DIY: Felt Holiday Cards

I've got a great DIY project for this holiday season!  I have decided to participate in two Holiday Card Swaps this year, one on Brooklyn Bride and one on Weddingbee.  I thought it sounded like so much fun!  I've never done something like this before, so for the Brooklyn Bride swap I decided to make felt cards, using a paper card as the base.  They're super easy to create!  Please excuse my horrible photography, but until I get a better camera this will have to do.

See the full how-to after the jump!  If you love this project I'm always posting more great ideas, so please Like my Facebook page and follow this blog to stay in touch!



Supplies:
1. A set of simple cards and envelopes to use as the base
2. Felt and yarn in your desired colors (I went off the traditional holiday palette and used blues, greens, and purples)
3. Fabric scissors
4. Hot glue gun
5. Glitter or any other additional decorative elements you may prefer

Directions:

1. Start by cutting your felt down to size to cover the outside of the card.  Use the card as a template and cut the felt about 1/8in. longer than the card to allow for ease when the card folds.

2. Glue the felt to the card using hot glue.  Use long beads of glue along each edge to make sure there are no puckers or gaps that will open up.  Do this for the front first, then fold the card and bend the felt over the fold before doing the back.  This is where that extra 1/8in. comes into play.  When you fold the card it will need a little extra fabric to allow for the fold.  You need to glue the fabric to the back of the card while it's folded otherwise it won't close correctly.

3. Once the card is covered in your felt color of choice, it's time to add a holiday motif on the front.  I used a different motif for each card, but for this example I used a wreath with a yarn bow.  I started by cutting the green felt for the leaves.  I cut a strip about 1in. wide and accordion folded it.

4. Cut a leaf shape from this accordion fold to make many leaves at once.  I did this about 3 times, then used these leaves to make the wreath.

5. Glue the leaf shapes into an irregular circular form on the center of the card.

6. Tie a bow from the yarn of your choice and hot glue it to the wreath.  

7. At this point you could add glitter or beads for a pop of shine, or leave as-is like I did.  I also created cards using a christmas tree motif, doves, and more bows and wreaths.  

all images are personal photos

Using a paper card as the base gives these cards a sturdy shape and allows you to write inside like normal.  However, if you had more time and effort on your hands you could make an entirely fabric card.  To make a 4x6in. card, cut the felt to 6x8in, fold in half and stitch along the folded side about 1/8in. in from the fold to make it stay.  Glue the motif on the front as explained above and instead of writing you can embroider a message on the inside.  That would be incredibly cute!  Have fun with your holiday crafting and please link back to me if you repost any of this on your own blog :)  Happy Holidays!!