Card Making - Just the Basics - Tying Bows

In this final segment for this section of Card Making - Just the Basics.... at least final for now --- I reserve the right to add to this series later, if needed, lol!.... the topic I'm posting today is on tying bows for embellishing your cards.

Christina, from Card Making Magic, teaches a very easy way to make bows..... skinny and wide bows... one, two, and three layered bows.... scruffy, twirled and vintage bows! Lots of great and easy ideas in this video tutorial:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Now in the next tutorial section, we'll cover coloring your images... either stamped or digital. These tutorials will be covered in the section called "COLORING CLASS".... (Christina uses the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Pens in her coloring video segments, but the same rules apply to any alcohol pens, including Copics.)

I hope you'll stay tuned for these informative COLORING CLASS videos. They will begin on June 19th! Have a great day!

Card Making - Just the Basics - Creating Card Stands

In this video tutorial, Christina, from Card Making Magic, shows how to make card stands for displaying the beautiful card creations that you give to others. Each version will fold flat for fitting into the envelope/box with the card.

The stands are created in several different ways.... both attached to the card and as separate stands. Watch how easy this is to do:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Card Making - Just the Basics - Adding Texture

Adding texture in the background of your cards results in a wonderful effect.... and can be done in different ways.

You can create striped lines by just using a score board and scoring tool. Or even use metal embossing plates with a design to dry hand-emboss. But the most popular these days is to use embossing folders and a die-cutting machine. There are so many designs out there on the market for embossing folders, that you're sure to find some to your liking.

In this video tutorial, see how the pretty embossed background makes such a statement, rather than if the paper was just left plain. 

As an added bonus, Christina shows how to make a card stand to display the large card. (A separate video on making different card stands will follow this post in a couple days.)

Watch on YouTube: HERE

*** NOTE: When purchasing embossing folders, you can choose  from other companies than from just the same brand as your die-cutting machine.... just be sure that the size of the folder will fit through it. I have a Cuttlebug with both the regular plates and the extended length plates, so it will fit any folder that is not more than 6" wide!

Card Making - Just the Basics - Matting & Layering

This is just a personal choice, but to me store bought cards are only good for one thing... some of the wonderful or funny sentiments on the inside! 

So you can tell, as far as for me, handmade cards are the way to go. Although I have seen some strikingly beautiful clean and simple handmade cards, which are great for mailing, most of the "flat" cards can be... well... let's just say "plain & ordinary!" I prefer cards that "stand out" from the crowd!

In the following video, Christina shows how to use mats and layers on your cards to make them go from boring to WOW!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Did you notice how different the card looks once she was done with it, compared to the "flat" version at the beginning? Mats and layers, along with some dimensional foam tape at times, can make all the difference in the world!

Card Making - Just the Basics - What Adhesives to Use?

There are many adhesives on the market, and it can be very confusing as to what to choose. You may think that only one is necessary, but which one?

Well, actually each kind of adhesive is good for specific items. If you watch this video from Christina, you'll have a bunch of questions answered about wet and dry adhesives:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

As far as the double-sided paper tapes in different widths, 

Scor-Tape is very popular and easily tears with your fingers. 

Low-tack tape is like the blue painter's tape that is removable.

Pinflair glues (the 'wet' glues Christina uses) are not sold in the States, but the company will ship here..... it just can be a little expensive on the cost and takes much longer to arrive. You can find their products here. There are many 'wet' glues available in the US.... some dry quicker than others.

Also that Quickie Glue Pen from Sakura (that she wrote with and glittered).... it is great for when you have something very skinny to glue down, like flower stems. I love it!

Card Making - Just the Basics - Choosing Your Colors and Paper

Choosing which colors of paper to use can be frustrating, but... 
*** one TIP to remember first is that as long as the colors in the patterned papers coordinate, then it doesn't matter if you use dots, stripes, plaids, florals, solids etc. all on the same card... it will look splendid!

There are 2 easy ways to choose your colors....

1) Start with your already colored image for the front of your card, and then pick coordinating paper to go with it. (but this only works well if you have a bunch of paper on hand)

2) The best way is to pick your coordinating papers first, and then color your image to match.

Check out this video from Christina at Card-Making-Magic. She gives several examples that may help with the process:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

See that's not so hard, is it?

Card Making - Just the Basics - Weights and Sizes

Anyone new to card making out there? Then this is for you! There might even be some tips for those more experienced.... I know I learned a couple things!  :)

I'm going to start a series on the basics of card-making, which will include using the right paper and size for the job, how to choose your colors, texturing, using mats and layers, creating card stands, how to tie bows, etc. ... even coloring images, either stamped or digital (digi's). I'll also include any relevant information or tips when necessary. I'm calling this series Card Making- Just the Basics.

I'll be using videos by Christina Griffiths from Card-Making-Magic, as there is no need to re-invent the wheel, LOL! And she IS the Queen of Card Making in my book.... she creates lovely cards!

In this first one, Christina covers what papers she herself uses for the different aspects of her cards. Each paper weight has a different function that works very well. I have put some conversion information below the video for the card weights we usually use here in the States.

**** NOTE ***  She also covers what the "leading edge" of a card is and why it's needed, as well as demonstrating a useful way to include sentiment inserts inside the cards.

Now, on to the first video........ Weights and Sizes:

One correction to her video - she says our letter size

here in the USA , is 8.25" x 11.5".... but it is really 8.5" x 11" :)

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Since she didn't know the equivalent weights of paper I did some research.

These paper weights are what I found to be our (USA) closest in equivalence:

1) Tissue Paper is Tissue Paper, LOL!

2) Card insert (inside sentiment) --- 80gsm copy paper is approx 22-lb copy paper

         (I prefer 24-lb)

3) Print digital papers and images to color --- 160gsm smooth is approx 60-lb cover weight cardstock (“card” as she calls it!) …. 65-lb is a more standard weight for us, but 80-lb is more popular… they both come in different colors and textures besides just ‘smooth’

4) Card base and die-cuts --- 270gsm heavy ‘card’ is approx 100-lb heavy cover weight cardstock (I prefer 110-lb)…. BUT.... 80-lb is heavy enough when putting more layers on the front of the card!

5) Mirricard, glittered etc. --- 300+ gsm super heavy ‘card’ is anywhere from  120-lb and up cover weight cardstock

I hope this helped in some way and you enjoyed it enough to follow along with this series.

Let me know if there is something else about card making that you want to know,

and I'll see if I can get you the answers.

Thanks for stopping by.... please come again :)