For my first Crafting with Kimmy tutorial, I showed you how to make a simple friendship bracelet using embroidery thread and beads. But what if I don’t have the time (or the means) to hit up the craft store every time creative inspiration strikes, you ask? Ah, that’s where this next tutorial comes in!
Today I’ll show you how to make a beautiful mixed media greeting card from supplies you already have at home. That’s right, this DIY project should be completely free!
Greeting cards aren’t just for birthdays or special occasions. Whether you’re reading because your friend is going through a hard time, or you’re reading because you want to figure out how to create a personalized card to write a letter to someone you love and lost, this is for you.
It may seem a bit old-fashioned to make a hand-made card, but it’s actually a pretty personal DIY craft. There’s something special about creating a physical card that you know the person you’ll be writing to would love.
Now that I have you convinced, let’s get started! Since the goal of this project is to make something beautiful from things you can find around the house, consider the following list of materials as more of a suggestion list.
MATERIALS
- one sheet of plain paper (ideally something sturdy like card stock or construction paper, but work with what you’ve got!)
- large(ish) decorative paper (wrapping paper, magazine pages, etc.)
- small decorative paper (business cards, fortune cookie fortunes, etc.)
- assorted notions (buttons, gems, paper clips, old coins, etc.)
- scissors
- glue
- Sharpie, marker, pencil
- ink pad or paint (optional!)
Mixed-Media Greeting Card
DIRECTIONS
1. Round up your supplies. Using the list of materials above, go on a mini scavenger hunt around the house. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t have a lot of actual craft supplies at home. Sometimes the best materials come from unlikely places! For instance, I found a silver twist-tie in my kitchen and a pretty business card in my wallet that made great additions to my card.
2. Once you’ve got all your materials, place them on a flat surface to take inventory. See what colors and patterns look nice together and start arranging your decorative papers and small notions.
3. Fold your card stock or sturdy paper in half. I folded mine horizontally, but it’s really an artistic choice.
4. Trim and glue your decorative papers. I cut a small, squiggly shape out of some leftover wrapping and paper glued it to the front of the card.
As you can see, I left some white space on the front of the card, but feel free to cover the entire card with your decorative paper.
5. Attach your notions. Now that you have the base of your card done, add some small objects for texture.
I used a pencil to make a tiny coiled shape out of the twist-tie and fastened it to the card using a paper clip. I also glued on a scrap of blue ribbon.
6. Create some dot action. Add some tiny polka-dots by dipping a pencil eraser into an ink pad or paint.
Since I tend to go overboard with crafts, I added even more dots with a blue Sharpie.
7. Add some sparkle using glitter or gems.
Is it really a craft project if it doesn’t sparkle?
8. Write your letter. Open up the inside of your card and start writing!
Dear friend…
9. Place your card in an envelope and do what feels right — mail it to someone you love, put it in a drawer or leave it in a special place.
How did your greeting card turn out? Share your crafty creations on Instagram and tag us @2DamnYoung!
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