Creative Alternatives to Traditional Card Making Materials

Card making is a wonderful hobby that allows you to express your creativity and send personalized messages to loved ones. If you are a beginner, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy supplies to create beautiful cards. By using everyday items and recycled materials, you can make unique and eco-friendly cards. Here are 6 tips for alternative materials for making greeting cards or albums that you can apply immediately.

1. Wrapping Paper as Patterned paper

Finding patterned paper in my local stores ten years ago was mission impossible. So I had to find another way to make my card base interesting. Wrapping paper often comes in beautiful patterns and colors that are perfect for card making. Personally, I prefer mat and recycled wrapping paper than shiny one because it is easier to work with it.

Tip: Use wrapping paper to create backgrounds and borders. Mixing different patterns and colors can add a fun and vibrant look to your designs.

This is how I used the wrapping paper as an alternative to a patterned paper while making album covers. Depending on type of paper, I suggest that you cover some thicker base (like a cereal box packaging, or other, that doesn't have to be white because it will definitely be covered with paper) and then glue it on the main base.

2. Gift bags as card base

Sometimes it happens that a gift bag is torn or worn out in some parts, so I can't reuse it. Sturdier gift bags with interesting designs, motifs and patterns can be a nice card base instead of card stock.

Tip: If the bag has smaller motifs, you can cut them out and glue to the same spots where they are on the card base. This will add an interesting 3D effect to a card.

3. Newspaper And Magazines For Card Motifs

Old newspapers and magazines are treasure troves of images and text that can be used in your card making. Cut out interesting motifs, headlines, and pictures to add a unique touch to your cards. After cutting them out, glue them to a thicker card stock to make it more firm and add to your card. Also, I used to find whole pages of interesting patterns and motifs that I was using as backgrounds for my paper crafting projects.

Tip: Look for colorful and cute images, patterns, or even black-and-white text that can add a vintage or modern feel to your cards. Use bold headlines for a dramatic effect or cut out individual letters to create your own messages. As for gluing, I personally use double-sided tape to avoid wrinkling the paper due to moisture.

4. Fabric Scraps for Texture

Fabric scraps from old clothes, linens, or sewing projects can add wonderful texture and dimension to your cards. Lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen work best.

Tip: Use fabric scraps to create layered designs, or cut them into shapes like hearts or flowers. Secure the fabric with double-sided tape or glue. For a more polished look, you can sew the fabric onto the cardstock.

5. Buttons and Beads for Embellishments

Buttons and beads from old clothing or jewelry can be repurposed as embellishments for your cards. These small items can add a touch of elegance and texture to your designs.

Tip: Use buttons as the centers of flowers, or create borders with beads. Attach them with strong glue or sew them onto the card for added durability.

6. Brown Paper Bags for Rustic Charm

Brown paper bags can be repurposed into rustic, charming card bases or decorative elements. Their natural texture adds a lovely, handmade feel to any card. Use brown paper as a card base or cut it into shapes and designs. Combine with other recycled materials for a truly unique and eco-friendly card.

Tip: Drawing or doodling some motifs on them using black ink pen, or adding white dots or lines using correction pen can make them even more interesting.

Using alternative materials for card making not only saves money but also promotes recycling and creativity. By repurposing everyday items, you can create beautiful, one-of-a-kind cards that are both eco-friendly and heartfelt.

These are magazine pages that have interesting designs on them and can be used as background on card base or as borders. I buy magazines made of recycled paper whose pages have a different texture than non-recycled one.