Home-Printed Cards

Steps to create these cards:

1. Do a watercolor painting for the card's front, i.e. poinsettias.
2. Scan the painting.
3. Import the picture into Microsoft PowerPoint, resize to fit onto blank cards, and add a red outline*.
4. Design a message for the interior of the card, i.e. "Happy Holidays"
5. Print and cut out cover and card's interior. Secure to blank cards with a glue stick.
6. Print out address labels if desired.

*Note: Outlining makes designs easier to cut out and apply evenly to the card.

Handmade Books

Supplies

• Bookbinding glue (can use any white glue)
• Foam brushes (to spread glue)
• Cardstock paper (for book pages and covers)
• Scrapbook paper (for covers)
• Paper-cutter and cutting mat (scissors work but are much slower)
• Xacto knife (a box-cutter will work)
• Book (to use as a base for drilling holes)
• Electric drill
• Ribbon (to bind book pages together)
• Yarn needle
• Stickers (optional)

Process

• Cut letter-size paper or cardstock in half horizontally with the paper cutter to make your pages
• To make your front cover, take a piece of letter-size cardstock and cut it in half. Then apply glue to it and wrap your decorative scrapbook paper around it. Secure your folded scrapbook paper with glue. Cover the inside of your cover with another sheet of cardstock and glue down for a finished look. Do the same for your back cover.
• To attach all the pages together, drill three holes through the entire stack. Put a phonebook or other disposable book underneath to avoid drilling through your table.
• Use the ribbon to tie everything together and finish with a bow.
• Place the entire book under something heavy until it is completely dry, then crease the front cover so you can open your book easily.

Photos: Jessica's (top), Jen's (middle), Stacy's (bottom)

Easy DIY Greeting Cards

With just your home computer, standard 8.5x11" paper and Microsoft Powerpoint you can create fast and easy cards. You can use photos and graphics off the web as long as you don't market your cards*. I like putting a big design on the front and a tiny design on the back of the card. Just print cards, fold them in half twice, and you're done!

If you want your fold on top, click on this template.

If you want your fold on the bottom, like I did for my Thanksgiving card, click on this template.

*Note: If you profit in any way from your cards or use them commercially, using someone else's artwork is copyright infringement.

Tissue Paper Flowers

For a fun party activity, why not make tissue paper flowers? If it's a holiday party, you can do them in holiday colors (ex. red and green).

To make these flowers, take a sheet of tissue paper, fold it accordion style, secure in the middle with string*, then unfold. To see detailed instructions, visit Sew Sweet Stitches. You can make a vase of flowers or a garland!

*Note: You can use raffia or floral wire to tie them.

Clocks

We bought clockwork kits from the craft store and wood (for the base) from the hardware store. We drilled a central hole through the base before decorating.

To decorate the base, cut strips of tissue or scrapbook paper and use mod podge to secure them.

Use clear acrylic spray to seal clock and add shine.

Paint edge of clock with acrylic paint. Glue coins or buttons for numbers. Use letter stickers as desired.

*Note: This was a two-night project.