Sunday, July 31, 2011

More Note Cards, How to & Papercrafting Tips

As you can see, I’m still on a note card kick after my photo scrap note cards and my note card giveaway (it’s still open, you know!).  And now I’m having a perpetual “problem”—all these paper scraps left over from note cards are inspiring me to make even more cards!

My latest set is a baby/child set:


I think these cards are great for a few reasons (and not just because I made them!).  First, they’re customizable, so the giver can add his or her (or just her, who are we kidding, men don’t send note cards) own photographs.


And secondly, they have fun little details on both the inside front cover and the back.



See these little details?  It’s the thought that goes into handcrafted items that make them so special.

When I’m inspired to make a note card, I lay out my matching paper scraps and make all of my cuts at once.  You can’t exactly work assembly line style when you’re doing creative work, but I do try to make all my cuts at once and then do all my gluing at once.  I think it makes for a more fluid process, plus I can keep moving onto the next idea as it comes hurtling at me at 100 miles an hour.  I feel like I have to do them all… now!

I thought I’d share these papercrafting tips and tricks, since they’re so fresh in my mind:

1. Measuring is for weenies.  Why measure and mark your piece only to erase the pencil marks after you make your cuts?  Also, I find that I make more mistakes when I measure.  Instead of measuring, I place the piece I want to cut alongside something else for guidance.  So, for example, when deciding how to trim my card so it fits into the envelope nicely, I hold up my paper to the envelope, eyeball it (it’s a technical term) and cut away.  I do a lot of eyeballing.

2. Glue first, cut later.  When I’m layering two pieces of paper, I prefer to glue them together (smaller, trimmed piece on top) and then trim the bottom piece last.  That way I have a better chance at getting a perfect trim.  Of course, this also opens the door for a fatal error here and there, but we’re creative people, so obviously we can come up with creative solutions if this should ever happen to us.

Should you want a set of note cards similar to these, you can still enter my giveaway, which is open until 8 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 1, 2011, to win a set of five handmade note cards with envelopes.  If you still want the cards but don’t win the giveaway, you can buy the set you see here in my Etsy shop.


20 comments:

  1. Your cards are super cute and I like your style of tutorial... no nonsense! I found your site through a link party and would love for you to come to my Savvy HomeMade Monday blog party at http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/2011/07/28/savvy-homemade-monday-party-1/

    I am a follower!

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  2. LOVE the details!! SO cute!!

    Thanks for linking up to “Strut Your Stuff Sunday” on our blog!! We appreciate it!

    Kristine
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

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  3. More lovely cards! and I love the card making tips too!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  4. wow, what wonderful cards. I really would love to win them :)
    Greetings from Austria. maria

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  5. Those are fantastic! I love your tips too!
    I am stopping by from the bloghop & am a new follower! I hope you'll stop by my blog too - Musings From a Stay At Home Mom ! 'Have a great Monday!

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  6. Super Cute cards! I'm a new follower from Running with Glitter!
    http://mrmagnificentandcompany.blogspot.com/

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  7. dang cute! i would love for you to share at my tell me tuesday party!
    thanks
    ash
    http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/

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  8. Those turned out so nice! I am a fan of homemade cards! They are so much fun to make! I have a party going on over at my blog if you want to join! I'd love to have you! Check it out under the "Stache Party" page on my blog: mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com

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  9. Good idea leaving a space for a picture! Thanks for sharing with me!

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  10. I was so charmed by the photos of your projects in your sidebar that I became your newest follower.

    Holy cow, are you talented!!!

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  11. PS My nephew, Nathan, was born on Thanksgiving Day 1980.

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  12. Cute cards! I like making greeting cards for all occasions. It's a wonderful way to express my creative side, as it relaxes me.

    Check it out…. From Chats on the Farmhouse Porch to Wayback Wednesday

    Your friend,
    Cathy Kennedy, Children's Author
    The Tale of Ole Green Eyes

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  13. I actually laughed out loud at " Measuring is for weenies ". You're awesome and thanks for linking this up to my party!!

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  14. Great tips! Those are gorgeous! Honestly if I "eyeballed" my cards...they would end up being triangles! LOL

    Found you on the Alexa Blog Hop!
    Jessica
    http://igiveugetgiveaways.com

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  15. These are SO cute! I seem to craft this way too "eyeballing it" and "glue first, cut later" are my mottoes!

    I came from the Alexa Blog hop!
    http://24-7-365mom.com

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  16. Super cute idea, though just a little late to use for my daugter's birthday invitations (her party is tomorrow), but I will have to keep it in mind for next year or maybe Christmas cards!
    Found you on Alexa blog hop :)
    http://woodworkingmomma.blogspot.com

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  17. your cards are beautiful! I love my paper trimmer... it has saved me so much hassle!

    I came from the Alexa hop
    http://randomthoughtsandotherthingsbybrenda.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-you-know-its-puppy-love.html

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  18. I just love the details inside... nothing makes me happier than a homemade card!

    Carlee
    www.ladybirdln.com

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  19. so cute! i love it! I found your blog through a link party and love it! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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