When making homemade cards, sometimes by just having the right scrapbook papers
This particular greeting card template is very simple but sometimes I find less is more and quite often I see homemade cards that have far too many embellishments added to them. I know it is very difficult to sit back and say to, ‘That’s it, all finished!’ and resist the huge to add a piece of ribbon here or a brad or two there, but sometimes you just have to keep your homemade cards simple to get the best results.
Fold an A4 sheet of card stock in half and cover it with two different pieces of scrapbook paper. Try and select a patterned and a plain piece. I used double sided tape to secure the papers in place.
A top tip when covering the front of a card in paper is to always place the patterned paper onto the front of the card and then cut around the edges of the card. More often than not, if you try to cut the paper to size then attach it you will struggle to place t in the exact position you need.
Because we are using two different papers there will be a join where they meet in the middle. Use a piece of ribbon across the join in the paper to hide any gaps or unsightly joins.
I have used a purple grosgrain ribbon as this matches the flowers on the paper I have used, however green or white would also work with this patterned paper.
Use a rubber stamp and stamp a dragonfly onto some Bazzill cardstock using a Stazon ink pad as this is a fast drying ink. Mount the Bazzill card onto purple card leaving a small ½ cm border around the image. You can then add a few crystals or jewels in the top right hand corner of the topper for some subtle decoration.
Place the embellishment you have just made onto the front of your card in the top right hand corner. Use 3d foam pads to raise it slightly from the front of the card.
Using a Sizzix Sidekick machine and the Happy Birthday die, cut the words happy birthday from a scrap piece of the purple card stock you used to mount your embellishment.
Place the happy birthday wishes onto the bottom panel of the card. I used a
glue pen as the birthday wording on as this made the least amount of mess and is far less fiddly than trying to cut double sided tape.
Even a complete beginner to card making will be able to make this happy birthday card but that doesn’t mean this homemade card looks anything but elegant and professionally made.
I LOVE this card! So often I see ideas that require the purchase of something I don’t have–not in this case. I can just go down to my craft room and get it started! Thanks!
@Debby:
Thanks Debby.
Glad you like this card idea. I do try and keep the designs simple so people can adjusy them accordingly to suit any occasion and to use products and tools that are in most card makers kit bags.
Please feel free to send in some pics of your own card ideas for the members gallery.
Thanks again for your kind words
Hi there
Love the idea here, so simple and yet so pretty! I was trying to find an idea for a card for my Grandma and I think this suits perfectly 
Although, I probably don’t have every single embellishment here so I’ll have to improvise.. One question, is it easy to set up a website like this? I was thinking of doing one as well, like a gallery with card ideas for people who’ve run out (like moi) – it looks very professional by the way 
@Esther:
Hi Esther
Thank you for your comments.
It depends what you term as ‘easy’. It’s definately a labour of love so from that point of view then yes it is easy because I enjoy doing it. You definately have to have a good understanding of computers but don’t have to have programming skills or be too techy to set up a website (blog).
You would probably be best off starting out with ‘WordPress’ as its free, well supported and quite easy for beginners.
Just type ‘WordPress’ into Google and have a read of what its about and you can decide if you fancy doing it.
Best of luck
Thanks
Vicki x
Thanks! I shall have a look at that.. I’m also using this program called Gimp which is just like photoshop but it’s free, and aparently you can create websites or at least the design work from it
@Vicki:
I love dragonflies and so this card really appeals to me and has given me a couple of great ideas.
I agree with your comments that some handmade cards have too many trimmings on them and that has often put me off telling people that I make all of my cards.
Love the site – keep up the great work.
Wendy (beautiful Cairns – Queensland, Australia.
Hi Wendy
Thanks for your comment and i’m really pleased you like my site.
Would love to see your dragonfly card designs.
this card looks kind of pleasant……..
This card is simple but sophisticated and elegant. Thanks for the card idea!
This card is simple but I think that sometimes less is really more. In this case the simplicity of the card makes it very sophisticated and elegant. Thanks for the card idea!
Hi Charlotte,
So glad you like this card idea. I do try to keep the majority of my card designs quite simple and easy to make so that all card makers can make them.
very pretty
Thank you