Monday, October 5, 2015

A Personal Touch

After finishing my Polaroid Blocks for a swap, the next step was preparing for a send off! Each one was to be tucked into a greeting card and popped in the mail.  The problem there...I didn't have any greeting cards on hand.  They aren't something I have readily available at home. That meant I needed to buy 19, or channel my inner creativity and make my own.



For some reason I have stacks of blank envelopes.  I'm not sure where they all came from, but there they were sitting for years.  When I saw how many there actually were, I knew I needed to come up with a clever idea.  

Thinking...thinking...thinking!  Then I saw it!   A glint, a shine, a sparkle caught my eye! Metallic card stock!  (Which had also been sitting around for years.)  Fantastic!  

Now what?  A simple something.  Not a lot, just a personal touch along with the Polaroid Blocks.  Of course it would involve fabric...of course!  I came up with a banner with flags!  

First off, I needed to cut my card stock to greeting card size.  Easily done with a paper cutter.  



After folding each one, I found just the right size 'tool' to make a curve for my banner flags.  I used my Hera marker and a pan lid.  



This gave the perfect curve and perfect guide to hang the flags.  I thought if I had used a pencil or marker, it would show when I attached the flags.



Now for the flags.  I found that the tip of my diamond ruler worked pretty good for the size and shape.  Quite some time ago I started cutting my scraps in to 2", 2 1/2" and 5" squares. So I pulled out the tote and grabbed a stack of random prints. 



There is glue involved!  But not enough to make a sticky, icky mess on the fingers!



I put a dab of glue at the top of the flags to secure them to the curve of the banner line.  I don't want them shifting for the final step and thought glue was so much better than my finger holding them down.



The final step, sew the suckers down!  A simple line of thread through the sewing machine was the finishing touch!  The needle in my machine needed to be changed, but not until after I finished the cards.  



That's it!  Nothing to it!  I made enough for the swap blocks, but plan on making more to have on hand.  I sometimes need a simple 'Thank You' , or 'Thinking of You'...or 'Hey You' card!  



Last night I addressed each envelope and happily tucked each Polaroid Block inside the cards.  They may not be fancy or Hallmark worthy...but they were lovingly made to add a personal touch and maybe, just maybe put a smile on someones face!  



Have you made greeting cards before?  I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and what you did!

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21 comments :

  1. What an awesome idea. It's so simple but yet just adds the right touch.

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    1. I've seen many fabric cards made before, just never tried making them myself! They are simple and really spruce up a note too!

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  2. What a fantastic idea! I don't have card stock on hand, but I really love this idea and feel an itch to give it a try. :)

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    1. Oh my…you maybe come addicted to this too! The possibilities are endless and making something different is always a good thing in my book!

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  3. I think your idea is fabulous and created a lovely personal touch. I have never made my own greeting cards until this summer that is. I saw these beautiful hand embroidered cards on a blog and decided to give it a try. I did not like punching little holes in the card and then stitching. So, I decided to make the design on fabric, embroider it and then paste it onto the card. In my opinion they are pretty and a definite keeper. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!

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  4. These are so darling! I used cards I already had on hand for this, because I went through a phase where I collected stationary and I've got drawerfulls of cards here, but once I exhaust that stash I'll have to try something like this!

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    1. They are so fun to make and simply…simple! The added personal touch is a nice surprise for anyone receiving one!

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  5. Yes I make lots of greeting cards especially Christmas cards! I love using rubber stamps and now I have a Silhouette Cameo die cutter-if only I had more time!! I know that I put a few on my blog last year, if you want to search under cards and DRS you should be able to find mine. Your cards are cute-nice imagination.

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    1. It seemed to make sense for this mass mail out. I'm not sure I would make one at a time, not very time efficient! I plan on making some more to have on hand. They are so much fun!

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  6. Those cards are fantastic! Thanks for such a great idea!
    Deb

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    1. They are a lot of fun and since I had everything on hand…it seemed like the perfect solution and idea!

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  7. Those are adorable and easy to make, provided you have the supplies. I received one almost identical to it from someone in an online quilting bee I was in last year.

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    1. Super easy to make Diana! I may have overachieved on this block swap! Once I get an idea I love to run with it!

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  8. I made some pretty kick-invitations for my niece's wedding shower - but I didn't save one of them. Even the envelopes were pretty stinkin' cool if I do say so. Your cards are super fab.

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    1. The possibilities are pretty much endless for making cards!! Mine are super simple, but very effective! I'm sure yours were amazing!!

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  9. Very cute cards Jayne! I make note or cards fairly often, sometimes just gluing bits of fabric to an index card....these look very doable and fun!

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  10. You did a great job! They are too cute and what a clever idea.

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  11. Those are super cute! What a great idea! and good use of a Hera marker ;) I love using mine.

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  12. Lovely greeting cards, and a great personal touch for the swap!

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  13. These are so cute!! What fun mail, which I think is even more special given our increasingly digital lives. l

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