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