Handmade with love

Last 2 days, I received a text message from my sister's friend asking if I can make a card for him. It was for another friend's 22nd birthday. I gave him a 'Yes' but soon after was worried if I cannot produce the card in time as 'artsy' stuff like this needs some inspiration :D

Knowing that I won't have the time to do it later in the week as I have to be off in KK, I spared some time last night after dinner to produce not only 1 but 2 cards. Calvin bought 2 books of scrapbooking papers for me last summer from the US and (with and without conversion) the arts supplies there are so much cheaper! The craft stores here have inflated prices due to import, shipping and all that.

Birthday Card #1




A card for Ying Qi

For both cards, I chose the red with orange polka dots paper and cut out another strip of colorful stripes for a more colorful background. I used ready made cut out foams with colorful flower motifs for a girly theme. Using the hole puncher, eyelet setter and hammer (which my group of friends shared and bought for me the last birthday- they know me well!), I made holes and settle them with eyelets at the polka dots. Again, it makes the whole card more colorful. Lastly, using a rustic antique metal tag I bought (sold in a pack of 5) from a local craft store, I attached the name of the birthday girl. I always like to print names, words, pictures etc using tracing paper as it gives a better effect than normal plain color papers.

Actually since I did not put any 'Happy Birthday' greetings, the card can be doubled up for any occassion at all- anniversaries, happy day, hello etc.

Birthday Card #2




Who's the lucky recipient?

Using the other half of the pink paper, and another part of the stripey paper, I made this birthday card. I printed a birthday cake using tracing paper and then color it with metallic crayons. I also added some 'blings' to zest the graphic up. I lined the border with gold stickers (I got it A4 size for RM2 a piece, comes in silver and other solid colors as well). I made 8 holes and settle it with golden eyelets. I didn't know what I should do with the birthday cake so I made it bookmark-style. Lastly, I printed a 'Happy Birthday' message on a thick red paper and stuck it to the bottom using double sided foam tape for a 3D effect.

I also made envelopes for the cards using scented peach paper. This way, the card looks nice and smells good too!

What do you think of my creations?