Crafts for Making Greeting Cards

Homemade greeting cards are not only fun to craft, but also an effective way to show someone you care.

Making your own greeting cards requires nothing more than a few basic craft materials and your imagination. You can construct all kinds of greeting cards using stamps, photographs, markers and even cutouts from used cards. Creating your own greeting cards is not only an entertaining activity, it is also a thoughtful way to show someone how much you care about them.

Pop -Up Card

To make a simple pop-up card, begin by folding a piece of paper in half. Cut two notches in the center of the fold about an inch each in length and at least 1 inch apart. Open the card halfway and push the flap of paper into the card and press the card flat to crease it. Decorate the flap on the inside of the card or attach a cutout to the flap with tape or glue. When you open the card, the flap will unfold and create a pop-up effect.

Recycle Old Cards

Recycle old Christmas and birthday cards by using them as the material to make new cards. Cut out shapes and designs from used cards and glue the shapes to the front and inside of a blank card to create new designs. Create a message for your card by cutting out single words from old cards and arranging them to make a phrase or even a poem inside your new card. Utilize other craft materials like glitter, markers and stickers to complete your design.

Rubber Stamping

Assemble a collection of rubber stamps and several colors of ink pads. On a blank card, or a piece of card stock or thick paper folded in half, use the stamps to create colorful designs. To make a Christmas card, use stamps with Christmas tree, wreath and candy cane designs. To make a birthday card, use stamps shaped like presents, balloons and birthday cakes, then sprinkle glitter to create a confetti effect. Stamp directly onto the blank card, or use a separate piece of white paper, then color in the stamped design, cut it out and glue it to the card.

Photo Card

Using photographs is an instant way to make a homemade greeting card personal. Place wallet-sized copies of your wedding photo front and center on your thank-you cards, or use a favorite family photo as the main image for a birthday card. You can also create a customized collage on a greeting card by cutting out images from multiple photographs and gluing them onto a blank greeting card to create a new image or scene.

Elements of Nature

Pressed flowers and leaves make excellent materials for all-purpose greeting cards. A simple card with a pressed daisy on the front can be used as a thank-you card, a birthday card for a friend, or just a card to tell someone you were thinking of them. Use pressed whole leaves or flowers in your greeting cards, or use pieces and petals to create a new image. Be creative by making a scene on the front of your greeting card using only natural objects like leaves, flowers and twigs.

References

• Origami Resource Center; Pop Up Card; 2010
• Making-Greeting-Cards.com; Card Making for Kids: Simple Rubber Stamping