I may still occasionally use a pre-made card and just decorate it. However, that is rare. I believe that if I am going to put the time, thought, and yes, usually, love into making someone a card - then I want to make the whole card. I want the papers, themes, and colors to all coordinate, and I want creative control over all of these elements. And then, let's say I've made a card I'm proud of - what envelope am I going to use??? Some poorly fitting, standard white thing??? That's when I found Green Sneakers. This company makes a large variety of card templates with matching sized envelope templates (actually, the envelope templates came first). Obviously I wasn't the only one interested in what these templates can do - they've since developed a whole line of templates for all sorts of projects.
Card, and Envelope Templates
A good template can help you create your projects - over and over - and with precision every time. I like to make 6" x 6" cards (it's easy to make 2 cards from a sheet of 12" x 12" patterned scrapbook paper!), but what envelope is going to fit them? As listed on their website, GreenSneakers.com, this company offers card and envelope templates in these sizes:
Envelope sizes include: • A2 Std. Invitation envelope - makes: 4 3/8 x 5 5/8 with matching Card Kreator™ template • A7 Greeting Card envelope - makes: 5 x 7 1/8 with matching Card Kreator™ template • #10 Business envelope - makes: 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 with matching Card Kreator™ template • 6 3/4 Commercial Envelope - makes: 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 with matching Card Kreator™ template • Money-velope™ - fits money, makes: 2 7/8 x 6 3/8 with matching Card Kreator™ template • 5x5 Square - makes envelopes 5 5/8 x 5 5/8 with matching Card Kreator™ template
They also have a 6" x 6" and a half-sheet 5 5/8" x 8 5/8" envelope templates.
You'll find many examples of cards and envelopes made with these templates on my website, in my gallery, and on my Scrapbook Resume. The templates listed above with card and matching sized envelopes - make 2 styles of cards. You can use the card templates to make the standard single-fold card ( a piece of paper folded in half) or the guide marks are there for you to make a gatefold card (two flaps folded in over the inside of the card). This is a nice feature - you don't have find the center, nor the do the math to find the 1/4 on the left and the 1/4 on the right to make the gatefold. Also, after lightly making marks where the folds should be, I simply use the template, and holding the edge to line up on the dots, score the fold line. This makes for easy folding and perfect creases.
FreeStyle(TM) Card, Liner and Envelope Templates
These are 4 cool, new, funky and fresh card making templates added to the Green Sneakers line. I believe they were designed in collaboration with Michelle Underwood - a very talented woman (I've seen her gallery). These card templates give your cards new shape. There's "Bucket", "Parallelogram", "Wedge", and "Circle". I have examples for each FreeStyle(TM) selection over at My Scrapbook Resume: Gallery.
Boxes and Bags Templates
Looking for a great new way to make your own gift bags? Try using these templates - then match the bag with a coordinating gift tag and card. There are examples and .pdf instructions for these projects at GreenSneakers.com. Take a look at the Halloween Treat Bag - the icon for the "Templates" section of "Tools of the Craft". That bag full of Kisses is perfect for a party favor. Just make it from different paper and add confetti sequins to make it for a birthday party!
Templates for Scrapbooking, "Heart-a-lopes", Picture Frames, and gift cards.
While you're browsing through the templates, see if any of these strike your fancy. I've found the scrapbook collection to be very useful, and I have a special project I'm cooking up with the "Heart-a-lopes"! Stay tuned!
