How To Make A CardI decided to figure out how to make a card with one of my drawings on the front. It was an easy task and I'm very pleased with my new selection of gift cards.
One of my sisters has been giving me a handmade card for years and I have treasured each and every one of them. When someone spends the time to make something just for you, well, it's such a lovely gesture, isn't it? This is a photo of one of my own homemade cards.
I think I need to point out here that these directions have nothing to do with scrapbooking. I don't have any scrapbooking materials, only my regular art supplies. Materials Used:
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My thought is that I only need to do a sketch on the front and maybe dabble with some watercolor pencils for added effect. I haven't had a lot to do with watercolor pencils up to now so it's all a learning curve that I'm ready for! Because this is a gift card to accompany a present that I purchased, it's going to be small at roughly about 3 inches square. Watercolor paper does 2 things:
I chose water color and not colored pencil because I was seeking to create something quickly, just a simple drawing with maybe a dash of color. Steps For How To Make A Card:
So, that's how to make a card - pretty simple, huh? My A5 paper (which is half an A4 size) makes 2 gift cards or 4 single layer gift tags. Each card measures 3 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep approximately. You can reduce the size more if you prefer. It's your choice to leave the paper in the sketchbook while you complete your drawing/sketch or you can cut to size first, it really doesn't matter. I had no clue how to make a card properly so this is simply the process I made up as I went along.
Tips For Making Gift CardsOk, I'm going to draw something on the card so I think about the person it is meant for and I want to draw something of interest to that person. If you are a beginner artist, you need to compromise here and think of something that is simple enough for you to draw successfully and preferably something that suits the recipient. You also need to have an interest in the subject otherwise you will never complete the drawing or the card. My first handmade card was for my eldest sister - she loves old buildings, animals, farms and anything to do with nature.
I drew an old style gateway on the first attempt, I thought it came out great and then I realized I can't use it -- I drew it on the wrong half of the card/paper! As with everything, there is a learning curve to making gift cards! In hindsight, I can still use this sketch by cutting and pasting it onto another card surface.
So, remember, your drawings must go on the right-hand side of the card!
Next, I drew a rose but it wasn't the effect I was looking for and I kept drawing on more card squares until I was satisfied with the result. The rose was produced by going over a rough outline with a watercolor pencil. There has to be some thickness to the watercolor pencil so when the water is applied inside the outline, it can grab the color and run haphazardly into the petals of the flower.
The flower below is a hybrid daffodil but I'm going to pass it off as some type of exotic flower to be colored however I like!
Once my card was complete, I punched a hole in the top left corner. I threaded gold gift wrap ribbon through the hole and tied it to the handle of the parcel bag. Now you know the simple process how to make a card, try copying the flower outline. Lightly sketch in the image and once you are content with the outcome, go over it with pen or pencil. There's no harm in using reference material for your drawings, I still do it because I don't trust my imagination! If you use pen, make sure your drawing is completely dry before you erase any stray pencil marks. Erase gently so you don't damage your paper.
Another Handmade CardNext up, was a card for my niece who visited Japan last year and because she had a fabulous time, I thought it would be nice to have a Japanese theme on her card. I looked up Google Translate so I could see what her name represents in Japanese writing.
To keep with the Japanese theme of the card, I drew a Shinto Gateway. Actually, the landscape was so easy with a few scattered lines here and there. Put your initials on your drawing in a discreet place and make a copy of the artwork for your records. Once you know how to make a card, you make an impression because you have made an effort for that someone special. As the old saying goes "It's the thought that counts!" I used sticking tape to attach the gift card to a present that I purchased and I think it looks great!
For The Inside of A Handmade Card
Now that you know how to make a card, you can easily find an appropriate verse to use inside the card just by searching the net. I don't use a copied verse because it's a handmade card and I like to write my own gratitude for knowing that person and what he/she means to me. Being a gift card, a simple greeting on the inside will suffice for those who don't like to express feelings. I'm pretty sure the drawing on the outside will say everything you really want to say!
Benefits of Making Gift CardsIf you are a really good artist, using your drawings on handmade gift cards is an excellent way to showcase your talent.
Now you've been shown how to make a card, don't procrastinate, give it a trial run! It is something that will be treasured by others plus you save money and have fun at the same time. When you teach yourself to draw, you open up many pathways. You will likely spend some wonderful moments experimenting with all different mediums in drawing or painting. Drawing also gives you the opportunity to venture into crafts you never dreamed you'd be able to produce. If you are keen to try out new arts and craft ideas, check out these Free Lesson Plans, you'll find heaps of ideas and tutorials. Really, you will never know what you are capable of doing until you set challenges for yourself. Now you are aware of how to make a card so easily, who knows what you'll tackle next! Drawing is a hobby to be enjoyed and it's up to you (and me!) to make it so.
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