AY Honors/Card Making/Answer Key

1. List at least five reasons for making cards.

There are many reasons for making a card, these are only a few: Holidays, Birthday, Thank you, Get Well, Congratulations, New Baby, Wedding, I'm Sorry, Thinking of you, and Just Because.

2. How are the following supplies used in card making?

a) card stock

A sturdy kind of paper that is used as the main part (base) of the card. Usually you use A5 or A4 size and fold the cardstock into the desired size/shape. 

b) felt pens

Colored pens/markers used to decorate cards. For long-lasting cards/colors try looking for archival quality pens that don't smudge or bleed through. Use can used them to outline drawings, color in drawings/stamps, write in captions/messages, etc.

c) scissors (regular and decorative)

Your card making essential: a good pair of scissors! You need a sharp pair to cut your cardstock and other embellishments. You may also want to use decorative scissors for fancy edges/corners or for creating your own embellishments (decorations).

d) embellishments

These are all the different decorative things you can add to your card. Embellishments come is all sorts of shapes and sizes: stickers, foam shapes, ribbons, different shaped or textured paper, beads, sequins, glitter, etc. etc. etc. Some embellishments come with a sticky back which makes them easy to add to your cards, others you will need to attach yourself. You can use glue, tape, string/ribbon or cut the card to hold the embellishments.

e) rubber stamps

The main types of rubber stamps: mounted stamps (on wood or plastic blocks), unmounted (or clings), clears (acrylic), foam stamps & digital stamps. All stamps have unique designs in them that can be imprinted on to a card with the use of colored ink (on inkpads). You may choose to color in the stamped imprint.

f) water color, colored pencils & crayons

Much like felt markers, these are different ways to add color and decorate your card.

g) ink pads

Used with rubber stamps to imprint the stamp designs on to your cards. They come is various colors, types and sizes.

h) punches

Simple die-cutters that can cut out specific shapes. Small hand-held punchers are best for younger card-makers or simple projects. There are also sophisticated systems & industrial sized die-cutters that come with all sorts of patterns and punch out the shapes for larger scaled projects or for more advanced card-makers.

3. Describe how at least three of the following kinds of paper are used in card making:

a) glossy card stock

Glossy cardstock is grade for backgrounds and accents. Remember, many markers and inks don't adhere to glossy surfaces as well so you need to make sure the ink dries. Glossy cardstock is great for punching out shapes or can be "treated" with different methods for unique textures and coloring.

b) corrugated paper

Corrugated paper is a wavy or crimped heavy craft paper that is usually found in the middle of cardboard. It makes a great background for layering different sheets and decorations on cards. Corrugated paper gives cards an extra dimension/height.

c) mulberry paper

Mulberry paper and other similar fibrous, delicate handmade papers are ideal for backgrounds and boarders. Their unique texture and patterns also make these specialty papers good for layering and accentuating embellishments, lining envelopes or wrapping cards as sleeves. The best way to cut mulberry and similar papers is by TEARING (fold, lick and hand tear) methods, this way the fibers give the edges a softer, more natural, organic look.

d) vellum

This sheer, translucent (some say transparent) craft paper is a good way to add dimension or layers to cards and gives cards a "cloudy or dreamy" look, most often used in wedding invitations. Some vellum can be printed on, others don't hold ink well so be sure to check before putting into printers or start stamping/writing on them. Vellum works like parchment paper and is great for tracing if you have a light box or for stenciling. Because of its crispy nature, vellum is also used in making cut-outs. Vellum envelopes and card-sleeves give cards a classy finish.

e) gift wrap

Don't throw away your gift wrap! They can be used as boarders and backgrounds for your cards. You can also cut out designs or images for the wrapping paper, glue on to cardstock and with the help of foam tape you can make unique embellishments. Treat wrapping paper like you would any printed scrapbooking paper.

4. Name four different types of ink pads and describe how they are used. Demonstrate proficiency in using at least two of them in a practice project.

Ink pads vary depending on the type of ink you choose. Here is a description on the basic types of ink.

Dye-based ink

Dye-based ink is a good choice for many kinds of paper. It's permanent and has a watery consistency, meaning it dries quickly. Most are not waterproof, which means you can’t color stamped images with paint, pens or other water-based coloring tools because the ink will run together. Tip: Colored pencils work well. Many dye-based inks are acid-free, but will fade with time and too much exposure to sunlight. Avoid using on mulberry paper, since this type of ink will bleed on very absorbent paper.

Pigment ink

Pigment ink is thicker and richer and is more like mayonnaise. The colors are bright and vibrant and the ink pads are spongy. They’re fade-resistant. Pigment ink doesn’t soak into paper like a dye-based ink and does the opposite --it dries on top. Because of this, the ink needs more time to dry on regular paper, but the advantage gained is that it produces more vivid colors. Please note that pigment ink will NOT dry on glossy paper. If you really want to stamp pigment ink on glossy paper, you will have to heat-set it with an embossing gun for it to dry. Because pigment ink stays wet for so long, it’s perfect for heat embossing!

Embossing ink

Embossing inks are used to stamp an image before heat-embossing. They come as inkpads in clear or tinted ink or as embossing pens. The pens make it easy to emboss details of a stamped image.

Distress ink

Distress inks are well known for their soft colors and special "alterable" possibilities. Distress ink stays wet longer than other dye-based ink pads, so you can blend and shadow with water or other inks. Tap some on a paper, then spritz it with water and watch the colors spread.

Specialty inks

StazOn®, Rainbow Pads, Sparkling Ink, Indian Ink, etc.

5. Describe four methods of coloring in a stamped image and demonstrate at least two of them.

1. basic coloring in using colored pencils or markers
2. chalking
3. painting in the colors
4. filling in image with pigment powder or glitter (use glue first to hold on to paper)

6. What is meant by the term monochromatic?

Monochromatic means using only one color in different tints, shades and tones.

7. What is sponging, and how do you use it in card making?

A method of adding color and texture to your cardstock. Use different sponges (cosmetic or sponge daubers), cut and dip into ink then dab sponge on to paper. Sponges will create different patterns and effects.

8. What is dry embossing and what tools do you need for this technique?

Dry embossing or relief embossing, is a paper decorating method that creates raised patterns on the surface (your cardstock) you are embossing. These patterns are made by tracing a stencil with a special tool, called a stylus. The will need:

• Light Box
• Stencil
• Masking Tape
• Card Stock
• Stylus

9. Demonstrate proper care and cleaning of rubber stamps and storing of ink pads.

In the club we set up a rubber stamp care station for kids to demonstrate cleaning the stamps they used during our card making time.

FOR CLEANING STAMPS, you will need: a roll of Paper Towels (Viva brand is great because it doesn't leave tiny fibers) a spray bottle with water a spray bottle with gentle detergent or dish soap diluted with lots of water a couple of trays lined with paper towels for drying & catching excess water

FOR STORING INK PADS, you will need to decide what your storage unit of choice will be. Here are some options:

1. deep cleanex box, cut out a portion of the box so you can stand on its side (lengthwise, like a tower)& easily stack ink pads in.
2. old cassette organizer/shelf (thrift stores might still have em!)
3. fancy, expensive store bought shelves
4. DIY inkpad foam holder -- there are several patterns and designs online, most use foam boards that you cut and glue to make shelves.

Depending on your ink type, you may want to explain that some folks turn their pads upside down so that the ink will stay closest to the top of the sponges and are ready to use right away. PIGMENT and sloppy inks are better left right-side up so they don't drip on to the lids. the key is ALWAYS --

(1) KEEP YOUR PADS LIDS ON; (2) lay your pads FLAT so the ink doesn't run around and smudge (esp. on rainbow and multiple colored pads).

10. Describe and demonstrate how to use at least two of the following in a practice project.

THESE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADHESIVES or "Stick-em on"-ers. There are tons of adhesive options out there that have various effects on your cards dimensions & embellishments.

a) foam dots (also squares, hexagons, etc.)

lifts embellishments you are sticking on so they "pop up"

b) foam tape

SIMILAR TO FOAM DOTS but can be for bigger items, lifts embellishments you are sticking on so they "pop up"

c) double sided tape or squares

flat adhesive, great for photos and thin or lightweight embellishments

d) tape/glue runners

great for boarders and for adhering two sheets together

e) zots/clear glue dots

invisible way to stick embellishments and hold sheets together

f) washi tape

-a decorative way to adhere things to cards because of the varieties on patterns and designs -can also be used for trimmings and boarders

11. Make cards to fulfill three of the reasons discovered in Requirement 1. During your card creation, demonstrate at least three of the following techniques:

f) A card using a method of your choice

See guide to each technique above

12. Do the following:

b) Give at least one of your cards to someone else as part of a missions, share your faith, or similar outreach/caring event

The funnest part of making cards is giving them away, so go bless some people.

13. Read the following passages (preferably with a group/unit) and discuss the similarities / differences between these letter greetings and modern day greeting cards:

a) 1 Corinthians 15:58

"So, my brothers and sisters, be strong and stead, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." -- much like an encouragement card or a morale booster

b) Ephesians 6:21

"Final Greetings: Tychicus, a much loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's work, will tell you all about how I am getting along." In biblical days letters were hand delivered and often read to or sometimes recited word for word to the recipient (much like singing tele-grams!). Here is an example of how Paul doesn't even bother to tell his readers how he is and lets his messenger do it! Our modern day cards are usually how folks update each other on the latest happenings in each others lives.

c) Philippians 4:1

"Greetings from Paul: This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ." This resembles a letterhead on a formal letter where you write the address and position of the writer. We usually don't need to add our titles on to greeting cards unless it is an official or business correspondence.

d) James 1:16, 19

"So, don't be misled, my brothers and sisters...be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." This passage from Paul gives us advice on how to act or re-act. Not many cards actually give sound advice these days, usually if and when a card gives advice its out of humor.

e) Philemon 1:1

"This letter is from Paul, in prison for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy." Paul signs his name and identifies who wrote it at the BEGINNING of his letters & ends with his wishes and prayers for the reader. Traditionally, we sign our cards at the bottom or end of the message & place greetings/blessings/well-wishes at the front.

References

contributor: ArniLynne Tupas-Setser, New Hope SDA Nighthawks, 2014.