Essential Techniques For Card Making

by sassycrafter

Essential Techniques For Card Making

If you are a beginner in card making it is best to study the basic techniques applied in making card. All techniques available will give you a unique and elegant finish to your invitation or greeting cards. Browse for online techniques and you will see the techniques below that are used regularly in the card projects by seasoned and beginner card makers. They’re all techniques, easy to master and wonderful for creating dozens of cards.

Water paints – Water paints creates a lovely effect for backgrounds on cards. It has this amazing look effect of drawings reflected by the water paints.

Calligraphy – Using different types of fonts for alphabets and numbers adds a very artistic flair to card making.

Rubber Stamping – Rubber stamps can be purchased, including different colored inks to create patterns, shapes and pictures onto your cards.

Embossing – Is used with metal templates to create a raised effect on the piece of metal. This can be done using stamps, patterns and shapes that are “embossed” into the metal to create these effects.

Quilling – Quilling involves rolling several layers of thin paper to create a great effects on your cards. The paper is wound around a quill to create a basic coil shape. The paper is glued at the tip and the coil shaped, these shaped coils are arranged to form flowers, leaves, and various ornamental patterns.

Punching – Using different sizes and designs of hole punch, you can create a few great textured holes that can be embellishments on your card making craft.

Iris Folding – Very similar to quilling as it involves layering different colored strips of paper to create spiral effects in your crafts.

Decoupage – includes using colored and printed paper that is glued to create effects. You could also use gold leafing techniques that come under the heading of decoupage. Decoupage is actually very simple. If you know how to cut and paste, you already have the basic techniques involved in decoupage. Basically, you cut out pictures; you glue the pictures onto an object like a card; and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of glue/decoupage medium to protect it.

The techniques above are very simple to learn yet very effective when used in card making. You can purchase a great guidebook that will enable you to check over how each technique is executed. It will also give you easy instructions and inspiration for your imagination.

Card making For Your Wedding

by prehensile

Card making For Your Wedding

Sometimes you buy a card because you know nothing about card making. That’s why you will look for the people who are into card making business just to give you the perfect wedding card for your special day.  But if you have skills in card making you will surely have an affordable wedding card for your guests. If you have the skill then you can start planning the design of your wedding card as early as today.

How To Make a Wedding Card

In order for you to start card making, try to look at the different ways to make a wedding card. You may start gathering materials that you can get your hands on. If you are going to use buttons, glitters, beads or whatever material you prefer start gathering them now before the big day approaches. It is better that you are able to prepare well instead of cramming when the wedding day is about to come. Do you need some ribbons, pictures or organic materials? Better be sure that you have all the items you need in card making before you start doing them. If you will not do this then there is a possibility that while you are cutting the paper you will stop just to look for glue or a certain picture because you failed to prepare your materials well.

However, if you are a person who can make good cards under time pressure then, just go with the flow. Cut here and there and come up with an original design. If you’re that kind of person then there is a big chance for you to create a unique and fantastic wedding card after a drastic card making activity. Sometimes this works better than having to stick by the rules in card making or copying after a design with so many instructions therewith.

Beautiful designs

You also need an eye catching design if you want to come up with a perfect card for your wedding. You can include pictures of your favorite valleys or gardens. You may even pattern it after the shape of your favorite flower. You can also use materials for your wedding card from doilies, mesh, feathers, fabric, ribbon or braid. There are no hard-and-fast rules on how to make a truly elegant and beautiful wedding card because handmade cards are truly unique.

If you want to make it personalized then you can begin sketching something on your scratch paper before you begin in order to   help you put some thoughts together.  Even the shading, or coloring in blocks of card will help you balance your ideas on the design, style and contents of the card you are going to send to your invited guests before you move onto the fabric or the paper itself.

Once you are done with the designs and style of your card, you can already decide whether to include the names and the personal details of your guests. You can also think about the means you are going to employ in order for you to incorporate, print or transfer graphics together with other card materials.  This is important because the mixture and the placement of materials are the things which make a card extra special.

Be creative and enjoy your wedding in the company of people you like.

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Car Accident Compensation – Making a Claim after an Accident on the Road

by Vanlal.

Car Accident Compensation – Making a Claim after an Accident on the Road

If you are involved in a car accident, one of the last things that would cross your mind would be how to go about making a claim for car accident compensation. The experience is scary enough by itself, without the daunting thought of having to deal with solicitors and all the expense that comes with it.

However, no win no fee agreements, introduced after the abolition of government legal aid, were designed to help those injured in accidents make a compensation claim when they may not have thought it would have been possible before. This is because it doesn’t cost a penny to do so, and no legal fees are charged to the victim of the accident.

After an accident, it is understandable to check that everyone is OK and to assess the damage caused. You will be concerned about making sure your vehicle is cleared and that everyone involved is safe.

Car accidents can be a massive financial burden on your life. Firstly there is the cost of the damage to your car (though this is usually covered by the 3rd parties insurance in the event that it is not your fault). Then, there is the cost of any medical treatment that may be needed, as well as extra expenses caused as a result, for example travel that may not have been needed if the accident did not happen. It is in this case where it is feasible to make a claim for car accident compensation.

Claiming Car Accident Compensation for Injuries

For most people, having a car and being able to drive is a necessity if they are to get around, go to work and go about their daily lives. For others, driving is a luxury and an enjoyable experience. Driving offers the freedom of being able to go anywhere you want; far more so than on public transport.

Having a car accident can damage confidence, and cause long-term psychological and/or physical difficulties. In the most extreme cases it can cause death or disability. This unfair twist of fate cannot be repaired by financial means. However, making a compensation claim could certainly help make things a bit easier if your quality of life has been reduced in an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Taking some steps following a car accident can significantly help your claim, these include:

- Checking everyone in your vehicle is OK and find out what injuries have been sustained
- Call the emergency services, most importantly the Police and Ambulance.
- Take the details of other vehicle(s) and driver(s) involved, including of their insurance.
- Make a note of where and when the accident happened, and take pictures. If this isn’t possible try and get someone to do it for you.

Then, get in contact with a personal injury claims company, who will assist you in making your car accident compensation claim. They will be able to put you in contact with an expert solicitor who deals with people who have been unfortunately injured in a vehicle accident every single day, and will know exactly how much compensation you will be entitled to.

The main thing is to not suffer in silence – if you need the money, there is always help at hand.

 

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Card making Bonding

by prehensile

Card making Bonding

I never really have that special bond with my youngest son. He is usually with his friends and when he is home, he is always in front of the computer. I could hardly talk to him. It was hard for me as a mother. I missed the days when he was still all dependent on me. When he would call my name for little things and we would spend some quality time together. Last night, I think my prayers are granted since he actually asked for my help.

My son came up to me and asked me if I could help with his assignment. Apparently, they are assigned a card making activity. They are to make a card for their special someone who would be celebrating their birthday. I agreed to help him, since card making is my cup of tea.

Modesty aside, I am really an expert when it comes to card making. I could easily think of a concept and work on it fast. Although, I am still working my skills on the complicated part of card making like making pop ups and the likes, I believe that my skills in card making is enough to help my son. But then again, I did not allow him to ask me to do all the work. I just guided him all the way so he would also know how to make a card himself.

We brainstormed for the design together, I told him how important thinking about the card design that you are about to make and planning on how you would go about is essential for the card making project. While we were thinking for the kind of card that he wanted to make, I asked him some questions about the card making project. First, I asked him about the materials that he is planning to use. I am quite surprised that he has everything ready. It was indeed very impressive; I never thought that my son could have inherited my card making genes.

I went on asking about the card, to whom will he give it and for what occasion. I was surprised when he told me that he would give it to the most special woman in his life. Admittedly, I was somewhat bothered while we are making the card. The time when our little boy is already having a girlfriend is one of the greatest fears of a mother. It is that time when slowly, you would mean nothing to them. I envy that girl, since I could see in his eyes and action how dedicated he is as he was making the card. I could feel the “labor of love” as he was making the card.

His card making project was already finished in barely an hour and we were so happy. He even told me that he never knew that card making would be that easy and he could come up with something so beautiful. I gave him some time to write the personal message and told him that his card is good to go. It could even be at par with the commercially available cards in the bookstores.

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Step By Step Directions On Making Shaggy Rugs

Step By Step Directions On Making Shaggy Rugs

Numerous individuals will use shag rugs in their house as a way to lighten the space up and to make it appear more colorful or to work with the theme that was created. You will make your own shaggy rug.

Creating a cotton shaggy rug is not a simple process – but neither is it too difficult. It is made up of weave and heavy cloth that helps to make it lasting. The heavy cotton or rug yarn is what you will utilize to create the shaggy effect. The fabric you use should be knit or woven into narrow strips of ¼” wide and 3″ long.

You will discover the rug yarn and the burlap backing from any fabric store. Make sure to shop around for good deals and the ideal colors to utilize in your house. Small rugs only require one yard of fabric. For extensive ones you will have to measure the space you want it to cover and sew one big strip of yards together.

Wash the back and iron it so that it is smooth. When it is flat you have to measure and cut it to the proper size. Make sure that the hem is one inch longer in the width and hem. Fold the hem under ½’ twice and sew it around each of the edges. Start at one edge and hold the burlap down.

With the other hand, you want to be holding the hook at the top and put it into the burlap. Every square of the cotton shag rug weave needs to be one stitch. Tightly hold onto the yarn pieces below the burlap and take hold of one strip in the middle of the hook. Now pull the loop all the way through. Grab the ends of the slip and pull it all the way through the loop. Pull it secure till you make a knot.

Tips of Making Up Your Camping Gear

by geekmojo

Tips of Making Up Your Camping Gear

You are going camping! That is exciting. But with all of the things you need to bring, you are all confused and your idea of fun is slowly draining. How the hell are you going to start gathering up your camping gear. You personally need to ensure that you have all the basic camping gear in the right place before you start camping. Here are sure ways to help you round up your stuff to compose the best of your camping gear.

1) You may need extra camping gear more than you will ever know if you plan on camping for extended periods or if you are planning to camp outside of the cabin. Hence, you must plan your camping. If you are staying out in the wilderness instead of staying in a hikers’ cabin, then you have to carry a suitable tent, comfortable sleeping bags, or mosquito repellers. If you planning on staying longer, then there is a need for lighting batteries, more food supplies, or cooking equipments. It all depends on what you are planning to do on your trip. Have a list of activities to do alongside with the materials needed. Do not forget necessary items. As much as possible avoid the luxury ones. Do not bring things that you won’t be needing. The idea with outdoor travels is packing light for ease of travel.

2) Get information and discounts on the best camping gear from catalogues. Every now and then, camping gear manufacturers and stockers send out mags or flyers with festive sales, discounts, or special infos. So make the most out of it.

3) Go to the large shopping malls like Wal-Mart. They hold an array of basic camping gear available at a wide range of budget. They are also great for purchasing cheap but good enough camping gear (Just make sure to consider buying the more durable equipment, not just the good-for-one-use items, if you are a frequent camper).

4) Practical experience tells you that you can make your own camping gear. Gather up on some books or online tutorials and march to the do-it-yourself store. Most of the items you probably need are just lying around the house. This reduces your camping gear expenses at a fraction of the cost. Plus, doing activities like this adds in to the fun of camping.

5) Ask around among family and friends if they have the camping gear you need. There is always the practical benefit of mutual borrowing. Go ahead and buy one or two quality items that you can exchange. Just make sure that you do not cause damage to others’ invested equipment.

6) Before buying anything else, consider the best backpack you could ever get to hold in the rest of your camping gear. This is probable the one thing that you want to invest in. Buy a good quality bag with just the right size (style is not that necessary). You certainly don’t want myriads of mini bags or tied-to-rope items hanging around when you traveling outdoors. And trust me, you will know what and how much to put in right after you have a good idea of where to put it.

7) Check your food items. Consider taking in less by preferring dehydrated meals that are lightweight. When it comes to water, it is better to carry much as there may be no available safe drinking water around on the camp site. Bring very little sauces and seasonings like sugar and salt. You may not need jars and jars of them if you know what I mean.

8) Consider the time of the year you will be traveling. If you are going out on the summer months, then bring along light clothing. If you are going out on the cooler months, then pack heavier but warmer clothing. And you might be needing a quality rainwear regardless of the forecast.

9) Share your camping gear between hiking partners. Delegate who will bring what. This reduces the possibility of bringing more than you will need. You do not need too many flashlights do you? You get the idea.

So those are the tips. Escaping the great outdoors is exciting, and to consider carefully planning your basic camping gear can even get you a long way in having the best vacation ever.

Card Making Tips for Beginners

by elkedearest

Card Making Tips for Beginners

Giving a personal greeting card to other people is a wonderful expression of how much they are treasured. For beginners, card making may seem a tough craft to achieve. But, with a few techniques or knowledge, creative imagination and basic tools you have, you can quite make personal greeting cards real quick, fun and interesting.

Distinct from other crafts, card making is not an expensive skill to develop. It is very easy and very emotionally rewarding. Certainly, when we give someone a card it nurtures best the relationship you have with that person.

Here are several basic tips and needs for beginners in card making craft. As you develop into an expert card maker you will gain more skill to create astonishing cards, with remarkable appearance and designs.

FUNDAMENTAL EQUIPMENTS

In advance prior to making beautiful cards, you will need some equipment that is indispensable for craft.

Pens and Pencils – to sketch lines and dimensions
Scissors – purchase basic cutting styles or those crease edges to create serrated edges on paper.
Ruler – for measuring correctly cuttings in the paper
Cutting Mat – when you use a cutter of any brand to cut your paper, a cutting mat will not damage the surface you’re working on.
Glues and Adhesives – will be needed to glue paper together and double sided tape can be used to create 3D effects.

PAPER SELECTIONS

When you are creating your own card it is ideal to use card paper. This paper type is thicker than the normal paper. You will have a more durable card. You may also purchase a paper that is pre-folded.

Paper with different types of colors and prints expresses different emotions and messages to the recipient of the card so it is best that the most suited type of paper, print design and color is used for the card.

If you have a specific theme in mind, for example a wedding or a birthday, it is much easier to select paper around the themes of the event.

EMBELLISHMENTS

Adding embellishments into your card making is a nice idea. It does give special effects to the card and it brands them sophistication and glamour. You can incorporate add-ons to the card by using stickers, beads, buttons and other stuff that makes the card more appealing.  One may also include personalized rubber stamps and punch kits to make the card more unique.

When making a birthday card, decorate the card with stamping techniques and circle cutters. Learn about using two-way glue when making birthday cards at home with help from a demonstrator for a craft company in this free video on birthday cards. Expert: Brandi Mackenzie Contact: www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/brandimackenz Bio: Brandi Mackenzie is a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up, a leading craft company with offices worldwide. Mackenzie gives seminars and classes on rubber stamping and card making. Filmmaker: Mike Phillips
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Making the Switch to Recycle Bags

by Siim Teller

Making the Switch to Recycle Bags

Now that you have made the switch to recycle bags, it is time to put your efforts into action. The following tips are designed to help you make the switch from plastic to reusable bags.

When making the switch to recycle bags it is important to consider how many bags are needed. Obviously, larger families will need larger shopping bags and individuals who shop more frequently will not need as many recycle bags as someone who only goes to the store once or twice a month.

In general, it is a good idea to buy between five and eight reusable bags. Shoppers who find they need more recycle bags can simply purchase more as they determine their personal needs.

While it is the most obvious point of becoming a reusable bag shopper, it is also considered the hardest part. Many shoppers find themselves forgetting their recycle bags when they head to the store. At least one reusable bag retailer, ITYSE.com, has found a way to cut down on the forgetfulness by designing a fashionable purse that also serves as a carrier for the recycle bags.

For those green shoppers who don’t have an iTsYE, it is a good idea to return the recycle bags to a purse or vehicle so they are accessible for the next trip to the store.

Does a cantaloupe really need a bag? Making the switch to recycle bags also means being a responsible user of plastic bags in general. Most of us are accustomed to bagging all of the items in the produce aisle. However, there are several products such as bananas and vine tomatoes that don’t necessarily call for a plastic bag.

While the use of recycle bags is becoming increasingly popular, most courtesy clerks are not well versed when it comes to utilizing the bags. Before the cashier begins to ring up the day’s items, inform him or her that you prefer to use your mesh grocery bags. The cashier, in return, will either bag the items or communicate the desire to the courtesy clerk.

Encourage the courtesy clerk to utilize the recycle bags to their fullest potential. Tell the clerk the bags can hold more items than plastic bags and discourage the bagging of larger items altogether.

This week is all about the plastic bag. We get inspired to use reusable shopping bags and get a lesson on how-to make one out of old clothes. Plus, a glimpse into the world of recycled art and some sweet posts from our Forum members. It’s fashionable to be green! Links in this episode: Morsbags www.morsbags.com Buffalo Exchange www.buffaloexchange.com Rebekah Potter rebekahpotter.blogspot.com DH Love Life dhlovelife.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Importance of Paper and Card Making Materials in Birthdays

by Cornell University Library

Importance of Paper and Card Making Materials in Birthdays

Birthdays are one of the most important time of the year for someone. It is that one special day when everyone’s attention is on him or her. For some, they actually feel popular when it is their birthday because of the avalanche of greetings that they would receive on their mobile phones and now on their Facebook walls. It is through those greetings that many people tend to affirm their existence and importance into the life of the people around them. It is one of the best feeling in the world during birthdays when you realize that you are also equally special to people who matters to you the most.

And of course such special day would not be complete without a celebration or a party. Could you imagine a party being held without using even a single piece of paper? Your banners and other party stuff would not be made of paper, impossible, isn’t it? Paper is a crucial component in our lives, particularly during birthdays. Most party favors are usually made of paper. But, why is it? You may ask. Aside from the fact that paper is pretty cheap, there are also a lot of things that you could do with paper. It’s a very versatile kind of material. You could play on its color, shape and size!

But other than the festivities that come with the birthday party, we should never forget the many smiles and laughter that the gift brings to the celebrator. It is through those gifts that the special role that the birthday celebrator plays on his or her guest is immortalize. More often, these gifts are normally symbolic. Aside from the gift itself, they could also mean something else. It could be the very thing that started their friendship or the one thing that they could remind themselves of their special bond at any given time. Gifts during birthdays are really so special that it is already considered as a sin if you would come in a birthday party without a gift.

But what could make us even more special is when we receive a personalized card in our birthday! Sure, personalized cards are already considered as the scapegoat once you have either forgotten to buy a gift or you are too busy or lazy to buy a gift. But then again, if you would think about it even more, card making is even a more toxic job as compared to finding the perfect gift. It would lead you to go to shopping for all the card making materials that you will be needing to complete your masterpiece and you would really have to spend a considerable time while you will be making it. Plus the fact that, after all the toil and hard work, you would also need to come up with a very meaningful message in the birthday card.

Mini haul of Sizzix dies and a set of rubber stamps. I didn’t even know they sold rubber stamps. Great deals on the sizzix.com site. Shipping cost half as much as my total product. Saved over off original price of everything. Saving the rest of my scrapping pennies for CHA in Anaheim this weekend. Thanks for watching.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Card Making in Less than Five Minutes

by against the tide

Card Making in Less than Five Minutes

When it comes to cards, there are plenty of patterns you can choose from.  Card making has never been easier because the Internet is full of ideas on what you can do in your next card project.  All throughout the year, you might be sending out Christmas cards more than birthday or thank-you cards.  That is why it is important to think of ways to save on Christmas cards.  There are a lot of simple and easy to follow instructions.  You just need to search for them on the Internet, print them out and you’re all set to start your first card making project.

The easiest would be scribbling an image on the cover.  You can use sparkly paint or glossy markers.  Look for a nice card stock.  For DIY cards, card stocks with unique edges are perfect and would be suitable for any kind of design.  Look for sparkly fabric paint.  Gold or silver would be perfect for Christmas designs.  Take the pen and scribble a tree at the center of the card.  Then put star stickers at the end of each row.   You can also add a sticker that says a holiday greeting at the bottom of the tree.  In just a few minutes, you have just completed your Christmas card.

Collages also look good on cards.  You can use printouts or different textured paper for your images and then stickers for the caption.  In the scrapbooking aisle, you will often find stickers on sale.  You can cut the pieces that you don’t need and just use the parts that you want.  A good example of a collage is a Christmas card with cut-out trees. Use a corrugated paper for the tree.  Make a pattern of triangular shapes.  You can also cut them in graduating sizes then cut the corrugated paper along the edges of the pattern.

Card making can be easy and fun.  All you need are the essentials and a few embellishments.  Even a simple sparkly marker could do the trick.  Look at patterns than scribble the design using a marker.  You can also add stickers to complete the look.  Stars and other holiday images would be perfect.  Collages would also be a great card making project.  You can glue different images using different textured paper.  For Christmas trees, corrugated paper would be the most suitable material.  There is a variety of easy to follow instructions.  All you need is some research and a few supplies.