Learn how to brighten someone’s day with this greeting card tutorial

The Robin’s Nest recently gave a challenge to think outside the box when creating greeting cards. Since I don’t think a box exists that contains enough nooks, crannies, twists and turns to hold my little ol’ brain, this seemed like the perfect challenge.

I love creating three-dimensional and interactive cards such as explosion cards, pop-up cards and cards with secret compartments. (I also like creating irreverent cards with vintage images, but The Robin’s Nest might not want their upstanding name associated with that). At the same time, I think a lot of manufacturers would like designers to get back to the basics and offer tutorials that crafters can complete without an engineering degree, $47K in specialized tools and a tattoo of Tim Holtz’s autograph on their arse.*

With that in mind, I created a three-dimensional card that can be completed in one sitting, requires no special tools and remains flat enough to be mailed in a regular envelope.

You Brighten My Day Greeting Card

Step 1 Because I make a lot of my own cards, I preprint my company information onto 8.5 x 11″ white cardstock using my inkjet printer. I often use the inkjet printer to print an inside message as well. For this card, I opted to use some rub-on letters I had in my supply stash (see Step 9) for the inside message. I make two cards from each sheet of 8.5 x 11″ cardstock by printing the information twice, cutting the cardstock in half, then scoring each card in half again. If you prefer, you can purchase premade cards from any craft supply store.

Step 2 Cut a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ rectangle of Honeycomb Distressed Cardstock from The Robin’s Nest. Distress the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Adhere the cardstock to the front of your greeting card.

Step 3 Use Vintage Photo Distress Stain to color all layers of the Creative Embellishments Chipboard Window. Let dry.

Step 4 Cut one of the dark red rectangles out from the Baroque Specialty Paper. Distress the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Step 5 Either run the window elements through a Xyron adhesive application machine or use a craft glue to apply adhesive to the back side of all the window elements.

Step 6 Adhere the window elements to the card, making sure to layer the elements in the right order.

Step 7 Use a tape runner to adhere the Baroque rectangle below the window.

Step 8 Select four Sea Glass Tear Drops. Use a tweezer to hold one of the drops. Carefully apply a small amount of craft glue. Use the tweezers to place the tear drop in one of the window panes to create a raindrop. Repeat this for the three other drops. Let the card dry.

Step 9 After the raindrops thoroughly dry, open the card and apply the message. If you prefer, you can elect to preprint this message using your inkjet at the beginning of the cardmaking process. Disclaimer I am incredibly bad at rub-on letters. I inevitably get extra rub-on fragments, crooked letters, etc. on the finished product, the table and the dog. Maybe that is why I have rub-on letters dating back to the 1990s. This particular package was produced by Doodlebug in 2004. Pffft, practically brand spankin’ new.

Anywaaaaay….You can see from the picture that I cut out each letter separately. This, in fact, ends up being incredibly wasteful because lots of itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny letters get lost in the process. But it is also the only way I have any possible chance of successfully creating a message. If you are better with rub-ons than I am, go ahead and feel all superior and smugish. That’s right, go ahead and gloat, I don’t care. See, now the rest of us know that Tim Holtz tattoo of yours was really made with rub-ons.

This concludes the greeting card tutorial. Don’t forget I also applied for the Altered Art team, which can be seen here.

Awesome Saucesome Supplies

• The Robin’s Nest Honeycomb Distressed Cardstock
• The Robin’s Nest Baroque Specialty Paper
• The Robin’s Nest  Sea Glass Tear Drops
• Creative Embellishments Chipboard Window
• Doodlebug rub-on letters
• Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Stain
• White cardstock
• Adhesives
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Paper scorer

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*Please note, I am officially tattoo free since I avoid pain at all costs.