All-Occasion Cards

This craft takes the art of the handwritten card one step further. First, in pencil, lightly write out the word you’d like on the front of your card. Open the card, place a piece of felt behind the penciled-in word, and use a pushpin to make holes along the letters. Remove the felt, erase the pencil, then embroider the word with a backstitch. (To learn how to embroider, go to marthastewart.com/embroidery-how-to.)

A written note or a word of thanks will be appreciated even more when you send your thoughts on personalized, handcrafted cards and stationery.

Fun stickers and a circle cutter make this card as sweet as candy.

Send your next note on stylish stationery personalized with your monogram or initial.

Dainty Victorian-era engravings of birds culled from a clip-art book and then color-photocopied become elegant winged messengers bearing tiny three-dimensional greetings.

Encourage novice gardeners with a gift of herb seeds in a specially designed card.

Quilled motifs such as flowers and hearts add an elegant touch to cards for any occasion.