Greeting cards are ridiculously expensive. Making your own is not only super fun, it makes the recipient feel even more loved because you made it yourself. You can invest hundreds and hundreds of dollars in buying supplies for card-making (she said, from experience) or you can make something really cute for just a few dollars!
There are three really great cheap supplies I recommend for frugal card makers. One is a pack of white cardstock weight paper. Each sheet gets cut in half and folded to make two standard sized cards, and you can find 150 sheet reams at Wal-Mart and Target for $5 – $6. Another inexpensive and long lasting supply that is all the rage right now is washi tape. Washi tape is simply printed paper tape you can buy on rolls (kind of like pretty masking tape.) Many companies are making this now, and prices can range from $1 to $5 per roll. I bought the four pack of tapes for these cards at Target for $4 and it will last a long, long time.
Another great supply can be found in the dollar bins at Target, Michael’s craft store and in the Wal-Mart craft section: a few good, generic rubber stamps. I recommend grabbing one that says “Happy Birthday” one that says “Thanks” or “Thank You” and one that says “Congratulations.” Sometimes you can get lucky and find ones with a cute image or saying. You can also get a black ink pad for a dollar, and it is usable on everything.
Okay, friends! Let’s save some money and make some cards!
SUPPLY LIST
- White Cardstock Weight Paper, cut in half and then folded in half (makes 2 cards)
- Washi Tapes
- Marker(s)
- Rubber Stamps and Ink Pad (optional)
- Scissors
CARD ONE
No stamps or ink needed here! Cut or tear four (or more) strips of washi tape. Lay them out as you like on the card front. Use an orange marker to add flames to turn the tape into birthday candles. Hand write “Happy Birthday!” on the card front.
CARD TWO
Stamp or write the word “Hello” on the card front. Frame the word with four cut or torn pieces of washi tape.
CARD THREE
Cut or tear four (or more) strips of washi tape, notching the ends with your scissors as shown. Arrange on card front. Stamp or write a saying as desired.
CARD FOUR
Cut or tear four strips of washi tape. Lay tape down on a scrap of cardstock as shown.
Turn tape covered scrap over. Trace the tape roll and cut circle out.
Repeat with interior of tape roll to make a smaller circle. (Circle punches can also be used if you have them. They are very convenient. I love mine.)
Arrange circles on front of card as desired. Stamp or write a sentiment as shown.
These cards are basic but beautiful. Look around the house and see what else you can add to make your greetings pop! Consider ribbons, buttons and fabric scraps to make inexpensive cards that will make people feel special and appreciated. Try making some of your own, take a picture of them and tag Sweatpants and Coffee on Instagram with the results. We’d love to see your handiwork!
Karen Luxton
Terrific idea, well presented and very useful! No one better, I believe, to do a column like this!
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Mary Ellen
Barbara, great ideas that I will use to make some inexpensive cards.Thanks for sharing with us!
Erina
I agree with you, Barbara. It’s not needed to buy loads of supplies in the beginning. White cardstock and washi tapes are good enough! Loved the thank you card 🙂
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