Beautifully crafted handmade stationery never goes out of style, even in this age of electronic communications. We created six quick projects to show you just how easy it is to make your own. Use them for personalized note cards, to say thanks to friends and coworkers, or as an especially thoughtful gift. The possibilities are endless. It’s not complicated to embellish your own cards. A simple way to get started is with a plain, high quality boxed stationery set or solid cardstock and envelopes. These provide the perfect blank canvas for your creativity. 

Dress up cards with a variety of techniques such as paper cutting, hand painting or applied embellishments, including paper appliqués. Envelopes can be lined with decorative art paper.

Scrapbooking embellishments, sewing notions and all-inclusive kits offer quick and easy ideas for decorating cards. Options include sequins, buttons, beads, bits of dried flowers or leaves, ribbons and felt cutouts. 

Kits help showcase a method and usually have all the items needed. The flocking transfer kit used for the “Heartfelt” card, below, includes the heart and other designs that serve a variety of tastes and occasions. 

Hand applied designs may be done in pencil, pen, marker or they may be painted on. Stamps and ink pads have been around for years and still offer good options for customizing cards. 

Use downloadable templates to make designing cards super easy. Some templates have a dedicated space to add your name. The links to download the templates are with the instructions, below. 

NOTE: when printing templates, be sure that your printer settings page scaling is set to "none" and that it prints at 100%.

Foil Cross Stationery

GREATER GLORY: A cross easily fashioned with metallic transfer foil promises to lift the spirits of all who receive a note on this personalized stationery. The Bible verse completes the effect. Tuck it into a coordinating envelope.

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• White cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Toner reactive foil in desired color
• Scissors
• Iron
• 5 3/8 × 8 3/4-inch envelopes

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template with your name typed into info box onto white cardstock using only a laser printer. Trim (5×7-inch).

Cut piece of toner reactive foil big enough to cover circle.

On a hard surface, stack magazines or chip board, then stationery and foil square colored side up and a piece of computer paper.

With a cool-medium heat iron (too hot will burn the foil), press firmly on foil. Do some practice runs to perfect your method. Different irons will vary.

Use purchased envelope.

Border Sticker Stationery

EASY SOPHISTICATION: Chic and elegant, an artful gold and ivory card set off by midnight blue is stunning atop a wedding gift or as a note of thanks. Heavy cardstock is edged with a metallic scrapbooking sticker. A stylishly patterned paper lines the envelope. 

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• Cream cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Scrapbooking border sticker
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Glue stick
• 4 3/8 x 5 3/4-inch envelopes

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template with your name typed into info box onto cream cardstock. Trim (3½×5-inch).

Trim scrapbooking border sticker of your choice to the height of the stationery (3½ inches) and apply.

Using template provided, trace and cut out a decorative paper for an envelope liner. 

Glue and place on inside of purchased envelope.

Tribal Quilt Stationery

TRINITY: Tiny colored triangles hint at the Trinity in this die-cut-look thank-you card fashioned from three layers of colored paper. A craft knife is used to cut out a few triangles. A favorite Bible verse on hope offers inspiration.

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• White cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Colored paper (grey, navy, light pink, mint green or light blue)
• Double-sided tape
• 4 3/4 X 6 1/2-inch envelopes

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template onto white cardstock.

Choose one color of triangle on the backside printout and cut out all of those triangles using a utility knife. Also cut out the single triangle on the front side printout.

Find a colored paper to match this chosen color and trim to 4×6 inches. 

Trim the front and backsides out (4×6-inch).

Tape the front and backsides to each side of the colored paper. Trim if necessary to get clean edges.

Use purchased envelope.

Painted Gold Dot Stationery

CONFETTI: For a gold foil effect, use a gold pen to mark additional confetti dots on our downloadable design. Light and whimsical, this confetti design celebrates the joy found in the Lord. 

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• White cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Broad-tip metallic gold paint pen
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 5¾×5¾-inch envelopes

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template with your name typed into info box onto white cardstock. Trim (5½×5½-inch).

Using a gold paint pen, accent the stationery as desired among the blue dots on the template.

Cut out the decorative paper template provided for an envelope liner. 

Glue and place on inside of envelope.

Watercolor Stationery

COLOR PLAY: Water color paints are brushed along the side of purchased stationery. Achieve this soft color gradation by layering on additional strokes for areas of greater intensity. 

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• Watercolor paper or cream cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Paintbrush
• Watercolor paint
• Pencil
• Bone folder
• Glue stick
• 5¼×7¼-inch envelopes

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template with your name typed into info box onto watercolor paper or textured cream cardstock. Trim (5×7-inch).

Using watercolor paint, start from the left side working your way in. Layer more paint closer to the edge to get a gradient. Let dry.

Trace envelope liner template onto watercolor paper. Fold along lines and tear. Apply to purchased envelope with glue stick.

White Heart Stationery

HEARTFELT: This notecard is fashioned in two pieces, a lightweight  paper over a heavy cardstock, connected with a brad. The upper sheet spins to reveal the message below. The flocked adhesive transfer—the heart—is a quick embellishment. Pair with a handmade envelope.

Materials

• Stationery template (download here)
• White cardstock
• Laser printer
• Utility knife
• Cork-backed metal ruler
• Cutting mat
• Light grey paper
• Paperclip
• Small hole punch
• Scrapbooking brads
• Martha Stewart Velvet Flocking kit
• Bone folder or popsicle stick
• Double-sided tape

Instructions

Using a laser printer, print template onto white cardstock. Trim (3¼×4-inch).

Trim light grey paper to 3¼×4¾ inches. Paperclip two pieces of paper together, making bottom edge flush.

Punch small hole in bottom center, 3/8 inch up from the edge. Secure with small brad. Remove paperclip.

Place small flocking heart sticker on the grey paper, centered between the two sides and two top edges of the papers.

Burnish flocking onto sticker with a bone folder or popsicle stick.

Print provided envelope template onto white cardstock. Trim, fold and tape together.