‘It’s a small thing but it comes from my heart’

Atlantic Canadian woman brightening days of front-line workers during COVID-19 crisis with handmade cards

For Donna Hendrick, handcrafting beautiful cards for friends and family (as well as first responders, pharmacy workers, and others on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis) is a contribution she can make from home.

“We feel like we can't do anything in this pandemic, but we can encourage people. It's my little contribution, and it's therapy for me,” said Hendrick, a community and global volunteer who lives in Cambridge, N.S.

Hendrick's love of paper crafting began when she was living in the United States and got involved in telling stories through photos, creating albums, and journals.

“I had 15 years of pictures and started scrapbooking in 1997. Then I started creating gifts and cards for people. I can't tell you how long it's been since I started making cards. That's what I really like to do,” said Hendrick.

Cardmaking is a great idea for those sheltering at home and something that can be shared with others as a thank you or a simple 'I'm thinking of you,' she says.

“I send them out to encourage people. I know how much they mean and how I feel when I receive one. I just like to put a smile on their face,” said Hendrick.

The materials needed can be as simple as scissors or a craft knife, ruler, cardstock, markers, and paints. Or, she says, your cards can be as elaborate as you can dream up.

“It could be as simple as a cut-out heart. It's the meaning that you want to share,” said Hendrick.

Cardmaking is a great craft for kids to learn as a way to say thank you or send a positive, encouraging message to others.

“You can start with just markers and cardstock and some old ribbon,” said Hendrick.

Hendrick uses rubber stamps, die-cuts, stencils, watercolours and more to create her original designs, along with collected embellishments, ribbons, and other odds and ends.

“Paper crafters are really collectors. We have way more stuff than we'll ever use. I like to create gifts and cards with my supplies for babies and weddings and other events,” said Hendrick.

CREATING CARDS

Hendrick recommends using thick, sturdy paper, like cardstock, for the foundation of the card. Add-ons can include magazine cut-outs, fabric scraps, or textured paper.

“If you have access to a printer, you can download and print images and use coloured pencils, markers, or watercolours to colour them in. The dollar stores also sell inexpensive things to get started,” said Hendrick.

Blank cards are available with a pre-printed design ready to be coloured in. The greeting or sentiment can be personalized.

It helps to think creatively about all the paper that comes through your house. Hendrick likes to upcycle her material.

“I save any cardboard or hard paper than comes in packages. I can cut things out with my die cut machine. I recycle a lot of stuff,” said Hendrick.

Hendrick also uses a texturizing paste or an embossing paste to add texture to her cards.

“I like to use texture on my cards. Stencils are fun to use with texture paste or to colour in with alcohol inks. You can blend different colours to get the right shade. I also like to use watercolours. You can stamp an image lightly and then use watercolours to add colour. I also do wet and dry embossing on the cards,” said Hendrick.

To create embossing, a rubber stamp is used with an embossing ink pad to stamp a sticky substance onto the card. Embossing powder is sprinkled on the stamped design and melted using a heat gun to create the raised design.

Hendricks follows card designers and artists online for ideas and inspiration.

GETTING STARTED

For beginners, Hendricks recommends checking out Google and Youtube for how-to videos.

“There are videos and tutorials on everything to help teach people how to do embossing and stamping and card making. I recommend Jennifer Mcguire's blog (at jennifermcguireink.ipsodev.com) Her videos are simple and easy to follow,” said Hendrick.

Hendrick loves adding colour and texture to her cards but putting the exact sentiment on the card is paramount.

“Really, it's up to the person making the card - what's on their heart and what they want to convey in the message to that person," she says. "I love colour, but for me, the most important part is putting the exact sentiment on it. That's what comes from your heart.”

Hendrick's big heart leads her to support her community through volunteering but her passion is mission work in Guatemala.

“I went four times in a year. It's my happy place. I spent the month of August there last year. I'm looking forward to the borders opening so I can go back," she says, referring to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Hendrick recently sent cards to her local pharmacy and hospital as a way of saying thank you to the workers there.

“I'm making cards for the food markets and the first responders. It's a small thing but it comes from my heart.”

Interested in getting started making cards? Here are some tools you might need:

• Paper trimmer

One that has a ruler and is at least 12 inches long is ideal.

• Cardstock and patterned paper

Some stores sell pre-made cardstock cards, or you can create your own card base using cardstock. Patterned paper (which is usually a lighter weight) can be used to add fun colours and designs to your cards and layers well on top of cardstock. Look for themed paper, like Christmas, birthday or Halloween, if you're doing a card for that type of occasion. Tip: keep your leftovers on hand to use in other cards.

• Adhesive

While there are many options for the type of adhesive available, a tape runner works really well. Adhesive dots, which range in size and depth, are made of foam and can make some of the things you adhere to your card rise up further than your base and give your card a neat three-dimensional impact. Basic glue also works, but remember, a little goes a long way. While you definitely want your adhesives to be archival quality if you're using it for scrapbooking, unless you know the recipient will keep your card long-term, you can use non-archival adhesives on cards. It's often a little cheaper. Staplers can also be used and add a cute look to your cards.

• Inks, stamps, embossing powder, markers

These items can all add dimension and design to your cards. Stamp a design onto your card and use embossing powder to make it shine, or consider colouring it in with markers. While basic markers will do, craft stores sell special markers made with alcohol ink that's designed for blending colours better.

• Ribbons, embroidery floss, twine

Whether you'd like to tie a ribbon on your card or actually sew on it (you can do that!), this is a great way to add to the design.

• Scissors, pencil, ruler Basic tools for any crafter. If you want to get creative, think of sketching out a design and cutting your card in a specific shape. A few drawn lines could turn a card into a ballet slipper or a diaper.

• Stickers, rub-ons, die-cuts Any of these items can add extra dimension and interest to your cards.

Paper crafters are really collectors. We have way more stuff than we’ll ever use. Donna Hendrick

Donna Hendrick with one of her hand-crafted cards. The Cambridge, NS woman has been sending handmade cards to friends, family, first responders, pharmacy workers and others on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bright, cheerful cards that are full of colour are Donna Hendrick’s favourites.

“I send them out to encourage people. I know how much they mean and how I feel when I receive one. I just like to put a smile on their face,” says Donna Hendrick.

An assortment of some of the cards Donna Hendrick has made.