Card Making On A Budget - Part 2

I thought I'd give you an update on my card making progress.  I've been busy. Very busy with card making.  I find myself trying to get all my housework done quicker so I can spend a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday making cards and cutting out pictures.  Card making is now my reward for working hard during the week.  I also find it very relaxing.

My latest style of cards are inspired by Annabel from The Bluebirds Are Nesting Blog.  Annabel looks in op shops for flower books with beautiful pictures to cut out for card making.  She found a book on roses recently and sent me some pages to use.  I use a card as a template to trace around the image.  Then when I cut it out with a craft knife and ruler,  I cut it slightly smaller.  When the image is glued to the card,  it looks like it has a border around it.  At the moment I'm leaving them blank so that when an occasion arises,  I can add stamps and other bling to suit the receiver.

Unfortunately I'd thrown out all my gardening magazines about a year ago in a de - cluttering frenzy.  Who knew I'd take up card making and need those magazines.  I've taken to visiting my local op shop to source more magazines.  I've only found one so far that had eleven flower images to use.  It cost me 99 cents but was money well spent.

I've also been decorating cards with wrapping paper.  This option doesn't cost anything and it's a great way to recycle.  My girls now know to unwrap presents very carefully especially if I'm eyeing off the paper.

Some of the cards I'm making are made from A4 card from the $2 shop.  Each pack contains 6 sheets of card and I cut each one in half.  This gives me 12 cards for $2. They don't come with envelopes so I've been making them from photocopying paper.

Here are my latest cards -

These cards were made with pretty purple paper from a present and ribbon from the op shop bought on a huge 70 metre reel for $2.

I made this card for Megan's water baptism.  Down the bottom it says " With Love ".  Megan absolutely loved it.

The card on the left is made from wrapping paper I found in Megan's room.  The flowers are outlined in silver and looks very swish.  The one on the right is made from card stock.

This card is made from a magazine image.  I cut the card a little smaller to suit the image and made the envelope to go with it.

These are made from bits and pieces I had on hand.  The purple is a lovely color.

Megan made the one on the left.  The one on the right is a magazine image.

These cards are made from magazine images.  I made the envelope on the left.

The cards top and bottom are made from the rose book that Annabel bought.  So elegant..

I found this image in a brochure from the Garden Show.  Very girly and pretty.

I'm hoping this post inspires you to have a go at making cards. They are very easy to make and look much better than the mass produced store bought cards.  Costing under 40 cents each,  they are a real money saver.

Now to find some designs for men  !!!