day card. The following materials are suggested for the vintage anniversary card:
5-inch-by-6 1/2-inch photograph image
Opalescent dimensional paint
Swatch of silk fabric, 5 1/2 inches by 4 1/4 inches
10-inch-by-6 1/2-inch cream card stock or craft note card
Small flat craft stones
Spray adhesive
White craft glue
Presentation paper
Organza ribbon
Small opalescent beads with large holes
Large opalescent beads with large holes
Putting Together the Vintage Anniversary Card
The vintage anniversary card displays a Victorian bride or family ancestor.
To put the vintage anniversary card together, select and print an image from the Internet of a Victorian bride or photocopy a photo of a family ancestor. Use presentation paper for the print. The vertical image needs to be printed and cut to 5 inches by 6 1/2 inches. Opalescent dimensional paint adds an element of texture and sparkle to the details in the photo. Center the cut image onto a 5 1/2-inch-by-4 1/4-inch rectangle of silk fabric. Adhere each piece with spray adhesive. The edges of the silk can be slightly fringed to add texture. Secure flat craft stones at the four corners and within the image with glue. Fold the length of ribbon in half and lay it inside the card, with the ribbon fold at the top. Pull the streamers up over the front of the card and loop them through the folded ribbon at the top. Thread beads on to each streamer, crimp or knot the ribbon to secure the beads. Trim the ribbon for a fresh cut edge.
Any Occasion Card Preparation
Any occasion birthday cards are fun for all ages.
The second suggestion for a handmade card is the any occasion card. As the name says, this card can be customized for just about any occasion by using seasonal colors and shapes. The following materials are suggested:
10-inch-by-6 1/2-inch watercolor paper
5-inch-by-6 1/2-inch watercolor paper
Masking fluid or white crayon for children
Acrylic paint in spring or seasonal colors
Adhesive foam
Decorating the Any Occasion Card
Bright cards and spring flowers are great to celebrate Mother's Day.
To begin the any occasion card, cut a piece of watercolor paper 10 inches by 6 1/2 inches. Using a masking fluid, or a white crayon for children, apply random dots over the 10-inch-by-6 1/2-inch watercolor paper and allow to dry. On a separate piece of watercolor paper, draw a simple shape large enough to serve as the focal point for the front of the card, i.e., a flower, Easter egg, butterfly, firefly, leaf. Also draw two 1 1/4-inch-by-4-inch rectangles on the paper in pencil. With masking fluid or crayon, paint or draw simple details on the shape. Draw horizontal stripes down the length of the 1 1/4-inch-by-4-inch rectangles with masking fluid or a crayon. When dry, add a wash of diluted acrylic paint in a seasonal color over the surface of the 10-inch-by-6 1/2-inch watercolor paper. Paint a wash in a different color on the two rectangular strips. With yet another color, paint the shape. When the paint is dry, gently rub the masking fluid from the paper's surface. Rubbing is not necessary if using white crayon. The paint resists the masking fluid or crayon, leaving a white motif on each of the paper surfaces. Fold the 10-inch-by-6 1/2-inch paper to create a horizontal card. Cut out the painted shape and the rectangular strips. Attach one strip of painted paper on the right and the other on the left side of the card front using adhesive foam. Attach the painted shape in the center of the card front also using adhesive foam. The raised shapes give the card dimension.
