TUTORIAL: Handmade Cards

Are any of you shocked by the price of greeting cards these days?  I know I am....I don't know if I'm just stuck in the past or what, but I just don't understand how the majority of cards cost over $4.00!!! 

The other day, I picked up a card and gasped at the price which was $5.35!  I love cards, but I just can't justify the expense.  So, when my kids ended their school year last week, I was not going to buy 6 cards for a cost of approximately $28 for all the teachers.  Instead, we made cards which I think not only looked nicer, but added that personal touch you can't find in a store-bought card.  Here's how to do it:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
> Scrapbooking paper 12"x12" (you can purchase books of this for about $10 per pack of 24 sheets)   COST:  Approximatley 41 cents per piece

> Plain printer paper 8x11.5 (You can use specialty paper if desired, but I used regular printer paper)
COST:  Negligible
>Your computer, printer, word processing program, a relevant quote
> Sewing machine and thread OR hand-sewing needle and thread
> Glue stick (optional)
> Box cutter & straight edge or Scissors

HOW TO DO IT:

Choose your scrapbooking paper design and cut it to 12" x 9" using your box cutter and straight edge or scissors

 Using your word processing program, and setting your page layout to landscape, and create 2 columns.  Place your quote or text in the center right column and print.  Center that piece of paper on your scrapbook paper and using a pencil, very lightly draw a line straight down the center.

(If you don't want to sew, you can simply glue the printed sheet to the scrapbook paper, fold and you are done, but I like the look of the sewn binding)

Use the line you just drew as a guide to sew, backtacking at start and finish.  Go slow and use a very long stitch - you don't want to the paper to perforate.

Fold your card in half.  If you desire, decorate the front with a picture, or any other type of artwork you choose. 

Sign the card and you are finished!

 

Total cost is for these cards was about $.50 for each card, or $3.00 for all 6.  Less than the cost of one store-bought card!  Not too shabby, and much nicer!