Just for Mom

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and it's the perfect time to create cards for the women in our lives. After you pick out those perfect Mother's Day flowers, create a coordinating Mother's Day card to give with the gift. Here are three fun ideas for adding personality and custom touches to your Mother's Day cards.
 

1. Add a Photo

	Supplies: Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!) • I Heart My Mom stamp (Hero Arts) • Graphic Borders stamp set (Hampton Art) • Hattie Remember stamp set (My Mind's Eye) • Nightfall Petal Point Chalk Ink (Colorbox) • Close to Cocoa marker (Stampin' Up!) • Small Heart punch (Stampin' Up!) • Signo Broad white gel pen (Uni-ball) • card by Kristina Werner
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Most of the time, we reserve photos for scrapbook pages. However, photos can be added to cards as well. Think of it as creating a mini scrapbook page. Some card recipients display cards they've received, and adding a photo to the card will make the display that much better.

This is also a great opportunity to create a card with an interesting fold to showcase the photo. In this case, I created a tri-fold card and reserved one of the panels for a photo.

2. Use Your Handwriting

	Supplies: White cardstock (Papertrey Ink) • Happy Go Lucky patterned paper (Pebbles) • Happy Go Lucky felt embellishments (Pebbles) • Kioshi Mini Monos (BasicGrey) • Multiliner pen (Copic) • Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers) • card by Kristina Werner
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Sometimes I like to look through old diaries and journals from elementary school and high school. Page after page after page of handwritten stories and memories. There is something so charming about seeing what type of pen I used or how my handwriting changed over the years.

Just as a handwritten journal captures memories, a handwritten sentiment on a card can as well. There is no better way to say "This card was made by me for you, Mom" than including your own handwriting.

This can be done in a couple ways. You could reserve the inside of the card for your message to the card recipient, or you could include your handwriting in the design. Sometimes it's hard to find the right message for the front of the card, so being able to handwrite exactly what you want to say opens up a world of possibilities.

3. Your Mother as Design Inspiration

	Supplies: Going Gray and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!) • Happy Go Lucky patterned paper (Pebbles) • Doll Thickers (American Crafts) • 3 Heart Punch (Stampin' Up!) • Signo Broad white gel pen (Uni-ball) • Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers) • card by Kristina Werner
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As an avid cardmaker, I usually create cards with no idea who the card will go to. However, in instances like this (Mother's Day), I know exactly who it will be given to, and that gives me some design inspiration for the look of the card.

Ask yourself the following questions about the person who will receive your card:

• What are her favorite colors?
• What does her home look like? Is there a specific style of décor?
• What are her hobbies? (Sewing and cooking are common themes in scrapbooking lines and collections at the moment. That means it's easier to find supplies with these themes).
• What are common phrases she uses? Is there a creative way to use a phrase she says for the card sentiment?

When we were kids and said to our mom, "Mom, I'm bored," she would turn around and say, "Nice to meet you, Bored. I'm Mommy." It has become a running joke in our family. Whenever anyone says, "I'm hungry," we collectively answer, "Nice to meet you, Hungry."

In this case, "I'm Grateful." And I know my mom will get a kick out of that.

As I leave you to create your own Mother's Day cards, remember this: No matter how you create your card or what it looks like, it's the reason behind the card that makes the difference. Just show your love while you make your card, and she will love it, too.

Just for Mom

If your mom is a paper crafter, budding photographer, or scrapbooker, wouldn't she just love an Ella eBook? Don't forget about our gift certificates, which can be purchased in $5, $10, $20, or $50 denominations, and you can personalize your own message for her to receive in a nicely designed email. Happy Mother's Day!