Home-made notecards!

Thanks to advances in technology, we’ve all read about the end of print, the end of the book, the end of writing (and reading) as we know it. I’m not going to post about that, though I’ve read some interesting takes on it here and here.

What I am going to post about today is the notecard: the nice, and I suppose now old-fashioned, paper thank you, well wish, condolence, or birthday greeting. I’m talking about buying (or making) something that reminds you of a friend, cousin, spouse, or parent and taking a few minutes to write (with a pen!) a personal message.

The beauty of it is that it’s a reciprocal gift: there’s the satisfaction in finding the perfect sentiment as well as the joy of opening up an envelope and realizing someone knows you that well. I have boxes full of the cards I’ve kept over the years, and anyone who’s been over to my house knows I keep a rotation of them (along with post-its, quotes on writing, photos, ticket stubs, character names, etc.) affixed to the story board over my desk. It usually hangs horizontally, but everything’s gotten a little adjustment down here.

My storyboard, a gift from my mom that has inspired writing in New York, San Francisco, and Santiago.

Well, there’s nothing like a few spare hours and sheer necessity to churn up creative energy (let’s not forget that greeting cards are in Spanish in this neck of the woods). So, over the weekend, yours truly “crafted” some thirty-two notecards.

Poodles, teacups, bunnies, ornaments, a decadent shoe… They’re all fair game.

My tricks for fun, flirty cards that don’t look like you went cuckoo with a glue stick:

• Save catalogs. Anthropologie is my personal fave. They clearly still have quite the hefty photo budget and it shows in their elegant, inspired, themed, and sometimes quirky take on the seasons. And they’re often shot on location! Whether you want to be holiday-specific (Easter bunnies, anyone?) or you just want to add a feminine touch to a blank notecard, keep turning the pages, and you’re bound to find it.

• Add borders. This is super easy. I was working with three colors of paperstock (I swear by Paper Source back in SF). Just cut a rectangle slightly larger than the image (I eyeball it) and you’re in business.

• Hold onto all those random envelopes than can accumulate. After all, when you make your own cards, you can customize size!

• Have fun with it. A yellow teacup against blue floral wallpaper may not speak to you, but whatever it is, if you craft it with love and include a personal sentiment, chances are it will speak to the person receiving it.

• It’s the easiest way to feel “crafty” without having to roll yourself in glitter or operate a sewing machine (though I’m sure you could if you wanted to). There are also excellent how-to books out there, especially from Chronicle Books.

Why not give those envelopes some extra flair, too.

So, if you’ve had a baby recently, have a birthday coming up, are putting yours truly up for the night, or are about to say “I Do,” look for one of these in a mailbox near you soon. And if the post-office still eludes me, you might find one affixed to a gift or handed across the coffee table. Trust me, the note will still have made quite the journey.

What do you make? Have any arts and crafts projects you want to share? Even if you’re like me and don’t identify as all that crafty, I bet you do.