| | April 13, 2009, Vol. 3 No. 5 | | |
| | | Hello Card Maker, Join CardSwaps!
If you haven't visited the CardSwaps area of the CardMaker magazine Web site yet, you owe it to yourself to check it out. I recently chatted with Lora Brinkman, an avid card maker and blogger, who has enthusiastically taken on the role of hostess of the swaps. Here's what she had to say.
Sue: How long have you been making cards?
Lora: I have been making cards for family and friends for about seven years. I started really getting into card making in the "modern" form about three years ago. I love using the Cuttlebug for embossing; stamping is becoming a must on every card, and I can't live without glitter!
Sue: Explain how the card swap works.
Lora: Card swaps can be a little confusing until you do it a few times. Basically, you have a hostess and a group of participants. The hostess is the person who posts an idea of something they would like to swap (or trade). The hostess will organize the swap and provide details about the item to make. You will be given a set number of items to send in by a certain date. You make your cards (or whatever item you are swapping) and mail them to the hostess. She or he will then swap them out with all the other items from the participants in the group and mail back a set to each participant with one from every person. It's a great way to get new ideas and see examples of different techniques. It's amazing how many different interpretations of a basic idea come to fruition.
I do suggest you join a couple swaps (like the one planned for April 23-25) so you can get a feel for how a swap works before hosting one. I also encourage new swappers to ask questions, especially if they are unclear about what is expected. All of the hosts at CardSwaps are more than happy to help. We also have a couple of great threads on the Web site to give swappers and hosts some tips when participating in swaps.
I would encourage anyone who makes cards or wants to make cards to get involved. It is a great way to broaden your card-making horizon and increase your skill level. It isn't just about swapping cards; it is a wonderful way to make friends who share common interests. CardSwaps is an on-line community of card makers with various skill levels. Everyone is very willing to share ideas and techniques, and answer questions about card making.
Sue: How did you become the CardSwaps guru?
Lora: Ever heard of trial by fire? No, seriously, I learned by doing. I have participated in numerous swaps, and owe everything I know to some very talented ladies that hosted the swaps I was a part of. I started making mental notes of what worked and what didn't. For my swaps, I try to keep in mind what I expect from a hostess and provide the same or better level of support. Back to top. Free Project
Here's a lovely project by Tanis Giesbrecht, just in time for all of those spring weddings. For an extra-special touch, create the card to complement the colors the bride has chosen for her special day!
Happily Ever After By Tanis Giesbrecht Materials - Ivory card stock
- Aged Florals double-sided printed papers: Sweet Nothings, Beloved
- White envelope to fit a 51/2 x 41/4-inch card
- Rubber stamps: canvas background, Card Greetings II set
- Dye ink pads: light brown, brown
- 5/8-inch-wide coordinating sheer ribbon
- 4 pewter mini round brads
- Paper piercing tool
- Sewing machine with light brown thread
- Paper adhesive
Project note: Ink edges of each piece light brown before adhering to card. Use brown ink to stamp images. Form a 51/2 x 41/4-inch top-folded card from ivory card stock. Cut a 51/2 x 41/4-inch piece of Sweet Nothings paper; distress edges on green side with scissors. Machine-stitch along edges. Cut a 47/8 x 35/8-inch piece of Beloved paper; distress edges on floral side and machine-stitch along edges. Adhere papers together. Use provided pattern (PDF format) to cut an oval from ivory card stock. Stamp canvas background and sentiment on oval. Pierce holes along edges; distress edges. Adhere oval to green side of Beloved paper; trim a small border. Pierce holes and distress edges in the same manner as before. Center and adhere a 10-inch length of ribbon to back of oval. Center and adhere oval to layered papers. Accordion-fold ribbon ends on each side and secure with brads as shown. Trim ribbon ends in V-notches. Adhere assembled rectangle to card front. Decorate envelope as desired. Sources: Printed papers from Fancy Pants Designs; canvas background stamp from Stampin' Up!; stamp set from Green Grass Stamps. Copyright © February 2007 CardMaker magazine. All rights reserved. Back to top.
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There's simply no reason not to give CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club a try -- especially when you get a FREE GIFT just for saying YES! That's right, when you request your HALF-PRICE introductory kit now, you'll also receive a special 5-piece CardMaker Tool Set FREE with your membership. It includes a versatile embossing tool, ink pad, 1/8" hole punch, reusable acrylic "Created by ..." stamp so you can personalize each card you make and a handy stamp block. Click here to learn more. So don't miss out on your HALF-PRICE card kit and your FREE gift! Join CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club today. It's a great way to get in touch with your inner creativity and have loads of fun doing it! It doesn't matter if you've never tried card making or are already into paper crafting and need a new challenge. No matter what your aspiration, CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club is for you. All you need are scissors and glue. We'll supply ... |  | | | | | So don't hesitate another minute. A whole world of card-making fun awaits you. Simply click here to join CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club today! Remember you get to try your first kit for half-off the regular monthly kit price. All this and more -- everything you need to make 8-10 show-stopping cards -- will be delivered right to your door when you say YES to CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club. Even if you've never made a card before, your success is guaranteed. CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club is the perfect way to experience the wonderful world of creative card making. Even your very first card will be a much-admired work of art. Click here to join today! | |  | | |  | |
| Reader Letters Have a question about a tool or technique? Want to share a card-making tip? Use my feedback form below, and I'll share as many as I can in a future newsletter. Penny writes:
"I read about using spray adhesive to apply glitter to your cards, but if you want to add glitter to your cards with embellishments like shamrocks, circles, flowers etc., try running them face down through a Xyron sticker machine. Peel off the items and place them down in a little container full of glitter. Tap off the excess, and you have a perfect glittered embellishment without the mess! And it also assures that there won't be any missed spots on them!"  Tammy writes:
"I LOVE CardMaker magazine. In the September 2008 issue, there was a card called Heart "Felt" Greeting on page 36. I would like to know where to purchase the felt trim that is used on this card. I tried using my scallop-edged scissors, but it didn't work well since they are paper scissors. I also tried cutting out something similar on my Cricut Expression but that didn't work either. Many thanks for your help and I anxiously wait to hear from you." Tammy, Inque Boutique was the manufacturer, but they were bought out by Darice, and I didn't see the product you mentioned on their Web site. American Crafts is another company that has a nice line of felt embellishments. I'd suggest trying there. Susan writes:
"Recently, a couple of people wrote of 'green' card making. I recycle many cards and use the motifs in tags, cards, etc. For my sister and brother-in-law's anniversary, I used parts of a purchased anniversary card they had first sent to us. I don't know if my sis noticed or not. I also try to use something from the wedding invitation to make a wedding card for a couple. Thanks for the great e-mails! Amongst all the spam, yours is a welcome sight!" Cyndi writes:
"When I am at a loss for creative ideas for a card, I start looking through all my magazines until I find something that "just feels right." Once I get started, my card generally looks either a little like the sample or almost nothing like it. I find once something gets me going, my creative brain just takes over. Now if it just wouldn't take so many naps!" Do you have something you want to share with other card makers? Use my feedback form below, and I'll share as many as I can in a future newsletter! Back to top. | | |
Happy card making!
Sue Reeves
Editor, CardMaker newsletter Send feedback!
Don't forget to use my feedback form to send your most effective ways to break through a creative block!
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