Think of making a handmade birthday card as setting a stage -- you can create the set ahead of time and leave space for the main attraction -- customizing it later for the intended recipient. Simply create a basic design and adapt it for all kinds of celebrants such as a toddler boy, grandfather, or a special card for mom.

Customize a blank 4 1/4-by-5 1/2-inch card. This clean simple design presents a triple-matted panel with a colorful "Happy Birthday" sticker affixed to the top.

Cut a piece of green cardstock to 2 1/2 by 2 inches and a piece of yellow cardstock to 2 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches. Glue the yellow cardstock centered on top of the green one.

Cut a 2-by-1 1/2-inch white cardstock mat and attach the "Happy Birthday" sticker to it. Glue the "Happy Birthday" message to the green/yellow cardstock. Glue the layered birthday message centered horizontally near the top edge of the card.

Stamp each letter of the toddler's name in black ink on colored cardstock, leaving extra space around the letter to punch it out with a circle punch. Add a foam dot to the back of each punched letter and adhere to the card in a carefree arrangement below the matted message. The foam dots “pop” the letters off the card to add texture and dimension.

Finish by adding a star on each side of the toddler's name and a toy truck sticker near the bottom of the card.

Attach the photograph to two layered pieces of cardstock, picking up the colors in the photograph.

Center the matted photograph near the bottom of the card.

Write Grandpa’s name and finish with a heart sticker to send a strong message.

Create assorted flowers and leaves in various shapes and colors:

• Punch various flower shapes from an assortment of colored cardstock. 
• Punch small circles, stars and decorative shapes for the centers of the flowers. 
• Punch different leaf shapes from green cardstock and decorative shapes such as a blue swirl for added interest. 
  
• For texture and shadow, chalk the edges of the flowers with a slightly darker shade of the flower. Add white dots to the blue swirl for added texture. 
  
• To create a daisy, punch two yellow flowers. Attach one daisy over the other, rotated slightly to spread the fingers of the bloom. Add a small orange starburst to the center. Chalk the edges with a slightly darker yellow shade. 
  

Note: Every bloom is at least two colors: the petals one color and the flower center another color.

Start to build the flower garden on the card one bloom at a time, just below the matted birthday greeting. Attach the flowers with foam dots.

Continue layering blooms, and add in leaves and swirls for visual interest. Color captures our attention immediately, and a carefree arrangement of colorful flowers captures our hearts. What could be better than a colorful garden card for mom?