Tuesday 11 March 2014

Simple Speech Bubble Cards

Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
I needed a couple of quick, simple personalised cards the other day. I had just found some lovely geometric, really thick quality wrapping paper in one of my favourite shops in Leamington Spa, Berylune. They have a "tiny but packed with lovely things" shop, a blog and a website
There was lots of beautiful paper to choose from, loads of lovely neon colours with stars and shapes and I had to exercise extreme self control to limit myself to just these three. 

The paper is quite busy so I wanted the cards to be simple and modern - at least that is what I was aiming for.
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
If you want to make your own, you will need:
  • Card blank and envelope (mine are just regular little A6 cards)
  • Lovely paper (scrapbook paper or thick matt wrapping paper is ideal)
  • Glue (I used Pritt Stick)
  • Computer - although you could just draw your speech bubble by hand
  • Laminator & laminating pouch - again not essential but this is what I used
  • Sticky foam pads
First make the speech bubbles on the computer in word:

Open up word and make a new document, then click insert, picture, autoshapes then choose callout. There are a few different ones but I like these with the rounded corners.
You just click in the shape to start typing the words you want.
I played around with fonts and sizes (I only have the standard fonts the computer came with but I know you can downloads lovely ones from the internet)
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
I also made the outline of the speech bubble a bit thicker to make cutting out easier later. You do this by clicking on the speech bubble, selecting "format autoshape" then changing the line weight on the "Colors and lines" tab. (mine was 2pt but you could do even more)
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
I added a few non personalised bubbles to the page, so I could make more cards keep them in my stash - may as well fill the sheet of paper whilst I was doing this!
You can also play around with where the triangle-y bit is pointing just by moving the yellow dot at the point. You can make it shorter or longer but it flips itself from side to side if you move to too far across.
When I was happy with them all I printed it on decent quality paper (120 g/ms).
Simple speech bubble cards from sumoftheirstories
Next I laminated the paper. I love having a laminator, it was a present one birthday or Christmas from my Dad well over 10 years ago and at the time it seemed like a slightly strange present (sorry Dad!) Turns out it was a fantastic present, over the years we've used it for all sorts of things.
If you don't have one you could just print your bubbles on card, but I like the shiny plastic effect laminating them gives.

Cut the bubbles out, roughly first...
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
...then neatly and carefully. This is when the thicker black outline really does make it much easier.

Next cover the front of the card blank with patterned paper. I find this easiest to do if you cut the paper out a bit bigger than the card front, put a thin layer of glue all over the wrong side then lay the card front down onto it.
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
Then press it down firmly all over with a bone folder, (mine is the one from my header photo! If you don't have one, a clean wooden lolly stick works fine too) and trim the excess (with cheap Ikea scissors apparently!)
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
Simple Speech Bubble Cards
(the yellow butterfly and flower paper is some from my stash, which I thought might be nice for the cards for the little girls)

All you need to do now is attach the speech bubble to the card with foam pads to lift it off a bit.
Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
Simple Speech Bubble Cards from sumoftheirstories
The laminated speech bubbles are more shiny in real life than the photos show, which contrasts nicely with the matt of the paper.

You might also be interest in:
Birdcage Card Ideas
Birdcage Card Ideas
Circle card Crazy
Circle card Crazy
Personalised Wedding Picture
Personalised Wedding Picture
Recycled Pen Tub Tutorial
Recycled Pen Tub Tutorial
I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs
Sum of their Stories
Sum of their Stories

Hello, I'm Julie. I love making things and this is where I share my enthusiasm.

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for visiting our shop Julia! Your cards are lovely :)

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    1. Oh Berylune, I love visiting your shop - the pleasure is all mine! I'm glad you like what I've done with your lovely papers, I've got loads left so now my mind is whirring with ideas for the rest of the rolls.

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  2. What a clever idea. I'll definitely be copying, hope you don't mind. :o) They look great.

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    Replies
    1. Of course you can copy - that's the whole idea! (though I prefer "inspired by!") Glad you like the idea.

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  3. Not only are these cards ridiculously cute, they are so easy to make, even I could perhaps manage it!!! I love how the bubble POPS up off the card.... fun paper too!!!

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  4. Very cute! I've thought of using wrapping paper, but I couldn't think of how to make it work, since you can't write on it. Thanks for sharing with Countdown in Style.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks April. Just make sure your wrapping paper is good quality thick paper, not the flimsy stuff. That creases like mad and will never look good (yes I have tried, no I couldn't make it work!)

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  5. These are great, so much better than buying a card. I bet the lucky recipients really loved them.

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  6. I love the personal touch on these! It takes a card that is done by a child to a new level. I have to say I've never seen a personal card made by an adult before and these look great! Thanks so much for sharing this creative idea with us at Countdown in Style! Don't forget to stop by Friday to see if you are featured :)

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    Replies
    1. I often personalised cards, people seem to really like them! These are easy enough for a child to make to, my kids used to love feeding things through the laminator when they were little (supervised of course!) and who doesn't like cutting and sticking!

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  7. Beautiful cards, thanks for sharing

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