Artful Cards

Book excerpt: These elegant cards--conceived by the biggest names in crafting, such as Lynn Whipple, Claudine Hellmuth, Terry Taylor, and Akiko Sugiyama--use many of the popular "altered book" techniques, and the results are exquisite. In the same amount of time as it would take you to scan the racks for something mass-produced and impersonal, you can create these superbly designed, individualized 3-D and pop-up cards; photocopied, collaged, stenciled, and stamped ones; papers that have been stitched, embossed, woven, and cut; and projects incorporating fabulous folds and fasteners. There are even ideas about coordinating accompanying envelopes. And all the cards include many imaginative variations that will prompt crafters to explore the techniques in greater depth.