DIY Cards

Whenever I go to the store I am shocked by the prices of cards. Why drop $7 or $8 or even $12 dollars on a card that you can just make? Card making is super handy when you need a last minute gift or note. It is also a great way to make a gift super personal.

There are so many card making kits that are super fun and easy to create. The kits come with little cards, envelops, and all the supplies you need to create a handmade card. I love these kits because they teach you how to make each design. You can find these on Amazon, or in craft stores like Michael's.

If you don't have a kit, even better because you get to use things in your house to be creative!

Pro Tip: Save cards that are given to you (unless you want to keep it of course!) You can always glue a piece of paper on the inside and reuse it! Or if you don't want to use that card, you can cut out a design you like and add it to your own card.

Tips for Making A Handmade Card:

1) Grab Some Paper: Find some paper. This can be regular printer paper. I prefer to use something a bit heavier like card stock. A thicker paper will be more sturdy especially if you want to glue things on it.

2) Start to Plan Your Design: Look online and at Pinterest to gather ideas. Look at cards that you have been given. Check out the card aisle when you are in the store. Think about who you are making this card for and what they like.

3) Look for objects: Truthfully these are so many things in your house that you can use for a handmade card. Get creative! Look for old books or sheet music that you could cut up.

• string/yarn

• colored paper

• buttons

• dried flowers or leaves

• colored paper

• glitter

• stickers

• feathers

• old books

• sheet music

4) Tools: Here are some ideas of the types of tools you can use. The tools you will need depend on the extent of your craft.

• Paper

• Glue (hot glue gun, glue stick, Elmer's glue, craft glue)

• Scissors

• Pencil (if you want to draw shapes or lines)

• Colored Pencils

• Markers

• Hole puncher

• Straight Edge or Ruler

5) Don't worry if you don't have a lot of craft supplies! You can make a beautiful handmade card with just a piece of paper and some colored pencils. Minimalistic designs are very in right now.

6) Use the internet! You can gain inspiration, but you can also print out pictures to glue onto your card! Make a collage or print a funny meme that you think the card receiver would enjoy.

7) You can always paint or draw a picture. Feel free to watercolor a flower or create a design with paint. For example, you can simply splatter paint onto a piece of paper.

8) If you want to use paper from your card, its all about the layering. Cut out shapes in different sizes. Before glueing or taping anything down play around with the arrangement of your card.

9) Be creative! Handmade cards give you the unique opportunity to make something special for someone else. You can personalize your card specifically for the person you are giving it to!

10) Have fun! I always end with this because it is the most important thing! Of course you could go to the store and buy a card, but where is the fun in that? Part of the DIY process is the journey. That journey should be messy, creative, and fun!