Our friends are having a birthday party for their soon-to-be 1 year old daughter. Since they've requested "No Gifts", I decided to go the extra mile for the card.
And since it took me about 3 hours to make this card, I'd say that's going the extra mile. But, since I also got to work with Pomegranate to make the card and we practiced counting and colors, I'd say it was worth it.
Supplies: two pieces of cardstock (I chose two shades of blue), some string (I liked the gold for bling, but would do this with embroidering floss too), round circle punch (mine was 1"), glue, scissors, spray adhesive, black sharpie.
Oh yeah- and a whole lot of paint chips!
Just use spray adhesive to put the two sheets of cardstock together. While that sets, start punching out circles (I did 50 total, but only used about 40 of them). Cut out little triangles (to be the balloon's knot) and glue them to the circles. I used a bit of white paint to put the dots on a yellow paint chip for the "E" on the front and and cut out the pennant pieces. After writing the letters on the pennants, I let the whole mess dry over night on wax paper.
Day #2:
Some of the balloons are raised on frog-legged paper strips. I glued the strings on to the balloons at the same time that I put them on the card (to save a step). I put a base layer down and left some holes for the frog-legs. After gluing them on, I put the final balloons on and let the card dry open and flat.
While it dried, I glued the pennants to the strings for "Happy Birthday". I sandwiched that between wax paper and set a stack of books on it, because the paint chips were having a hard time staying folded around the string.
Day #3:
Tie two banner strings together, with the "Birthday" string a little longer. Glue ONE side to the card and allow to dry for a couple of hours. Then position the other side and glue it down, put wax paper over it and again, place some heavy books on the card to make sure everything stays put while it dries. And ... you're done!
It probably doesn't take 3 days for this card. But I only get brief periods to work on delicate things like this. And with drying between each step, I just picked it up when I could.
CHANGES FOR NEXT TIME:
1. I wouldn't use white glue to adhere to the card. It's got too much water and makes the paper pucker. Maybe if I used a paint brush to apply it in a very thin even coat? I thought that using doubled up card stock might help, but I think it was just too much glue!
2. Make bigger balloons. I only have a 1" punch, so I was limited. But with a larger punch, you can get the same effect without making SO MANY balloons.
3. Get brighter and more colors. I just used what paint chips I has, but I think the over all card could use brighter colors.
Try it-- it's a great present card that shows you still care even if you don't bring a wrapped gift. And, best part, total cost (aside from time, of course) = free. I didn't buy a single thing for this. :)
And since it took me about 3 hours to make this card, I'd say that's going the extra mile. But, since I also got to work with Pomegranate to make the card and we practiced counting and colors, I'd say it was worth it.
Oh yeah- and a whole lot of paint chips!
Just use spray adhesive to put the two sheets of cardstock together. While that sets, start punching out circles (I did 50 total, but only used about 40 of them). Cut out little triangles (to be the balloon's knot) and glue them to the circles. I used a bit of white paint to put the dots on a yellow paint chip for the "E" on the front and and cut out the pennant pieces. After writing the letters on the pennants, I let the whole mess dry over night on wax paper.
Day #2:
Some of the balloons are raised on frog-legged paper strips. I glued the strings on to the balloons at the same time that I put them on the card (to save a step). I put a base layer down and left some holes for the frog-legs. After gluing them on, I put the final balloons on and let the card dry open and flat.
While it dried, I glued the pennants to the strings for "Happy Birthday". I sandwiched that between wax paper and set a stack of books on it, because the paint chips were having a hard time staying folded around the string.
Day #3:
Tie two banner strings together, with the "Birthday" string a little longer. Glue ONE side to the card and allow to dry for a couple of hours. Then position the other side and glue it down, put wax paper over it and again, place some heavy books on the card to make sure everything stays put while it dries. And ... you're done!
It probably doesn't take 3 days for this card. But I only get brief periods to work on delicate things like this. And with drying between each step, I just picked it up when I could.
CHANGES FOR NEXT TIME:
1. I wouldn't use white glue to adhere to the card. It's got too much water and makes the paper pucker. Maybe if I used a paint brush to apply it in a very thin even coat? I thought that using doubled up card stock might help, but I think it was just too much glue!
2. Make bigger balloons. I only have a 1" punch, so I was limited. But with a larger punch, you can get the same effect without making SO MANY balloons.
3. Get brighter and more colors. I just used what paint chips I has, but I think the over all card could use brighter colors.
Try it-- it's a great present card that shows you still care even if you don't bring a wrapped gift. And, best part, total cost (aside from time, of course) = free. I didn't buy a single thing for this. :)
