As a child I was completely obsessed by beautiful stationery. The dark, furry space under my bed reserved for Special Things To Be Kept Safe From My Brothers was stuffed with papery treasures given to me at birthdays and Christmases, but which I deemed far too precious to use; gift sets of paper and envelopes, 5-year diaries in which my most important thoughts would be captured for posterity, and so forth. I would regularly take these out and admire them but rarely actually used them, lest they run out. Or, in the case of the diaries, in case my thoughts turned out to be not quite important enough after all. A hopeless case, as you’ll agree…
Now, as a mostly-grown-up, I love making stationery to use myself and to give as gifts, and with a printer and a cupboard full of paper to hand, I’m less inclined to stockpile. As a parent, I also want Harry to be able to say a proper ‘thank you’ for presents and the kind of general loveliness that frequently arrives from relatives and Godparents. So when the Easter Bunny delivered big time, bringing not only chocolate but also, awe-inspiringly, a fire engine, I made him these cards to send out as thank-yous. Big enough for a crayon scribble on the front from H, and small enough for a brief but heartfelt thank you from me, they do the trick nicely, and also make him keen to join in the fun…
Even for younger children and babies, it’s nice to have something personal; I made cards like these for a friend’s daughter on her first birthday, both to make her mother’s life easier and to give something a little different to the norm. Tips and notes for both projects below, for those interested in giving this a whirl….
Here’s what I used for the two projects above:
1. craft edging punch for the ‘Amelie’ paper; this one from Martha Stewart 2. A selection of A5 coloured, textured card – Papermania does great packs in different sizes. 3. soft bristled brush for removing loose glitter 4. coloured triangle cut freehand from scraps of card 5. Glitter – any type will do, though Martha again has a great range 6. Glue pen (for precision) and craft knife, and finally 7. Paper tape – not shown in these projects but great for accessorising home-made notecards and paper.
Making the Monogram Cards:
1. Choose your letters and colour combinations. I used a die-cutting machine for these but you can buy pre-cuts shapes in craft shops and on Ebay, or simply draw and cut out freehand. 2. draw a half-circle for your bunting; I used a glass cloche so I could see both sides of the line. 3. Add your bunting triangles alternating colour; use a glue pen for neatness. 4. Find a toddler and scribble away!
For the faux-letterpress Nursery Notelets:
1. Print out your chosen wording onto an A5 sheet, centring on the page. 2. Measure and cut your card to fit the size of your chosen envelope 3. Use an edging punch to carefully decorate the top edge (this is MS’s Birds on a Wire, from Amazon) 4. Carefully glue one of the birds and sprinkle liberally with glitter before brushing off. 5. Admire. Decide these are too pretty to use. Store carefully under the bed and accidentally forget about them.
After all this careful snipping and sticking and sighing at how zen and restful such crafting can be, especially when one’s son and husband are exhausting themselves with much shrieking on the new trampoline, I decided I wanted to make some of these for myself (below). The final version of course has my address, but I thought that might just be over-sharing, so here’s the website instead..
So lovely! I especially like the bird punch idea – instantly makes the card look like it’s worth at least $6.
Thank you Evelyn – yes I adore the punch; I looked at it for a while wondering whether it was an extravagance, but convinced myself I would save the money a few times over in the cards that I no longer needed to buy – you’ve helped to convince me that my rather wobbly justification was sound
These are so thoughtful and lovely. Teaching children to send thank you cards is so important, I always have a stack, but don’t have the talent to make these like you.
Thank you so much! And I agree with you… it’s the doing it that counts the most, whether they’re bought or made; I’m hoping that by starting now I can avoid having to chain Harry to the table and force him to do his thank-yous before playing outside…. we shall see!
Dear Kate, Thank you so much for this. I love writing (and receiving) letters so this comes in handy! Your blog is really beautiful! Eveline
Thanks Eveline!
Another great creation …. thinking you maybe should do the paper for our wedding
Such pretty and awesome work! This post made me smile. I used to make hand-drawn stationery for my classmates in high school
Good reminder to go back while trying different techniques this time around. Makes for a great way to keep the tradition of hand-writing alive.
Thank you! It’s so funny (and very lovely) to find a collection of kindred souls who spent their childhood hoarding stationery and creating their own; I wonder if everyone went through that phase at one time, or whether it was just us? And I agree about the traditions of hand-writing; now I’m on a new quest to find the perfect pen…
I hope this is a practice that can still be enjoyed by the current paperless generation. Creating drawn stationery back in the day was fun simply because my friends asked me to make them (this in the day of “love letters”) I remain an advocate of handwritten ANYTHING and continue through postcards! (yes, I still ask for one, postage stamp and all)
Thank you for inspiring me with your craft and post — it reminded to go back to where it all began and attempt to make a batch all over again.
Kate, we are kindred spirits. I am obsessed with paper and the ever-elusive perfect thank you note. I spend embarrassing amounts of time composing my own notes of thanks and (gasp) have Alice dictate her gratitude for the gifts and kindnesses she is given, which I transcribe. I’ve written about it, but I won’t be so crass as to include a link to the posts here. Suffice it to say, they are silly and utterly delightful.
I must confess that I purchase my cards from our amazing local stationer, but I envy your ability to make something so lovely. Cheers to you!
Christine
I was the same way a child, jealously keeping every scrap of stationery I could get my hands on, amassing a largeish stock pile of the prettiest, the quirkiest, and even the most mundane note cards and envelopes. I had high hopes that I’d eventually use all of it, but only for the exactly perfect reason. Of course, those reasons very rarely present themselves, and so I was left with a large box full of unused bits and pieces. Now, I prefer keeping just one or two pretty sets on hand for when a handwritten note is needed. I may just have to try out your projects to add to my collection though. Lovely!
I wish I had time for this! I spend too much time on my pc I think! Lol! But, like you, I love papers and stationary, and was also reluctant to use any that I deemed too pretty. Creating your own makes the cards even more special to the recipients. I have my kids make their own…although not nearly as snappy as yours…they have a lovely quality. Great post!
Great post! I love your work and I can’t wait to create with my boy.
I, too, felt our three sons could show their appreciation for gifts, kind deeds/words/thoughts when they were wee ones. Now, at the ages of nearly 21, 20 and 17, we are receiving yet another kindness from some of those same dear souls. Some of them have saved our sons first attempts at crayon to paper. To see their colourful squiggles, initials and seven armed/legged people brings joy to our hearts. It is so very nice to see that in today’s ever increasing speed of life you are taking the time to, not only teach this to your own dear boy, but taking the extra step to share the idea with others. Thank you for your talents, time and thoughfulness.
Terry-Anne, thank you for such a lovely comment, it made me smile; I can just imagine the drawings your sons made and look forward to Harry reaching the stage where we too start to appear in crayon as giant cylinders with strangely attached limbs and demented expressions – well, partly I look forward to it…. !
I used to love the special little stationary sets I was given as a child that had the matching paper, envelopes and stickers!
Those cards you made are just gorgeous! I can totally relate to hoarding stationery, stickers and anything else crafty because it’s too good to use up
something that I still battle with… Although I compromise by framing them and getting to enjoy them every day!
Framing them, now that’s a great idea! And stickers, I totally forgot how addictive they were too….
I love, love, love the bird stationary! So sweet and simple. Great idea!
Ah, thank you!
Love these! The little bird stationary is perfect – what a great gift idea. Am joining you on the hoarding front – I’ve managed to raise two little hoarders too! Thanks for sharing (and for a beautiful site!).
So awesome! I agree that stationary makes a great gift. None that I have made has looked this polished!
I used to covet and hoard stationary too. I was also something of a stationary thief. I once stayed with my grandparents and stole some pieces from their office one night that I thought was beautiful. I took some from my best friend when I was little too. I never deemed anything I had to write important enough to actually use the stationary for though.
That’s so funny!! You must be truly a stationery magpie thanks too for the lovely feedback…
So great! What wonderful Ideas! I too think a Thank you is the most important part of any gift giving transaction! I send them for every thing no matter how small, and make certain that my 4 year old sends them out as well (just like my mom made me) but it’s so important I feel like I HAVE to instill this simple gesture in her. [that and the importance of RSVPing!] Perhaps making our own like this will make the concept a bit more fun for her. Thank you!
Your first paragraph was (and is) me exactly
Great blog!
Stationary and stickers…I will never give them up! Great post!
I have always loved making my own stationary and you just gave me some new ideas…
Thank you!!! What kind of tape is that/ do you know where i could find some?
Hi Julie, it’s called Washi tape and it’s a gorgeous kind of self-adhesive paper-based tape which originated in Japan… are you US or UK-based (or other)? I can let you know some good sources in either. K