With a little bit of creativity and just a few simple steps, you can easily convert any card with a special meaning to you in to an unforgettable card making craft and keepsake for you or your loved ones. Here is how you do it.
Recently, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with all the fanfare and memories that should be afforded a couple that make it to that point in their loving relationship. They also loved what I was able to do with the announcement I kept from the happy event when I transformed it in to a crafty keepsake and a marvelous card making craft.
You will need the following supplies: Please keep in mind that you will need extra rub-on lettering in case you make a mistake and have to redo any of the lettering. You will also want to pick colors that coordinate with your greeting card as noted below.
- Greeting card: For this project I used my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary announcement.
- 1 clear acetate sheet: Must be durable enough that when folded, it can stand up on its own.
- 1 sheet of decorative scrapbooking paper: We chose a sheer background with a cream colored floral design.
- 1 package of letter rub-ons (190 count): We chose brown to coordinate with the gold anniversary card and cream colored scrapbooking paper.
- Satin ribbon ½ yard: We chose a brownish gold color.
- 1 package of decorative jewelry used for jewelry making: We chose a gold colored heart shaped pendant with a rhinestone. The pendant has two openings, which will make it easier to insert the ribbon.
- Gold cording 1/8 yard
- Glue adhesive stick
- 1 package of crafters adhesive foam stickers
- Scissors
- Hole puncher
- 1 card envelope or gift box to protect your card design
Step 1: Fold plastic acetate sheet in half creating a card base. Next, center greeting card under your plastic sheet to determine how much of the plastic you want seen once the greeting card is secured in place. Be sure to leave enough space at the top so that a hole can be punched through the plastic without touching the card underneath. Remove greeting card and set aside.
Step 2: Measure and cut scrapbooking paper to cover one side of the plastic. Next, apply glue adhesive to the back of your decorative scrapbooking paper and position on to the clear plastic acetate in the bottom inside half only.
Step 3: Apply clear foam stickers to the back of your greeting card, attaching one to each corner of the card. Once adhesive stickers are secure, carefully insert and attach greeting card to the center of your decorative paper, leaving enough space for a punched hole to be made at the top of the plastic.
Step 4: Remove and apply rub-on lettering according to package instructions to the top outside area of the clear plastic acetate. Note: Having your greeting card underneath will help to guide you in placing your rub-on letters.
Step 5: Using your hole puncher, punch out one hole at the top middle of your clear plastic. Punch a second hole right next to the first one. Next, fold ribbon in half and loop through the back side of each hole pulling the ribbon up until both ends are even. Secure with a loose knot.
Step 6: Thread cording through the heart pendant openings and secure around the ribbon knot. You are now ready to make a decorative bow, tying the ribbon and allowing the heart pendant to hang loosely as a focal point. Once your card making project is completed, place your decorative keepsake in a pretty gift box or envelope. Another idea would be to display your design on a wooden or metal easel.
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