Age-Numbered  Cards

If you are stuck for card ideas, especially for male cards, a good solution is to use the recipients age as the theme of the card.
Instructions:

1. Cut out the letters required for the age.

I used a fiskars alphabet and cutter, but you can print off templates and cut them out by hand, cut them out free-hand, or use a die-cut machine like a sizzix Big-Shot machine. Whatever works best for you.

Cut the letters out twice. Firstly from a piece of patterned paper, and then again out of a piece of plain backing paper.
Picture
Fiskars Alphabet and cutter
2. Choose a card base.
​I used a metallic silver pre-made 15cm x 15cm card that came with a matching envelope.
3. Create a background for your letters.
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I have used a piece of dark silver paper (12.5cm wide x 11cm high), adhered to the page on an angle.
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​On top of that is a piece of grey paper, which I ran through the Sizzix Big shot in an dots embossing folder (12.9cm wide x 9.3cm high) and then backed by a piece of red card measuring 13.5cm wide x 9.8cm high.
4. Stick the patterned letters onto the top of the plain letters, creating a shadow effect.
I used a sticker maker as I find it quick and easy, but double-sided sticky tape or glue will work well too.
5. Stick the letters onto the card.
I used the sticker maker again.