Free Card Making Ideas

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If you’re interested in card making, you may be wondering where you can find free card making ideas. Fortunately, there is inspiration all around you!

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

If you’re like most people, you probably have a stash of greeting cards that you’re received over the years just sitting in your house. Dig out this box and think about what each card means to you. For example:

Do you like the photos or illustrations?
How did the artist arrange the text and images on the card to create a pleasing design?
Does the verse speak to you?

Jot down a few notes and think about how you can use elements from the cards you’ve received in the past to create your own handmade greetings.

Visit Your Local Hallmark Store

There’s a good reason why Hallmark sells more greeting cards than any other company. They’ve mastered the art of creating meaningful cards! So, next time you’re in search of some free card making ideas, take a field trip to your local Hallmark store.

As you’re browsing through the selection, think about the following questions:

What types of occasions do people send cards for?
What cards appeal to you the most? Do you seem to gravitate towards fun and whimsical cards, or do you prefer a more serious type of greeting?
What color combinations do you like?

Check Out Online Galleries for Free Card Making Ideas

Online galleries are an excellent source of free card making ideas. Whether you’re new to the craft or an experienced card maker, seeing projects that others have completed will give you a chance to fine-tune your own sense of style.

Next time you’re in need of some card making inspiration, check out the following websites:

As you’re examining the projects, ask yourself the following questions:

What lettering styles do the crafters use?
Do you see any cards that use rubber stamping, embossing, or other techniques you’d like to try?
Do you recognize any products from your own stash of supplies?
What would you do differently on a particular card making project?

To stretch your creativity, pick two handmade greeting cards you like. Then, mix and match elements from each card to create your own unique design.

Join a Swap

If you enjoy card making and would like to receive a lovely assortment of handmade cards in the mail, joining a card swap can be a great way to expand your collection of free card making ideas. In a swap, you mail your original cards to a list of people and receive cards from them in return. There are swaps for Christmas cards, birthday cards, anniversary cards, thank you cards, and a variety of other projects.

If a card making swap sounds like fun, check out the card swaps page on the Paper Crafts website.

Make the Most of Your Local Library

If you’re a crafter on a limited budget, it’s just not practical to buy a wide variety of card making idea books. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the latest reading material. Many libraries carry card making books and magazines. And, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can ask the librarian to order a specific title using the interlibrary loan system..

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Also, try using things that aren't necessarily meant as card adornments. Buttons, ribbon and other notions often work well for decorating hand-made cards. Vellum works well for sheer elements like angel's wings.

A couple I have actually done in past years:

Attach real holly sprigs to a card front by punching holes in the card and tying the branch on with red ribbon. "Happy Hollydays"
Glue individual salt and pepper packets to the front for "Seasoned Greetings"

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