The idea of using cards as a tool for ministry keeps popping up here on TIO. First the post on being a correspondence sponsor through Compassion International and now the Valentine’s Day Card Challenge. In a day of e-mail and instant messaging, the extra time and thought that goes into a handwritten card can mean a lot–both to orphans and the people working on the front lines to care for them. Homemade cards put a cherry on top. Who doesn’t like to receive a handwritten, homemade card? To make things even better, there are very few barriers teens must surmount to participate in this type of ministry.

But wait. It might not be so easy. Card making requires creativity and crafting supplies, right? To some degree, yes. Every time I think about making homemade cards, I think of my friends’ special tools for stamping, embossing, precision cutting, inking… the list goes on. I own none of that. My card making supplies consist of scissors, cardstock, and some templates from an old Klutz card making kit. [Handmade Cards, the Klutz book/kit I’m talking about would be an easy way to get started (though rather expensive for a new kit with all the supplies).]

Lest you become paralyzed, as I often am, I pulled some easy ideas from Pinterest to get you started. If you don’t have rubber stamps, don’t worry about adding words. Also, a lot of cards use raised features for added pizzazz. You can just glue the raised pieces flat, or you can buy a package of them inexpensively on Amazon.

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Teddy Bear
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If you click through to the directions for this card, you’ll find the nose is embossed, but cutting a paper nose out and gluing it on would be just as cute! And you could draw the eyes on instead of stamping them. Isn’t that little guy adorable?

Piano Keys
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How hard would it be to cut and glue white and black paper to make this cute pattern? Even the hearts would be easy to cut out and clue on!

Button Down Shirt
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You might have a hard time finding an envelop for this one, but making it looks like a breeze.

Heart Bunting
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Take out your needle and threat for this one. It looks like the cards sold on Etsy might use fabric hearts, but you could sew paper to make a bunting just as easily.

Flower Garden
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If you don’t have little 3-D stickers, you could use buttons or just paper circles for the center of the flowers.

Snowman
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If you don’t have ribbon for the scarf, just use paper! Same for the beads the eyes are made of. To be honest, less dramatic 3-D might be easier to mail (and less likely to break in the mail) anyway.

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Think these ideas are still too complicated? You could always cut old calendars into card-size rectangles, glue white paper to the non-picture side, fold, and write. Or you could quarter fold printer paper and draw or trace your own picture directly onto the paper. The possibilities are endless.

If nothing handcrafted appeals to you, revert to store brought cards. To be honest, that’s what I use most of the time. A handwritten note in a store brought card is way better than no note at all!

Do you have more ideas for great handmade cards? Do you know of any children, adoptive families, or orphan care workers who could use a handmade card to brighten their day and encourage their hearts? Leave a comment to share your ideas!