Summer Greeting Cards: Homemade Card Ideas to Make
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There are a number of occasions to send greeting cards throughout the summer, including graduation, Father's Day, and the Fourth of July. However, sometimes you feel like making a summer card that isn't for any specific occasion. There are a variety of messages and themes that you can use throughout the summer season. Alternatively, you can incorporate these themes into cards for other events during the summer, such as baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and sending thank yous.
Unless it is indicated otherwise, all of the tutorials and ideas here are for personal use only. If you are interested in selling your cards, please contact the artists directly. Thank you and happy creating!





Flowers
Carry this classic theme from the spring right into summer. Create simple flowers with button centers or make layered flowers by sewing with paper. Fill a large card full of colorful flowers or pair a single flower with a simple sentiment. If you want to switch up the routine of making flowers with paper, consider cotton fabric or felt.
- Remembering Life's Moments: Lynell and me at CHA
- Blobs and Drips: Rainy Day Creations
- Cottage Garden Card Tim Coffey
- Pocket Full of Pink: Cute Posey card tutorial





Sunshine
For those of us who live in the areas of the country where sunshine is scarce through the late fall and most of the winter, we welcome the chance to celebrate the sun through the spring and summer. Fill your card with a large sun and its rays or include a simple, smaller sun with a beach or flower field scene.
- sweetsteph card creations: Tutorial: Large Background Stamps
- Jill's Card Creations: It's really all about you
- Copic Marker Europe: Airbrushing and Sunshine!
- Yarn Crafts Kids Can Make from Parents.com
Sunshine Rays Card | Simon Says Stamp





Flip Flops
I am surprised what a staying power flip flops have had in this country the past decade. In addition to being able to purchase flip flops in just about every size, color, and pattern imaginable, there are a wide variety of flip flop themed items available, such as necklaces and wall art. Why not put them on your greeting cards, too?
- Paper, Scissors and Superheroes: Flipping Out!
Check out this post for additional flop flop cards. - Party Invitations: Flip-Flop Card
This post has a flip flop template. - My Favorite Things: May Papertrey Release Projects





Bicycles
Whether you're giving a card to someone who will be learinng to ride his first bike this summer or to someone who has been biking for years, there is a certain element of nostalgia to this theme, especially if the card depicts a young bike rider. Many of us remember hopping on that first bike or strapping on a new pair of skates during the summer.
- Crafty Girl Designs: Another Bicycle Card
- Have a Great Day Bicycle Card|Sizzix.com
- Let's Give 'em Something to Scrap About!: CTMH-- Dotty Paper Line, Enjoy Life (Bicycle) Card
- Judy's Card Corner: Buttons and Twine Embossed Birthday Card
- Inspiration Blooms: Last Ride of Summer!
Weekend Card - Bicycle | Vicky Papaioannou


Swim Suits
One of the exciting transitions for any new season is the change in clothing. Even though you were so glad to put away your sweaters at the end of the winter, you're always happy to pull them out again. Swim suits are part of that transition for summer. It's fun to see the bright colors and new patterns in the stores at the end of spring. Capture this excitement in a summer card.





Beach/Tropical
Who doesn't want to take a beach trip at least once or twice during the summer? Whether you will be heading to Hawaii for a week or simply spending an afternoon on Lake Michigan, there is something very cathartic about time with the water. Depict a detailed beach scene or just include an element or two, such as a couple palm trees.
- Pickled Paper Designs: Fun in the Sun
- Life's A Breeze! by anne_marie - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
- Remembering Life's Moments: Dream Scheme Sketch Week
- Pool Party! | Cricut Blog
This post has a great idea for a water bottle wrapper, too. - Life With Terri: A Day At The Beach





Ice Cream/Popsicles
Summer desserts are another great nostalgic theme for summer cards. Whether you made Popsicles or ice cream at home, frequented the local ice cream shop, or always went running outside when you heard the ice cream truck, many people have fond memories of sweet summer goodies. There are lots of colorful choices for this theme.
- Crafting The Web: Scallop Punch Ice Cream Cone Tutorial
- Stamp-n-Design: Ice Cream Cone Card
- Elaine's Creations: Beat the Heat with a Cute Popsicle Card!
- Gallery - pops2eat/What a Treat!
- FREE Ice Cream Cone Download! | Paper Crafts Connection





Fruits
There is nothing like getting fresh fruit from the garden or the farmer's market during the summer. Strawberries are one of the most popular choices, but don't feel limited to this.
- Mish Mash: Papertrey April Release Projects
Check out this post for several more strawberry cards. - Brigit's Scraps: Thanks a Bunch
- Cards by CG: Berry Sweet Card
- Sweetest Day by catcrazy - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
- Paper Pursuits: Thanks Berry Much





Boats
Doesn't it put a smile on your face to see sails dotting the water on a hot summer day? This is a perfect birthday card choice for someone who is passionate about boating.
- Scrappin' with DeeDee: 100% All Boy
- Simple Treasures: Little Toot - Dare to Dream - Card!
- Iris Boat Card
This post has a great template. - Inspiration Blooms: Happy Birthday Debbie!





Fish
Fish are a fun choice for a kid birthday card, for a baby shower card, or for anyone who really likes fish. Customize your card for your recipients with colors and/or patterns that you know they will enjoy.
- i-magicut Ribbon Cutter/Sealer
- Katherine Marie: Card making with a two year old
- Little Lambs | Stamping with Betsy
- Kids' Crafts: Father's Day Gift - Fish Card - Kaboose.com
- cardsbygeyda: Porthole Water Gel Fish Card





Butterflies
I don't mind butterflies, but I don't have a particular interest in them, so I'm always surprised how frequently they show up in greeting card designs. In addition to being a popular choice for graduation cards with the sky's the limit, let your talents soar, etc., they are a great option for many types of cards throughout the spring and summer.
- October Afternoon: Thursday Sketch Challenge
- Inky Fingers: Papertrey Ink birthday card
- A Pinterest Case - Stamp with Heather
- Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog: Add dimension to your cards with Becky!
- lime doodle: Totally Hues # 7





Summer Drinks
Whether your favorite summer drink is lemonade or a Margarita, most people have a summer go to drink that they love to make at home or that they always order at restaurants. If you have a personal favorite recipe of the drink that you feature on your card, consider including it with the card.
- Scrappy Critters: Terrific Tuesday Challenge-- Life's a Beach ENJOY!
- Brown Paper Packages: Lemonade Anyone?
- Whisker Graphics - Keep Calm and Drink Card ~ Free Download