How to Craft Handmade Greeting Cards

Stamped "Thanks" Card

Handmade greeting cards are a way to add your own personal touch to any holiday or event. By making your own greeting cards, you can decide the design and personalize each card specifically for the recipient. Making your own greeting cards can be a fun-filled process for everyone in your family. Kids enjoy crafts, especially when spending time together as a family. The time you spend creating your cards with others, or by yourself can be very therapeutic, stress relieving and fun.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock (quantity depending on how many cards you plan to make)
• Scrap paper
• Rubber alphabet stamps
• Rubber image stamps (design is up to you)
• Ink pads
• Scissors
• Ink pens or markers
• Envelopes

Instructions

1. Cut a scrap piece of paper to the same size as your card stock, and another for your practice envelope. These will be for your practice run.

2. Decide where to put your stamps, and handwriting. Use the stamp pads to ink your stamps and stamp them onto your practice paper. Keep stamping until you get the feel of how much ink to use. Experiment with different colors as well, and decide which ones you will use on your card. If you make any mistakes, cut a new piece of scrap paper and continue practicing.

3. Write your handwritten message, if any, on the practice card. Practice your handwriting in different ways, until you find the look you want. Use different colors of pens or markers, and decide which color best compliments the theme of your card. Repeat the stamping on your actual card stock and envelope, making sure you have positioned them the way you liked during your practice run. Do the same with your handwriting.

4. Allow your card to dry; flip it over. On the back of your card, claim your creation. Write or stamp something like: "Made for you with love by <insert your name>" or "Family Christmas 2009." Pair each homemade card with one of your decorated envelopes, and you are ready for give it.

Tips & Warnings

• Tags for gifts can be stamped for personalization as well. Just use a hole punch at the corner and tie with a ribbon or yarn.

References

• Making Greeting Cards