I know that there are really good card makers out there and then there are people like me who craft and scrapbook but we make cards on the side, who really aren't deserving of the "card maker" title. I am surely one of those people. I have only just started making them in the last few months. I have a misguided confidence that my skills are anywhere near what would be called great.
So why do I do it? Well, I have to admit that when I started making them it was for really selfish reasons. I wanted to try out different techniques and not just make a technique book which I know a lot of people do. I know there is creative value in that and I should probably have one but I wanted to actually make something tangible and usable yet get practice at the
same time. So, I started making cards...mainly for family for birthday. In April last year, I made my nephew Tyler a birthday card. He loved it. I really didn't expect the reaction I got. He said he needed to get a scrapbook to put it in. Honestly, I'd only started making them and I didn't even think it was that good. It made me want to run out and quick buy him a scrapbook so I could be the first entry in it.
In October I made one for my other nephew Steven who had a birthday. I had a bit more practice making cards by then but I was really trying to make a funny one for him and use a photo in the card. I made him one that had a picture of him from the previous Christmas.
That sounds weird right? A Christmas picture on an October birthday card? You
might be right and I am sure it's breaking all traditional card making rules
but I don't always follow the rules. When we took the picture of him, it was
so stinking funny that I remembered it immediately when I started this project
and really wanted to use it so I did.
So back to my original question of why do I make cards?
Because of that huge grin, because Tyler loved his card so much he thought it deserved a spot in a scrapbook, because my mom keeps her Mother's day card from last year sitting out on the piano, because my Dad took his to work to show all his buddies.
People love that you put your heart into. It makes you feel good to create something
personal for someone and they value it because of the care and time you took to
make it just for them. It makes me feel good.
So no matter what kind of crafter or artist you are or even if you don't have a crafty bone in your body, make cards for people. It doesn't take much to make cards. You don't need to
have tons of supplies or spend a lot of money. Basic, simple card making can
be for anyone. Try it. I dare you!