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Home » Hobbies & Crafts » Cardmaking » Handmade Graduation Cards: How To Make A Card For Your Favorite Graduate

Handmade Graduation Cards: How To Make A Card For Your Favorite Graduate

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During this season of graduation ceremonies, I made a graduation card for my friend Clay.

clay env copy.jpg

 

Clay is graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design.

His card was inspired by this package of stickers by Jolee’s Boutique from Hobby Lobby and the university’s colors of black and maroon.

In keeping with Clay’s work in design, I wanted to keep the card clean and simple.

See how I made this graduation card, step-by-step…


Making The Background

The card’s base is 10×5 black cardstock folded in half.

To personalize the card for Clay, I created a Microsoft Word document with the words “university of cincinnati” repeated with single-line spacing.

Rather than use a formal or complicated font, I used the more contemporary Boopee font.

I wanted all the letters to be lower case, which required me to carefully change the letters that automatically capitalize (like Cincinnati).

Once the ink was fully dry, I cut a 4.75″ square from maroon cardstock, being careful to cut from the words and not the blank margin.

 

Graduate’s Name On The Outside

clay front copy.jpg I used the Cricut Expression Wild Card cartridge to cut 2.25″ letters to spell Clay’s name.

This cartridge doesn’t have a ‘shadow’ feature, so I used black and white to create depth to the letters.

I have also learned to experiment with the size of letters and other cuts from this cartridge, as the cuts do not always appear to match their stated size. These letters, for example, are not really 2.25″ (the “y” is close). I’m not sure what’s up with that, but practice makes perfect! I write notes in the booklet for this cartridge each time I learn a new tip.

Before gluing the letters, I tried several placements for the black and white letters. I tried white on top, black on top, slightly to the bottom or top, left or right. As you can see, black on top, to the left and top of the white was the winner — strictly my preference. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just go with what you like.

To glue down the letters, I used my favorite Memory Makers tweezers and Sakura glue pen. The graduation cap sticker is self-adhesive, and I placed it to look like it is sitting on the letter “a”.

Must read:  How To Know Which Craft Glue To Use When

 

Inside The Graduation Card

clay inside copy.jpgInside the card, I attached a 4.75″ white cardstock square.

Using Wild Card Cricut cartridge, I cut the phrase “you did it!” Again, the size is deceptive, because this was cut at 4″, and it measures less than 3″. I always use scrap paper to test the size before using my good paper.

I chose the red on top of black, repeating the placement of top and left from the front.


Making Graduation Cards Without A Cricut Machine

The black envelope was cut from a piece of 12×12 cardstock.

Using graduation stickers like these, you can create a personalized graduation card even if you don’t have a Cricut Expression.

Here’s how:

  • Use your computer and printer to print the graduate’s name.
  • Make a panel with the school name like this one.
  • Center the graduation cap sticker on a 2″ white square, placing that in the center of the panel.
  • Use the other stickers from the pack to add embellishments.

Even more handmade gradaution card ideas on Pinterest.

Suzie
Suzie

I don't buy greeting cards or holiday cards anymore — I make my own! I also do some rubber stamping and scrapbooking. But mostly I enjoy creating handmade, one-of-a-kind cards. I’ve been an avid crafter for most of my adult life. My crafting addiction started with cross-stitching, then moved on to wearable art, projects with painted wood, fabric crafts, and then paper crafts — which has transformed primarily into card making. I also make the occasional wreath, snowglobe, and other holiday crafts.

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Filed Under: Cardmaking, Hobbies & Crafts Tagged With: graduation cards, Graduation crafts, school

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SuzieI don't buy greeting cards or holiday cards anymore -- I make my own! I also do some rubber stamping and scrapbooking. But mostly I enjoy creating handmade, one-of-a-kind cards. I’ve been an avid crafter for most of my adult life. My crafting addiction started with cross-stitching, then moved on to wearable art, projects with painted wood, fabric crafts, and then paper crafts — which has transformed primarily into card making. I also make the occasional wreath, snowglobe, and other holiday crafts.

Suzie: View My Blog Posts

LynnetteI'm a lifelong scrapbooker who's been documenting every moment of my life in pictures... for decades! I currently have 171,285 photos saved in 6,034 albums online (backed up in 3 different locations). I switched from old-school photo corners and thick paper binders to archival quality tape and Creative Memories albums after college. To me, there is absolutely nothing better than preserving your life's memories in photographs... and scrapbooks! Then I added rubber stamping and cardmaking to my craft talents... followed by candle making, paper crafts, and other DIY projects. When I'm not crafting, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

AbbyCardmaking is my jam! I enjoy using rubber stamps and scrapbooking materials to make my own homemade cards. I use Stampin' Up products for a lot of my cards.

Abby: View My Blog Posts

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