Next time you're ready to send someone you love a greeting card, why not experiment with creating one yourself? It makes an incredibly personal statement, one that says you care enough to spend time designing and putting together a card especially for your friend or loved one. When you create cards yourself, you have complete control over the message you send--you can be as funny, romantic, sappy, or sincere as you want. Handmade cards often sell for high prices in quality gift stores, but making your own doesn't have to cost a fortune. And best of all, you can have a great time doing it. If you're just getting started, keep in mind that there is no "right" way to create a handmade card. Use whatever materials you like, and remember that combining unexpected textures and colors can lead to interesting effects. Keeping an inventory of scrapbooking supplies in your work area is a great idea, as accessories sold for scrapbooks often work equally well when it comes to creating greeting cards. Two-dimensional materials such as paper (cardstock), photographs, and even very thin wood make great starting points for handmade cards. For added interest, try incorporating unusual fabrics such as lace, faux fur, felt, and fuzzy wool. You can also add ribbons, stickers, glitter, and more to give your card a special touch. If you get serious about your hobby, you might find that investing in a fine set of calligraphy pens, fabric paints, stamp ink, or other art materials is a good idea. |
