DYI Handmade Cards that are Fresh, Clean and Simple

Today, I set out to make some unique handmade cards...and wanted them to be fresh, clean and simple.  They needed to be simple and clean in design and easy to assemble...let's face it, we're all short on time these days. 

 

 

I also wanted to keep the supply list simple...so I started with one sheet of paper and one pack of ephemera from Prima Marketing Inc. The paper I selected is from one of their recent summer releases Forever Green.  The botanical themes are perfect for summer and it's "chalkboard look" is right on target with the DIY trend in stationery and décor.  It's perfect for what I wanted to do. 

 

 

I love making cards, but all too often it seems that my cards get done, done, and over done...and when I've finished I've used every ink, every die cut, nearly every stamp in my stash, and had to run out to the scrapbook store for just one more embellishment...today, I just needed to keep it simple.  And I love the results.

 

 

The botanical themes and positive sentiments are really nice...who wouldn't love a card whose simple message is "Chase Happiness?"

 

 

 

Or, a "Hello" card with illustrations of woodland birds.  It's happy stuff!

 

 

"Life's a Garden Dig it," is a collage of floral themed ephemera, a wooden embellishment and new lace trim...this card is both vintage and fresh and very appealing.

 

 And, all the positive affirmations in the paper and ephemera will make the cards I created "just right" for anyone on my card list. 

 

 

And some of the sentiments lend themselves well to some of my more artistic friends...these cards were fun to make and I hope to offer this as a class soon...I'd love to share it with you. 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by today...I hope you've enjoyed the clean and simple cards I created.  I'd love to see you in a class soon...make sure to look over at my "events" page...I have classes listed through the end of August. 

 

Thank you again,

Ken

Teaching Creativity

One of the really fun things I get to do is travel to art retreats and weekend gatherings where artists and crafters gather to create. The events are often held in some of the most scenic places in the world.  

Yesterday, I went to Rio Rico Arizona, to a retreat held by Arizona Scrapbooking.   

It was truly one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen, it was high desert, the clouds overhead looked fake.  

The mountain landscape was inspiring. 

We were right on the Mexican border, it was amazing.  

When I visit retreats and art gatherings, I like to teach "creativity."  I go with a plan, projects, and supplies, but I like to let students create their own "works of art."  After-all, students attend retreats to learn how to create and to be inspired.  All too often, instructors go to an art or craft event with a project that requires their students to "paint this here, stamp this there, stick this here" type of  project that doesn't really let a student explore his or her own creativity or learn new techniques.  Instead, the student ends up with a knocked off copy of whatever the instructor chose to create that day. 

Yesterday, I went in with a plan  to let students explore making handmade DIY cards with some craft papers and die templates.  

  

 The cards they created were amazing...as you can see below, two different students, using the same materials, created very different projects.  Both are very beautiful, and each represents how the student interpreted the the supplies and instruction they received.

This card is decidedly vintage, with inked, distressed edges and a lacy doily, while the card below...     

is crisp, clean and simple. 

Both are very elegant and show a great use of the supplies provided to create a tiny "work" that is personal and expresses the unique creativity of each student.

I feel really luck to have the opportunity to teach "creativity." It's really rewarding to see how other artists create and I am always inspired whenever I see how students work and create.  I love the creative process.  

It's always really fun...new friendships are forged and old friendships rekindled as we create together.     

And, we always make time for a little silliness...

Thank you again Arizona Scrapbooking for letting me visit to teach a little creativity at your art event!  

Ken

Handmade Vintage Style Card

Admittedly, I am not the best card maker in the world, I rather ply my trade to canvas, books, inks and paints...but like anything, with practice you get better.  I'm getting lots of cardmaking practice lately..I'm beginning to have a little more faith in my abilities. This is a simple vintage style card, that's clean and simple...fresh vintage.  

It's just a couple Spellbinders die cuts, layered on paper, a stamped image, and some pearl embellishments to finish.  This card is kind of special, it's my mom's birthday next week, so I wanted to send something handmade.  I like the way it turned out.  

And what's cool about the photo above?  I found the antique spool in the photo in my great grandmother's sewing machine drawer...so the antique spool matches the stamped image on the card.  There's no doubt my mom will see the connection when she gets this card.  

Cardmaking, like any art is a skill...it takes time to develop a skillful eye and careful hand...I'm glad I am getting to practice my cardmaking techniques lately...it's giving me more confidence to create and make cards. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed this clean and simple vintage card.  

'til next time, 

Ken