I’ve been hearing about October’s Crafter of the Month for months. Our marketing director, Marnie Peters, just raves about her sister Alison’s crafty prowess and with good reason: her cards are GORGEOUS. I sent Alison a few quick questions and she happily obliged with great answers and examples of her handiwork. One thing — my web browser is being a little finicky and won’t accept all of the pictures I want to show you, so check back Monday for a few additional images.
Thanks, Alison, for sharing your work with me (and with the blogosphere).
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1. How did you get into making cards? Did you take a course or did you just pick it up by trial and error?
I started to make cards about five years ago, when I was planning my wedding. I wanted to provide my guests with personalized thank you cards so they would have something to remember my wedding by. I have always enjoyed getting nice cards myself, so I thought it was to take the time and make something heartfelt. It was also so much fun to do.
I did start by taking a few stamping courses and by reading a lot of magazines, but I found the development of my cards has come from trial and error.
2. What are you favourite supplies to use? Do you have a favorite store where you shop for materials? Or do you order online?
My favorite tool is the ‘Quick Kutz‘ personalized dye cutting system. You can pick from thousands of shapes and characters, and they are so easy to use to cut out and use. I typically order these online but many of the scrapbooking stores carry them as well.
For ideas through and paper products I like to shop at The Paper Place [in Toronto]. This store has wonderful paper products and so many note cards, boxes, and book-binding ideas displayed around the store. It is a fantastic store to go to for the most beautiful paper and for general inspiration.
3. Are you often looking for new crafts to try?
Now that I have children I am always looking for new ways to store the crafts and notes they bring home, so I learned how to make special paper boxes. They are terrific ideas for gifts for people to use to store notes, pictures or jewelry.
I most recently learned how to bind books. I write a journal for my children, so having a personalized journal that I have made is extra special. This is a new technique for me but I enjoy the challenge of learning something new and just can’t wait to become even better at my book-binding. There is so much you can do with the skill.
4. Do you make your own Christmas cards, party invitations, etc? If yes, how far in advance of the holiday/event do you start?
I make my own Christmas cards. This holiday is when I make the most cards and I typically have to start my production in November. I find that it takes me the longest time to create my design as there is so much lovely paper to choose from! It’s hard for me to narrow down the design I want to go with! Typically I make about three different types of cards so not everyone in my family is getting the same card. I also take an annual course on card-making, in November each year, just to help generate some new ideas and learn from other card makers.
Overall, I like spending time making things for other people as I know they appreciate the gesture and they keep my cards and books.
Alison's beautiful paper boxes!
Gorgeous!
Jul
17
…but don’t spend precious summer hours or all your cash on your hostess gifts, either. These cute little cards took me fifteen minutes this morning; add a little extra drying time if you use sparkles, but otherwise, you’re out the door faster than you can say “Bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers, take that!”
Card #1: Picture perfect
I was lucky enough to spend a semester in Ireland during my fourth year of university. I fell in love with the country and don’t go a day without saying “In Ireland…” I’m sure that part is charming to the people around me. So, for this card, I printed a picture from my travels there — from the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow — in black-and-white and glued (with an ordinary gluestick) to a piece of purple scrapbooking paper cut to fit the small envelopes I unearthed in my craft cupboard. In small lettering, I wrote the location of the picture in purple ink. I added a little sparkle, because I like sparkle, but you don’t have to.
A note on sparkle: It’s easy to go too over the top with the glitter. I use Crayola Super Sparkle glitter glue, because it’s easy to use, in a sort of gluestick-slash-marker. I stuck to the white parts of the picture, just a little line here and there, to add unexpected shimmer. Don’t try to outline or colour in; it never really works out and ends up looking a little crazy.
Card #2: Be wordy
Find your favourite saying. I like silly things that don’t really have anything to do with anything, for blank cards. This one — “Sometimes I believe six impossible things before breakfast” — is from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. You could always use inside jokes or private memories as well, depending on the recipient. I wrote the quote in simple lettering but coloured over-top, first in one direction and then the other, with purple crayon. Yes, you read right: CRAYON. It adds texture and looks interesting.
Card #3: Simple stamps
Using a rubber stamp, place a single stamp in the centre of the card. Colour in with crayon and add a little sparkle. I added a little train of sparkly dots, too, but you don’t have to. It’s so, so easy, and really adorable.
For the envelopes, I just used the same ink to write ‘To:’ on the front. Makes it easy as pie for your gift receiver to use the cards.
Once the sparkles are dry, stack the cards and their envelopes and tie up with a pretty length of ribbon.
See? You won’t be late. And you don’t even have to stop on the way to the party.
Have a wonderful weekend!
