Are thank you notes a thing of the past? Only among those who, as my grandmother used to say "were raised in a barn!" If you want to get a gift next year, you'd better write a nice note this year!

Making your own thank you cards makes this chore into a fun project, for everyone from children on up.

Also, use the process here to create any type of cards for any occasion. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's not to soon to get a jump on tokens for your favorite folks!

The pictures you see were taken with a digital camera. If you don't have a digital camera, then use your 35mm. Just have prints made from your exposed film. Then, to preserve your original print while quickly creating multiple copies of it, go to Kinko's. Simply color copy your print, making as many copies of it as cards you plan to make.

Many of their locations offer self-serve color copying. Doing it yourself is cheaper, and the color machines are as easy to use as the black and white copiers.

But if you have one, by all means use your digital camera. Whatever type you have (Mavica is the easiest to use as it is floppy disc compatible), shoot your pictures and bring them up on your monitor. Immediacy is what makes using a digital camera so fun you know right away that you took a good picture. And if you didn't, no big deal. If your image is too dark, light it differently and try again. But what if the image is fine, except there's too much boring background around it? Just use your photo editing software to crop your photo.

Even if you have to go through these steps more than once, the whole process, from shooting the pictures to printing them, should take less than an hour depending on your speed, camera, and what you expect to achieve.

So, using a digital camera is fast and easy, and if you already own the camera, cheaper. Another advantage is that you can quickly have someone take a picture of yourself holding your new ice skates, or better yet, trying them out at the local rink

When you print the pictures on your computer's color printer, they may have a grainy quality. Don't be bothered by that. The graininess can actually give the photo a more "arty" look. But is depends on what YOU want. Keep experimenting with light and angles until you get the resolution and texture you want. If your photo software has special effects like "oil painting," "whirlpool," or "fisheye," experiment with them. You'll see that the results can be interesting.

Next, of what material should you make the actual cards? Any stiff paper will do, but if you're going to make more than a few cards, leave the craft stores behind and head for a paper store. Xpedx is a great one, and there are four metro-area locations.

Xpedx carries a full selection of blank cards and envelopes which are usually used for invitations. These sets are perfect for this project. For as little as twenty dollars, buy a box of one hundred folded cards and matching envelopes. When you consider the fact that a pretty note card from the card shop costs up to four dollars, you also realize that making your own is not only easy and fun, but economical, too.

If you have a paper cutter, you may choose to buy a package of card stock. Choose from a wide variety of colors, and get 250 81/2 " x 11" sheets for as little as ten dollars. Then head to the envelope aisle and pick up a box of matching ones. Use your paper cutter to cut the card stock to fit your envelopes. Cards that fit their envelopes properly Look professional.

Print several copies of your picture. Use fancy edged craft scissors to cut out the photos. Cut inside or outside the border, depending on the look of your photo and its size relative to that of the card.

Use a glue stick to affix the photo to the front of the card. Don't worry about measuring the borders. This is a handmade card, after all. Let it look like one.

Then use different kinds of tape to add another textural element. To make the florist's tape stick to paper, back it with double-sided tape. Also try using narrow metal tape from the stained glass supply store. Try other kinds of tape you have on hand: brown paper tape, labeling tape or even masking tape you've colored with a marker.

Write or use rubberstamps to put a caption under your picture. Even just the word "Thanks!" will look great.

Next, take a break from emailing, sit down and actually write a few lines expressing your gratitude to everyone who was kind enough to give you a holiday gift. Having a batch of cards on hand makes it easy, and also, fun!

Xpedx Paper Stores
106 S. Santa Fe Dr. (303) 777-6688
1960 32 Boulder (303) 786-8703
5290 Vance Arvada (303) 940-6160
1985 S Havana Aurora (303) 368-4545