These DIY name cards were inspired by my frustration with trying to find a birthday card for my friends daughter. It reminded me when I was a little girl, I could never, ever find anything with my name on it. Stickers. Stamps. Mugs. Pens. T-shirts. When you’re a kid, it sucks. Alexandra back in the 80’s wasn’t exactly a top 10 baby name list qualifier, I would always have to settle for the boy version of the star stamp of Alex. Or the cutesy heart version of Sandy – which is so absurd because I never been called that by anyone in my life.
HOW TO MAKE DIY NAME CARDS
My birth certificate spelling of my name no less is Aleksandra. I was born in Poland, came to Canada when I was 3 years old and that’s my legal name spelling on every document I own. Yet I have never used that spelling in my entire life. It actually feels strange when I look at my drivers license because it doesn’t feel like my identity. It’s simply the Eastern European spelling of Alexandra.
Now that I am grown up of course I see my name on everythin. Thanks to the wonderful world of Etsy and online shopping, these days you can personalize just about anything.
Where the hell was this when I was 7 and watching all the Jennifer’s decorate their pencil cases with glittery star stickers with their names in the middle? I have at least 5 really good friends named Jennifer. I love you and you know I am joking when I write that. Sort of.
On that note, one of my favourite birthday card crafts to do for my kids friends is a simple personalized name card. This doesn’t have to be just for kids but they usually get a huge kick out of seeing their name on anything (wonder where that idea came from), vs our adult selves who would be way too cool to ever admit they’d consider framing it on our walls.
HERE IS HOW TO MAKE THEM:
- Card stock
- X-acto knife
- Glue stick or Mod Podge
- Cutting board or craft board for underneath your cardstock
- Fabric or ribbons of your choice (you can substitute with washi tape as well).
STEP 1
I do not have fancy programs on my computer (we’re talking Microsoft Word 2007 edition), so I type up and print out the names in an easy to cut out font in that program.
Lay these over your cutting board so you don’t cut into your table surface.
I then position and tape the name cut out to the front of the card stock. After I use the X-acto knife to trace over and cut out the letters.
If you press firmly enough you should get through the 2 layers of paper very easily.
For any parts that don’t pop out easily just re-trace with the knife in the spots you missed. Use a ruler for the letter tracing as it makes it a thousand times easier. Except all the curved letters.
If you are not using a stencil type font, remember to save the insides of the letters such as A, D, B…you get the idea.
Yes. I know. I need a Cricut machine, like I need water. Until then, I do this.
STEP 2
Thereafter you have several options. You can get some fabric scraps, ribbons, washi tape etc. and that will be your backing.
For the ribbons I just glue them onto regular paper and trim the paper size to fit the back of the card stock.
STEP 3
I used my glue stick and put it all over the back of the card stock. Make sure you get all the little nooks and crevices of every letter.
If I was to redo this, I would probably use Mod Podge instead as it just holds better.
And you’ll get this. Your custom made, DIY name cards!
I think a great alternative to a DIY name card would be to have a saying on it like “Happy Birthday” or “Happy Mother’s Day” and then have your backing be a child’s drawing or even scribbles for a toddler, so it can be a co-project for you both. ‘
Or a photograph peeking through. I’m on it, I swear.
Happy card crafting!
29 Comments
Sue Schlabach 129twigandvine
May 21, 2013 at 7:20 amMy daughter’s name is Lowry and there is not a single thing to be found with her name. We even looked in Ireland where it is a common surname. Don’t know why I haven’t thought about making more things by hand. No brainer!! These are sweet.
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:51 pmSue that is a gorgeous name! I love and I mean LOVE Irish and Celtic names. Definitely make her something. That’s the story of my life.
Sue Schlabach 129twigandvine
May 28, 2013 at 7:04 amThank you Alex! We love her name and I think she is starting to appreciate it, finally. At age 6 she lamented not having a girlie name. Yes, gotta get busy making things with her name while she still is young.
Jessica@CapeofDreams
May 21, 2013 at 8:50 amMy mother, Darla, suffered as you did and so she named me Jessica. Then, she promptly forgot and named my siblings Jeremy, Justin and Jenilyn. Oh well. The cards are really cute. I should make one for my sister.
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:54 pmLOL! Did you ever read the article (and I forgot which magazine did this) where they had this theory that anyone with the name Jessica is always a beautiful, successful, smart woman?
Jessica@CapeofDreams
May 27, 2013 at 9:04 pmI love that theory and, of course, believe it to be true. 🙂
Alex
May 21, 2013 at 9:10 amBeing a fellow Alex (I’m Alexandria), I know how frustrated I felt as a kid! Yet I still gave my daughter a very uncommon name. 🙂
I LOVE these cards! Love love love them. Will absolutely be making them.
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:55 pmIf your daughter’s name isn’t a pseudonym (as I know lots of bloggers don’t use their kids real names) it is a seriously cool name. 🙂
Green Door Hospitality
May 21, 2013 at 11:51 amThis is great! Will need to make these for my nieces!
Kenley
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:55 pmBring on the crafting!
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian
May 21, 2013 at 2:00 pmAmen, amen, amen. Victoria? Non-existent. Vicky, Vickie, Vikie… however many other spellings there are…
Those are very cute. I like the ombre pink ribbon one… simple but fun.
Danielle from Storypiece
May 22, 2013 at 1:24 amThis is what makes us kindred spirits… we’ve all got crazy long names and were shunned as children. It explains so much!
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:56 pmDid I ever tell you that my middle name is Victoria? No joke.
ScrapAndSalvage
May 22, 2013 at 12:58 ami swear, this is adorable! and it’s so true, kids love seeing their things personalized. i was right there with you in the 80’s. no cute rubber stamp or card ever came with “tamara” on it. not sure it does now either (though i see plenty of tammy’s, but that is so not me!).
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:56 pmI can’t even envision you as a Tammy. I have a friend named Tamara and I think only one person is allowed to call her that. Ever.
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet
May 22, 2013 at 1:05 amHow creative is this?! I love it! And while I’ll agree, yes, you need a Silhouette, there’s also something to be said for wielding the power of an x-acto knife with your bare hands. Especially when it’s freshly sharpened and cuts like butter…mmmm. That said, you may need to move to the states later this week. Yes, I am dropping a major hint in this comment about a certain giveaway coming up…. Eek!
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:57 pmThat’s it. We need to a do co-post or a co-project and tell them how awesome their Canadian fan base could be if they just expanded a teensy bit north…
Danielle from Storypiece
May 22, 2013 at 1:26 amThis is SO BRILLIANT! I would’ve loved this as a kid! There was always Daniel or Danny, but never Danielle. Of course, I’ve saddled my daughter with Tessa which is impossible to find too. I’m a giver like that. I will definitely be making these!
Gilit @ Shoes Off Please
May 22, 2013 at 1:35 pm“I’m a giver like that” lol
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:58 pmHAHAHAHA! I’m a giver like that. I second Gilit. SO funny Danielle!
Gilit @ Shoes Off Please
May 22, 2013 at 1:34 pmI wish I knew this when I was a kid- they look so good! “Gilit” hasn’t made it onto any of those personalized things yet…wonder why…
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 6:58 pmThat’s just cause you’re ahead of your time. I’m going with that!
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
May 22, 2013 at 3:08 pmSo cute! Any kid would love getting a personalized card : ]
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 7:02 pmI hope you were ok when I used the name Jennifer as an example. I did so b/c I have at least 5 Jen’s that I consider dear friends, who all still spell their nick names differently. So even with the popularity of Jennifer, there was still “But it’s not Jenny it’s Jenny”.
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
May 29, 2013 at 10:36 pmHaha, of course not! We all know a few Jennifers, myself included ; ] It’s funny because I’m on a board with another Jennifer so we’re Jennifer N and Jennifer H even as adults!
Kelly (Cobwebs, Cupcakes And Crayons)
May 23, 2013 at 8:06 pmAs always…I love your cards.
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 7:03 pmThanks Kelly! Miss you in blog land (I know you’re busy but just wanted to let you know..) 🙂
now at home mom
May 24, 2013 at 12:45 pmLove this Alex! Ingrid wasn’t popular back then and still not popular today! I should’ve thought of making something like this back then! 🙂 Hope you will have a great weekend! 🙂
Alex
May 27, 2013 at 7:04 pmWould you believe that one of my good friends, best friend just named her little girl Ingrid? Just consider yourself a trendsetter.