| Put a touch of personality in your card the next time | | | | give you a good idea of what you want to purchase in |
| you need to send a greeting card by making it | | | | the future. A custom made stamp with the words |
| yourself. Handcrafting your own unique cards is easy | | | | "Made especially for you by..." will add your own unique |
| and fun. The only limit is your imagination. | | | | branding the card. |
| Before you make the card, think about who will be | | | | Not only do you get joy out of making these unique |
| receiving it. Develop a theme. Do they like flowers? Or, | | | | cards, your recipients will love getting them, too. |
| are beaches more their taste? What is their favorite | | | | Knowing that someone took the time and effort to |
| color? What is important to them? Are they | | | | make them a card with their unique tastes in mid will |
| sophisticated or more on the rugged side? Take the | | | | be very special. Chances are a handmade card won't |
| personality of the recipient into consideration when | | | | go in the trash after a couple days. Instead, it may be |
| designing your card. This will give the card that | | | | put in a keepsake box to enjoy for years to come. |
| personal touch that will make it a cherished keepsake. | | | | A few kinds of easy to make cards you might |
| Making your own card does not require a lot of | | | | consider are: |
| expensive supplies. For a basic homemade card, all | | | | Collage Card: These can be made with anything that is |
| you need is paper, cutter, glue and some colored | | | | meaningful to the recipient, such as movie stubs, |
| pencils. For more elaborate cards, you may want to | | | | photos, or travel brochures. |
| buy more detailed materials. Scrapbooking supplies | | | | Vintage Photo Card: Print a favorite picture in black |
| work great for greeting cards. | | | | and white. Add a caption or small embellishment for a |
| Once you have what you will need to make the card, | | | | classic-looking card |
| the creativity begins. A simple picture drawn with | | | | Window Card: Make a two layered card and cut a |
| colored pencils can add a personal touch. Or, for a | | | | shape out of the top layer. Add a photo, embellishment |
| more elaborate graphic, use a rubber stamp with an | | | | or text greeting to the bottom layer for a personal |
| appropriate picture. Color the stamped picture in with | | | | touch. |
| metallic paint pencils. Other options are shapes cut out | | | | Don't wait for a special occasion to send these |
| of paper or fabric. Add embellishments, such as | | | | distinctive cards. Surprise someone you care about by |
| stickers, buttons, sequins, ribbons, lace or other fun | | | | sending them a card "Just Because." |
| textures. This will give it that truly "one of a kind" look." | | | | So, the next time you are faced with sending a |
| Experiment with a few different styles and techniques | | | | greeting card to someone, stop yourself before you |
| to see what works best for you before investing too | | | | head to the nearest store. Instead, make the card |
| much money in more supplies. Find a friend who | | | | yourself. Create a card that is as unique as the |
| makes their own cards or scrapbooks and ask to | | | | recipient. And when they ask you, "Did you make this |
| borrow some of their supplies to try them out. This will | | | | yourself?" You can smile with pride and "Yes, I did! |