Making your own card bases

Back 20 years ago, I started making cards with rubber stamps.  I would shop at Xpedex and purchase a box of envelopes, and then a ream of white cardstock in 8.5 x 11 size.  This would give me more than enough bases and envelpes for the cards I wanted to send.  Purchasing like that allowed me to be able to make cards and use for swaps...where you make 'so many' of the same cards, send them to a hostess who will exchange them and sends the ones she exchanges back to you.  Great way to get other ideas from people and to get fun color schemes to try! 

I love to make friendship cards....haven't sent them out for a long time, but this next year...well, the people that have been there for me, will certainly know how much I appreciate their kind thoughts, deeds and actions.   Cards are not hard to make...plus can be made very cheap.  I use my computer at times, stamps at times, a lot of punches...die cuts....ribbon and buttons!  I add a bit of patterned paper to create visual interest...and the embellishments chosen are all coordinating and matching.  

Tip:  Find a good color wheel to use with your scrapbooking and card making.  This way you are able to create color schemes that coordinate and match with each other!  Start to keep track of the schemes you like to use by punching a shape out (such as a small square) and glue them to a 3 x 5 card so you can use that scheme later on. 

There are different ways you are able to get the cards and envelopes...most craft/sewing/specialty stores have them, check out Joanns for a wonderful selection of card bases in just about any size you want.  I use this size because it works for me...  Some people like larger sizes, it just depends on the item you are creating.  Also, keep in mind when you are mailing a card, you might need to have it hand stamped in the Post Office if it is larger, or has a bulky item on it such as a button.  For the cards I mail, I make sure to create them in a way that I do not have to worry, less "bling" you might say! 

Directions to make your own card base: 

Step one:  Starting with an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, cut the width of the paper to create a piece that is 8.5 x 5.5.

Step two:  Fold that sheet in half, to create a base that is 4.25 x 2.75". 

Step three:  Create the card starting with the base with paper, punches, die cuts, sayings, ribbon, fancy scissors, etc. 

Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoy the week or so of cards, will be working on sketch blogs and sites to share with you this week, plus products that are a must! 

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme