| Greeting cards are not only fun to make, they serve a | | | | off right away. |
| valuable purpose. When someone receives a | | | | 3. Add Flat Interest. Depending on the theme or |
| handmade card, they experience a level of joy that | | | | occasion for your card embellish it with some |
| cannot be achieved with a store bought card. Make | | | | interesting items like ticket stubs, magazine cut outs, old |
| sure your handmade cards deliver the emotional | | | | photos, stickers, quotes cut from newspaper articles or |
| message you intend. Whether you are creating | | | | cut outs from old calendars and postcards. Other |
| handmade cards for your personal use or selling them | | | | interesting papers include old labels from wine bottles |
| for profit, here are five helpful tips for creating | | | | and gourmet foods, confetti and aluminum foil. |
| attractive, remarkable handmade cards. | | | | 4. Add Texture. Here is where your creativity can |
| 1. Layer Papers. Shop the scrapbook aisle of your | | | | flourish. An unforgettable card will contain great texture |
| favorite craft store for many different types of | | | | such as pressed flowers, leaves and other plant |
| papers, card stock, thick and thin, foiled, embossed and | | | | material, ribbon, yarn, lace, buttons and other sewing |
| printed pattern papers are just as few. Layer the | | | | supplies. Try using beads, bottle caps, sea shells or |
| papers by cutting out shapes and various sizes of | | | | colored rubber bands. If your card is to be mailed |
| papers and then gluing them together to create a very | | | | don’t use too much texture or it will be mangled |
| expensive look for your card. Don’t go overboard | | | | during transit. |
| with too many layers, but at least one different layer | | | | 5. Create Your Own Envelope. Finish your handmade |
| can make all the difference. | | | | cards properly by creating a matching envelope. Use |
| 2. Use the Right Tools. Invest in some paper crimpers, | | | | paper that is heavy enough to protect all your beautiful |
| special edged scissors, various sized hole punches, a | | | | artwork, embellishments and textures. You should |
| good glue gun and different types of adhesives. Using | | | | keep the theme going by using the same colored |
| different edged scissors to cut your papers greatly | | | | paper as the base of your card. Be sure to mark the |
| adds to the impact and crimped papers and foils add | | | | envelope Non-Machinable as indicated by the U.S. Post |
| even more interest. New hole punches are available in | | | | Service guidelines. |
| many sizes and shapes, these cut out shapes add | | | | Your style, mood and materials are the ingredients that |
| style and definition to your papers. Use the right glues | | | | make your handmade card different and memorable. |
| and adhesives for the materials you are working with. | | | | Don’t be afraid to express yourself, uniqueness is |
| There is no point in adding embellishments if they fall | | | | what a handmade card is all about. |