8 Ways to Showcase Handmade Cards

I used to store my inspiration cards in a basket, which worked fine. However, I realized after looking through a decorating magazine one day that the cards could serve double-duty as a decorative element in my scrapbooking room.

There are plenty of ways to get those cards out of hiding and out into the open for everyday enjoyment. Here are eight ideas:

1. Frame them. Purchase clear acrylic magnetic frames to showcase cards on a refrigerator or file cabinet. Mat cards on cardstock and frame them in silver, gold or black photo frames to display on a side table, or dress up a bare wall by creating a collage of framed cards.
   
   
2. Cover a cork board with fabric, scrapbook paper or paint, and secure cards with decorative thumbtacks for display in your home office or crafting room.
   
   
3. Arrange a group of cards as a collage on your kitchen table or coffee table and cover them with a piece of glass or Plexiglass cut by your local hardware store to the dimensions of your tabletop.
   
   
4. Use a store-bought card display. Many home décor stores sell readymade wall-mounted or free-standing display racks that blend in nicely with your furnishings.
   
   
   
   
5. Make your own card display using everyday materials. Cut two wide strips of ribbon to about 7 feet in length. Fold the ends over and seal with a hot glue gun or staple to prevent fraying. Hang one strip on each side of a doorway and display cards by stapling them to the ribbon (from the inside). Alternately, hang cards horizontally over a mantel or buffet by creating a mini clothesline out of ribbon or twine. Use decorative thumbtacks to secure each end of the line to the wall - and the middle if the line is long - then hang cards over the line tent style.
   
   
6. Display cards along a string of holiday lights by clipping them on with clothespins. Paint the clothespins or decorate them with glitter and scrapbooking embellishments for added flare.
   
   
7. Paint a small tree limb with lots of branches your favorite color and secure cards with matching painted clothespins.
   
   
8. Scan your favorite cards and use them as a screensaver or wallpaper for your computer.

Card displays don't have to be limited to your home décor. I like to showcase them on my bulletin board and display them on my window ledge at work for a little mid-week cheer. Not only do they give me a little pick-me-up when I look at them, they are a great conversation piece when co-workers drop by - and they have a lot fewer calories than a candy bowl and require less maintenance than a plant!