On The Edge: Creative Card Borders

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There are limitless ways to create interesting card borders and add pizzazz to your creations.

Author: Tina Anglin

Creative card borders add a very distinctive touch to your creative canvas.  You can add color, emphasis, texture and dimension with ease.  Borders can be used to spotlight a theme, to create unusual visual interest, to add elegant simplicity and to bring in color contrast.

Border Basics:

• Borders can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the subject matter you are trying to showcase.
• Borders can be anywhere in your card. By picking up a color in your border and repeating it within your card you can add additional attention to the focal point of your design.

Picking an unexpected color in your palette will also add “pop” to what you are trying to emphasize.

Creative Card Border Ideas:

There are so many ways to create unique card borders.  Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Layer two to three different colors of paper at varying measurements and place on the edge of your card.  
2. Use a decorative border punch, either by itself, or in conjunction with your measured layers.
   
   
   
3. Repeat the decorative border punch in different colors and layer side by side to increase the visual emphasis.
   
4. Use ribbon or fibers in your border.
   
   
   
5. Apply ribbon, adhesive paper tape or any of the many decorative rub-ons available.
6. Use fabric strips, tulle, lace or other sewing notions.
   
   
   
   
7. Use assorted stitches with a sewing machine to create interesting borders.
8. Use a piercing tool to create different or unusual patterns.
9. Use torn or scrap paper.
   
10. Experiment!
    

To summarize, there are limitless ways to create interesting card borders and add pizzazz to your creations.  Use your imagination and creativity to expand on these basic ideas and you will find yourself looking for borders everywhere.  Enjoy!