Card Making for Dummies by Mrs. Hall Marks

I was given an advance copy of the new book CARD MAKING FOR DUMMIES  and couldn't wait to share a chapter with all of you. Using Mrs. Hall Marks easy-to-follow directions, I just made this very fun card. I'm giving away a signed copy of her book to one lucky Follower, so please leave a comment. This book is sure to become a best seller and I know you're going to want to add this to your craft library!

 My take on Mrs. Hall Marks' card!

That's a jelly fish wearing a pointed hat. Very fashionable, don't you think?

I used Kraft Paper, Graphic 45 and two crazy WONDERderful stamps!

Materials needed: white cardstock, trimmer, bone folder*, adhesive, patterned paper, 2 rubber stamps, stamp pad and a nice bottle of wine  

1. Using your paper trimmer cut:
           a. One piece of white cardstock at 5 ½” x 8 ½”
           b. Two pieces of blank colored paper at 5 ¼” x 4”
           c. One piece of patterned paper at 3 ½” x 4 ¾”
           d. One piece of blank colored paper at 2”x 2”
           e. One piece of white cardstock at 1 ½” x 1 ½”

2. Starting with the 5 ½” x 8 ½” white cardstock, fold in half. Using your bone folder, flatten along the center.

3. Once the card is folded, if you find that it is uneven, trim the edges.

4. After completing step 3, if you find it impossible to make even, don’t worry, just repeat steps #1.a., 2 and 3.

5. If, after wasting more than 4 pieces of paper you are beginning to feel overwhelmed, pour yourself a glass of wine. If that doesn't help, head over to Michael's and purchase a package of blank white greeting cards.

6. Time to take a few sips of wine, because you’re going to need some sustenance before we start the next step. 

7. Take out your stamp pad, the sentiment stamp you are going to use for the inside of the card, the tiny stamp for the front of the card, one piece of the 5 ¼” x 4” colored paper and the 1 ½” x 1 ½” white cardstock.

8.   Let’s start with the tiny stamp and white cardstock.

9. Be sure to work on a smooth, flat surface. Liberally ink the stamp.

10. Center the stamp and gently push down. 

11. If the stamped image is blurry or uneven, go back to step #1.e, cut additional white cardstock and then repeat steps #9 and #10 until you get one perfect stamp image.**

12. Congratulations! It's time for another sip of wine.

12. Working with one of the 5 ¼” x 4” blank colored papers and the sentiment stamp, repeat steps #9 and #10. 

13. If the stamped image is blurry or uneven, go back to step #1.b, cut additional colored paper and repeat steps #9 and #10 until you get a perfect stamp.**

14. Congratulations! It’s time for more wine.

15. Glue everything down. Admire your card. Oops – forgot to tell you to wash your hands. If you got ink on your perfectly finished card you have several options. After pouring yourself another glass of wine, you can either start over or go to Hallmark and buy a card!***

* This should not be confused with a leftover turkey bone. 
** Do not get frustrated. Stamping looks easy but what no one will tell you is that it isn’t for sissies! If however you begin to curse and there are young children around, take a breather. Perhaps a few more sips of wine is/are in order. 
*** Make sure you have a designated driver take you. You've had a bit too much wine!