DIY Mermaid Birthday Card and Invitation
Create a unique birthday card for someone special with my mermaid birthday card and party invitation. Print the card then follow my tutorial to add flowy mermaid hair using colorful yarn.
Hello Crafty Friends! Looking for a fun, handmade card to make for someone special on their birthday? Today I’m sharing this sweet mermaid card that is perfect for birthday celebrations and even as party invitations! In this tutorial I will show you how to add yarn hair to my free printable cards to make your own unique mermaid cards.
This card can be made using my free printables and embellished with yarn to create the fun, dimensional mermaid hair. I drew the mermaid in Procreate but purposefully left off her hair so the yarn can be added. Use multi-colored yarn as I have done for even more magical fun!
The mermaid comes in two different color palettes with different skin tones and the cards include different messages on the front. One version of the card reads “Wishing you a magical birthday” and the other reads “Join us for a magical party”. This second card can be used as a party invitation for birthdays or summer pool parties.
The finished mermaid card measures 4.5″ x 6.25″ and fits an A6 envelope. If you enjoy creating this card using my free printables and yarn, be sure to check out my Unicorn Birthday card and invitation. It is made in a similar way and can be using yarn for the unicorn’s mane!
How to Make a Mermaid Birthday Card and Birthday Invitation
Supplies Needed
- Printable mermaid card and invite (printables do not include hair, this must be added using yarn) – grab the free files by filling out the purple form at the end of this post.
- A6 envelopes
- White cardstock- I used 110lb White Index Paper. I recommend cardstock between 65lb-80lbs or 110lb index paper.
- I have not personally tried it but you could print these cards on shimmer cardstock for a little extra magic!
- Decorative cardstock for the back of the card cover
- Paper trimmer
- Scissors
- Craft knife and self-healing cutting mat
- Multi-colored Yarn
- I used Loops & Threads Teenage Dream for one mermaid and blue, green and purple yarn for the other.
- These Mandala Sparkle skeins or Ice Cream skeins by Lion Brand would also be fun!
- Clear tape
- Scoring Board
Preparing the Mermaid Card
Start by printing the mermaid card on white cardstock and cutting it out using a paper trimmer. There are several different options, so print the one you plan to use. Print it at 100% scale so it is the correct size for an A6 envelope.
Use a craft knife to carefully cut along the top of the mermaid’s head to create an opening for the yarn hair. I cut around the top half of the circle.
Next, fold the cards in half along the fold line. You can use a scoring board and stylus if you have one to create a nice, crisp fold line.
Creating the Mermaid Hair from Yarn
To create the mermaid hair, wrap yarn around a piece of chipboard or cardstock that measures 3″ in height. Wrap the yarn so it lays closely and neatly. Once the wrapped yarn is about 1″ wide, cover the top of it with clear tape. Place the tape so it wraps over the top of the chipboard.
Carefully slide the yarn off of the chipboard and add another piece of tape under the first. You will now have a loop of yarn held together with the two strips of tape.
Cut open the loop on the end opposite the tape, then cut through the center of the tape so you have two hair pieces.
Adding the Yarn Hair to the Card
It is now time to insert both pieces of yarn hair into the opening you cut along the top of the mermaid’s head. Stagger the pieces so the one on top is shorter and tape them into place using clear tape. Staggering the pieces also helps keep the card flatter then if you stacked them.
Finishing the Card
To finish the card, cut a piece of decorative cardstock that measures 4.25″ x 5.75″ and adhere to the inside of the front cover. This will hide the ends of the hair pieces.
I hope you enjoyed this DIY birthday card tutorial! I have love creating handmade invitations and cards so be sure to checkout my Handmade Card section for more fun ideas including my Unicorn Birthday Cards!
Get the Free Mermaid Card Printables!
Fill out the purple form below with your first name and email address! The free file will be sent straight to your inbox. If you have already filled out the form below, don’t worry – you won’t be added to my list twice! This freebie is for personal use only. I hope you enjoy crafting something special. Please let me know if you have any questions :)