Freedom to Make Cards
As Independence Day approaches, I can't help but think of the courageous men and women who are in harm's way, preserving our freedom -- freedom to express our opinions about anything from baseball scores to presidential candidates, freedom to worship as we choose and freedom to express our creativity in a myriad of ways (including making handmade greeting cards)!

I hope you'll join me in shouting a heartfelt "thank you" to all of our soldiers who are following their hearts to serve their country.

Tag Cards

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Tags are one of my favorite forms of cards because they're so versatile. If you're short on time, simply pop them into an envelope and send them on their way! If you have a bit more time to play, you can create all manner of pockets and pouches in which to contain your miniature work of art. But what about the sentiment, you may ask? Make it a design component on the front of the tag, so all you have to do is simply sign the back and deliver it.

I wonder what your favorite style of card is? Maybe it has a funky fold or a unique technique, or maybe you just love them all! Use my feedback form below to tell me your favorites, and I'll share some of them in a future newsletter.

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Free Project
These tag cards from Jennifer Less feature vintage images from a CD and a variety of patriotic papers, embellishments and fibers. Any vintage images would do, as would a favorite rubber-stamp image, a rub-on or sticker, or even a treasured photograph. Use your imagination and see how many variations you can create!

Reader Letters
Betty Lou writes via e-mail:

"You asked how we get the time to craft. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones. As soon as my husband leaves for work, I can get out whatever I'm working on at the time. But I also have only one project going at a time. Being retired is a blessing to me."

-- Good for you, Betty Lou! Here's another reader's look at crafting during retirement!

Susan writes via e-mail:

"I had always dreamed as my (four) children were growing up that I would come to retirement and finally have all the time and money I'd want to craft. Since retiring, I have been focusing on creating unlimited cards and learning all I can of paper arts. This is a new arena for me, and I'm thoroughly enjoying every bit of it. However, no matter what, I NEVER have the right stamp (I have 500+), inks, papers, ribbons, fabrics, stickers, vellum, feathers, glues, sequins, multiples of ephemera, etc.

"After working my entire adult life, the 'gift' of unaccountable free time was almost intimidating! Finally, I could craft as much as I wanted. How could I be so very wrong? I am constantly looking to steal pockets of time for crafting as I did years ago when I worked and traveled, had kids, a husband, a garden, volunteer work, a big house and animals. Now I barely have time to keep up my small apartment, two cats and myself. I seem to be always running: volunteering, family time, medical appointments, meetings and time with friends.

"So although I may cry and moan that I never get enough time and money to do my art, the truth of the matter is that I am doing exactly what I need to keep myself happy in this 'new' phase of my life. My 'truth' is that paper arts give my life contentment and are exactly what I need to find peace in my soul. I've come to love and enjoy paper crafting. Your magazine is so very necessary. Please don't ever go away."

-- Susan, somehow I suspect I'll be very much like you when I retire. My mom is the same way. She's never home when I call and is, she says, as busy as she wants to be. And she never has time to make cards either!

Patricia writes via e-mail:

"I have subscribed to your newsletter for six months now, and it is always a pleasure. I have been thinking of making handmade cards commercially ... as in making a business out of it. Please give me any advice or web leads you can, especially on supplies. Thank you for inspiring me and others."

-- Patricia, my first suggestion would be to check Amazon.com for helpful books. You might search for "make money with crafts" as a starter. Crafts shows are a good place to sell hand-crafted goods, and they are easy to find during the summer. Check with organizers of local town festivals as well as churches and local newspapers. And, of course, you can always submit your designs to CardMaker magazine for possible publication and to get your name recognized as a designer. Best of luck to you!

Cyndi writes via e-mail:

"Organize? Did you say ORGANIZE? LOL! I use a corner of the living room right now. My husband has always been an avid 'yard-saler' and 'trash picker,' and he got a scrap-booking suitcase on wheels full of stuff -- papers, stamps, stencils -- and I don't scrapbook! So, I started making all my cards, and now, I am addicted. He also got a baby's changing table, took the doors off and used them to raise the top. I also have plastic three-drawer storage containers of various sizes. I am so glad the offer for this magazine came in the mail. I just received my first issue, and I love it! Keep up the good work!

-- Thanks for your tips, Cyndi, and for your kind words. We love CardMaker magazine, too!

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Finding Supplies
If you ever have trouble finding exactly the supplies you need, or if you're the sort who likes to read the ads, just to see what's new, then you might want to check out the Craft Directory on the CardMaker magazine Web site. The link is located at the bottom of the navigation bar on the right side of the page. You'll find links to dozens of craft suppliers in a wide variety of techniques and interest areas. Beware, though, if you really like to surf -- you could spend a long time with this site!

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