Guest Author - Sandy laipply

Graduation Card Project

The graduations are starting and many of us will receive invitations to graduations and parties honoring the graduates. I like to make my cards, and I need several this year so I decided to search the Internet for some help. A search for “digital graduation freebies” turned up lots of possibilities. All the images I used are from Scrapbook Flair.com
Here is the card I came up with, and the instructions to make it.



If you have a software program such as Adobe Photoshop Elements you can assemble all the pieces on your computer and print out your card directly. If you don’t have this kind of program, all the elements are png files which means you can print each element as a stand-alone document. Be sure to check the sizes before printing and adjust if needed. My graduation hat is approximately 2 ½” wide and the tags are approximately 1 ½” wide. I chose to use our local school colors of red and white, but you can use the colors of your choice. To make the card this way you will need:

Computer with Internet access
Matt photo paper
Color printer
Cardstock – white and color of choice
4 metallic mini brads in a color to match cardstock
Paper trimmer or pencil, ruler and scissors
Glue Dots

1. Cut a piece of red cardstock 8 1/2” by 5 1/2”. Fold in half to make a 4 1/4” by 5 1/2” card that opens on the side.
2. Download the mortarboard and 4 tags and print on matt photo paper.
3. Cut out all 5 images. Adhere them to red cardstock, and trim, leaving a 1/8” border all around.
4. Place a red brad in each tag as shown.
5. Cut a piece of white cardstock 4” by 51/4”. Use dimensional glue dots to adhere the mortarboard and tags to this white piece as shown.
6. Adhere this piece to the center of your card front with regular glue dots.
7. Download and print a quote of your choice on white cardstock. Trim it to be 4” by 5 ¼” and adhere to the inside of your card. I used this quote:
8.
“I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special laces your heart has ever known.”




I will write “Congratulations!” and the graduate’s name, and sign my name on each card using a black pen.

I have an Epson Stylus 580 Photo Printer and I use Epson Presentation Paper Matte, 27 pound. I like both the weight of this paper, and the color I get when I use it.
Happy Graduation!