Construction paper or cardstock and stationery Coloring utensils such as markers, crayons, and colored pencils Glue Stickers Rubber stamps or other images such as photographs, magazine pictures, or images from cards that have already been used
Depending on how large or small you want to card to be, you can also use a piece of good quality cardstock (A4 size), cut it in half, and then fold it down the middle. If you have an envelope you’d like to use for the card, fold the paper so it will fit inside the envelope. Leave at the very least 1/8" (. 3 cm) on all sides so the card can slide easily in and out of the envelope.
Think of a riddle or poem. You can compose a limerick, look up a line from your favorite poem, or find a funny riddle. Draw a picture of a person the card receiver admires or likes. You can also cut out and paste a picture of a person or of the card receiver. Add a thought or speech bubble over the picture and include a funny message or saying. Turn the card a mini graphic novel. Divide the card into a grid and tell a little story. Choose a quote or saying based on a personal moment with the person, such as the first time you met them, or something they did on their last birthday.
For example, if it’s your dad’s birthday and he likes to fish, you could add a stamped fisherman image and a piece of string glued to a fishing rod and anchor it to a drawing of a big fish on the front of the card. Bright colors are vivid and fun; muted colors are classy and more sophisticated. A card for a child may be filled with bright colors, stamped animals, and whimsical phrases while a card for a teenager or adult may be more muted and simple. Use your own handwriting or a computer generated greeting such as “Happy Birthday!” on different coloured paper. Cut it out and paste it to the basic card template. Add the person’s name to the card to make it more special and personal.
Choose a level of difficulty that suits your skills and time.
Make even, firm creases when you fold the cardstock so the card looks professional and well made. If possible, use a bone folder to make even creases. If your creases aren’t even, start over on a new piece of cardstock.
Generally, the window should be less than half the size of the card.
Choose an item that fits with the overall theme of the card that will look nice in the display window. To add a ribbon, use a hole punch to make two holes in the middle panel, above or below the window. Thread your ribbon through the holes and tie it into a bow. The bow should be facing away from you when you lay the card down.
Make sure the glue or tape is on straight and isn’t visible from the front of the display window.
Your item is now sandwiched between the two panels and the middle has become the front. The left side is now the left inside panel of your two-paneled card.
Try to create a message that matches the display item. If it’s a cute or funny image, include a cute or funny message. If it’s a simple or elegant image, include a simple or elegant message. The tone of your card should be consistent with the theme of the card. For a cleaner look, create a “Happy Birthday” message in a word processor program and then print and cut it out and include it in the card.
The size of your envelope will determine how much wallpaper you will need. Your wallpaper, when folded in half, needs to be at least 1/8” (. 3 cm) smaller on all sides than the envelope. To easily determine if the wallpaper is the right size, trace two envelopes on the back of the wallpaper.
Use your hand to smooth out any bubbles or creases. Some wallpaper comes with a sticky backing. If this is the case, simply peel off the backing and attach the wallpaper to the cardstock.
Use a nice pen or pencil to write a message or saying. For a cleaner look, use a word processor to create a message in a nice font and then print it out to attach to the inside of the card.
