Cards/Relax/Family History

While this coming Friday is the National Day of Listening (see Nov. 22 post), since 2004 the Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving to be National Family History Day. Over the holiday or at other times when families gather, the Surgeon General encourages Americans to talk about, and to write down, the health problems that seem to run in their family. Learning about their family's health history may help ensure a longer, healthier future together. To help families organize their health history, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services has developed a web based tool called My Family Health Portrait

Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season. For the next six Wednesdays (Take a Break Day), I will be including both “art breaks” (things you can make as presents or for your own enjoyment) as well as ideas for taking a break from the hustle of the season.

Today’s post is all about cards, how to make them or what to do with ones you’ve received. The “relaxation tip” is creating a spa bath at home.

MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS

Postcards: Cheaper to mail than a greeting card, there are a variety of options to consider:
• Premium Postcard A service of the US Post Office, you create a picture postcard on-line, which is then mailed for you. You don’t even have to stamp it.

• Postcards from Your Photographs: There are now a variety of products on the market to help you turn your photographs into post cards.
- The 2 Buds Vintage Postcard Shop offers backings you can peel and stick on your photographs.

- Avery makes a Postcard for various types of printers, so it’s possible to print off a selection of your photographs. Not only can you send them as a greeting card, but you can print off different photographs and give a stack as a present. Most office supply stores, such as Staples, carry Avery postcards.

Potato Printing: A simple project that not only results in beautiful cards, but it can also be used to make T-shirts, napkins etc. Cut a large potato in half, cut out your design, apply paint and start stamping. Simple cookie cutters can be used to cut out the design.

Martha Stewart’s Card Making Center

E-Cards: Here’s an option that requires no postage. There are many free sites.
My Card Maker
Blue Mountain
Funny E-Cards
Care2 E-Cards

MAKING THINGS WITH CARDS
Gift Tags: Or To/Froms as we use to call them, can easily be made by cutting the card into tag size and either taping them to the package, or using a hole punch, string a bit of ribbon through it. Using pinking shears, or other type scissors, gives the tag a fancier look.

Bookmark: Depending on the size of the card and the weight of paper, you can several things:
• cut a 8-inch by 2-inch strip of the card if size and weight permit
• take a strip of cardboard or poster board and cut up the card, gluing it to the board. To make it more durable, cover with contact paper or laminate it.

Create a Gift Box

Ornaments

RELAXATION TIP
Create Your Own Spa Bath