Beyond the Basics: Create-a-Card

by Sherry Cartwright

The create-a-card system is the perfect foundation for a greeting card, after you choose a base from the many shapes, sizes and patterns within the system.  But, the cardstock bases and their envelopes can be used for more than just a card.  

For this project, I used a rainbow of card bases and envelopes to make a perpetual calendar of birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, all bound together with spiral coils.   I created a pocket for each month and tucked in a list of special dates for that particular month.  

Let's take a look at August's page. 

• Turn the limeade square grid card base inside out, so the grid is now on the outside.  It is such a simple pattern for the base of our page.
• Use tape on bottom to create pocket.  Left side did not need any tape since it would be closed by the coil; right side is the fold of the card. 
• Place rainbow sticker onto the page, tilted just a bit s that the clouds on either side do not line up perfectly.  
• Punch clouds from paper, die cuts or even Doodlebug packaging.  
• On one cloud, adhere fringe to the bottom to add some texture and dimension.   Sprinkle hearts below the other cloud punch to mimic raindrops.   
• Add stitching.
• On the tab, use letter stickers for month and add flower fancy frills below.  

Notes:

• The book could be bound with book rings instead of spiral. 
• Monthly cards/envelopes could be kept in tray, instead of binding.
• Instead of making pockets, special dates could be written directly on the card or envelope. 

Other ideas, beyond a card itself, using the create-a-card system:

• mini album 
• coupon organizer 
• special monthly notes 
• hidden journaling on a layout 
• banner 

So, the next time you see the cards at your local scrapbook store, dream up some ideas for ways to use them beyond cards.   Happy creating!

-----------------

cover supplies:
Create-a-card : paisley card, swimming pool
doodle twine, bubblegum 
cake & ice cream sugar coated cardstock stickers 
cake & ice cream sugar coated fancy frills stickers 
boutique button, bubblegum 
hopscotch alphabet stickers, bubblegum and limeade
sugar coated brads, limeade 

august supplies:
Create-a-card : square grid, limeade 
feeling groovy cardstock sticker 
paper frills [fringe], bubblegum
paper frills [flowers], limeade

Be sure to check out Sherry's blog too!!!