Create a beautiful Father’s Day Card for the special man in your baby’s life. The baby in this image is signing “Dad” (or even “Grandpa”). This card is very easy to make, for even the non-crafty ladies among us. I purchased all of the materials at my local arts and crafts store (although Target and Wal-Mart should also have everything you need). Use these instructions as a springboard for your creativity! Please post a picture of your creation on our Baby Sign Language facebook page to inspire the rest of us. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Materials
- Baby Sign Language Card Template (download here)
- 1 sheet of 8.5×11 inch cardstock for the card (Main Color)
- 1 sheet of 8.5×11 inch cardstock in a Contrast Color
- 2 sheets of white 8.5×11 cardstock
- Pop-Up Foam Squares (for 3D effect, optional)
- Alphabet Stickers
- Embellishments
- Rubber Cement
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Fine-Tipped Black Sharpie Marker (optional)
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Pinking Shears (optional)
- Crayons
Instructions
Step 1: Print the BSL Image Template. Optional (but highly recommended)… use a black sharpie marker to color over the image of the baby. This will make the image an inky dark black, which will give a more polished look. Tip: carefully trace the outline of the figure first, then fill in.
Step 2: Using rubber cement (which will not buckle), glue the BSL Image Template onto a piece of white cardstock. This will make the image sturdier. (The same method we use to reinforce the printable Baby Sign Language Flash Cards.)
Step 3: Once the rubber cement has dried, cut out the 2 ovals on the template. Be very careful to remove all of the black outline on the small oval containing the baby image, so that it does not show on the final card.
Step 4: We will now create the large oval in your Contrast Color. This will serve as a “frame” behind the smaller oval containing the baby image. Place the large (empty) oval that you just cut out onto the BACK of your Contrast Color cardstock. Using your pencil, trace around the oval. You are tracing onto the back of the cardstock so that no pencil marks show on your finished card.
Step 5: Cut out the large oval on the Contrast Color cardstock.
Step 6: We will now prepare your Main Color cardstock. The cardstock that I bought had some writing along the bottom edge. If yours also has this writing, carefully cut off that bottom strip. Notice if your cardstock has a front and back (there is often texture or sheen on the front side). Fold the cardstock in half with the front side becoming the outside of the card.
Step 7: Time to assemble the cards! I used Pop-Up Foam Squares in my assembly. These are small, thick, double-sided adhesive squares that add a bit of depth to the finished card. You can also use rubber cement to assemble the pieces.
Attach the small BSL Image oval to the large Contrast Color oval. Make sure that the front side of the Contrast Color oval is facing front. Center the BSL Image oval carefully to create a framing effect.
Step 8: Attach the Contrast Color oval (which now is attached to the BSL Image oval) to the front of the folded Main Color card. The oval should be placed in the upper portion of the card, leaving space at the bottom. Refer to the picture of the finished card to see proper placement.
Step 9: Decide what word or phrase you will use on your card. Keep it simple. “Dad” or “Daddy” works best (of course, use whatever name your child uses for the recipient). You can write a longer message on the inside of the card.
Carefully arrange your Alphabet Stickers on the card. Alternatively, you can use stamps, stencils, or freehand to write the name. I prefer Alphabet Stickers because they are very easy to use and produce a lovely finished product.
Step 10: Add Embellishments. Less is usually more, so be sparing. I used stickers as my embellishments because they are so easy to use and look very nice.
Voila! The outside of your card is finished. I bet it looks fantastic!
Inside Panel (optional)
Now we will create an inside panel that will contain messages and/or coloring. When creating my card, I wanted it to look very polished, so I did not enlist the help of my 18 month old daughter. But of course, I want her to make a contribution. My solution… an inside panel.
Step A: Select a piece of white cardstock. Slip the cardstock inside the folded finished card. Now lightly trace the edge of the card onto the piece of white cardstock. Cut along the pencil line. You now have a piece of white cardstock that is the same size as the inside of your finished card.
Step B: Using Pinking Shears (or scissors), carefully cut about a half inch strip off of the white cardstock on all sides. You will now have a smaller rectangle that will eventually be glued to the inside of the card. (Don’t glue it yet!!).
Step C: Using a fine-tipped Sharpie Marker or a black pen that writes nicely, write a message to the recipient of the card. Remember to include the year, as this will likely become a keepsake.
Step D: Select 3 crayons in colors that coordinate nicely with the color scheme of your card. My card is baby blue with royal blue contrasts, so I chose blue, dark blue, and purple crayons.
Step E: Encourage your child (or children) to now “decorate” the white cardstock panel with the 3 crayons. The results will vary greatly depending on the age of your child, but will certainly be treasured by the recipient of the card. My daughter created her signature scribbles!
Note that if you or your child is unhappy with the results, you can easily make a new panel. Since your child is not drawing directly onto the card, there is no risk of your creative masterpiece being destroyed by rough handling or overenthusiastic scribbling.
Step F: Using rubber cement, attach the finished panel to the back inside surface of the finished card. Center carefully.
Now your masterpiece is complete! I hope that you are very happy with the result. I love the cards I created 🙂
Now take a picture of your card and post it on our Baby Sign Language facebook page. I can’t wait to see your creation!
