Why do we send cards? Usually for a special occasions, but often to give pleasure to those who receive them. It can simply be to let people know that you are thinking of them. With this thought, I decided to make some cards for other occasions, maybe using items you already own.

To give you an example, fancy paper, tissue, string, ribbons, stones, sequins, scraps of materials, why not incorporate them.

As a change, I am about to explain how to do a menu card. This could be a very useful addition for a special bash like a wedding, dinner party, golden wedding anniversary or for any big party. You will require some thin card, about 24 x 21cm. Choose one that has a nice texture. Then you need to fold this in half.

Make a line for the fold with probably a craft knife. Now you could do with a line at the top and the bottom of your card. This could be made with a couple of strips of ribbon, braid or coloured paper, about 12 x 2cm ,which can be glued to the card. Of course, you will need the correct glue for this.

The ribbon you choose could have a small design on it, or just be perfectly plain, or toning colour shades. To this, I would be tempted, to add a fine line in silver just above or below my strips.

If you were doing this for a golden wedding, you could put the items signifying each ten years of marriage, below the bottom line, whilst for the centre, you could stick a small photograph of the couple with a gold border around it.

Then, on the top line, you could have your wording. On the other hand if, say it was a young couple, you could basically take the same idea, but enclose the photo in a heart shape and along the bottom of your card affix little jewels, which are heart shaped. Sticking a few bits of confetti around the outside of the big heart.

What you need now, is your menu. You could, I suppose, write on the inside of the card, but it is probably better to insert and attach a piece of paper with this, hand written or typed.

Cards, in my experience, are never cheap, so it can be costly when you have to buy a few, so let us now make some place cards. Try this with 8cm of card, make a centre, fold by scoring it first lightly with the knife.

About 1 cm from the top of the card, stick a fairly narrow thin braiding or piece of ribbon across the card with a bit to overlap each side. Once this has stuck fast you can cut the overlap off.

It is possible in haberdashery stores to buy tiny little flower buds which you can then stick on to the centre of your braid. Bear in mind, you only really need the head. Failing this, you could make your own flower heads from tissue and put a small sequin or bead in the centre. With a silver gel pen write the guests name.