How to make your own customized cards:
What you will need: Blank cards and envelopes, scrapbook paper, glue stick, rubber stamps (with various messages), ink pads, rotary cutter (or scissors), cutting mat, ruler
If you’re like me, picking out a card is a process. A long, long, process. I scan through every option, hoping to find the perfect card with the perfect message inside. Then, after spending five times longer than intended in this abyss of an aisle, I inevitably end up spending what would almost qualify as a gift in and of itself on a piece of folded paper with a few rhinestones. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a sucker for the occasional witty card that seems to read my mind, but as I prepare for the student life (and unemployment), I figured it was time to find an alternative for the other 99% of card-worthy events.
My solution? Card making! Surprising, I know. I already had a booklet of patterned paper left over from a scrapbook project, so I bought a few rubber stamps and a package of 10 blank cards from Michael’s… for much less than one store-bought card… and got to work! I had a blast picking out stamps and creating simple cards with a homemade touch. If you can’t find the perfect stamp, simply write your message with a nice paint pen to get the same printed look (see my Mother’s Day card at the end of this post)!
I first stamped my message on a piece of plain, light colored scrapbook paper (so I could see it clearly) and cut it out with a fun pair of craft scissors. I then created a border with a piece of colorful patterned paper, mounted that onto another piece of cardstock to add contrast, and glued this to my card, creating a clean pattern. Leave your card as is for a simple, elegant look or add ribbons and embellishments to jazz it up for any occasion!
To add a bit of decoration to the inside panel, I created borders using leftover paper from the front of the card, leaving plenty of room for a note. If you aren’t much of a writer, you can take up more room by adding a message with a stamp 😉 The whole process took a lot less time than a typical trip to the card store, and I enjoyed designing my own cards for various occasions.
I do have one disclaimer – if you plan on only making one card, you are probably better off heading to the card store. There is a small initial investment to get the materials you need, but once you have them you are set for cards galore! The scrapbook aisle of any craft store is your oyster – get creative and have fun! Your friends and family will appreciate the original creation, and your wallet will appreciate the savings. Happy crafting!
