Homemade Graduation Card
Simple & Chic

Consider creating a homemade graduation card that has the graduate in mind. A student completing their studies in art can be a fun major to turn into a handmade card. This particular card is a little simple and chic, but one could certainly get super artsy with a handmade greeting card by using more elements.

The picture on the front of the card is an Edward Hopper painting titled "Automat." Edward Hopper was an American painter who created a lot of urban paintings that focused on alienation within the urban sprawl, women, often lone women, and landscapes. Edward Hopper is one of my sister's favorite artists, so I may use this as a card for her someday.

But for now it is an example of how you can stretch the normal concept of a homemade graduation card by incorporating more personalize style and focusing on the the accomplishment of your graduate and their interests.

• Cardstock for the actual card, I chose a yellow - I sort of wanted the yellow to match the hat that the girl is wearing.

• More Cardstock for the frame of the picture and the frame the message. I used scrap cardstock in an olive green and off white.

• Small picture of a cool painting, bonus points if you can find out your graduate's favorite artist! I found this cool picture from an art brochure, but you will be able to find pictures on the internet; make sure it's a good size (smaller than your actual card) and print it out.

• A message, perhaps "Congratulations" would have worked, but I also found the wording "Contemplate Art" from the brochure that I decided to use.

• Paper Trimmer

• Double sided permanent tape

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Trim and fold cardstock to the desired card size. This card is 5.25" x 5.25" in size.

2. Trim your image.

3. Cut a colored piece of cardstock for the frame of your image, I made my frame using the olive green cardstock and I cut it longer vertically.

4. Tape or glue your image to its frame.

5. Cut your message (or rubber stamp / print out your message).

6. Cut a colored piece of cardstock for the frame of your message.

7. Using your double sided tape (or adhesive of your choice), attach your message to it's frame.

8. Attach the image, then the message to the front of your card.

Here is a snapshot of some embellishments and other wording that I considered using for this homemade graduation card. I was gearing toward more of a collage type of art card, but then I played around a little with the words, colors, and cardstock and reverted back to making the card relatively simple.

Remember this is your homemade graduation card, so you can do whatever you want with it if you feel that more color and more art would do your graduate justice, then by all means - get crazy! The point is to have fun and have a cool looking card with a congratulatory message inside that lets your graduate know how proud you are!