Easy Handmade Card Idea

I know that sometimes when we see those beautiful handcrafted cards, it seems very intimidating.  Just choosing which papers to use can be overwhelming!  Well, I'm here today to make this a lot less stressful...



For our project today, you will need cardstock in a base color, then assorted papers and cardstock colors to make the rectangles.  You will also need the adhesive of your choice (double-stick tape or tape runner) and either 3 brads or 3 stick-on gems of your choice.  Other embellishments will be up to you.

Let me start by showing you the inspiration card I found on Scrapbook.com made by user LREA.

I really liked the bright spring colors of the card, and how the different patterns made it so fun.  Plus, lots of clean, simple lines...

I made a rough sketch of the basic elements in PowerPoint.

Then, to get the exact sizes to cut my paper, I sketched it again with graph paper and pencil.  The finished card front will be 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", so I wanted to be sure I had the exact measurements I needed for the other pieces of paper and cardstock.

Here it is all colored in with colored pencil, so I knew what papers to cut how, in which specific sizes.

I based the colors on some papers I had on hand, specifically the pink with the flowers, which you'll see in just a moment.  The next step is all the cutting.

You can use a paper cutter, or just a ruler and some scissors.  Start by cutting the card base - take an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock, and cut it in half, so you have 2 pieces that are 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".   Fold the pieces in half.  Here's a stack of them I made for a card swap.

And here are all the pieces cut:

And here's the cutting list:
1 dark pink - 2" x 4 1/2"
1 dark pink - 1 1/2" x 3 3/4"
1 pink floral - 1 1/2" x 4"
1 dark brown - 1" x 3 1/4"
1 light brown (patterned paper or coordinating ribbon of your choice) - 1/2" x 4 1/4"

So let's make the card!  Here you can see all the pieces laid out, ready for assembly.

Start by assembling the vertical layers - the dark pink and pink floral.  Tape the pink floral onto the dark pink, then tape the dark pink to the card base.

Then, do the horizontal layers in the same way - dark pink first, then dark brown.  When those are on, add the thin brown paper/ribbon.

In the top right corner, I secured three pink self-adhesive pearls.  To keep them straight and even, you can use a ruler placed next to where you want to put your pearls.You can add ribbon and brads, like the inspiration card, or just ribbon, or just brads - whatever you'd like to do.

And there it is!  You can see that I didn't use all the elements from the original card.  You don't have to either.  Use what appeals to YOU!  Feel free to use the same colors as my card, or the inspiration card.  Ink the edges of your papers, or tear them, or both, or not.  Add a sentiment, or not.

See how easy this is?  Make a bunch - Mother's Day is coming up, so are graduations and Father's Day.  Use different papers and different colors to make baby cards, wedding cards - any card!  Once you try it, I know you'll be hooked!

Have fun!