Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 7
It’s the beginning of summer - which means I have “Congratulations” cards to mail out to my friends who are graduating, or who have children who are graduating. This one was made for a young lady who worked very hard and graduated with honors! We’re very proud of her! The felt tab is used to open the card, and the sentiments express what I wish to say beautifully.
This is another A7 (5″x7″) card, and I will print her address onto an address label and this one will safely make it through the mail. Notice that the envelope is made from the same paper as the background layer. This is one of the simplest ways to ensure a match! The card and envelope become a set - and the recipient knows you cared enough to make the very best!
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 6
This one is called “Floral Thanks”. It’s a 5″ x 7″ (A7) card and envelope. Yes, someone pointed out to me yesterday that it seems to be my favorite size - and I guess it is. It has enough presence to be larger than an A2, but not too big. Layering the papers on the card gave the stamping depth, and using the same paper from the card to create the envelope works well, too.
Now, this is a card that can be mailed. All I would do is put an address label on the front, and send it on it’s way. I use a strong adhesive when I create my own envelopes, and I don’t have to worry about the big postal machines. In fact, my son just graduated and he sent out all of his Thank You cards, and everyone received them in perfect condition!
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 5
Creating the coordinating envelopes to match your hand made cards can be simple. If you choose your papers in advance - it’s easy to use a piece of the paper you intend to make the envelope from as a layer or a mat in your card. Here I used the decorative paper as large layer under my stamping and chipboard embellishments. The A7 (5″ x 7″)envelope now coordinates beautifully, and since I didn’t use any embellishments on the envelope - I can adhere an address label on the front and mail through the post.
One thing to remember when creating envelopes for the post - you’ll want to use a strong paper, and great adhesive. Especially when your card may have dimensional accents (such as my chipboard sticker), it should be able to survive the big postal machines if encased in a well constructed envelope. I actually find that the ones I make myself using the templates from Green Sneakers are better and stronger than any store bought ones.
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 4
This A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″) card and envelope would make a nice birthday card for a man or a woman. Inside the card sentiment reads: Aged to Perfection - Happy Birthday! By using a mottled green paper for the envelope - it’s decorative, but not too busy to accept an address label or just the hand written address. The post office will be able to read it just fine!
The card and envelope were both created by using the templates at Green Sneakers.
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 3
This is a 4″ x 6″ card and an A6 envelope. One of the best things about a card like this is that being a 4″ x 6″ card, and folded this way - you can make 3 of these from one sheet of 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper. And, again, for a card like this one - using 2 sided patterned cardstock makes it so easy to create a ‘finished’ card in no time. The inside is already decorated! Just add your sentiment and it’s done. For the front, I just added some ribbon and some acrylic embellishments, and a metal word tag.
For the envelope (A6) I used paper that coordinated with the brown in the stripes. See what a difference the coordinating envelope makes? For me, the hard part would have been trying to find an A6 envelope to use - but when you make them yourself - you always have what you need on hand!
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail 2
Here’s a fun card with lots going on. The front tab opens the card to reveal the sentiment block on the inside. The envelope was created by using a paper with coordinating colors. The envelope paper does not have to be the same paper - I just like to keep the color families similar. Again, keeping with the current series - this is a card that can be sent through the mail. I know it has the big flower, but as long as the address is on a label, and well adhered - it will arrive safely at its destination. The envelope paper is sturdy enough to keep the card safe, and I always use a very strong adhesive when creating the envelope.
This is an A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″) card and envelope, created using the templates from Green Sneakers.
Card Making - Cards to Go Through the Mail
I finished my series of a Dozen Tips and Techniques, and I thought I’d start a new series on “Cards that can go through the mail, followed by another series of “Cards that are designed to be handed to their recipient”.
For an envelope, here I knew I needed paper with a barely noticible pattern. I’ll address the envelope using a white gel pen. I could handwrite in the return address - but I have return address labels that will work well for this one. I chose a color from the card - it’s the color of the corner stamps, and the flower brads. By choosing this red - it adds to the fall color palette of the entire ensemble. I think an envelope made from the green would have worked, too, but it might have been too much green.
This is an A7 (5″ x 7″) card and envelope made from the templates at Green Sneakers.
Card Making Tips and Techniques 12
I had no idea what Watercolor Pencils were. It seemed a contradiction in terms. But I tried them, and they looked like colored pencils - and then I added a slightly wet brush to the color - and the whole thing changed! All of a sudden I was looking at a watercolor painting, and I realized I could manipulate the colors, the blending of the colors and whether or not there were pencil strokes (outlines or detail work). A whole new world of options opened up for me, and now I don’t work without at least one set of these near me. Then I found they made metallic watercolor pencils, and different grades of these pencils will give a different effect. So with so many companies to choose from, and so many types - I’ve just accumulated quite a collection. Tip 12 is try painting on your cards. Either add some paint to your stamping work, or try it free hand. Watercolor your backdrop, and then stamp on top! So many options - you won’t regret giving it a try!
This is an A6 card and envelope made from the templates at Green Sneakers.