Instead of giving out a store-bought card this holiday, try your hand at making your own cards. Making your very own cards does not require a lot of hard work, but rather a bit of creativity and definitely the right materials.

To start creating, first visit your local arts and crafts store to search for materials. Most arts and crafts stores have big scrapbooking sections. This is where you will be able to find the materials to make your own cards. Let your inspiration guide you as the possibilities are unlimited!! *Tip* Plan and stick to a budget before you begin 🙂

Rubber stamps are widely available at craft stores, Targets, and Walmarts—and you can buy virtually any color ink to go with the stamps. There are several stamping methods that you can use when making cards including embossing! Embossing is the process of creating a raised image on the card and it can give the card an elegant appearance.
Very nice effect!

There are several die cuts and die cut machines available as well. Die cuts allow you to punch a shape out with ease. They come in all different shapes and sizes and can be very useful in achieving a layered look. Die cuts can be punched out of different color papers to display a colorful card.
Get creative here! You can literally use anything, like a paint sample card:

Scrapbook papers come in all different colors, textures and themes. Patterned paper can be purchased as well as glitter paper and pre-scored card kits. Card kits come with the note cards already made and ready to decorate. The kits come in different sizes and often different colors to meet a variety of needs. During seasonal periods, such as Christmas, card kits come out with note cards, envelopes and many different die cut shapes.

Stickers are available, both regular and 3D and also come in many different themes. Disney stickers are available as well as licensed characters and many 3D designs. Adding stickers to your cards can help to foster even more creativity when matching colors and themes. You can further enhance your handmade cards by adding ribbon or brads. Ribbon comes in a plethora of colors, shapes and textures. Brads can be used to hold items such as die cuts on the card without the use of an adhesive.

Simply put, making cards is a creative process that only you can foster. Cards can be created with a variety of items found in your local arts and crafts store. You can play around using different methods to decorate the cards and have fun at the same time!

Happy Crafting!! 🙂