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Greeting Card Class Tutorials

Learn card making techniques

Greeting Card Class Tutorials

Learn card making techniques
 
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Greeting Card Class: Tutorial #11

Pocket Greeting Cards

Put a gift in the pocket!
Example pocket cards
What you will make:

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. These pocket cards are very versatile: make several in a variety of colors to have on hand to decorate for any occasion.

HeartFor Valentine's Day, fill the card pockets with Valentine messages and tokens. Do the same for Mother's Day using Aunt Annie's special Mother's Day project extra. See card ideas in the tips section.

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 those tutorials  before starting this one.

Related craft: See the Kids' Pocket Cards craft project for a kid-friendly version of the Pocket Card.

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″
  • Coordinated plain and patterned paper
  • Coordinated paper scraps and crafting leftovers
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Ruler and pencil
  • Optional: Paper punches, rubber stamps.

This tutorial is eleventh of twelve card-making tutorials and is rated AVERAGE to do.

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Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
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How to Make Pocket Greeting Cards

Read through the tutorial before starting.
Step 1: Select Paper

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 that item's colors. To make the pocket item the focal point of the card, be sure that the paper colors contrast with the item 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 its 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.

Step 2: Cut Paper
Cut paper into 4" by 5 1/4" rectangles

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.

Cut a 4" by 5¼" rectangle from each of the two card papers.

Step 3: Cut Pockets
Cut each rectangle in two pieces with a curved cut.

One of the papers will 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.

Step 4: Glue
Glue large part of background to top of card.

Glue the top part of the background paper to the top of the card with equal margins on the left, right and top.

Glue the bottom part of the other paper to the bottom of the card, making 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.

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.

Step 5: Decorate and Fill Pockets
Decorated card with bookmark, little card and stamped carrots in the pockets

If you like, decorate the pockets with paper punches, rubber stamps 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.

Bookmark and little folded card to put in pockets

Tip: Decorate the backs of the bookmarks and little cards with stamped images. Color them to match the card front.

Tip: For ideas on making bookmarks, see the Punched Bookmark project or #8: Bookmark Cards tutorial.

That's it! Your card is done!
Example pocket cards

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