Today I thought it'd be fun to take you through making some simple cards. I know most of us are mainly interested in doing layouts. But it's fun to use the bits & pieces left over from your kits to make cards.
If you're not used to making cards it's really easy. First you'll need a 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock. You can cut down a 12x12 piece (since that's what most of us have) but be sure you cut the 8.5" side first because you can use that leftover strip for a small card that I'll show later.
An 8.5" x 11" piece of paper will make 2 standard size cards. You can cut it either way depending on how you want your card to open.
To make the cards below:
Cut your paper in half on the short side (at 4.25"). You will end up with 2 pieces of paper that are 4.25" x 11".
Score in half on the long side at 5.5"
I use a Score Buddy (which is awesome for scoring) but you can also use a bone folder along the groove in your paper trimmer or simply fold the card in half. But a bone folder gives a nicer crease.
One card opens from the top, one from the side. As you can see, these are very simple cards using some of the elements leftover from some of my kits. The easiest way to create a card is to cut your cardstock, add a piece of patterned paper and then some embellishments. These cards measure 4.25" x 5.5" so the patterned paper I adhered on the front measures 4" x 5.25" (1/4" smaller than the card front).
Another way to create your cards is to cut your cardstock in half along the long side of your cardstock at 5.5". You will end up with 2 pieces of paper that measure 5.5" x 8.5". Then fold/score in half at 4.25".
Again, simple embellishing. In the first I grabbed a journaling card from my Project Life kit to add to the card. The second card shows something I love to do with cards - use punches. I actually punched 6 hearts out of that wonderful Basic Grey paper. Then adhered the first layer of hearts, folded a 2nd set of hearts each in half, then attached them by stitching them on.
I also aternated the pattern showing...one side of the paper for the bottom layer & the other side for the top layer.
And rememer that strip of paper leftover when you cut down your 12x12 paper?? You should have a strip that measures 3.5" x 12". Cut that down to 3" x 6", fold in half, and you have a cute little card to adhere to a gift!
Again, I simply took a piece of pattern paper that measured 2.75" x 2.75" and added a handmade doily flower, button and voila!
There are tons of card ideas out there...and they can get pretty elaborate. I'm a simple card maker...I love making cards but I don't have time to spend hours and hours just on cards! I hope these tips encourage you to use up some of your scraps leftover in your kits to make some cards!
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