CUTTING AND SCORING
You will need a craft knife, steel ruler and cutting mat to scor or cut medium-weight cardboard or thick paper. Cut the card to the desired size using a set square and rule to insure the corners are square. on the outside of the cardboard measure the centre line where the card will fold and mark with a pencil. Make sure the pencil mark is parallel to the edge, or the card will not fold properly. Using the metal ruler and craft knife, lightly score over the pencil line but make sure only to score the top layer of the cardboard with your craft knife.
CUTTING A WINDOW
Use a ruler to measure the centre of the front of the card and mark lightly with a pencil. Then, using a set square, mark out where you wish to have the window, using the centre mark as a guide. Check the window is centred correctly by using a ruler to measure from the edge of the card to the edge of the window.
With the card opened flat on a cutting mat, carefully cut out the window using a ruler a sharp craft knife. Move the card around when cutting each edge so you are always cutting parallel to (never towards) your body. Cut with the window on the inside of the rule so you can see where the pencil lines begin and end. Take care not to extend the cuts beyond the corners of the window.
TORN EDGES
An attractive finish to your card or the design within your card is a torn edge, which is a characteristic of many handmade and water-colour papers. To achieve this effect, measure and
mark with a pencil where you wish the torn edge to be. Fold the paper over along this line so that you have a crease to work with. Firmly hold down the ruler against the crease and tear the paper by pulling away or towards you. Do a little at a time and press the ruler down firmly to avoid ripping the paper where you don't want it to tear.
MOUNTING A DESIGN
First you must make sure your design is cut square. Using a ruler and pencil, measure on the card where the design will go. Mark the corners so that you can register the glued design quickly and avoid messy edges. Position the top edge of the design on the card and press the design down towards you to avoid any creases or air bubbles. Leave to dry in a safe place.
RUNNING STITCH
Bring the needle and thread through to the right side, then insert the needle further along the material in a straight line parallel to the edge. Leave a smaller gap on the wrong side before bring the thread up on the right side again and repeat the process to create a running stitch.
MAKING AN ENVELOPE
You can make special envelopes to fit your handmade cards in whatever media you wish, from beautiful coloured card to paper bags!
Method:
Measure your handmade card and add 2.5 cm (1 in) to height and width. This will be the base size of your envelopas it needs to be slightly bigger than the actual card for it to fit comfortably. Add a bottom flap which is three quarters of the basic height plus 2.5 cm (1 in). Slide flaps need to be 3 cm (1 1/4 in). All flaps should be tapered slightly. Mark the fold lines with a pencil and either fold or score using the rule and craft knife. Fold in the side flaps, apply glue to the edges of the bottom flap and fold it over on top of the slide flaps. Fold down the top flap and used double-sided tape to seal the envelope before you send it.
PRESSING FLOWERS
At least two weeks in advance of making your card, press all the flowers, leaves and petals you wish to use in a heavy book between sheets of blotting paper or smooth tissue paper and leave to dry in a warm, dark and dry place. To avoid mould use less succulent flowers.
STAMPING AND EMBOSSING
Stamps can be bought in all shapes and sizes from shops or by mail order from specialist stamp manufacturers. Ink pads come in all the colours of the rainbow as well as in gold, silver and bronze. Special embossing ink pads can be used in conjunction with embossing powder to create a raised effect when the embossing powder is heated to melting point. When using stamps for decorating a card, make sure they are evenly covered with stamping ink.
AGEING
Use a heavy weight paper such as water colour paper. Wet the paper with a little water, then place two or three used tea bags on to the paper so the tea stains it. Coffee granules can also be used to stain. Use a wet paint brush to squash them into the areas you want to appear aged, or use a dry stencil brush to rub the granules into the paper.
COLLECTIBLES
Get collecting! Lace, shells, coins, old photographs and postcards, stamps, buttons, ribbons, raffia, feathers and much more can be found in flea markets, haberdashery shops or even your home. Keep things in labelled envelopes where necessary to make life easier. Similarly, make a file for magazine cuttings, wrapping paper and pieces of handmade paper.
GLITTER AND CONFETTI
Glitter stars, confetti in a variety of shapes from champagne glasses and numbers to Easiest bunnies and angels, bindis and holographic and glitter stickers are available from many stationery and card shops and are ideal for use in fabulous shaker cards or simply to sprinkle into the envelope for a
special surprise.
GIFT TAGS
If you have leftover card, fabric, paper or other material from making a card, why not create a matching gift tag! You can also adapt elements of many of the projects in this discussion to a much smaller format and use them as gift tags.
DECORATING ENVELOPES
You can personalize envelopes in many textured, handmade paper; wax-seal your envelope in contrasting tissue or crepe paper and tie with gold cord; or embellish your envelope flap with small decorative elements from the card inside.
PACKING AND PADDING
At our studio we get hundreds of cards per week throught the post and courier companies. Often the outside packaging gets damaged, so it is important to ensure all the goods we receive and send to shops are carefully padded to avoid damage. Nothing is more heartbreaking than to make a beautiful card and then to find it was broken on arrival at its destination. Gift-wrap your creation with tissue paper or cellophone to make it extra special, then send in a padded or stiff-backed envelope.
HANDY HINTS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Be kind to yourself - if all goes wrong,
just try again!
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The designers are only a basic guide - you can adapt most cards to suit a specific occasion.
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Give yourself enought time to see a project through easily. Don't try to rush things - enjoy the process.
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Be proud of your creations! If they turn out well you may want to suggest to the lucky recipient that they frame your card or stick it on the cover of an album.
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If you regularly send cards to the same people you may want to make a special memento box for them.
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Be adventurous - the beauty of handmade cards is that you can personalize them for the individual who is receiving them - whether they like cats, tulips, chocolate or whatever! You may like to use photographs and quirky sayings - something which will make the card unusual and unique.
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Remember, children love to get in on the action! Encourage them to use their imagination - Father's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, birthdays and thank you cards for Granny are all great opportunities for hands-on creativity!
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Make sure there is no glue showing on your finished cards, as this makes them look cheap and messy.
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If you have gone to lots of trouble to make a special card, you must remember to pack it properly if you send it through the post. Use a padded bag and bubble wrap. Perhaps wrap the card in nice tissue paper and tie a bow with some pretty braid; a gift in itself.
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Finally, keep things simple. Don't clutter up your card with too many things and stick to a theme. Be adventurous with colour but, again, don't overdo it with too many combinations on one card. If in doubt - leave it out!
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