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Christmas Cards
By Sara Naumann

'Tis the season for holiday card-making! Whether you make cards for just a few special people on your list, or for all your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, we've got wonderful tips and ideas for creating one-of-a-kind cards.

What You'll Need: The Basics and the Nice-to-Haves:

• Blank Cards: Plain white or ivory 5"x6.5" cards with envelopes are pretty standard for card-making. Certainly you can use square or long cards, but be aware that you might need to pay additional postage to mail them. You can also use cardstock, but you'll need to score it and trim it down. Blank cards are pre-scored and just the right weight for card-making (not too heavy and not too lightweight).
• Patterned and plain papers: Scrapbooking papers are great for card-making.
• Focal Points: Each card needs a focal point, sometimes called card embellishments—it's the image that catches the recipient's eye first. A focal point can be a paper image, a window cut into the card front, a charm, bead or stamped image.
• Straight scissors
• X-acto® craft knife: This tool is great for cutting straight lines, or freehand for curves and complex shapes. Make sure your blade is sharp before cutting; dull blades won't cut cleanly and is more likely to slip and cause injury.
• Cutting surface: A self-healing cutting mat is best. Other alternatives include a wood cutting board, cardboard or glass.
• Ruler: A metal-edged ruler can be used for measuring and as a cutting guide.
• Adhesive: Use a good-quality adhesive designed for paper. "Wet" glues will warp the paper and craft glue will leave lumps. Glue sticks or glue pens work best.
• Foam Mounting Tape: Foam mounting tape is another great card-making tool—it's super for adding dimension to a card. You can use one layer of foam tape for a slight lift, or layer a couple of pieces together. Use foam tape on single images or attach a layer of paper to your card with foam tape.

Paper crafter Susan Cobb has been creating handmade cards for years—and now, she's sharing her top tips and ideas for card-making. "You could say I'm addicted to card-making!" says Susan. "I design cards at work and also create them for my own friends and family." While Susan is a true professional, she does rely upon some tried-and-true card-making techniques. Read on to learn card-making tips from Susan!


To see a complete supply listing and instructions for this card, click here.

Covering Blank Cards

Susan says:

Apply glue to your card front, then lay the paper on top. Press down to secure, then turn the card over.

After covering the card with paper, turn it over and cut the excess away along the card edge. Sometimes I have trouble seeing where the edge is (white card against white paper!), so I use my pencil to mark along the edge between the card and the paper--it forms a line I can easily see. Then I cut the paper away evenly without cutting into the card. You can easily erase any residual pencil line from the card back.

Occasionally I'll get a ragged edge from my craft knife or paper trimmer. To smooth the edge easily and without cutting away more of the card, I simply use a piece of fine sand paper to smooth the edge. This works best on a plain card, but it will still work if the card is already covered—just hold the sand paper slightly angled to the inside of the card.

I like to take advantage of the actual white or ivory card I'm using as a mat—simply cut the paper smaller than the card to allow an edge, and glue to the center of the card front for an instant mat!



To see a complete supply listing and instructions for this card, click here.

Cutting Perfect Windows

An X-acto® knife makes cutting windows easier, and a ruler will help you cut straight lines. First draw the shape to be cut on the card. To easily draw windows of various shapes and sizes, use Paper Flair™ window templates like Windows #1 and Windows #2. Once drawn, open the card and place it on the cutting surface and cut out the window.

Use a fresh X-acto® knife blade—a dull blade requires you to use more pressure, so you're more likely to make a mistake or cut yourself! Hold your ruler firmly against the card, and try not to lift the knife until you have cut one side of your square or rectangle.

When cutting a window from dark papers, hold your knife at an angle toward you to keep white edges from showing.


To see a complete supply listing and instructions for this card, click here.

Tearing Paper

Most papers have a definite grain and will tear more easily (and straighter) in one direction than another. To tear a pattern such as a heart, trace the pattern lightly on the back of the paper; tear slowly for more control. To tear a straight edge, place a ruler along the line to be torn and hold the paper down firmly as you tear upward. With papers like Paper Pizazz™ one side will be patterned and the other will be white. Tear the paper toward you to get a white edge; tear it away from you if you don't want the white edge.

Working with Vellum

Vellum adds a beautiful touch to a card! Try patterned, painted, colored, metallic or white-on-white vellum for a special touch. Handle vellum carefully to avoid creases. Remember, ink will take longer to dry on vellum; take care to avoid smudging it. Glue will also take longer to dry and will show through, so use it sparingly and only along the edges or in the corners. If possible, place glue so it will be covered by embellishments. And another tip: you don't have to glue down every inch of vellum—just apply it in a few places.

When folding vellum, gently crease it using a bone folder or your fingernail. This helps the vellum to lay down better, requiring less glue, plus it gives your vellum folded embellishment a neater and more professional look.

Susan Cobb is a talented paper crafter who loves to make handmade cards. Check out her idea book, Susan's Paper Enginneering Secrets, at Paper Wishes.