Paper Crafts

Some occasions call for a set of greeting cards – so here is one way of making a very special set of invitation or thank you cards. Although there are many many simple print making techniques that can be used, I really like this polystyrene tray print making method. It is simple to do and you are also recycling at the same time. Note that if you want to do text, you will need to do it in reverse so that it prints correctly.

	We usually do our simple design onto paper first and then transfer it onto the polystyrene tray by positioning the paper on the tray and pressing firmly with a pencil. The pencil will dent the tray. Then working directly on the tray, go over the image again so that it is firmly dented into the tray.
	Apply paint onto the tray, use a roller or dabber.
	Carefully place the painted side of the tray onto your paper and press firmly. I usually pick up the two and gently rub with my finger to make sure all the paint is picked up. Do not leave them together for too long in case the paper becomes glued to the polystyrene tray. Then repeat until you have plenty.
	Glue each image onto a simple folded piece of card. To continue the consistency theme you could also print out the same message to glue on the inside of each card.

This is a lovely way to make use of those puzzles missing some pieces. A great way to make Dad, or anyone else who deserves it, feel very special.

If like us, you want to make this card, but all your puzzles are intact – just trace some pieces instead. If you do have some spare puzzle pieces, paint the backs of them some nice bright colors and then have the children think of lots of ways that their dad is special to make this just lovely fathers day card.

Write the message ‘Dad we love you to pieces’ on the card and glue on the puzzle pieces with your special words and you will have a very memorable fathers day card.

Or is it? My son saw this and commented ‘Wow, cool dinosaur!’. So now I am not sure – let me know if you think crocodile or dino.

I found this craft when I was researching ideas for one of the Paper Crafts for Children newsletters. It was not right for the theme of the newsletter but it is right for this site as it is quick and easy and turns out great.

Start with some green paper or lightweight card. Fold it in half and cut the shape like below, make sure the top of the crocodile (dino) is on the fold.

Cut out the mouth shape and cut angled slits along the fold.

Fold the cuts as pictured to make the ridged back of the crocodile (or dino!).

Add some skin texture with bits of paper like I have done, or you could paint or draw on the crocodile (dino) to decorate it. Add some teeth and an eye and then you just have to decide if you have created a dinosaur or a crocodile – well at least they are related.

You can of course write a message on the inside and use it as a greeting card, but the spikes along the back make it hard to open fully and it looks just great as a standing up critter.

When my then boyfriend and I were planning a celebration to mark 10 years together, a wedding seemed like a good idea – that wedding party was 12 years ago now. We were extremely budget conscious at that stage and although my parents were covering many costs, we wanted to do things our way – the handmade way. So the invites for our wedding were handmade, the ones here are all the ideas we tried out – lots of good ideas for paper craft invites.

Or get your children involved and use them to create special cards for Mothers or Fathers Day, or Valentines Day – or don’t wait for a reason, just make them because you want to!

Dribble the shape of some hearts with some acrylic paint and when it is dry color the shapes you have made with dye or runny paint.

Dribble a heart shape with acrylic paint or PVA glue and then use that as a print base to take a print from or do a crayon rubbing.

Cut half of a heart shape out of the fold of the card and then paint a heart shape in gold.

Draw a picture into a polystyrene tray with a pen or sharp pencil. Use that as a print base by dabbing or rolling paint onto it and then using the paper to pick up the image.

Dab around the outside of a heart shape with a suitable color and some gold paint for sparkle.

Some of my favorite cards for children to craft for Mothers Day and of course Grandmothers Day too.

	Secret Message Card This very clever card is much easier to make than it looks – have a go!
	Seeded Paper for Gift Cards A perfect card and gift combo paper craft.
	Accordion Pop-up Card The front of this card says ‘Thanks …’ and when it opens a whole bunch of flowers pop up and the message is ‘… a bunch’. Much easier to make than it looks.
	Concertina Gift Card What I love about this one is that it combines a card with a gift – and the gift can be little promise notes or special messages. Did I mention that this is also easier than it looks??
	Pop-up Garland Card This card combines two very easy techniques, a simple pop-up card and a paper garland. The flowers from the garland are used on the inside of the card as pictures here, and also on the front of the card and an envelope.
	Mothers Day Tea Bag Card Open up the tea pot and inside is a tea bag and a poem to go with it specially for Mothers Day.
	Easy Pop-up Card Just like the others in this list, this is a great card craft for children to learn. The pop-up section is a separate piece that is glued on.

Handmade paper is a great paper craft for children, this one has something extra to turn it into a great gift for someone special like a Mother for Mothers Day, she can plant your paper and grow a bunch of flowers.

Usually when you make paper you need some special equipment, it is not too hard to organise, but you can also make small amounts of paper without it which we have done here. These specially shaped bits of paper have some seeds added to them while the pulp was still wet.

	Tear some paper into little strips. You can use any paper or card as long as it is not coated in plastic. We have used mostly red and pink paper and we ended up with a beautiful pink paper.
	Add water and leave to soak at least overnight. You can mix it with a beater – or you can mix it with a child playing in the lovely pulpy mix.
	Layer up some towels and use cookie cutters to make your paper shapes. Scoop the pulp into the shapes and smooth it out. Add seeds if you wish and add a little more pulp to hold them.
	Remove the cookie cutters and the use another towel to press and squeeze some moistures out of the paper shapes. This also flattens them out. Once they are dry, you can write some seed planting instructions on them before giving it to someone, or use it as a gift tag.