by Leigh Sloan

Created on: September 09, 2009   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

It is easy to turn out a home made card that will promptly be discarded in the trash can. There is nothing wrong with these cards. We get them often and we appreciate them. However, if you want to make a lasting impression on those you love, read on. Warning: you may gain a reputation for yourself that will hold you to a higher standard in the future. I began making cards for friends and family in high school. To this day, my sister will not accept a store bought card from me. Some of my family members still have cards I made for them ten years ago.

Gather your resources. Keep a variety of magazines on hand at all times. A good place to find these is at thrift stores. You are going to be cutting them up, so they don't have to be in great condition. Variety and originality is key. If you use all Country Living magazines, you are very limited. I like to get art or design magazines that have all kinds of interesting pictures in them. Often, immediately after I get a new magazine, I cut out all the interesting things (words or pictures) I find and put them in a folder. Don't neglect the ads. These can sometimes be your best resources. You can organize everything in big envelopes by nature photos, designs for women, designs for men, etc. You will also need various colors of cardstock, scissors, a glue stick, sharpies, and any other interesting odds and ends: paper bags, brads, stickers, cotton balls, etc. Keep your computer in mind as a good resource for finding pictures of your loved ones and printing out lettering for a more polished look.

Think about the person and the occasion. Try to remember specific idiosyncrasies about this person or kinds of things they like to do or say that make them special. The time of life for that person can also lend fuel to your creativity. For example, a picture of stepping stones along a path could be in anticipation of a graduation or new job. As you search through your pictures for inspiration, keep making connections with that person's life and the pictures or words you find. Look at the pictures for inspiration, but remember that you don't necessarily need to use pictures. Sometimes the unique medium that you use (ie: duct tape, q-tip, pasta) can be enough to get you going.

When you are suddenly inspired with a great idea, stop searching and start creating. You want the message to be both simple and interesting. As you make the card, see it through the recipient's eyes. The front should create interest and the inside should make them go, "Aha! Yeah, that's perfect!" It can be funny, sappy, or snappy. You can play on words or use their name as a springboard for wording. I had a friend named Gabby and I was trying to describe her indescribable qualities, so I used the word, "gabbescence." We all knew it was the only way of describing such a unique person.

Use a partner. Are you good with words, pictures, or both? Choose someone to complement your strengths in order to get the right wording to match the artistic feel of the card. You can choose your roommate, your sibling, your spouse, or anyone you can reel in to the process. A group effort also makes it more fun when you present the card together at a party.

Try to make it as good as possible, but remember that it doesn't have to be perfect. Your love is what needs to shine through. The advantage of a home made card is that it shows someone you love them enough to put thought and effort into it. It demonstrates the fact that you know them better than they thought you did. The card can be more important to them than a gift that may be attached. Never underestimate the power of a home made card!

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