Five last minute handmade birthday cards to impress your hosts

Lets paint some easy handmade birthday cards together!

Forget the impersonal store-bought cards! Handmade birthday cards are a thoughtful way to show someone you care. They take a little extra effort, but the recipient will truly appreciate the personal touch. Watercolors, with their vibrant possibilities and ease of use, are a perfect medium to craft these one-of-a-kind cards.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to create stunning handmade birthday cards. I have a video added on my YouTube channel for this so, if you are someone who likes to follow along with videos, feel free to watch them. If not, you could pin this post on your Pinterest board and try them out later!

Materials for making the handmade birthday cards :

• Watercolor Paper: Cotton watercolor paper coldpressed ( Recommended Arches).
• Watercolors: Basic 12 shades watercolor cakes ( Recommended Sennelier )
• Watercolor Brushes: Set of round brushes in various sizes ( Recommended Cotman)
• Pencils & Eraser
• Water Containers

I have done a post on basic watercolor supplies to buy if you are looking to invest into them 🙂

Basic techniques used in all of the handmade birthday cards :

• Washes: Create thin layers of color by diluting paint with water. The more water, the lighter the wash. Apply in smooth strokes for even coverage.
• Layering: Build depth by applying multiple washes, one on top of the other. It allows for richer colors and dimension. Make sure your first layer is dry before you go in with the details on the next layer.
• Masking with paper tapes : Paper tapes are an easy way to mask the areas where you want the images to be masked. I usually use these spaces to add sentiments.
• Lettering the sentiments : Without worrying much about your handwriting, feel free to write the sentiments on the card. Use a pencil to have an outline prior to going with a basic black pen.

Handmade Birthday Card Ideas to Spark Inspiration:

Birthday Candles Card – One of the very special moments for us on our birthdays is to blow off our birthday candles and make that one wish! Well why not have the pretty birthday candles on a beautiful card? Using a flat brush first paint straight wide lines in all bright and happy colors. Once they are dry, add details and patterns with thinner brush. I went with tilted lines, cross hatching, dots and splatters. I also used a masking tape to mask off a section of the candle, to write the sentiments.

Birthday Gifts cards: Birthday gifts wrapped in pretty papers are a classic birthday symbol, and surprisingly easy to paint! Use a flat brush to paint rectangle and square shapes in pretty shades you like. Once dry, do in with a smaller brush to add details in stripes, lines, dots etc. Add little bows on them! Don’t forget to add a happy birthday message when dry!

Bold happy birthday card : the simplest card for those who aren’t really into arts. Jus simply use a flat brush to write the word HAPPY in capitals and run over the word birthday right through the middle, with a black pen. The only important thing to keep in mind here is to make sure you draw guidelines to make sure the letters are of same height and aren’t tilted!

Floral birthday Card: I wouldn’t be making a set of birthday cards without flowers! That wouldnt be me! Keeping it really simple as the rest, I use spread the bright colors one after the other on the base to create a rainbow hue background. Once dry, use a black pen to sketch an easy bunch of flowers. Don’t forget the wishes!  

Rainbow birthday card : This was an interesting one I hadn’t tried before at all. I used a compass and flat brush to paint a rainbow and it was uber cool! Added a little splatted and message. Done!

Personalize Your Handmade Cards and Make Them Shine:

• Hand-Lettered Message: Write your birthday wishes directly on the card! If your handwriting needs work, practice on a separate sheet first.
• Patterned Paper Power: Incorporate patterned paper for a playful touch. Use it as the background or cut out shapes and adhere them for a unique design.
• Ribbon or Twine for the Finishing Touch: A touch of ribbon or twine adds a lovely detail. Tie a bow or use it to attach a tag with your message.
• Sparkle with Glitter or Sequins (Use Sparingly!): A touch of sparkle adds a celebratory touch, but be mindful – too much glitter can be messy for the recipient.

With a little creativity and these tips, you can create stunning handmade birthday cards that are as unique as the person you’re celebrating. So grab your watercolors, unleash your imagination, and craft a card that will be cherished for years to come! Hope you loved these handmade birthday card ideas.

xoxo Angela