Chrystina Noel

So one of the reasons that I don’t necessarily want to sell my OWN greeting cards is because I think that the relationship between the designer and the receiver is something that I think makes every card unique.  I’m not 100% sure that I explained that very well – let me try that again.  If I was making a card for a friend that I went to high school with, that card would be a VERY different card than for my grandfather, or for a co-worker or for somebody that I’ve never met that helped me out during the week.  This is my favorite part of the process – choosing the inspiration that says something about the person that you’re making the card for.

I thought about making this post a video entry – but I don’t think I’m quite ready for that – and neither is my workspace, it’s kind of a hot mess.  So I figured for now some photos would get the point across.

I want to show you exactly just how many drawers of stuff I go through in trying to figure out what the perfect card is to make for somebody – I’ll show you five drawers for now.

The paper drawer.  I’ve got plenty of paper, of all different shapes, sizes and colors.  We’ve got stars and picnic table coverings and balloons and travel paper and musical instruments, and that’s just what’s on top.

If I don’t find anything in the paper drawer, I’ll check the ribbon drawer, maybe there’s a specific color that really stands out to me for a person.

Even if I think I found a ribbon that I want to use, I’ll still check the stamp drawer, I’ve started a pretty snazzy collection of stamps recently, which I’m really excited to use.  Oh, and that large purple device in the center?  That’s the main part of the embossing kit.

And we’re never too old for stickers, never.  We’ve got ants and ladybugs and pizza and Disney Princesses and letters, and little girls and boys.  I’ve got a set of cookies and milk that I’m REALLY excited to find a use for one day.

If we make it all the way through there, I’ll check the three-dimensional drawer.  This is anything from books to cut up to comics to punch out letters to rubber worms to bedazzling gems.  It’s amazing how many random things can be used during card making.

Beyond this there are buttons and feathers and felt and colored markers and solid colored paper and – - well, anything that I can find around my apartment, which really makes the options endless.