Vivienne Bolton - Making your own greeting cards & gift wrap: more than 50 step-by-step papercrafting projects for every occasion

Making Your OwnGREETING CARDS
& GIFT WRAP

More Than
Step-by-StepPAPERCRAFTING
PROJECTSfor Every OccasionVivienne Bolton For Michael, Zolii, Bianca, Sophie, Chloe, Ben and Joshua. Special thanks to the editor of the first edition of this book, Clare Hubbard, who is always calm, supportive, and organized. Thanks also to Shona Wood, whose photography complements my work so well, Rosemary Wilkinson, and Corin and Chloe for dreaming up names for the cards. Thanks also to Fiskars UK Ltd (Newlands Avenue, Bridgend CF31 2XA) for supplying equipment for use in this book. Making Your Own Greeting Cards & Gift Wrap CompanionHouse Books is an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd. Project Team Vice PresidentContent: Christopher Reggio Editor: Colleen Dorsey Copy Editor: Anthony Regolino Design: Llara Pazdan Index: Elizabeth Walker Copyright 2019 by IMM Lifestyle Books All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Fox Chapel Publishers, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review. All text and card designs: Vivienne Bolton Photographer: Shona Wood Template illustrations: Stephen Dew ISBN 978-1-62008-346-8 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Bolton, Vivienne, author. Title: Making your own greeting cards & gift wrap / Vivienne Bolton. Description: Mount Joy [Pennsylvania] : CompanionHouse Books, [2019] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018039282 (print) | LCCN 2018039657 (ebook) | ISBN 9781620083475 (e-book) | ISBN 9781620083468 (pbk.) Subjects: LCSH: Greeting cards. | Gift wraps.

Classification: LCC TT872 (ebook) | LCC TT872 .B65 2019 (print) | DDC 745.594/1--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018039282 This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

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I have a clear memory of sitting at a newspaper-covered table in my grandmothers sewing room surrounded by scissors, tape, shiny candy wrappers, and a pad of deckle-edged writing paper. I was squeezing runny, brown glue through an orange rubber lid with a slit in it onto a silver doily. I couldnt have been more than six or seven years old when I proudly presented that birthday card to my grandfather. I havent changed much since. I still love paperbe it gift wrap, brightly decorated foil candy wrappers, handmade paper, or a childs rainbow-colored writing pad. My range of adhesives has certainly improved.

I am now the proud owner of a wide variety of tools and craft materials and Ive tried just about every craft there is, but inside I am still that little girl getting a thrill from creativity. I have thoroughly enjoyed designing the cards and gift wrap for this book. So many different thingscolors, textures, materials, and memories of places, friends, and familyhave inspired the designs. Some of the cards were originally made with specific friends or family members in mind: for example, Memories (see ) was inspired by the theme we thought up for my youngest grandsons birthday party. I have particularly enjoyed coordinating gift wrap and greeting cards. It has given me the opportunity to make good use of stamps and stencils.

Theres something extremely satisfying about a group of cards, tags, bags, pouches, and boxes that all match. Its also an interesting way of developing your design skills. I am fortunate to have an amazingly well-stocked craft shop just a short drive from my home, along with a variety of art material shops, department stores, and cake-decorating shops (yes, you read that correctly; they are a great source of material for the card maker) in my local town. Experience has taught me to always keep my eyes open when searching for inspiration, new materials, and information. I store anything that I think might be useful one day, and with card making as a hobby, I have the perfect excuse to save almost everything. In fact, my stock of craft materials is only limited by my available storage space.

Get into the habit of looking at everything as a potential material for use on a card; youll surprise yourself with the ideas that come to you. Be inspired by the designs in this book, and use them as a springboard from which to create your own designs. I hope you get as much pleasure from using this book as I had from designing and making the projects. Best wishes,

When starting any new hobby, equipping yourself with the basic tools and materials is part of the fun. This is particularly the case with card making, as there are so many wonderful things now available for the card maker to buy. Start small with good-quality cutting equipment, a selection of paper and cardstock (card), and adhesive tape and glue.

As you work your way through the projects in this book, you will find that your collection of tools and materials will grow and that your scrap box of bits and pieces will begin to burst with all of the interesting things that youve found. Search out good suppliers, both local stores and mail-order companies (a reliable mail-order supplier is invaluable). As well as checking out craft suppliers, look in cake decorating shops and art material outlets. Small stores are often better, as they have time for customers and often specialize in certain areas. If you are fortunate enough to have the space, create a permanent work surface for yourself and devote a cabinet or shelf to the storage of your materials. If space is an issue in your house, make yourself a portable craft workshopa couple of boxes to hold materials and equipment, along with a protective surface cover and a large cutting mat.

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