Here's an idea I've been playing around with a lot now that it's getting harder and harder to source pretty writing paper for a reasonable price in the shops. Email seems to have done away with it! I still write a lot of letters to friends; I think it's an art we need to keep alive, and I don't know a soul who doesn't enjoy receiving lovely post, especially post that's been thoughtfully put together and personalised just for them.
So being unable to get hold of writing paper one day, and not having a whopping £15 to spend on the sets I liked online, I decided to make my own. The beauty of this is that you can make your paper in exactly the style to fit your recipient's personality, and you can just make one sheet at a time, or lots! You can also use this method to make small sheets of wrapping paper.
First, choose your fabric... any fabric you like!
Don't worry about your fabric being ironed, or cut perfectly into a square, or completely flat - you want your finished paper to have personality. I actually wanted my friend to know I'd made the paper just for her, so I made sure there were imperfections! Seams, hems, creases and frays all look great.
Then all you need is a scanner attached to your computer. Pop your fabric in. Again, you want it straight enough so that you don't end up with white spaces on the page around your design, but perfectly lined up patterns isn't what we're aiming for here.
While your scanned fabric photo is on the computer screen, make any changes you want to. I often fade my design slightly so that my writing shows up against the background better. You can also add a letterhead design or a 'PTO' or other quirky something, like below:
And that's it! You can come up with sorts of patterns and designs. I've made quite a few now and have had lots of fun coming up with different combinations.
You can make a really special love letter...
Or make a set in complimentary colours, package them up, and give them as a gift to a writery friend...
You could even make paper to send to your sidekick to let them know you're close to solving a crime!
Well perhaps not...
Have lots of fun making your paper! What do you think?
Ever yours,
