I participated in a Summer Exchange recently where each participant would send others a card with a summer theme. The requirements were that the card should have some Calligraphy somewhere.
I decided to make all my cards by hand. My original idea was to paint a flower on each card and cut out the outline on one side but that turned out to be too time consuming to do for all the 16 cards I wanted to send out (14 for the exchange, 2 for friends). I ended up with a cutout pattern with some Calligraphy on it. I also wrote a short message on the inside – sorry forgot to take a picture of it.
I also made the envelopes by hand.
These are the cutouts for the front of the card. These are cut out from Clairfontaine card stock in Navy Blue – this paper has a slight tooth but take inks very well. The ink I used on the card is Dr. Martin’s Bleedproof White with a bit of Diamine Orange and Diamine Amber added to it. (The orange ink fades very quickly btw.)
Cutout for the front of the cards.
The envelopes are made from Southworth Antique Laid paper. I cut a pattern from an old file cover which was used to mark the paper for making the cuts.
Making Envelopes
I decided to include a personal touch to the envelopes by embossing an ‘S’ on the flap. This turned out to be a bad idea as the laid paper didn’t like being embossed. I made the embossing pin from a bamboo chop stick which worked well on the rough paper. The results were not as good as I wanted them to be though.
Embossing pattern for the flap.
Envelopes addressed and laid out to dry. The last name of the recipients is written with Diamine Amber for the main color and Diamine Orange for the shaded parts. I had to write two or three letters at a time as the ink wouldn’t blend nicely if it got too dry. Maintaining letter size and spacing is difficult when you do it this way but I had no other options if I wanted the blended effect.
Envelopes addressed and laid out to dry.
The completed card and envelope:
The completed card and envelope.
It was an interesting experience. I enjoyed making the cards a lot more than I had expected – and I enjoyed receiving others’ cards even more. I have not yet received all of them so there is something to look forward to yet.
– Salman
Categories: Creations
Those are amazing! So much skill.
How did you cut out the cards so neatly? Not scissors, surely, but I know I’m a blithering incompetent at cutting out curved lines with a craft knife. You have very clever hands.
Thank you for the kind comment Moya.
It isn’t hard to make cuts like these using an art knife (like this one) – you hold it like a pen so its easier to maneuver. Also, curved lines are easier to cut if you rotate the paper. It helps with the rotation if you place a few sheets of wax paper (smaller than the mat) under the cutting mat.
Salman
Wow, the card looks amazing and so’s the calligraphy! And what a cute ergonomic oblique holder! Where did you get it from? Looks really comfy to write with for long periods of time
Thank you for the kind comment. I carved that holder myself and yes, it is quite comfortable to write with 🙂