Christmas cards are filling up our mailbox, but what do we do with the cards after the holidays? The subject has been discussed on many blogs and just the other day Finnyknits offered a couple of new ideas. Today I thought I’d continue the virtual conversation.
Source: Better Homes and Gardens magazine, December 2009
Last night I remembered this magazine article I’d recently read, so I dug it out and scanned it into my computer to share with you. It’s a lovely charitable idea to consider.
© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved
Yesterday I used tutorials found at Chica and Jo’s blog to make a note pad and a matchbook-style note pad out of two recycled cards. My little test projects went well and were very fast to make.
© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved
Here’s another view so you can see the end of the cat note pad where it’s edged with padding compound to make pages that you can tear off. I wanted to keep the sentiment in the matchbook-style pad so I was careful how I cut the card. This one will go in my knitting bag for making notations about what row I’m on at any given time.
© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved
A couple of years ago I posted a tutorial about making small origami gift boxes out of old cards, perfect for tiny gifts like candies or jewelry.
Resources
- Craft Christmas ornaments with Junk Mail Gems
- Create a recycled Christmas card banner
- Crochet card edges to make new cards at FaveCrafts
- Finnyknits makes a yearly post sharing creative card recycling projects: 2009, 2008, 2007
- Make origami greeting card boxes with me (a PDF link is listed in my Tutorials in the sidebar)
- Many project ideas may be found at Chica and Jo’s blog
- Recycled Card Program at St. Jude’s Ranch
- Use the cards in rubber stamping projects at About.com
The blessings of receiving cards at any holiday or special occasion are double-fold—we can also use the cards later to continue the love.
7 comments:
What lovely ideas! I have a huge pile of cards that I've saved from many years -- I really need to put them to good use. Thanks for posting Junie Moon!
Yep - totally making those boxes. Great GREAT use of old cards.
Thanks, Junie!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas!
I always save my Christmas cards. Every year I frame some which I hang on the wall during Holiday Seasons. From some others I make tags and collages which serve to make new cards.
Merry Christmas June!!
Christmas blessing include good blog friends with fabulous sharing of wonderful ideas! Blessings back in all ways! I LOVE these ideas!!!!
I first "met" you through your card tutorial way back then when I was a brand new blogger, June!
:-)
I also use my decorative paper punches on old Christmas cards to punch out pretty designs and glitter pieces that I use in various ways, and some I recycle by cutting out part of the design and then I make gift cards and tags with the design.
We had almost a foot of snow last night so it will be a white Christmas this year here in NYC!
Thanks for the link! Reused Christmas cards are one of the greatest (and cheapest) holiday crafting resources.
Here are some last minute gift bags you might also like:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Gift-Bags/Last-Minute-Gift-Bags
Happy Holidays!
Kristen
Editor
FaveCrafts.com
Seriously, you always have the best ideas and the best looking crafts, June.
Love this idea!
I didn't send cards this year for just that reason...they inevitably end up in the trash in most people's homes.
It's great to know there are other uses for them.
)O(
boo
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