Potentially controversial comment about Card-Making.....

[Gameboy]

OK, I appreciate that I may get shot down in flames for this, but honestly, this is a GENUINE question about card-making, based on something I've observed since the whole 'home made card' thing took off a few years back -

What is the real satisfaction in making cards from those 'ready cut'/ ready stick 'embellishments' that everywhere seems to sell these days??

Now, I TOTALLY get the whole 'home-made card' thing, but only in the sense of a truly 'one-off' self-designed piece of artwork, where someone ahs used their artistic skills/ paint/ self cut shapes, whatever to create something truly unique.

But what I see these days is just crass 'ready cut' combinations of the same bits and pieces thrown together in mostly similar ways?

That's not a 'handmade card' in the artistic sense surely?

And those peel off/ stick on italic phrases like 'Happy Birthday'/ Good Luck' etc --- Yeurch!

AS I said, I really don't mean to upset people, but I just don't really see the point. I mean it's not 'art' is it? Or is it?

Dare i say it?

But i agree with you!

I do admit to buying some of the ready cut shapes for my 2year old to collage her own design on cards for people. But would feel a bit silly doing it myself.

Is it possible to be controversial about card making?

Ach, what am I saying, this is Mumsnet - of course it's possible.

Has this thing kicked off yet?

Am loving this thread title.

will it?

or will we be sat here all night?

there are many things that you can do with the ready made embellishments to make them unique although I wold rather create my own. As for the peel offs, I find them ok as do many of my customers who buy my cards. I don't use them in all of them as I do caligraph most but as a full time working mum it is sometimes easier to use the peel offs.

My comment is - and those shop bought, common, samey samey, no though gone in cards - Yeurch!

We could all make a few cards while we're waiting.

Think it might be warming up.

Think the cardmakers are all tucked up in bed with their catalogues.

You don't have to buy them in fact I would rather someone who didn't appreciate my work didn't buy them

(how am I doing girls? revving it up? eh? eh?)

My cards are art as most things created by someone with a personal touch can be classed as art.

Anyway some people might not want it to e art - just fun and personal and therapeutic

Well I think that's a horrible thing to say. I make my own cards and I get all the sticky on things from Lakeland - the new catalogue came today, ooh I was that thrilled I nearly wet me knickers. And I can tell you that it takes a lot of effort and artisticness to stick things on straight and not get glue all over the place. A lot more effort than just buying a card in Birthdays, madam. But I'm never sending you one of my beautiful cards - I only send them to people I like, so there.

Wonders: should I throw a Tracey Emin comment in here?

Use your real name cardmakinglady - don't be pushed in the craft cupboard - be proud of your art!!

Does she make her own cards?

Have to confess I much prefer TOTALLY handmade cards to the stuff they just peel off and stick on.......blimey I may as well make them myself - if I buy any handmade cards I wanted PROPER handmade cards I'm afraid.

Out of canvas

Yes Twigglet the pile of pots/pans and glasses in my sink are a wondeful art form. as is the lazy lump in my bed snoring away so that I can't get in.

Might go ake some cards!!

helsi, i havn't seen your work and so was not making any personal comments about it.

I do think though that the world has gone mad over handmade cards. I had a friend send me three birthday cards she had made because she couldn't decide which she liked best???

As for shop bought cards, i only ever buy the ones that make me laugh out loud in the shop . And never ever duplicate.

no .. she doesn't actually make anything .. I believe she has a team of old women to stitch her tent

Oh it's OK, QofQ is here for some real controversy

I could change my name back.

Isn't that Cath Kidston?

snork

When are MN Towers stopping us changing our names? 'Cos I'm really going to miss this.