• “You’re a Gem” Just Because Card

    If you’re looking for a weekend project, try making several of this fun “just because” card! It only requires a few basic supplies and an approachable technique.

    "You're a Gem" Just Because Card

    A “just because” card is the perfect way to say hello. It’s a thing of pleasure: a little surprise that says “I’m thinking of you” without demanding a response like a text or an email does. In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a fun and simple “You’re a Gem” card. Try it yourself; you’ll be pleased at the result!

    1. Gather Your Supplies

    Colored Pencils

    To create this “just because” card, you’ll need a few key supplies that you — hopefully — already have at home. (The white pens might be a stretch, but once you get them, you’ll use them often. Promise.)

    2. Make a Pencil Draft

    Now, use your white mechanical pencil to draw a diamond shape like the one shown below. The top of the diamond should start about 0.75″ (2 cm) below the top edge of the card.

    Drawing a jewel on black paper

    Next, draw a horizontal line to connect the far edges of the diamond. Then, draw a vertical line down the center of the diamond. Once you’ve got those foundational guidelines, use your white pencil to draw additional kite-shaped guidelines, as shown below. After that, draw four horizontal guidelines at the bottom of the card, and use Roman Style lettering to write “YOU’RE” between the top two guidelines and “A GEM” between the bottom two guidelines.

    "You're a Gem" just because card pencil draft

    3. Add Color

    Now, grab a colored pencil in the color of your choice, and use it to fill in the diamond shape. Try to avoid coloring over the guidelines.

    Filling in a gem on a "just because" card
    It’s best to avoid coloring over your pencil guidelines. White ink has a little bit of trouble sticking to surfaces that are covered with colored pencil.

    Continue to color until the gem looks like this:

    Colored pencil gemstone on a "just because" card

    4. Add White Ink

    Once you’ve filled in the jewel with color, use your white gel pen to trace over the pencil lines on the jewel.

    Adding color to a gemstone on a just because card
    If you’re comfortable using a dip pen, you can easily use a straight pen fitted with a Nikko G nib and white ink for this step.

    Continue to trace until you’ve covered every guideline on the jewel.

    An almost-finished "just because" card

    Then, move on to filling in the “YOU’RE A GEM” lettering. Finish up by adding a couple of starburst shapes to the jewel. I made a large starburst shape on the left and a smaller one on the right, which helps suggest that the jewel is glimmering. Once the ink is completely dry, use a black eraser to get rid of any pencil guidelines, and you’re finished!

    "You're a Gem" Just Because Card

    I do want to insert a warning about white gel pens here: they feel dry to the touch before they’re actually dry. For best results, let the card sit out a long time — overnight, if not longer — before you erase pencil guidelines. Otherwise, the white ink might smear. (If that happens, see this article.)

    Inspiration and Resources

    Once you finish creating this “just because” card, it will fit beautifully into any of TPK’s printable mail art envelope templates. Or, if you want to continue the colored pencil + black paper theme, you can create laurel branch mail art.

    Laurel Branch Decorated Envelopes Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    This mail art tutorial uses colored pencils and white ink, too.

    If you’re feeling adventurous after creating this “just because” card, try your hand at other cards that use this technique! There are so many lovely card concepts that you can make using black cardstock, colored pencils, and a white gel pen:

    Greeting cards created with colored pencils and white ink
    This assortment of cards includes a congratulations card, a Valentine’s Day card, a birthday card, and a dinner menu. (I love that radiant radish!)
    "Thank You" and Valentine's Day cards | The Postman's Knock
    These cards feature easy-to-draw motifs.
    These are fabulous little holiday cards!
    These cards are perfect for the holiday season.

    I hope that you enjoyed today’s tutorial, and that it inspires you to make some magic on black cardstock this weekend. Thanks so much for reading!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock