Thursday 30 April 2015

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  !!!

21 comments:

  1. Wendy your cards are fantastic! I am so proud of you! I hope you inspire lots of ladies to get going.
    I also make more cards suitable for girls/women than for men but I also need mens cards. It is really good if you can think of the men in your life and what are their interests. Andy loves fishing and motorbikes... so as I op shop and go through the magazines I watch for those kind of magazines or books. I found a magazine about vintage motor bikes! It has great images and is perfect to make cards. My Dad and brothers like hunting and African animals and stuff like that. I have used old maps in cards, these look vintage and stylish, with an African animal ... so I watch for safari type magazines and books on African wildlife. This has given me stacks of cards! Because yes we need cards for the boys too or we end up buying one!
    For children and babies old fashioned books like The tale of Peter Rabbit make gorgeous cards and tags, just beautiful!
    Its so much fun. Your cards are just stunning! xxx

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    1. Thankyou Annabel. I'm on a constant hunt for suitable images. It's become a bit of a game.

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  2. Absolutely gorgeous Wendy!

    You and Annabel are keeping me inspired!

    xTania

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    1. I hope to see some cards on your blog Tania. xoxo

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  3. These just look beautiful Wendy! And to make all of those for so little, is a saving for sure, even on the $2 cards, never mind the $7-$12 Hallmark ones. Gorgeous! Mimi xxx

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    1. Thankyou Mimi. It astounds me that people pay so much for cards.

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  4. Wendy,
    Your cards look so beautiful. So much nicer to receive one of these than store bought.
    So inspiring.
    Kathryn

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  5. Wendy these cards are gorgeous. I have been inspired by Annabel for a few years now and really love getting a pretty pink envelope in my Po Box. Even my DD4 knows that these are special.

    I purchased 2 bundles of magazines from the op shop a few weeks ago to get pictures out of to use on my card making.

    Thank you for sharing these amazing cards with us. You use of brochures is also a great idea. Hmm maybe a trip to the tourist information centre would be a good idea for me to showcase our area

    Aly

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    1. Aly, Annabel's blog has changed the way I think about things. Everything in my house is now potential craft project. I'm eyeing off every bit of paper - hehehe.

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  6. Your cards are beautiful. I love that you shared where you found your pictures and I would not have thought of using wrapping paper. I'm taking more notes and gathering supplies. Thank you for another inspiring post!

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    1. Patsi, I found a beautiful piece of wrapping paper today for $1. I think I can get 16 cards from it. I'll post a photo on Saturday.

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  7. Oh my goodness Wendy you're HOOKED!!! I love it and your cards are positively gorgeous! I'm so happy you find it relaxing and rewarding. How special you made Megan's card for her baptism, many blessings to her by the way :), and there she is making cards with you. The recipients of your cards are going to cherish them. I feel the same as you, hurrying with the chores to get on with the fun!
    xxx Colette

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    1. Yep, I'm hooked !!! Thankyou for your best wishes. I've passed them on to Megan xoxo

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  8. Please ask at your local op shop for any books that they may have thrown in the bin because it was in too bad a condition to be sold. I frequently throw out broken childrens books, old atlas that are falling apart. Often the spine is missing but the rest of the book is still good. Happy to give away for crafting.
    My SIL has also used sheet music to decorate her masculine cards. K

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  9. You have inspired me to use up all the odd cards I have on hand and either dress them up or wait and then make my own. They are gorgeous Wendy.

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    1. Thankyou Janine. I'd love to see a photo of your cards. Do you have a blog ? Or could you post a photo on my fb page ?

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  10. Ratty old picture books are great for this, too. As a teacher, I have a steady supply of books that have been loved to death. I buy them at op shops, the kids get to enjoy them and then when they're too ratty to read anymore, I cut out any usable pictures. I have found some really beautiful images this way, at no extra cost to me.

    Rebekah

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