Shaped cards

Dear Fellow Crafters,

Every once in a while, I want to make a card in a different shape. Here’s a great tutorial:

Sallie

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How do I make shaped cards?

 

Dear Fellow Crafters,

I often find myself getting bored with the same old 5″ x 6 1/2″ shaped card. Oh, there are lots of die cuts and papers out there to cover the size of the blank card but the shape gets boring after a while. So, one day I surfed the web to find out how to make shaped cards. The following are some ideas I found. Enjoy!

‘Til next time,

~Sallie

PS: see part 2 for more in-depth instructions.

Draw or sketch a shape onto your card base using the fold to your shape’s advantage, then cut out, making sure not to cut the fold. You can use clip cart, templates found on-line or rubber stamps. I have Rubbermaid round containers that are perfect for round cards. You can use an old CD also. Then I found that I could use my Sizzix die cut shapes – and I really ‘went to town’ with my larger frame sets and BigZ dies (old Jaloppy, Haunted House and Sleigh). Another suggestion is Stencils and Card Shapes by Paper Flair from Hot off the Press. These are really easy to use! Just trace and cut.

Hang your shape over the edge of the card, for example if your card base is 4.25” x 5.5”, cut your base down to 3” x 5.5” and allow your shape to hang over the 3” side.

Use an image/large stamp, adhere it to your card front, and cut around the shape.

Sources:

Technique Essentials #9 Shaped Cards byJennifer McGuire

Creating a Shaped Card From Pre-CreatedArt

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All rights reserved.

Excerpts and links may be used provided that full and clear credit is given to Sallie and uniquelyyourscards with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. You can reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscards@outlook.com

 

 

Question -Shaped cards- Part 2

Dear Fellow Crafters,

There are lots of card designs out there, but if you are getting bored by the straight-edge cards try shaped ones. The following article may help you:

Technique Essentials #9 Shaped Cards By Jennifer McGuireI love making handmade cards. There is no greater joy than sending a card to a loved one. However, after a few years of sending cards, I was looking for a fun way to be a bit more creative than decorating a plain rectangle card. I started out by making a circle card and loved it! Before I knew it, I was creating cards in every shape, from hearts to flowers to stars. Here are some tips on creating your own unique shaped cards. Instructions: CREATING A SHAPE FOR YOUR CARD:First, people often wonder how to come up with a creative shape for a card. It is easier than it looks! In fact, there are several options.The simplest way is to just hand draw a shape. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a sketch artist to do this! Just give it a try.) Try starting with a Hero Arts note card. Draw the shape onto the note card with a pencil. By starting with the note card, you can be sure the final card fits nicely in the envelope. Cut along the line and you are good to go!. Another option to make shaped cards is to first create something to trace. Try enlarging a clip art image on your computer to a size slightly smaller than the envelope. Print the shape and use it as a template for your card. Be sure to keep the template so you can use it again in the future. You can also trace shapes from around your house, such as a CD for a circle card. If you are interested in simple ways of altering a regular note card to give it a new look, there are several things you can try. First, it can even be as basic as using a corner rounder to round the corners of a plain card. This results in a card with a soft, finished look. Another option is to cut the length of a note card down to the width of your envelope. (You will end up with a small, square card.) Create a stamped piece that hangs over the crease of the card. This is just a different option. OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE CARD: Even with a shaped card design, your card can still open and close like a regular card. There are a few ways you can make sure of this. One way is to keep the regular crease of the note card in tack. Start with a regular note card and draw or trace the shape onto it, leaving it hanging slightly off the creased edge. This way, when you cut it out, part of the crease will still be in tack so it still opens and closes like a card. Another option is to cut two separate pieces, exactly the same shape. Then, you can join the front and back pieces with some sort of creative attachment. Try using a line of stitching, a few staples or eyelets. One fun option is to attach them with one brad so that the front can swing open to reveal the inside. Finally, the easiest way to create a shaped card that opens and closes nicely also starts with two separate pieces cut exactly the same. At the top of the back piece, create a fold going backwards, approximately ¾” from the edge. Generously apply adhesive to the folded flap and line it up with the top piece. Allow to dry. This method allows the person to easily open the card and read your message inside. And, remember, there are many variations to this technique of creating shaped cards. Be sure to try different substrates besides paper, such as fabric and clear note cards (available through Hero Arts). Have fun!

 

Paper Crafting 101- Creating shaped cards

Dear Fellow Crafters,

The following is a copy of a blog post from Hero Arts that is perfect for this subject. Please feel free to share: http://www.heroarts.com/learning/technique.cfm?techID=73

~Sallie

FLOWER CARD: Allow a shaped card to open and close by keeping part of the note card’s crease intact. CIRCLE CARD: To create a quick circle card, trace a CD onto two pieces of cardstock and cut. FOLDED CARD: Assemble a note card in a creative way. HEART CARD: Assemble card with one brad so that the front can swing open to reveal the inside. More Resources Tip: If you create a shape card that you like, be sure to trace it. Keep this “template” for making more in the future. Suggested Materials: Hero Arts note cards, brads and photo turns, pencil and stamps.

Technique Essentials #9 Shaped Cards By Jennifer McGuireIlove making handmade cards. There is no greater joy than sending a card to a loved one. However, after a few years of sending cards, I was looking for a fun way to be a bit more creative than decorating a plain rectangle card. I started out by making a circle card and loved it! Before I knew it, I was creating cards in every shape, from hearts to flowers to stars. Here are some tips on creating your own unique shaped cards. Instructions: CREATING A SHAPE FOR YOUR CARD: First, people often wonder how to come up with a creative shape for a card. It is easier than it looks! In fact, there are several options. The simplest way is to just hand draw a shape. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a sketch artist to do this! Just give it a try.) Try starting with a Hero Arts note card. Draw the shape onto the note card with a pencil. By starting with the note card, you can be sure the final card fits nicely in the envelope. Cut along the line and you are good to go! (See the Flower Card example.) Another option to make shaped cards is to first create something to trace. Try enlarging a clip art image on your computer to a size slightly smaller than the envelope. Print the shape and use it as a template for your card. Be sure to keep the template so you can use it again in the future. You can also trace shapes from around your house, such as a CD for a circle card, as was done with Circle Card example. If you are interested in simple ways of altering a regular note card to give it a new look, there are several things you can try. First, it can even be as basic as using a corner rounder to round the corners of a plain card. This results in a card with a soft, finished look. Another option is to cut the length of a note card down to the width of your envelope. (You will end up with a small, square card.) Create a stamped piece that hangs over the crease of the card. This is just a different option… and unexpected! (See the Folded Card example.) OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE CARD: Even with a shaped card design, your card can still open and close like a regular card. There are a few ways you can make sure of this. One way is to keep the regular crease of the note card in tack. Start with a regular note card and draw or trace the shape onto it, leaving it hanging slightly off the creased edge. This way, when you cut it out, part of the crease will still be in tack so it still opens and closes like a card. (Again, see the Flower Card example.) Another option is to cut two separate pieces, exactly the same shape. Then, you can join the front and back pieces with some sort of creative attachment. Try using a line of stitching, a few staples or eyelets. One fun option is to attach them with one brad so that the front can swing open to reveal the inside. (See the Heart Card example.) Finally, the easiest way to create a shaped card that opens and closes nicely also starts with two separate pieces cut exactly the same. At the top of the back piece, create a fold going backwards, approximately ¾” from the edge. Generously apply adhesive to the folded flap and line it up with the top piece. Allow to dry. This method allows the person to easily open the card and read your message inside. (Again, see the Circle Card example.) And, remember, there are many variations to this technique of creating shaped cards. Be sure to try different substrates besides paper, such as fabric and clear note cards (available through Hero Arts). Have fun! See This Technique Applied