Making Handmade Birthday Cards

I love creating handmade birthday cards and have been doing so for around 20 years. I have found it very gratifying, relaxing and rewarding to create my own handmade cards. It can be a good method to relax, by sitting with all of my papercrafts things all spread out next to me and to really allow the inspiration to flow!

A hand crafted card can be as complicated or as simple as you wish it to be. A very simple design can be extremely attractive and exceedingly effective. Uncomplicated designs are perfect for first-timers to card making to begin with. You could try mounting a die-cut decoupage image onto a plain blank card with a peel off sticker message to finish the handcrafted card, a super easy design to create without a great deal of gear required, but nonetheless very interesting and effective.

Once you have mastered simple designs, have a shot at adding to those designs. Introduce an additional embellishment like a bow or perhaps a pre-made topper. Start incorporating background papers to a section or all of the card blank and include glittery or pearlised accents with decorative glues. Rather than a decoupage image, have a go at rubber stamping a picture onto some card, colour the rubber stamped image with colored pencils or watercolour paints, trim around the stamped picture in a rectangular shape or square shape and then put that stamped picture on your card blank. Your own ideas will soon come to be bigger, better and more elaborate designs. By using a minimal amount of work you can actually come up with some very impressive designs.

Whenever you begin to create a Birthday card, first of all it is advisable to give thought to whom the greeting card is for. Is it for a teenager or an adult, might it be for a male or a female, precisely what are their passions and hobbies?. It is usually good to integrate a little something personalised into the birthday card. If for example your card will be for a soccer player, a soccer picture, with soccer embellishments will create the ideal birthday card and would suggest that a large amount of deliberation has gone in to the card.

Once you have decided upon the concept for your card, you will need to decide on the colour scheme. A colour scheme for a card could be guided via the colours in a decoupage image or perhaps a pre-made decoration that you have already decided on. Pick out a couple of colors from that decoupage picture or decoration and work with those colours with the entire card, colour co-ordinating any ribbons, accessories or backing papers to those two colours. If you use a rubber stamped picture then you'll be able to colour that picture using your individual colour scheme and build on that scheme by using colour co-ordinated additions.

To personalise the hand made birthday card, you could have the person's name within the theme of the card. This can be accomplished with the use of peel off sticker lettering, clear alphabet stamp lettering or should you have a steady hand, you'll be able to hand write his / her name using a decorative ink or glitter glue.

Lastly printing an insert for the card which has a lovely personalized message like a poem or lovely message definitely finishes off your hand-made birthday cards.

On the lookout for craft supplies? Check out http://www.glittermonster.co.uk for a big selection of decoupage sheets, rubber stamps, card, paper and card making materials.

It is in the cards 10/27/11

Hello everyone! Tracy is here with another episode of the In the cards. I hope you enjoy this nice little template and play along with us!

Download here

I joyful ride used by sugary Fancy

and Karen (bydelstorp) created this fantastic Halloween card:

Using: a Wizarding world by Jady day Studio
Web spiders die on the memory
font: DJB ImNoWizard

The fine print:
-You will receive one point for creating a map, print, and then upload the & shooting in it's In the cards Gallery and books in this thread.

-You can create an additional point for the use of new ScrapMatters products; Make a note of new products in your post. And at the end of the month you will be entered into a random drawing that could earn you some bonus points!

-You have until the end of November to complete this challenge to MOSS to earn points.

-Remember that no double dipping … your layout must be unique on this challenge.

-You have to use, but don't forget your business waste products must contain at least 50% Gallery SM SM product starts July 8, 2011

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 5: 39 am Hybrid demolition, and is filed under Issue of scrap, ScrapMatters. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0 follow the feed. Leave a comment, you can trackback or from your own site.

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Great Ideas For Decoupage Cards

With so many great ways to enhance the beauty of your hand designed decoupage cards it's easy to fall into the trap of applying as many techniques as possible on every project. Seasoned decoupage artists, however, see the value of a simpler, more organic design to help embellish the details of your hand-made cards.

One of your first considerations is which medium to choose. The range of color palate and the richness of texture make Mulberry and handmade paper the ideal mediums for most projects. Of these, handmade paper is especially versatile and pliable. With just a bit of moisture, for example, you can produce eye-catching frayed borders or frames.

If cost is a consideration, you can make your own blank cards and matching envelopes instead of buying prepackaged ones. A sheet of paper folded parallel to the grain will do. But how do I find the grain you ask? Just lightly bend the sheet in each direction. The grain lies in the direction where if folds most easily. Never fold against the grain since the resistance this causes creates untidy fold lines.

Of the many ways to compliment your decoupage, embossing or stenciling are the most common and effective. Similarly though less often thought of, rubber stamps can add a subtle feeling of depth to images by creating a palimpsest-like background layer to your surface image.

For lettering and messages try this embossing technique:

First, wipe the card with a pinch of Talcum Powder so the embossing powder doesn't stick where you don't want it. Next, create your message using ink (whether written or by using inked stamps) and then, while the ink is still wet, sprinkle a frosting of embossing powder over the words. (Prevent mistakes by using a little ink and clear embossing powder.) Finally, apply heat to the powder to melt it. It's best to use a heat gun for this but if you don't have access to one, place your paper on a cookie sheet in a pre-heated oven (325°C). I highly recommend a practice round on a test page, rather than risking scorching your hard work and having to start from scratch. Carefully monitor this process and remove your paper the moment the embossing has melted. Some neophyte decoupage enthusiasts will try using a hairdryer for heat-activation but the results are less than satisfactory.

Some other embellishments your might try? Beads, colored stones, stickers, eyelets, glitters and tassels all can make for wonderful complements. Just let your imagination and sense of taste guide you.

Karen
Decoupage Your Life

For more information on the "New" Decoupage please visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place!

How Decoupage Can Be Used To Make Authentic Cards And Invitations

Decoupage is the artistic way of decorating any specific object by utilising different craft materials such as coloured papers, paints, and other craft items such as beads or even gold leaf. Decoupage can be put to great use on objects such as gift boxes, presents, photograph albums, frames, mirrors, shelving or furniture.

So what decoupage materials are good to use? Well you can use almost anything and many people like to use common household materials to create a number of different effects. Pictures and photographs can be used to create a great result, you can usually find good cuttings and inspiration from sources such as fabric or lace, magazines or newspapers, wrapping papers, and potentially old greeting cards that you may have collected over years gone by, no longer want to keep and wish to put to good use.

You are likely to need a number of tools for your decoupage activities. The two main essentials are a good pair of craft scissors and suitable glue for your chosen decoupage item. If you are planning on doing a lot of cutting it can be a good idea to invest in a craft knife, as it will allow you to get creative with your cutting shapes. When choosing your glue the general consensus is that standard diluted white paper glue works well with a range of decoupage materials. Glue sticks can also be useful for gluing different paper decoupage items. Other useful tools or items can be sponges and cloths for cleaning up any overspill or mess that may occur during crafting your decoupage creation.

A number of craft shops now stock good selections of different decoupage materials and tools. You can usually find specialist decoupage printed card, papers and stickers that are specifically made to help in the creation of unique book coverings or picture frames. There are different decoupage materials that can suit different decoration tastes or creative ideas. From printed decoupage sheets to die cuts, templates and stamps it is worth looking at decoupage materials available in online shops to give you ideas or provide you with something different to make your decoupage creations look beautiful.

Scott King is a consumer specialist who reviews the latest decoupage on the market.