never made a card but need to!

[hercules]

Always fancied doing this but know nothing about it. My sister has adopted a child and I would love to make a personalised card for him to welcome him to the family.

advice and ideas appreciated

What a lovely idea

How old is he (to help me with ideas)

2 and a half. Thanks.

Ok, so nothing too babyish..

Don't suppose you have those sizzix bitty body bits? (I don't but know the card-ladies talk about them loads). You could do a body for each member of the family, perhaps with a house in the background?

You could have things like the family surname(s) or adoption date as features, either on background paper or on tags as embellishments.

Need to think some more...

have you got a photo of him? thats always nice on a card and you could put his name on it with stickers/peel-offs etc.
vellum looks nice over photos, you could use tearing technique to add texture.

If you wanted to go down the sizzix body route, I could supply you with the bodies. I cut most of the clothes by hand ATM because I don't have that many dies.

I think a photo would be great, I love the sepia and vintage themes but it might not be appropriate for a toddler.

I need to be able to buy stuff tomorrow from small craft shop. Thanks for advice but I have no idea what you are talking about. I am a real beginner! Some really good ideas.

Have a look in the gallery for inspiration . Just shout for any help, I am sure there will be someone around to point you in the right direction.

have you ever made a cheeping chick card where you cut and fold the beak so it opens and closes when you open and close the card? really easy and my eldest two are fascinated by them (they are 6 and 4). will post how to do it if you want instructions - they are really easy and provide hours of entertainment for my two!

Wow, had a quick look and lots of amazing cards there. Where do you get the pictures of kids etc? Do you buy them ready made and stick on? Do you use special card?

What do you do with them? Do you sell them as a business or just for your own use???

What about a tree each of the branches having a name of close family.
One of the mumsneter girls may have a sizzix tree die cut to help you in the swop shop or the craft shop may have sizzix die cuts of a tree.

You could put somthing at the bottom of the card saying something like "Welcome to a Very Special Nephew"

To do this you can get an alphabet peel off to make up the words. Draw a thin faint straight line with a ruler. Use a pin or sewing needle to take the letters of the peels off sheet and place them along the line, when finished rub out the line Peel off sheets are about 60 or 70p

You could make it pretty by putting peel off birds or small butterflies or flower around the bottom of the tree.

hercules, I think most of us started out as a bit of a hobby but it is very addictive. There are a few of us that give commision to charities on our card sales, others that are starting up local community crafting groups.

It's a lovely pastime to get into, but like I said, very addictive.

You can download pic from various sites online that allow so many copyright free. I tend to scan in photos, modify and print on a good quality cardstock. If you are worried about straight edges, rather than buy cutting equipment, tear randomly to get a really rough edge. You can even colour the edges with eyeshadows, blushers..rather than buy expensive chalks.

I would be more than happy to send you a few cards and envelopes to have a go with. If not somewhere like Lakeland have a great range, but be warned of getting sucked into the "habit!"
if I can help any further, just shout.

Thanks for all the post. I went to my nearest craft shop and bought black white cards, envelopes, a piece of shiny coloured paper for background, an outline thiingy of fish and seahorses in gold, little sticky pads to raise them and a craft magazine with free letters, also a do craft guide magazine.

Cant wait.

Thanks again! I really like the idea of a tree too.

great!! happy crafting. I'm afraid you're soon gonna realise just how addictive it can be

Once you start - there is NO escape (bit like MN!)

Thanks again. I made a beautiful card. We visited an aquarium that day so I made a card using shiny blue/purple paper, his picure on a tractor on sticky pads and lots of sea horses and fishes using those sticky gold things. Stuck letters on from the art magazine.

Now hooked and bought stuff to make a birthday card based on music for my neice!

It sounds lovely, and seeing as you're getting slowly addicted , will see you around here more!

lol pootlepod!!

hercules -- card sounds lovely, Well done!!