Quick & Clever Handmade Cards (Quick and Clever) [Paperback]

Julie Hickey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Quick and Clever | Publication Date: March 15, 2004

Weddings, Birthdays, Christmas, Get Well, Good Luck and more: the variety of occasions on which a handmade card would be appreciated is endless! This book offers such a huge variety of fast and easy-to-complete design ideas that you will be spoilt for choice when deciding what to make. Ideas for making matching envelopes, inserts and even batches of cards are included. In addition, there are lots of tools and embellishments to choose from to make your card really special: beads, punches, rubber stamps, charms, ribbons and lots more. 16 step-by-step projects each show you how to make a different card, complete with advice and tips for maximum speed and ease. Each project has two illustrated variation ideas, while eight pages of galleries offer yet more design inspiration and help.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julie Hickey is a successful card maker, workshop tutor and author. She has been involved in running the Craftwork Card Club by post, which supplies over 1,500 members with materials, projects and newsletters. Julie also organised the Rubber Stamp and Card Makers Materials Show in Crawley, West Sussex, for the past two years. She is a regular contributor to Crafts Beautiful and Practical Crafts, and this is her second book. Julie lives with her husband and two sons in Horley, Surrey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles (March 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715316605
• ISBN-13: 978-0715316603
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Quick, somewhat Clever, decidedly Classy, June 28, 2004

By 

A. Ryan "Merribelle" (Westminster, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quick & Clever Handmade Cards (Quick and Clever) (Paperback)

The card projects in this book have a good balance of efficiency and attractiveness. Most of these designs and instructions are nicely applied to individual cardmaking as well as mass-producing for invitations and announcements.

Author Julie Hickey starts with a section that explores basic tools and supplies, including the card stock and envelopes. I can honestly say that this is the first cardmaking book I've come across that explains the logistics of stocking up on supplies so thoroughly well.
She has also perfected a standardized system which uses a few basic card sizes/shapes for all the designs. There are even patterns included for making envelopes (thank you!) so that if you can't find suitable envelopes at the craft store you won't be stuck with the ugly industrial kind to ruin the effect you worked to achieve with your custom card.

Hickey seems to start from an assumed beginner level and progresses the crafter though different projects to the more advanced cards at the end. All the steps are carefully illustrated with photos. I will describe the overall look of her designs as simple and elegant, but except for a few, not particularly innovative. A nice range of popular materials and styles are explored in the projects, including buttons, charms, microbeads, vellum, copper, shrink plastic and rubber-stamping. These are fun cards you might make up ahead for the sheer enjoyment and file safely away until an occasion calls for one; and yes as promised, there are card ideas to suit any occasion, or that can be easily adapted.

Recommended for card crafters that are looking for enjoyable, pretty projects that don't take up much time or money.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!!!!!, February 14, 2005

By 

Deborah L. Houghton "New Scrapbooker" (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quick & Clever Handmade Cards (Quick and Clever) (Paperback)

I just purchased this book and am a new scrapbooker / card maker. I found this book a complete joy. It gives you step by step directions and photos to help you along the way. Prior to beginning each card the book lists the supplies you will need to complete each project. I thought a great plus was the book provides step by step instructions on envelope making for the cards. This book is AWESOME!!!!! So easy to use and fun!!!!

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, June 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Quick & Clever Handmade Cards (Quick and Clever) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book! If you are looking for simple, plan, lovely and charming design, this is the book for you! I saw many books in the bookstore but couldn't find the style that I like, but I found what I am looking for in this book, it's wonderful! Lots of brilliant design! I will definitely buy books from this author again!