Technically this is a cross post with Flash Cards! and Upcycled Art and if there was a frugal section it could play their too. In 2010 I explored taking "previously delivered" handmade cards and making them into new ones.
This project flowed from the Upcycled Art cards and my ongoing quest for resonably priced envelopes. My main sources for envelopes have been yard sales and making my own from calendar pages. I love making my own, but if I don't sit and whip them out in sessions it adds too much time to the card creation process. The yard sale envelopes are usually good but lately the inventory at yard sales has been envelops that are over-sized and stuck together. There's not a lot of quality control and customer feedback going on at my local yardsales.
The Process--
1. Get a set of stationary cards packaged with envelopes.
Tip: Never buy these new, it ruins the frugal part. Reclaim them from thrift stores (as seen here), yard sales, or empty your drawers, cabinets, your mother's drawers, etc.
2. Use die cuts, glitter, stickers, decorated tags, cut peices from other old greeting cards, magazine pages, ribbons, and other various and sundry items to decorate the front of the notecards.
Tip: In many cases (as shown) you can use the background that is already printed on the stationary as a base.
Tip: When you find a combination you like just repeat it since you won't be sending them all to the same person.
3. Stamp a sentiment inside or leave blank for a note.
4. Sign the back near the printed credits with a note about this being a reclaimed design, recycled card, upcycled, etc
5. Optional--stamp on the envelope too.
