Making our own handmade greetings echoes a time before mass-produced card were available when every greeting was handmade. Card making is inexpensive, and because you are working on such a small scale, it is possible to use the best materials which would generally be too costly.
Making cards is also a perfect activity to do with children of all ages.

 

Tools and Supplies for Greeting Cards

 

Papers. Paper are the foundation of cards, and there is infinite selection from which to choose. Each project requires a certain individual kind of paper.

 

Cutting & Measuring Tools

 

Scissors: Standard sized scissors, Decorative scissors, or paper edgers, small scissors with very sharp points.

Craft Knife

Ruler- metal or metal edge ruler; at least 12 inches or more.

Punches- The punchers vary with different sizes and you can use the punched out shapes as embellishments.

Paper cutter- used to cut a lot of sheets at one time. Handy for cropping photos.

Corner cutter- it makes an ordinary square corner into a circular or curved edge.

Rotary cutter is useful when cutting paper to make pages for a scrapbook because it makes long straight cuts, and it's faster and requires less hand strength and effort.

Circle Cutter- the cutter makes circular cutouts of varying sizes.

Cutting Mat is essential to protect the table, when you working with knives or rotary cutters.

Crimping & Embossing Tools- add concentrated designs or patterns to the paper.

Bone Folder- Used to fold sharp creases.

 

Adhesives

Double-sided, Dry Adhesives-They can be cut to any size and shape you need. (Double stick tape is one). They have a paper liner on each side.

Glue Sticks- a minimal mess tool used to stick things together, preferably different kinds of paper. Dry quickly.

Dimensional Dots­ - Used for paper to paper adhesion.

Spray-mount adhesives-spray cans quickly deliver a light, even coating.

 

Coloring Mediums

Ink- Dye-based inks dry quickly and are suitable for most paper surfaces. Pigment inks dry slowly, and can be used with embossing powders and a heat embossing tool.

Paint-Acrylic paints- Are great for decorating cards; though sometimes the paint could cause ripples, bendings', or slight distortions.

Water color paints- used for tinting and making a painterly effect.

Colored Pencils- they are ideal for use with stamped images and stencils to enhance painted areas. They are also good for coloring in hard tiny spots.

 

Embellishments

Rubber Stamps,
Stencils, Foam & Sponge Stamps, Stickers
Leaf & Foil,
Fabric Paints, Glitter Glue, Silk Painting
Beads, Charms & Buttons, Wire,
Lace, Ribbons