Save-the-Date Postcards

I'm mainly doing this for a lovely friend of mine, but I also think it'd be handy for anyone else who finds my do-it-yourself-ing worthy.

Save-the-Date Postcard Instructions

You will need:

-Printed 4X6 pictures, however many save-the-dates you plan on sending out plus 3 or 4 extra (for mistakes).  Usually about 10-20 cents per picture, depending on where you have them printed or if you print them at home.

-White or light colored card stock- Estimate three save-the-dates per page, but usually cardstock can be purchased in packages of 250 pages.  Usually about $10.

-Glue dots, at least one box, maybe two.  I can't emphasize these enough for all types of art projects.  I get mine at Hobby Lobby, but you can probably get them at Michael's as well. $4-8.

-Postcard stamp.  Also found at Hobby Lobby. $12.

-Stamp ink pad.  Of course, also at Hobby Lobby; just make sure you get one as big as the postcard stamp. $10.

-Paper trimmer.  Hobby Lobby, again. $7.  You can use scissors for this process, but it'll take literally three times the amount of time versus using paper trimmer.  This little baby is also invaluable if you have any other paper projects you're doing yourself (invitations, reply-cards, scrapbook, matting pictures, etc.)

-Postage.   Postcard stamp postage is much cheaper than regular postage at $.29.  Oh, but that's just $.15 difference you say; call me back when you've bought $.44 postage for all your save-the-dates, invitations, and reply cards.  If you only invited 50 households, that is only saving $7.50 in postage with use of postcards, but don't forget about envelope cost as well.

Step One: Dot the picture.

You'll want to put one glue dot at each corner and the middle of the picture.  Press the appropriate spot of the picture onto the glue dot on the strip, not vice versa.  If you haven't used glue dots before, this may take some getting used to before you can pull the glue dot off the strip without it bunching up or folding over.  Repeat until all corner and center is dotted.

Step Two: Attach dotted picture to cardstock

Lay a piece of card stock down landscape orientation (long side on top and bottom).  Carefully place dotted picture on upper left-hand corner, lining up with both top and side of card stock.  The better you are about lining the picture up with the edge of the paper, the less cutting you will have to do and the less time it will take.  Repeat Step One for another picture; attach the next picture lined up against the left side of the card stock and under the already stuck picture.  Turn the card stock to portrait orientation (short side top and bottom) and place dotted picture on upper left-hand corner, lining up with both top and side of card stock again.  Your card stock page should now look like this:

Side note:  I suggest attaching the pictures to the card stock because it makes them sturdier; since they'll be used as postcards and will be traveling through the postal system without the aid of an envelope, this ensures your precious time and money won't be bent or eaten by some machine.

Step Three: Cut out save-the-date.

Line up the right side of the two joined photos in the paper trimmer and slice.   Then line up and slice the bottom of the solitary photo.  Then the side of the solitary photo, then the final bottom of the two joined photos.  (This was the most efficient way I found to cut them.)

Step Four: Stamp postcard print onto card stock.

Press postcard stamp onto ink pad.  Then press stamp onto card stock side of save-the-date.  Make sure you press firmly and evenly; you may want to practice this on spare card stock to make sure you get the feel down properly.  Also, make sure you're stamping right-side up with the right-side up of the picture; aka, don't turn the picture side over to find the "Postcard" label at the bottom and upside down.

Step Five: Address, attach postage, send into the world!

I just wrote "Hope to see you there!" or "Save the date!" and signed our names in the message section.  Address, stamp, and wait for the phone calls.

Hooray!  Now you have great save-the-dates, everyone sticks them on their fridge and calls you because of how cute and creative they are.  For 50 households, the whole kit and kaboodle is $60.  Light comparison shopping lists save-the-date magnets as $2 each, cards at $1.29 each, and postcards at $1.39 each, and that's not including postage.  Besides, I also got to use *this* picture, taken by the maid of honor, at no cost to me.

Happy Crafting!