Recycled Postcard Kit from T-Shirt

I love sending postcards... and getting postcards! (Well actually any mail that's not a bill) Something about having a kind, thoughtful note in your hand.   Equally fun is finding a quiet spot, mountain side or coffee shop to sit and write, or draw and paint.  So I've created this postcard kit to take along with me, wherever I may wander. 

Step 1 What You'll Need

To make the case:

• 1 or 2 old T-shirts (depends on how big the shirts are) 
• Sewing machine  (not impossible by hand... just lots of layers)
• Thread
• Scissors
• Rope, or  ribbon
• Piece of cardboard or mat board to make a template/pattern.
• Chalk or those markers that erase in the wash.
• Safety pin
• Box cutter & metal ruler or paper cutter

To make the postcards: (optional)

• Box cutter & metal ruler or paper cutter
• 1 ply cardboard from cereal boxes
• Sandpaper (not pictured)

To make the address book: (optional)

• Box cutter & metal ruler or paper cutter
• 1 ply cardboard from cereal boxes
• Scrap paper
• Hammer
• Needle & strong string (I'm using hemp)
• Nail
• Wooden block to hammer on
• Sandpaper (not pictured)

Comments

[tbcross]

this is really a neat idea. I feel like we are missing out on something since people stopped writing each other. I have many of my grandparents letters and postcards to each other when seperated and to & from friends and family and they are truely works of art.
I was wondering do you make your own postcards entirely or do you use old ones and add onto them?

[AlpineButterfly]

Thank you,
I do a little of both, and/or everything. I like recycling things, giving them new life, or extending it a bit :-)
I still have all the letters my mother sent me when I was a child, my folks split up, and lived on separate continents... there was something really comforting about having a box of letters I could peek through when ever I felt like it. So yeah, I agree there is something nice about having a note or letter... that's not quite the same as going through your inbox.

[tbcross]

Well you inspired me to make my first ible and we've now joined postcrossings here's a link to my postcard ible. Thanks for the great idea!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-hand-make-beautiful-postcards-from-recycled/

[AlpineButterfly]

That's a wonderful 'ible... your cards are beautiful, they make me smile!

[agis68]

very nice project...I will make one

[AlpineButterfly]

Ohhh, please post a picture when you do... my favorite is seeing people make and do!! :-)

[agis68]

Naturally But wait. Now I am gathering the materials....

[dorinmouss]

Great ideas, thanks for sharing. Will try for sure!

[emihackr97]

plz vot 4 me in the office supplies contest 4 my DIY tattoo machine.
PLZ

Thanks, emihackr97.

[darus67]

You should check out the Postcrossing project at http://www.postcrossing.com
Send postcards to, and receive postcards from random postcrossing members
around the world.

[AlpineButterfly]

Postcrossing is a wonderful site, I actually enjoy it a lot! Great suggestion for people who might be interested in this instructable.

[ChrysN]

Nice project, and really well documented too.