I decided to put a plea out to a number of known card makers, some are solely card makers, some do both cards and scrapbooking. I asked them three questions. This week is the result, we're going to take the "freak out" out of card {freak out} making! My hope is that by the end of the week, you'll have a number to tools in your belt so that you'll feel comfortable whipping out that card for little Johnny's teacher, the neighbor across the street, or your mother-in-law's birthday.
I took everyone's thoughts and tried to categorize responses into general areas that would flow through the week. Some days there will be lots of examples, others will be lots of me writing. I know there will be some overlap, I may merely touch on one idea today, but expand upon it in two days. I got so much good advice, I don't think you'll mind. And not only am I going to simply recite what I've learned, every day I'll have a little video of me (yes, me) making a card in less than 5 minutes, showing these ideas can be put into practice by even the most card-inept person. It's going to be a fun week, I hope you'll come back every day, including give.away.day. on Thursday (I know what we're giving away. hee hee!).
Today we're going to learn about processes: what drive them and what a few of them are.
Driving your process, I'm happy to report, is as individual as you are. There is no right or wrong way to start creating a card. It was split down the middle as to what drives the card makers' creative process. Some said they start with the card recipient in mind.
Kelly Marie Alvarez says:
A card will just flow if you think about what that card-recipient loves. It will also bring you so much joy to create for that specific person, that the card making will just come!
Danielle Flanders agrees:
Keep in mind the person you are giving it to. For example, if it's a child's birthday, go with a fun design and bright colors! If it's a sympathy card, go with soft, serene, calming colors. ...The recipient will appreciate that you took the time to make them a special, one-of-a-kind handmade card from your heart.
Allison Landy echoes this:
Do you need an energetic or whimsical card for a child's birthday? Or, do you need a softer, sweeter design to wish someone a happy Mother's Day?
The other half said they let product drive them.
Valerie Mangan suggests:
Let a product or sentiment guide the project. Sometimes I’ll see a piece of patterned paper and inspiration will hit. Sometimes the words of a sentiment stamp or sticker will strike a chord. Start with something you love and let that steer the creative process.
Rae Barthel likes to start with the paper:
Choose papers that you LOVE and are eager to work with. I always let the patterned papers/products guide my card design.
One card maker, Becky Olsen does both. She starts with the the purpose then moves onto the product (More on that later).
Now we're going to discuss the creative processes of three different card makers. I love how different each person approaches the making of a card. I helps me see that there's not one right way.
Sharyn Tormanen advised me to think about a card as a mini layout:
Photo = embellishment/image, the sentiment = the journaling and the embellishments are the cohesiveness whether you use them for visual triangles or just because you're addicted to embellishments.
1. If you usually start your layouts with journaling - then begin with the sentiment.
2. If you normally start your layouts with photos - then begin with an image.
3. If you are big on the visual triangle, like myself - then translate that into your card.
4. If you embellish your layouts - then embellish your cards.
Shelly Jaquet, who before my email didn't consider herself a card maker (but trust me, she is!), gave me her process for design, as well as a few examples:
I guess I do have a go-to design; although, it is crazy complicated. Ok... just kidding about that one. My go-to card idea is one simple element with a greeting. Sometimes, I put that element in the center of the card, sometimes in bottom right corner.
card property of Shelly Jaquet
Sometimes, I use just a simple punched shape as the element… sometimes, I go crazy and make a more layered embellishment. After I have my one element/embellishment, I tackle the background of the card.
card property of Shelly Jaquet
I sometimes, create a simple background using stamps or other little things … sometimes, I keep it as plain as it can get with just cardstock.
Finally, Becky Olsen shared her process with me, I think this is a great story about making things work for you:
I like to let the product "talk to me". If there are obvious design elements in the paper, or a color in an embellishment that I want to highlight, I work around those to choose the shape, style and size of the card. Often what I thought I would be working toward turns into something more interesting because I let the design process occur organically instead of deliberately. An example of this is a card that I was making to submit for a specific call; I really wanted to sew on it, so created all the other elements and then did the sewing last. I hated the sewing but loved the rest of the card and didn't want to start over so I used lines of miniature pearls along all the sewing lines to cover the stitching. I then saw the opportunity to add a pearl swirl and larger beautiful flower that I wouldn't have used otherwise. Of the few cards that I submitted, this was the one that was picked up for that particular call. It turned out much better than I could have envisioned it because I went with the flow and didn't freak out when it started to tank.
And now it's time for me to take a few of these ideas and put them into practice. I'd love to have you join me and post your cards to the Flickr gallery. Here's my supply list to make it easy on you. Gather everything, then hit play.
Supplies:
- cutting tool
- scissors
- scoring tool
- 3-in-1 butterfly punch or similar
- 2" medallion or circle punch
- liquid adhesive
- adhesive runner
- tiny attacher or stapler
- eyelet tool
- eyelet
- 8.5" x 11" sheet of white cardstock
- three sheets of cardstock or patterned paper (I used green, cream, and kraft)
And in case you can't see the video, here's the written instructions for you.
- Cut sheet of white cardstock in half so it's 5.5" x 8.5".
- Score at the halfway point (4.25") and fold in half.
- Punch a 2" circle or medallion from kraft patterned paper.
- Punch a green butterfly trio (save the two mini butterflies).
- Punch a cream butterfly trio.
- Attach the cream butterfly to medallion with liquid adhesive.
- Attach with stapler the green butterfly over the cream butterfly. Lift up wings for dimension.
- With eyelet tool, attach an eyelet above the butterfly.
- Cut about 7" of twine, feed it through the eyelet hole and tie.
- Attach tag to front of card with stapler.
- With liquid adhesive, attach two small butterflies inside the card, then write your sentiment.
