How to Make Family Thank-You Cards
Fun and Creative Way to Apply Scrapbooking to Correspondence
Mar 15, 2009
People who make scrapbooks already have flair for color, fun, and using family photographs to make additional works of art. You need not stop at scrapbooking; why not turn everyday correspondence into a craft project that becomes a gift in itself?
Supplies Needed
- Family photo,
- Heavy watercolor notecards with envelopes,
- Calligraphy marker,
- Photo mounting materials such as corners,
- At least two watercolors and paintbrush.
Photo Family Thank-You Cards
- Have a professional portrait taken of your entire family or ask a family friend to take the photograph. If the photo is digital, put it on a CD and take it to your local photo developing place. You will need one print of this photo for each family thank you card.
- Choose your best quality watercolor cards and plan where you will mount the photograph. Trace the perimeter lightly with a pencil and set the photograph aside.
- Paint a nice, decorative watercolor wash with two complementary colors on the card.
- When dry, take an archival calligraphy marker and write "Thank You" on the inside.
- Have each family member write a short, personal note and sign inside the card.
- Mount the photograph on the card with acid-free mounting corners.
As an alternative, attach the family photograph to a photo mount card, and decorate the inside as discussed above.
More Photo Thank You Card Ideas
While the professional family photograph is a lovely touch, you can still create scrapbooking keepsakes out of thank you notes, even without the family photograph.
- If you are saying thank you after attending a party, mount a photograph taken at the party on front of the card.
- If somebody sent you a lovely gift, have a family member take a photograph of you using the item. Mount this on the front of the card.
- After the birth of a new baby, send people cards with a mounted picture of the baby wearing the outfit you were given.
Non-Photo Thank-You Cards
Even without a photograph, a well-crafted, beautiful thank you card says so much more than any store-bought note. The real joy of scrapbook cards is that they are personalized works of art appropriate for any occasion.
- To say "Thank You" for a small child's birthday gift, decorate the front of the card with his or her handprint. If the child wants to, allow him or her to draw on the inside of the card.
- For a family thank you card, create a mural on the front of the card that each family member contributes to.
Decorate the front of the card based upon the theme of what you are saying thank-you for.
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