See how easy it is to make a card for your husband, boyfriend, or Dad. While it's true that in general, men and women have different taste in cards, the real trick in making cards for any individual is to personalize them! Whether you are making a birthday card, a "congratulations" card, or a card for some other occasion or event, it's easy to personalize the card in this project with colors and designs that suit him.
In this card project, you'll make a card that easily fits into a standard business-size envelope (#10 or DL). It uses decorative paper that you can download and print, and solid-color paper or cardstock as a background.
This card is based on the technique presented in the Four Patch Cards tutorial from the Greeting Card Class. If you are new to card-making, review these tutorials for ideas and basic techniques.
Most everyone has access to business-size envelopes (#10 or DL), and this card blank fits perfectly inside! For the card blank, cut 3" (97mm for A4) off the length of letter-size cardstock.
Fold the cardstock in half, across its width, to make a 4" by 8½" (100 mm by 210 mm) card blank.
Tip: Add a pocket for cash or checks to your card by making the card blank differently. See how in the Card with Money Pocket craft project.
The decorative paper used for this card is one of Aunt Annie's digital papers. Download the ochre color Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting. Print the digital paper on white cardstock or paper; cardstock is best.
Tip: Does your guy like blue or green? Download and print the green or blue versions of the Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting digital paper.
Or use one of the Minimalist Circles digital papers to make a simple card with a black background.
Tip: You can also use any commercial decorative paper with circle designs.
Select a color of cardstock or paper to use as the background. You can use red or black or any color found in the decorative paper—orange, yellow, brown, tan, etc. Pick a color that will please the fellow receiving the card. What's his favorite color? What colors does he wear? Black will give the most dramatic look, while a medium brown tends to be soothing.
Cut four rectangles from the background cardstock: two measuring 1¾" by 2½" (44 mm by 63 mm) and two measuring 1¾" by 4" (44 mm by 102 mm).
It's easy to do this by first cutting a 3½" by 6½" (88 mm by 165 mm) rectangle. Cut it in half lengthwise, then cut the strips in two at 2½" (63 mm).
Cut circles from the decorative paper following the dot circles. Cut a variety of sizes with some partial and quarter circles. For the sample card, cut 3 large circles (8th or 9th ring of dots), 2 medium circles (7th ring, 1 full and 1 quarter circle), and 2 small circles (2nd, 3rd, or 4th rings).
Arrange the four rectangles in a grid pattern on the card front with the smaller rectangles at the top. Separate the rectangles with equal spacing horizontally and vertically. Glue the rectangles in place.
Arrange the circles on the card in a pleasing manner. Use the sample cards as a guide. Trim any circles that extend beyond the edge of the background. Glue the circles in place.
There's white space at the bottom of the card that can be used for a message or to further personalize the card. Write the message with a black marker or use a rubber stamp. Write a greeting or verse inside the card, and perhaps glue a few circles cut from the decorative paper around the greeting.
You can add more decorative elements as you like, but nothing else is really needed.
Your card for him is done!
Related craft: See the Four Patch Cards tutorial for more ideas for making cards with patch backgrounds, including other ways to cut the patches and other card sizes.
Tip: There's no need to buy decorative paper to make this card, just download and print one of the Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting digital papers. These patterned papers are inspired by the dot paintings of the Australian Aboriginal people. Choose from dot paintings on ochre, green and blue backgrounds.
Tip: The Ice Cream Syrup Polka Dots digital papers color coordinate with the Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting papers.
Tip: You can make a quarter-fold version of the same card. See the Four Patch Cards tutorial for dimensions of card elements.
Tip: Make a simple card with a black background using circles cut from the Minimalist Circles digital paper or other papers in the Minimalist Circles digital papers collection.
Tip: See how to add a pocket for cash or checks to your card in the Card with Money Pocket craft project.
Tip: Decorate the inside of your greeting card or your gift package with one of the Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting Ribbons.
