At Home : Moneysaving Ideas : Homemade Greeting Cards : Home & Garden Television

It's easier than you might think to fashion lovely greeting cards like these.

Art teacher Lea Anderson shows how to make a beautiful card.

Materials:

watercolor paper
neon, metallic or glitter crayons
watercolor paint
fine paintbrush
larger paintbrush
hair dryer
iron
scissors
glitter
glue stick
cardstock with envelopes

Steps:

Start with a great watercolor paper. There are two kinds available--hot and cold press. Hot press is best for this project.

Figure A

Choose simple designs, using inspiration from old cards (figure A), children's books and coloring books.

Draw the designs on the watercolor paper with a crayon.

Figure B

Start by using water only around the design. Once the paper is wet, choose the paint color and start painting around the outside of the design with the larger brush (figure B).

Let dry, or use a hair dryer to quicken the drying process, if you prefer.

Figure C

Now paint the inside of the design with the fine brush (figure C). When done, dry again.

Iron the paper paint side down. This not only makes the paper flat, but it also brings out the crayon color and the glitter in the crayons.

Figure D

Cut the images to a smaller size. This is called cropping, and it makes it look like a miniature work of art. You can also tear the images out for a more whimsical look (figure D).

Add glitter with a glue stick for a finishing touch.

Glue the image to the cardstock, making sure the fold is on the left.

Write a cute saying or caption underneath the painting. Be sure to sign the back of the card.

A set of cards can be tied together with a pretty ribbon and given as a gift.

Also in this Episode

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1312
•	Homemade Greeting Cards
•	Lighten Your Laundry Load
•	Organize Your Drawers
•	Tip of the Day

At Home

Homemade Greeting Cards

Tools

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At Home

Homemade Greeting Cards

Tools

MOST POPULAR

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