Woven Paper Card

Today I thought I’d share with you how to make a very simple card using paper weaving. Paper weaving is an easy way to decorate a card and is appropriate for just about any occasion.

Materials:

blank card and envelope

recycled greeting card or decorative paper

craft knife

ruler

glue (optional)

Instructions

Step One:

Decide on the size of the weaving. Keep in mind that the size should be a bit smaller than the recycled card or piece of paper you are using. Use a pencil to draw out the appropriate size rectangle on the inside of the card front.

Step 2:

Cut your “warp”. (In weaving “warp” refers to the verticals.) I recommend drawing lines on the rectangle so you will know how many verticals to cut.  The vertical strips can be thin or wide or a mixture of the two. Use the craft knife and ruler to slice down the lines.

Step 3:

Cut your “weft”. (These are the pieces you will be weaving with.) Use a ruler and craft knife to cut your recycled card or decorative paper into strips. Again, these can by thin or wide.

Step 4:

Weave! Following an over-under pattern, weave in your paper strips. You should always start and finish with each strip from the inside of the card, so you don’t have ends poking out on the front.

Step 5 (optional):

Secure the ends of the weft strips with a tiny amount of glue. Be sure to let it dry completely before you close the card. You can stop at this point or add a few details, depending on the look you want. I was thinking of a quilt when I created this card, so I added a simple border of decorative paper.

And you’re done!

Happy Birthday Clare!

Happy Birthday Clare! Here are some birthday makings. Obviously, I made these things before but I didn’t want to share them lest I ruin Clare’s surprise. At first I was at a loss for a theme for the card but then I remembered the chicken story. When we were growing up, there was a year that my sister asked for a chicken for her birthday. What makes this a quintessential “Clare” story is not that she asked for a chicken, but that she was SURE SHE WAS GETTING ONE. Nothing could dissuade her. In preparation for her birthday chicken she even painted a farm scene on the walls inside her closet. To help the chicken feel at home. Ah Clare -Never give up the dream! (and why stop at one, is what I say! Chicken or dream.)

I also made some BIRTHDAY NAPKINS!

This is about the limit of my sewing abilities at the moment and they still look “delightfully handmade”. They are from  a pattern in Weekend Sewing. (I know – you wouldn’t think I would need a pattern for square napkins. But as I don’t really sew it’s good to have everything listed step by step.) Found some beautiful blue and white fabric in a variety of patterns so each side of the napkins match without being the same. I don’t have wonderful pictures of these as I was in a rush to get them sent off in the mail.

Crossing my fingers that the package arrived on time! It’s fun to make things for people!