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Want to keep your kids busy, save money, impress your friends and be a great citizen all at the same time? You too can achieve this uber-human status by making your own greeting cards from recycled materials! There are actually tons of ways to use recycled materials to make greeting cards. For now, we will concentrate on just a few that the children will enjoy.

You need:
some card stock paper, in color(s) of your choice
old magazines
newspapers
old cards
old calendars
permanent markers a few different colors
a few glue sticks
child safe scissors, plain and/or with a fancy edge
spoon
clear packing tape or clear contact shelf paper
water bowl
towel
old buttons and/or found objects
sand paper (optional)
clear spray paint (optional)

Most card stock comes in 8 " X 11," and will render 2 standard sized greeting cards. Cut each sheet in to two equal pieces. Each half can be folded to form your greeting card base.

Have the kiddies look through the magazines and newspapers and tear or cut out images, words and phrases they like. Poetry and catch phrases can be cut from old cards too. Also, be on the look-out for magazine and catalogue pages with beautiful colors; many of which can be transformed. Mix it up by using fancy edge scissors to cut some of the images.

After you have all the images you like, you can glue them directly on your card base, and you can also use what is called a "cold laminate transfer."

How to do a cold laminate transfer:
1) Select a magazine, newspaper or calendar image you want to use.
2) Put the image face up on a smooth work surface (table).
3) Cut a piece of tape or contact paper a little larger than the image.
4) Starting at one end of the image lay the tape/contact paper sticky side down
on the image. Try to avoid air bubbles.
5) Burnish the image by rubbing over it thoroughly with the back of a spoon.
6) Let the image soak in water bowl for a few minutes.
7) Remove the image from the water, and gently blot away excess water with towel.
8) GENTLY rub away the moistened paper.
9) Glue transfer(s)on your card base.

It's like magic, a transparent version of the image you started with! The kids will love this! Depending on their age and ability, have them help with as many of the cold laminate transfer steps as possible.

Remember those beautiful colors? Convert landscapes, florals, and brightly colored pages to a transparent background by using the cold laminate transfer process. You can write on top of the background with a permanent marker, or glue cut outs of words and phrases on top. Cut some of those pretty color pages (and transfers!) in simple shapes like daisy flowers or hearts. This works great on valentines!

Are you starting to get the idea? Mix and match, using both cut and transferred images on one card. If any of your cut images look too bright or bold, LIGHTLY brush over them with a little sandpaper. Outline, embellish and add your thoughts with permanent markers. For more impact, attach any old extra buttons or found objects that compliment your card theme. If you like, lightly spray over card design with clear spray paint to finish. Look out Hallmark; recycled greeting cards have arrived!

Learn more about this author, Cindy Hartzell.
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