Creative Cards

by Pascual, Paula

• ISBN13: 9781554071272
• ISBN10: 1554071275
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-01-06
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

Perfect for paper crafters, beginner and experienced.Creative Cards is a how-to guide to turning plain paper into personalized and unique gift cards, boxes, bags, tags, and wrapping paper. The book shows how to transform plain paper into something special, and how to wrap a gift for a beautiful presentation.The techniques section explains all the basics, such as using a bone folder, embellishing edges, choosing the right adhesive, working with 3-D decorations, stamping, gilding, die-cutting, and folding, with lots of how-to photographs.Projects are suited to making a single card or large quantities, and are coded to indicate how long they may take to complete. Tip boxes offer handy pointers and there are ready-to-use templates at the back of the book plus a section on choosing and laying out text on a computer.The step-by-step projects include: Baby shower invitation Birth announcement Children's party invitation Birthday card for a man Wedding folder 50th anniversary card New home Valentine Halloween Christmas cardFor the occasional crafter or the experienced hobbyist, Creative Cards is rich with expert advice and colorful inspiration.

Author Biography

Paula Pascual has been crafting since she was 12 and selling her cards since the age of 15. She writes for Crafts Beautiful magazine and keeps in touch with home crafters by working in a craft shop. Originally from Spain, Paula and her husband live in Westerham, Kent, England.

Table of Contents

Introduction	6	(2)
Tools and materials	8	(6)
Basic Techniques
Scoring, folding and cutting
Scoring	14	(1)
Cutting	15	(1)
Decorating edges
Tearing edges with water	16	(1)
Coloring with ink pads	16	(1)
Coloring different edges	17	(1)
Edge punches	17	(1)
Sticking and fixing
Double-sided tape	18	(1)
Sticky-dots tape	19	(1)
PVA adhesive	19	(1)
Spray adhesive	20	(1)
Self-adhesive dots	20	(1)
Silicone glue	21	(1)
Ribbon	21	(1)
Attaching thin ribbon	22	(1)
Organza and transparent ribbon	23	(1)
Attaching non-porous objects	24	(1)
Attaching with eyelets	25	(1)
Attaching with brads	26	(1)
Creative uses of glue
Double-sided adhesive and gold leaf	27	(1)
Making glitter paper or card	28	(1)
Making epoxy stickers	29	(2)
Stamping
How to stamp	31	(1)
Cleaning stamps	31	(1)
Stamping with found objects	32	(1)
Making a stamp	32	(2)
Embossing with stamps	34	(1)
Making apertures
Using a paper punch	35	(1)
Using a circle cutter	35	(1)
Using a paddle punch	36	(1)
Punches and die-cutting machines	37	(1)
Stencil embossing
Embossing	38	(1)
Coloring in	39	(1)
Creating polymer clay embellishments
Stamping onto clay	40	(1)
Making a mold	41	(1)
Applying color	42	(1)
Using gold foil	43	(1)
Making inserts
Rectangular shapes	44	(1)
Vellum cards	45	(1)
Aperture cards	46	(1)
Irregular shapes	46	(1)
Making wrapping paper
Stamping paper	47	(1)
Making a color spray	48	(1)
How to wrap	49	(2)
Making tags
Punched tags	51	(1)
Double tags	51	(1)
Using a die-cutting machine	52	(1)
Using a template	52	(2)
Using shipping tags	54	(1)
Making boxes
Square boxes	55	(3)
Make to measure	58	(2)
Trunk box	60	(1)
Party bags	61	(5)
Projects
Work sheet	66	(1)
Budget and shopping list	67	(1)
Baby Shower	68	(2)
Birth Announcement	70	(4)
Children's Party	74	(4)
Pretty in Pink	78	(2)
18th Birthday Party	80	(2)
21st Birthday	82	(2)
Girls-Only Party	84	(2)
Man's Birthday Card	86	(2)
Graduation	88	(4)
Engagement Announcement	92	(2)
Engagement Party	94	(2)
White Wedding	96	(2)
Wedding Folder	98	(2)
25th Anniversary	100	(2)
50th Anniversary	102	(2)
New Home	104	(2)
At Home	106	(2)
Retirement	108	(2)
Red Valentine	110	(4)
With Love	114	(2)
Easter Eggs	116	(2)
Fourth of July	118	(2)
Halloween	120	(2)
Thanksgiving	122	(4)
Christmas Trees	126	(4)
Christmas Presents	130	(2)
Glittery Snowflakes	132	(2)
Fonts and Text Layout for Inserts	134	(4)
Templates	138	(1)
Index	139	(3)
Suppliers	142

Excerpts

IntroductionI have been making cards for many years, not only for myself but also for other people. Often I am asked to do invitations to weddings or other special events and although this is very similar to making just one birthday card it is not quite the same. There are many elements to consider when making large batches of cards, but the most important one of all is that you will need to make many cards that are all the same -- or, at the very least, that have the same design. There is nothing quite so satisfying for a crafter than to see 100 wedding invitations finished and ready to be mailed! All the cards in this book have been specially designed so large quantities can be made quickly.Sometimes, making lots of cards takes far more time than you expect and some techniques take longer than others. I have included a useful chart on pages 66-67 that will help you determine what project to try and what products to use. Each of the projects is also coded to give you an idea how long it will take to make -- the key to this code is shown on the opposite page. And remember: the best way to make lots of cards in a short time is to set up a mini production line, so you do all the cutting first, then all the scoring, then the sticking.Gift giving is also a part of weddings and parties. How many times do you have a present to give but don't have wrapping paper that's just right? The techniques section shows how to make simple boxes and bags, decorate wrapping paper and how to wrap a present beautifully with just pieces of scrap paper. Using these basic techniques as a guide, you can make boxes and paper to match your card and have a fully coordinated event!Handmade cards, invitations and gift wraps mean far more to the recipient, because you have put time and energy into making something special. You can also add extra details, personal touches and make them far more beautiful than a store-bought version. I do hope you enjoy making the projects in this book as much as I have enjoyed working on it.Paula Pascual