There are still a few people out there that send cards in the mail wishing warm sentiments to family and friends. A handwritten note is almost a lost art in this age of quick emails and texts. Even more rare is a home made card expressing your friendship and love for the special occasion or just because.
Perhaps that is why like most people, I save those few cards I receive from loved ones. And few people with the exception of my grandma even send out cards on a daily basis with news from home.
A few years ago, my third grade teacher, knowing that I rubber stamp home made cards, cleaned out years and years of collected holiday cards. I tore off the insides of the cards and saved the remaining pictures on the front to recycle into new home made cards.
I still do that today. I keep the note in my archived momentos, tearing off the front for further creativity to strike. I then throw them into a drawer in my craft closet for my next card making day.
Using my stamps, odds and ends ribbons and fabrics, and embellishments, I come up with a whole new card. Reducing the amount of store bought cards at almost $5.00 a card, I instead recycle fun designs and scenic pictures off of cards. I stamp a saying inside and bingo, I have a brand new and blank card.
People cherish the few minutes it took to actually make a hand made card and write a note. In the process you save money buying cards for celebrations and holidays. And you also recycle tons of paper, saving a few trees along the way.
And for an avid scrapbooker, you save money on a ton of stamps and embellishments by using resources within reach. The sky is the limit as you learn to be creative with what you have. I love setting out cut out cards and thinking of a new designs with what I already have, almost like a challenging puzzle.
Sometimes, I splurge on cheap blank cards in the dollar section at Target and Michael's for gluing on these recycled items. Other times, I use card stock from the copy paper you can find in the office store (you do not need acid free for cards unless you are using photos). I then add ribbons, cheap brads, or leftover stamps items from a previous project. Other times, I punch out an object or use a lost button for an additional embellishment.
For more frugal tips, visit Learning the Frugal Life Tip Tuesday.
