DIY Network

Collage Kwanzaa Greeting Cards From "Greetings from DIY" episode DGFD-106

Project by Monica Garrett-Hughes.

Monica shows how to create Kwanzaa greetings using a collage technique.

"Nguzo Saba" Card

Materials:

deep terra-cotta card stock
old parchment decorative paper
scrap of mulberry paper with brown flecks
computer font
cowrie shell
red wire-edge 5/8" wide ribbon
2 black decorative accent leaves
green and gold decorative leaf
sprig of dried grass
Fiskars lace border punch *
Fiskars paper trimmer
double-stick adhesive
scissors
white glue

* For "Nguzo Saba" masculine card, use a Fiskars Greek key border punch. not the lace, which would be for a feminine card.

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1. Trim card stock to 10-1/2" x 7." Fold in half to create side-fold card.

2. Create background using decorative paper. Generate text page by typing the seven principles of Kwanzaa in one continuous paragraph. Copy and paste, repeating the paragraph until the entire page is filled.

3. Trim background paper to 4-1/2" x 6-1/2." Use the border punch (lace for feminine, Greek key for masculine) to decorate top and bottom edges. Attach to front of card.

4. Tear a scrap of mulberry paper to approximately 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" (doesn’t have to be exact). Attach to background paper at slight angle.

5. Layer and attach the leaves and dried grass as shown.

6. Cut a 5-inch length of ribbon and tie an overhand knot in center. Attach as shown.

7. Use the white glue to attach cowrie shell.

Happy Kwanzaa Card

Materials:

blank side-fold 5" x 7" card
black, green card stock
Anna Griffin red floral decorative paper
red, brown parchment vellum
red and gold 5/8" wide ribbon
1-1/2" red tassel
5/8" gold leaf button
3 black decorative accent leaves
clear embossing powder
computer font and graphic
Fiskars paper trimmer
double-sided adhesive
heat tool
scissors
white glue
clear embossing ink pen

1. Create card insert. Trim brown parchment vellum to 10-1/4" x 7." Print text and graphic on right inside page.

2. Emboss text and graphic while the ink is still wet, or allow ink to dry completely and trace over text and graphic with clear embossing pen and emboss as usual.

3. Trim 1/4 inch from all sides of insert. Score down center and fold. Attach to inside of card, matching fold lines.

4. Trim red floral paper to same size as front of card (use card as template); attach to card front.

5. Cut a 2" x 7" strip of green card stock. Attach to card, aligning edges with fold, top, and bottom.

6. Cut a 1-3/4" x 7" strip of black card stock; set aside.

7. Cut a 2" x 7" strip of red vellum. Attach to strip of black card stock leaving a 3/8-inch border. Vellum flap will extend beyond left side of card stock.

8. Cut an 8-inch length of ribbon. Attach tassel by cord along the top edge.

9. Attach ribbon and tassel along the right edge of red vellum as shown. Fold ends to the back of piece.

10. Attach this piece to card, align top and bottom edges, leaving a 1/4-inch border of green.

11. Fold the vellum flap over the edge of the folded card and attach to back.

12. Attach the decorative leaf elements under tassel as shown. Remove shank from button and attach as shown.

Other examples of Kwanzaa designs below:

RESOURCES :

border punch
Fiskars
Website: www.fiskars.com

GUESTS :

Monica Garrett-Hughes
Founding Director
Artisan Business Center
Fredericksburg, VA
Website: www.artisanbusinesscenter.com