Tuesday, March 02, 2010

I'm a Card-making Fool

Handmade CardsLast week I had a wonderful treat. An invitation to visit my aunt complete with bread-making, lunch for two and an introduction to the world of card making.

Years ago I did a little bit of the craft--certainly nothing special--and when I saw the boxes of hanging files full of special papers, the drawers full of stamps and embossing materials and boxes and boxes of cute little embellishments I realized that all this time there was a wide world of paper products that I'd never realized existed.

Handmade CardsShe taught me some basics and let me explore her creative archives and you can see the results here. Isn't that the cutest get well card? Because who doesn't smile when they see aliens with big ol' googly eyes. Even when dealing with strep throat or stomach flu. Almost makes me wish I had a friend who was sick just so I could give it to them. Nice friend I am, huh? Hoping my friends get sick just so I can show off my mad card making skillz.

There was a love note that I liked that had more aliens with googly eyes and the words "I only have eyes for you" on it. Now if that doesn't say love I don't know what does. And by the way, later I'll definitely be posting the fabulous spring-time shrimp salad she served. Very good.

Handmade Popup CardBut I'll end with the instructions for making this handmade pop-up card that is a perfect springtime bouquet. It's actually pretty easy to make, little hands could manage with a bit of instruction, and it makes you smile almost as much as a bunch of aliens with googly eyes.

I have to confess that I saw the original instructions while stumbling through the internet but I made things more colorful. Not only was the original video in double time, making it quite hard to see, the instructions were a little ambiguous, and what else was there? Oh, yes. I don't speak Italian. So I did my own English version of the video and it's much easier to understand if I do say so myself. Now get going and make those pop-up cards people! Let's move, let's move!





Sponsored by Sorella Jewelry Studio for fine personalized jewelry.

15 comments:

Laura said...

This card is simply wonderful and so easy to make. Soon it will be Mother's Day in my country and it's a wonderful opportunity to make them. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Patricia L said...

Very nice cards. How funny that I, too, spent my weekend making cards. My MOPS group hosted a weekend crop and since I don't scrapbook, I made lots and lots of cards. It is fun, isn't it?

[Stacia] said...

Fantastic cards! I, myself, happen to be a collector of all those wonderful paper products. My husband's getting a little sick of it in fact. But there's just something about patterned paper that makes me er...drool. :)

AlaneM said...

I'm not a scrapper but I LOVE making cards - so much fun!! The aliens are adorable :)

Suzi Dow said...

Your timely is great - I need send a Thank You card to someone dealing with "another two foot of snow." This card should lift her winter-doldrums. Thanks.

CountessLaurie said...

I am a card maker and I never thought of embellishing with googly eyes!! Awesome!

Melissa said...

Card making? without me? Michelle I thought we were sisters :) Seriously michelle if you wanna get into it more, I have a bunch of books and fun tools and the cricut. It was be so much fun! Card making party :):)

Scribbit said...

If you're wondering about the template thing, it's been giving me trouble for a while now so I went back to the old one for now while I fix things.

jubilee said...

As a card making fanatic, I am loving this post. Thanks!

Claremont First Ward said...

There is nothing like a beautiful homemade card. I've decided to start afresh. Now that I have a cricut I have no excuse. :)

April Mack said...

I always enjoy your videos, and this is one I'll definitely keep track of because the resulting card is so simple, yet beautiful!

But one bit of beef I have is that you're always too quiet. I have the volume turned up as high as it'll go, have my ear right up to the speaker, and I can only hear about half of what you say. Any time you trail off it becomes a soft mumble-mumble.

Can you put the mic closer to you, or speak louder, next time?

Scribbit said...

So sorry April, I'll keep that in mind next time!

Lori said...

Super cute! I'll watch the video with my daughter later. We made some Hanukkah cards like this with instructions from either Family Fun, Martha Stewart or a craft book (I have too many craft ideas!) but did really well. Flowers would be very festive.

Staci said...

OH I love it!! Your video was great! Can't wait to try it out :) Thanks for sharing!

Carrie said...

Cute cards! I love making my own cards - I was in a card-stamping club a few years ago & collected a lot of stamps & supplies & I still make all my own cards! :)