Put a gift
in the pocket!
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Tutorial #11
Pocket Cards
What we will be making:
In this tutorial you'll learn how to make greeting cards with pockets that can be filled with little pieces of your creative art—artist trading cards (ATCs), bookmarks, little folded cards, tiny books and more. They are also ideal for presents of money or gift cards. The pocket cards are very versatile, make several in a variety of colors to have on hand to decorate for any occasion.
For
Valentine's Day fill the card pockets with Valentine messages and
tokens. See card ideas in the
sidebar.
This greeting card tutorial builds on the previous tutorials, especially #1: Four Patch Cards and #8: Bookmark Cards. If you are new to card making, review these tutorials before starting this one.
Refer to Tutorial #1: Four Patch Cards for how to make card blanks and envelopes.
Here's what you need:
- Card blank - 4¼″ by 5½″
- Coordinating plain and patterned paper
- Coordinating paper scraps and crafting leftovers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Ruler and pencil
- Optional: Paper punches, rubberstamps.
This tutorial is 11th of twelve card making tutorials and is rated AVERAGE to do.
Making Pocket Greeting Cards
Read through the tutorial before starting.
- Step 1: Select Paper
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The card front is composed of two pockets cut from coordinating plain and patterned paper (or cardstock). If you have something in mind to put in the card pockets, select colored paper that will combine well with the colors of the item. To make the pocket item the focal point of the card, be sure the paper colors contrast with it in color or value (lightness and darkness). Also, gather paper scraps and leftovers in the same colors to use in decorating the card or making items to put in the pockets.
Tip: If you are new to making cards, stick to two papers that are the same color. For more about color selection review tutorials #2: Matted Clip-art and Photo Cards and #6: Paper Weaving Cards.
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Step 2: Cut Paper -
For the card blank, cut a full sheet of letter size cardstock in half to make two 8½″ by 5½″ card blanks. Fold the card blank in half to make a 4¼″ by 5½″ card.
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Cut a 4" by 5¼" rectangle from each of the two card papers.
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Step 3: Cut Pockets -
One of the papers with be cut for the card background and smaller pocket, and the other for the primary pocket and an optional inside pocket. Cut the background paper in two making a curved cut around 2½" to 2" from the bottom. Cut the other paper in two with a curved cut around 3½" to 3" from the bottom.
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Step 4: Glue -
Glue the top part of the background paper to the top of the card with equal margins on the left, right and top.
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Glue the bottom part of the other paper to the bottom of the card as a pocket by applying a narrow band of glue to the left, right and bottom. Be sure to leave the top open, and align the sides with the background paper.
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Glue the bottom part of the background paper on top of the first pocket to form a second pocket. Apply narrow bands of glue to the left, right and bottom, and align this pocket with the sides and bottom of the first pocket. Optionally, add a pocket to the inside of the card by gluing the remaining piece of paper to the bottom left or right of the card's inside.
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Step 5: Decorate and Fill Pockets -
If you like, decorate the pockets with paper punches, rubberstamps or stickers.
Make items to fill the pockets, like bookmarks and little folded cards. The card's greeting can be stamped or written on the bookmark or inside the little card. Use your creativity to make the card special.
Tip: For ideas on making bookmarks see the Punched Bookmark project or #8: Bookmark Cards tutorial.
Before you start a tutorial:
- Make a place to work.
- Read through the tutorial.
- Think about what you plan to make. Imagine how you can add your own creative touch.
- Gather the materials you will need.
Get ready, and get started!!!
Tip: Use Aunt Annie's Pastel Hearts, Little White Hearts on Red and Small White Hearts on Red ePapers to make pocket greeting cards or other card.
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Tip: Use the heart ePaper as the background for a
pocket card or for the primary pocket.
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Tip: Stamp the card's greeting on a little card slipped
into a pocket.
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Tip: Decorate the backs of the bookmarks and little cards with stamped images.
Color them to match the card front.
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Tip: To deemphasize the pockets, make them in the same
neutral color. This will result in the other design elements and pocket
items being more prominent.
This card is decorated with ribbon and paper punches.
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Tip: Use double-sided paper to make pocket cards. Cut a
rectangle 4" by 8¾" to 9½". Fold the paper up at 5¼"
to form the background and primary pocket. Cut the primary pocket in two
with a curved cut. Flip over the portion cut away to form the second
pocket.
Share images of your pocket cards to the Greeting Card Class Flickr group or on Aunt Annie's Facebook wall.
Tip: Save paper scraps in plastic bags sorted by color.
Tip: Pocket cards call out for whimsy. Stamp fun images that are pocket-size on white cardstock, then color and cutout.