10 Techniques for Handcrafted Cards

Handcrafted Holiday Cards become keepsakes for the special people on your list.

They can enjoy them this year and frame them as future holiday decor. Here are 10 techniques that take your handcrafted cards over the top... 

Details make all the difference. Use rich, creamy layers of color pencil to color your rubber-stamped image. 

My favorite, favorite color pencils are Lyra. 
{This isn't an ad for them, I just really love them.}

You can use a mix of background papers and ready-made glittered lettering like this "Ho Ho Ho!" 

But... Deepen the dimension by using glue pop dots to raise the letters. 
And achieve even more depth by inking the edges of the letters and background papers for a shadow effect.

Add paper punch snowflakes in white and aluminum foil flakes (click here for the technique).

Rubber stamp more snowflakes for layers of dimension. Once you've stamped your sentiment and image, color in the image, ink the edges of the card stock, and then... 

machine stitch it to the card. It gives a quilted, homespun warmth to the card. 

The original child image actually is not holding anything. But you can stamp a wreath, jingle bell, or some other item in her hand. Have fun using your imagination!

All these beautiful layers and textures...

...create a keepsake that could be framed for future holidays!

Summary of 10 handcrafted card techniques:

1. rubber stamp a sentiment and various images
2. use creamy colored pencils
3. layer background papers
4. ink edges for shadowed dimension
5. use glue pop dots to raise some elements
6. use paper-punched elements
7. use the "tinfoil technique" for snowflakes
8. machine stitch the card
9. alter original images by relating other images or stickers to them
10. frame the card as holiday decor

Now, if you don't have time to do all that for each of the 50 people on your Holiday card list, take the shortcut I describe *here.*

Check out The Best of 2012!
Check out The Best of 2012Check out The Best of 2012Check out The Best of 2012

For more handcrafted card ideas, *click here.*

and *click here*

Happy Holidays!

Be sure to join the party that just started!

{I host a linky party every Wednesday. More info *HERE.*  I'm sharing 10 Techniques for Handcrafted Cards with these fine folks, whose links open on ~ Sunday:  Sew Darned Crafty, Shaken Together, It's Party Time, Twigg Studios, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Making Monday Marvelous, Brassy Apple, Craftomaniac, Alderberry Hill, Under the Table & Dreaming, Making the World Cuter ; Monday: Skip to my Lou,  Rustic Pig, Cherished Bliss, Sugar Bee Crafts, Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday, Salt Tree; Tuesday: The Winthrop Chronicles, Not Just a Housewife, Carolyn's Homework, Elizabeth & Co., The DIY Dreamer,  Savvy Southern Style, What we Wore & Made, Uncommon, Gingersnap Crafts, The NY Melrose Family, Today's Creative Blog ; Wednesday: I Gotta Create!, Uncommon, Southern Lovely, Creations by Kara, All Star Block Party, The 36th Avenue, Live-Laugh-Rowe, Handy Man Crafty Woman, The Trendy Treehouse ; Thursday: At the Picket Fence, 540 Main, Craftionary, My Repurposed Life, Frugal Girls, Shabby Nest,  Romantic Home, French County Cottage, Stuff & Nonsense ; Friday: Serenity Now, Funky Junk Interiors, Happy Hour, Anything Goes, Finding Fabulous, My Simple Home Life, Tatertots & Jello, cheerios & lattes, Five Days Five Ways, Shabby Art Boutique, Thirty Handmade Days, One Creative Mommy, Sweet Boutique ; Saturday: Be Different Act Normal, A Bouquet of Talent, Tutus & Tea Parties, Six Sisters Stuff, Sew Country Chick, DIY Showoff, Positively Splendid , Nifty Thrifty Things, Young & Crafty, Polkadot Pretties, Or So She Says, Bowdabra, Flamingo Toes}  Seasonal: A Crafty Christmas Linkup