With the cool fonts, special text effects, textures, and graphics available in software, it's easy to design and print a perfect greeting card. But sometimes you can improve on a computer-generated card with some simple crafting supplies like metallic markers, hemp cord, and beads. Create a crafty computer card using these instructions and your own choice of images and embellishments.
1. Create a Greeting Card in Your Software Program
© J. James
This card is created in Serif DrawPlus 4.0 -- a free download from FreeSerifSoftware.
Arrange four rectangles to fill the front of the card. Fill one rectangle with pale yellow and the word "Explore" -- or text and color of your choice. Fill the other three squares with background images. Here, background images from Hemera's The Big Box of Art 410,000 are each different but share a similar color theme -- red. Draw a thin black border around the grouping.
Print your card on photo paper.
2. Color Elements of Printed Card with Metallic Marker
© J. James
Use a gold metallic marker on the white design within the upper left image and on the text. This ties the images into the bottom photo of a piece of fabric which features gold-trimmed giraffes. To further help the text stand out, carefully outline the text with an extra fine point black gel pen. A magnifying glass is helpful for this kind of detail work.
Choose marker colors that complement the images you use on your card.
3. Embellish Your Card With String and Beads
© J. James
Cut out the main design and affix it to a piece of folded card stock with a few dabs of a glue stick or some sticky dots. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of the front of the card. String a few beads on some pieces of hemp cord and fasten to the card with a brad.
Choose card stock, cord, and beads in colors that complement your printed design.
