A fun and interesting mobile card is easy to make. This cute card is bound to attract attention as the little fish swing and turn in the wind. This is an ideal multi-purpose project, great for birthdays, special occasions or simply as a way to say hello. The front and back of the card are plain for messages.
The fish are created using colored card so as to reduce the need to paint or color the images, however these fish would work equally as well painted or hand colored.
The fish are effective in this project, however it is easy to adapt. Hearts, for instance, would make a lovely and unusual valentine card.
The fish are created using colored card so as to reduce the need to paint or color the images, however these fish would work equally as well painted or hand colored.
The fish are effective in this project, however it is easy to adapt. Hearts, for instance, would make a lovely and unusual valentine card.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 2- 3 Hours
Here's How:
- Note: This is created using a mobile card form. This is easily made by cutting along the top of a folded greeting card blank. Starting about 1/2" from the top of the card, cut half way along the width of the card from the folded edge. Bend this strip outwards and it forms the strip to hang the fish from.
Gather materials together. - Stamp six fish images onto both colors of card. When the ink is dry carefully cut out each image.
- Cut the images in half, so that the front will be one color and the back the other color. If the image does not have a line defining the head, color the cut edges with a black pen.
- Stamp and cut out the background of the fish. Carefully compile finished fish by placing a different colored head and body onto the background fish.
- Cut lengths of nylon filament or thread. Cut pieces longer than required (a length of 6" would be fine) and trim when finished. Sandwich one end of filament between the two layers of card, and glue together.
- Before attaching the fish to the card, stamp or write any message required.
- When the glue has dried, attach the nylon filament or thread to the top of the card, adjusting the length so the fish hang at various heights.
- Voila! The card is finished. The card is easy to vary by adding more or less fish, adding a background or some more images.
Tips:
- The card can be any size you like, however 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" cards, which are formed from half a sheet of standard 8 1/2" by 11" cardstock will fit in a standard 4 3/8" by 5 3/4" envelope.
- Any small fish rubber stamp will work well, however if the image does not have a line defining the head, color the cut edges with a black pen. This will give a similar effect.
- The benefit of nylon filament is that it is slightly stiffer than thread and therefore less likely to get tangled. Nylon filament is readily available from beading supply stores, however this can be substituted with any thread.
- The back of the fish image can be decorated to give added interest. A variation on the design would be to hand draw detail onto the rear of the fish, however this is not necessary.
- Fold the card carefully when putting into the envelope to avoid tangling the fish.
What You Need:
- Card
- Two sheets of brightly colored cardstock - 8.5" by 11" or similar
- Fish rubber stamp
- Black stamping ink
- Nylon filament or beading thread
- Scissors or craft knife
