Hand Painted Rustic Cards (Simple and Stunning)

Aug 08

Go into any craft shop and you will find a bewildering - and costly - array of modern items with which to make cards and scrapbook pages. But greetings cards have been around since the 1840s, and can we make them with what we already have to hand? Get back to basics with this surprising book and see how it can be done.

Ah, how I like a book that advocates using just a few basic items that many of us already own (at least the sort of people likely to be reading this review). Pens, paints, assorted colored card, watercolour paper, basic stationary items etc and little else are used in this book. These combine to make some lovely and perhaps rather more original cards than those made with things like stencils and rubber stamps. Trace, photocopy, scan and print or freehand draw some charmingly naive style greetings cards depicting sail boats, sheep, baskets of apples, hens, birdhouses, angels, hearts and more. There are no gallery pictures either, as all the templates not thoroughly explained step-by-step are at the back (they just need to be enlarged). Add some folksy stitching with a pen for that quilted, handmade look and you have a delightfully simple card. I found I got into the style of the thing and drew some of my own naive pictures, ready to be inked in pen and painted with delicate watercolors. I think what I liked the best about the book, and about the whole process was how back-to-basics it was, good old-fashioned fun and a more personal way of making a card than a rubber stamp. Recommended, particularly for anybody feeling overwhelmed by crafting fashions.

Issue 48:

We love the style of this release from Search Press. [It] features simple and stunning hand-painted designs for a rustic feel, with five projects illustrating the ease of a country look. Each project is accompanied by fully detailed and photographic step-by-steps, explaining techniques and ideas for your cards. If you're wanting to become a dab-hand at your own painted creations, or simply want ideas for a rustic look, this is for you.

Sept 08

Give your cards a folksy feel with this charming book. Card ideas include all sorts of heartwarming motifs, from garden wellies to angels, chickens, birds and even bunting! As well as the easy to use templates (you'll find over 30 to choose from), we love the detail of instructions provided. Step-by-step tutorials show you how to colour your cards with watercolour paints and will turn the newest of card makers into an instant painting pro!