D.I.Y. Stamped Cards

Some greeting cards suck.  Whenever I'm looking at cards I get frustrated because they are all so cheesy and so not what I have in mind.

That's why I make my own cards, for the most part.  And you can, too! :)

I like to pick up blank cards and envelopes at Michael's, Hobby Lobby and sometimes Walmart.  They look like this:

So you get 25 blank cards & envelopes for what you would pay for one giant, glittery Hallmark card.  Pretty cool.

Well, I figure since V-day is just around the corner, I'd show you how to make some super quick and easy stamped cards for your sweetie (or your friends or kids, whoever).  You could do these for any holiday or event, really.

I started with a super cheap school eraser and drew an cute little birdie on it with a Sharpie.  Then I carved out around the design with my X-acto knife.

I love that little bird.  He's really easy to draw, too.  Just a sort of tear drop turned sideways with a triangle beak, a dot for an eye and two stick legs.  Darling!

For another fun stamp, I carved a heart in the top of a pencil.

Yep, after 5 minutes of carving, I am now a bona-fide stamp maker.  Self proclaimed, of course.

So you can use paint or stamping ink to do these cards.  I used red stamping ink that I found in the supply cabinet at work.  But I also did a couple (not pictured) with a light coating of acrylic paint, painted on the stamp with a brush.

Oh, this would be a fun Valentine's craft to do with your kids, too.  Just let them draw a simple design on the eraser, then you carve it out & let them stamp to their hearts content.