These cards can and do talk to you...and you can do the talking. Thanks to voice modules that allow you to record 10 seconds worth of sound, you can truly personalize happy birthday cards or Merry Christmas greetings, or have the children send their greetings in their own voices. To any grandmother, a simple birthday card can become an instant priceless treasure.
The voice modules demonstrated came from Maggie Johnston at Craftware in Four Oaks, North Carolina; however, Maggie indicated that the modules should be available in many craft stores. Price is around $14.
Materials:
voice module that activates automatically - discontinued from Craftware
cardstock or heavy water color or art paper
glue or double stick tape
adhesive-backed foam strips or corrugated cardboard
Steps:
- Cut a 5-1/2" x 9-1/2" piece of the paper or cardstock selected for the card. Note: The paper can be larger than this but it cannot be any smaller than 1/2 inch larger than the module.
- Score and fold down the center of the larger piece crossways. Score and fold another line parallel to the first and 1/4 inch to the side of it. One side of the card will be 1/4 inch longer than the other. Cut this off.
- Cut three 1/4-inch wide strips of 1/4-inch thick foam board, corrugated cardboard or adhesive backed foam. Cut to fit the three open sides of the card. Glue or use double stick tape to adhere the strips in position on the inside of the back of the card.
- Decide whether your card is to open top to bottom or right to left and place module in position accordingly. When you have it in position with the fold on the flap against the hinge of the card peel off the protective paper on the back and press to hold in place.
- Cut a second piece of paper or cardstock the size of the card. Place it in position on top of the module. Before gluing it in place cut a small opening (about 1/4" x 1") for the flap on the module to come through. Important: Also, before permanently covering the module, record your message by following the directions that come with it!
- After recording your message and gluing the cover piece in position, cut another piece small piece (approximately 1" x 2") of cardstock or paper to cover the tab of the module that is now visible on the inside of the front cover of the card. OR . . . to cover everything completely and to not risk making any errors on the finished card, cut another piece of paper or cardstock the exact size of the card, score and fold in half, write your message and glue the entire piece to the inside of the card. Card complete.
Turning a Commercial Card into a Talking Card If card making isn't your long suit, you can purchase a card to suit your taste and needs then add a sound module with a personal message.
Steps:
- Cut a piece of sturdy watercolor paper, art paper or cardstock the size of the purchased card plus 1/4 inch in width. Make a 1/4-inch deep spine in the middle as you did in step 2 above.
- Add the corrugated or foam strips along the three outside edges. Place the voice module in position, cut an opening for the tab to slip through, and after recording your message, glue the card shut.
- Cut a slit in the fold of the commercial card and slip the tab through. Glue the back of the card to the module card. Cover the module tab with a small (1" x 2") piece of paper or again, make a single fold, insert card, and glue it inside the commercial card covering everything.
)
