Whenever I go to rummage sales I always find myself in the book section. I often see things that I think are so cool! And just $1! But really, what can you do with an outdated atlas? Or a craft book from the 70′s with projects you wouldn’t even be able to find the materials for?
Lately I have united my desire to rescue cool old books and my love of sending birthday cards by making my own arty creations. I have six friends with birthdays in the next two weeks so last night, I got my craft on.
Step one – collect old gems ripe with funny/interesting pictures:
Step two – Assemble your supplies. You may choose to do your crafts on a desk or table, but the guest bed will do as well.
As shown above: Scissors, exacto, rubber pad thing, glue stick, package of blank A-7 cards from a paper or craft store, colorful paper.
Step three: Find your fodder. Pictures are good, but if you’re into lettering and fonts and stuff, sometimes just the text parts are card-worthy.
Take a moment to mock them, if appropriate.
Step four – Cut out interesting pictures, frame with the colored paper, paste to the card. Yes, you are cutting up the old book, but it was just a dollar. And who was ever going to appreciate it’s coolness on that dusty old shelf?
Step five – Place finished card in one of the books and sit on it until you are done crafting, performing the patented Glue Stick Ass Sealing Procedure.
And Voila!
A birthday card someone makes for you just seems more special, don’t you think?
you are so cool Jenny!
which one is for me? huh? huh?
Girl! You just had me frantically checking my planner.
Who knows what gems await you September birthdays.
I was thinking the same thing! hehe. we’re in to creating cards for any occasion with cartoons from the new yorker.
Tres chic, mon amie! Do I see an Etsy stall in your future?
That’s awesome, Crafty McCraftypants! I love buying cards with vintage photos glued to them, I love old books and magazines with funny pictures in them…why have I never thought of this before? Genius.
Dear Martha,
This I love. I’m hoping (for real this time) to be a po’ SAHM in 3-4 months and was already worrying about how to support my card habit. Now I also have an excuse to buy all those old 50-cent books at yard sales. Thanks for this crafty tip!
Speaking of, there’s a belated card here for you, gathering dust….
and once again, you are my hero
in sing song manner: love them!
KLW: Excellent idea! Especially if you use one of those that no one understands.
Elizaebeth: Nah, probably not. I think that would take all of the joy out of it!
beth c: Ooh! I love that I gave you, the Queen of Craafting an idea.
peaches: I’ll believe it when I see it.
Heather: No, you!
tia: Thanks! I could totally hear you saying that, a la Mark from Ugly Betty.
Jenny – You are amazing. Seriously, you could start your own line. Thanks for sharing your special gifts with us. I guess if you send me a special card come September I won’t belittle you in front of friends for sleeping through Oceans 13…I mean, come on.
Jill: Awww. Thank you for being so nice!
And yes, I deserve to be punished, or at least ridiculed.
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Somewhere in my apartment, I still have that note you made for me after I gave you peanut butter. You are just so delightfully appreciative!
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