Cross stitched cards are easy to make and can be made for any occasion, birthday, Christmas, wedding, new arrival or just a simple thank you the list goes on.

To make a card you will need the following:

1 Completed piece of cross stitch.

2 A threefold card with aperture.

3 Double sided tape.

4 Piece of firm foam (e.g. mouse mat).

5 Pins.

Once the stitching is complete it may require a gentle wash.  Using luke warm water and soap  powder or flakes that are suitable for hand washing wool products. Gently wash the item ensuring before you do that the threads are colourfast and will not bleed.

When the item is dry carefully iron on the reverse of the stitching.  To avoid flattening the stitches whilst ironing place the stitching onto something such as a bath towel.  Cut any loose and long threads from the back of the work these may show through once the stitching is mounted.

Now your stitching is ready to be mounted and made into a card.  Place your stitching onto the foam with the correct side facing you.  The reverse side of a mouse mat is ideal for this as it is not to thick and is firm.

Next take the card and put the aperture over the design so that it is centred.   As with the stitching the correct side of the card should be facing you.

Any excess fabric will need to be cut carefully when you have determined that the design is centred.  Allow at least 1/4" or 6mm all round the outer edges if possible.

Once you are satisfied it is positioned correctly take the pins and place in the corners of the stitching where the edge of the card meets the fabric.

Carefully remove the card avoiding dislodging the pins.  Your stitching is now secured to the mouse mat or foam.

Take the card on the reverse side place strips of double sided tape around each edge of the aperture.  Remove the protective strips and carefully place the card over the design following the pins.  Apply gentle pressure to secure.  Remove the pins.

The design should now be central in the aperture.

To complete the card on the reverse side on the cover flap (this is normally the left flap) cut and apply strips of double sided tape to the the outer edges.

Remove protective strips, fold the cover flap over the fabric/design and press firmly to secure.

Fold over the back flap and your card is completed.