12 Beautiful Uses for Note Cards
Did you know that we produce about 300 million tons of paper annually? Considering this statistic, it should be no wonder that paper products make up a $5.9 billion dollar industry in 2022.
One paper product that just does not get enough attention is the humble note card. Note cards are commonly used for studying and sending thank you cards (more on this later).
Yet, there are hundreds of different note card uses that you probably have not considered before. Today, we want to help you get more use out of your note cards with this guide.
Do you want to know the twelve most unique ways to get more use out of your beautiful note cards this year? Then keep reading our article because this one is for you!
1. Design Wedding Note Cards
Wedding note cards are small information cards couples usually send out with wedding invitations. These cards allow guests to provide information that you might need to plan your wedding.
For example, you might include the reception dinner entree choice on your wedding note card. You could also list your gift registry information, parking information for the wedding, or the dress code.
2. Make Stencils
Stencils are a great way to make art. You can also use them in the culinary arts, interior design, fashion, and more. But with so many shapes out there, it can be hard to always have the right stencils on hand.
You could always make a stencil out of paper. Yet, regular paper is often too thin and flimsy, especially if you want it to stand up to paint. That is where note card stencils come in.
To create your index card stencils, draw the design you would like. Then, use an Exacto knife or a pair of very sharp scissors to cut out the note card design.
3. Create Mixed-Media Artwork
Mixed media is an art form that utilizes multiple (or mixed) mediums. For example, an artwork created from ink, paint, and paper mache would be considered mixed media.
It can be fun to add note cards into the mix when creating this type of artwork. You can cut up the note card and use it in a larger work. Or you can use your note cards as canvases for your mixed media artworks.
4. Produce an Accordion Book
Accordion books are beautiful to display. They are also fun for kid-friendly DIY projects. You can fill each page with stories, drawings, or a mixture of artwork and writing.
Here's how to make your very own note card accordion book:
- First, cut each note card in half widthwise
- Next, fold each piece in half, hamburger style
- With the top flap of each card, fold it outwards
- Repeat step 3 with the bottom half of each card
- By now, you should have two Ms or Ws
- Keep cutting and folding note cards until you have enough for your book
- Glue the notecards together to create the accordion-style book
You can reinforce your accordion book using cardboard. Then, feel free to decorate your accordion book however you like! We recommend wrapping the front and back "covers" with scrapbooking paper for a real book-like look.
5. Construct a Poetry Journal
Note cards are the perfect size for poetry writing, especially short poems like haikus, limericks, and sonnets. Once you compile a stack of note cards containing your poems, you can bind them together into a journal of sorts.
Of course, you could create an accordion book (instructions above) to hold your poems. You could also bind your poem-riddled note cards together the old-fashioned way using a hole punch and some pretty ribbon.
Punch holes along the sides of your poetry-filled note cards. Make sure the holes line up with each other. Then, take your ribbon and thread it through the holes, tying a knot or a pretty bow to bind everything together.
6. Assemble a Short Story Collection
Poems are not the only thing you can record in a note card book. You can also use note cards to write short stories. Or write one scene per note card to create a longer narrative.
Again, you can assemble your short story collection in an accordion-style note card book. Or you can bind the cards together sequentially using the method we described above.
If you want a more professional look, you can use binding glue. Brush the binding glue along the edges of your note cards and let dry. You may need to reapply the binding glue a few times to get the results you want.
Once the binding glue dries, get some sticky-back card stock. Add more tacky glue to the back of the adhesive card. Wrap the card stock around the glued, pages and voila! you have a beautifully bound storybook.
7. Put Together a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are great fun for the whole family! And using note cards for your scavenger hunt clues is an easy way to host one of these fun games on the fly.
Our favourite types of scavenger hunts are holiday scavenger hunts. You can write clues on note cards leading your kids to their holiday gifts. This makes gift-giving way more fun!
Scavenger hunts are also a go-to rainy-day activity. You can hide riddles written on note cards around your home and have a prize for the person who solves all the riddles and gets to the end first.
8. Compile a Recipe Book
People have been storing recipes on index cards and note cards for decades. These convenient and compact pieces of paper have just enough room for ingredients and directions. Plus, they will stand the test of time.
You can bind your recipe cards together using one of the methods we have discussed above. Or you can use the file cabinet method and store your index codes in an old-fashioned recipe card box.
9. Generate Flashcards
One of the best uses for note cards is for studying. And this applies to people of all ages. Kids can use note cards to study vocabulary words, while college students can use them to organize their class notes.
And studies show that using flash cards for memorization and other study techniques really does work. This 2022 study found that students significantly increased their test scores by more than 12 points when using flash cards.
Interestingly, using note cards for flashcards can offer even more academic success than digital flash cards. That is because the process of writing note cards with questions and answers boosts learning and memory.
10. Add Them to Your Bullet Journal
Bullet journals are a lot like regular journals or diaries. But they usually contain more than just words. Instead, bullet journals are also a place to doodle, sketch, draw, and get creative.
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of ways to incorporate note cards in your bullet journals. One way is to create pockets inside your bullet journal to hold note cards containing ideas you jot down throughout the day.
To create the pocket, fold a piece of cardstock in half and cut one half of the paper into a pocket shape. Punch holes in the side of the pocket before glueing the bottom of the pocket to the paper. Add washing tape for reinforcement.
Finally, stick the rings of your bullet journal through the punched holes of the pocket paper. You now have a convenient place to store note cards, works of art, poems, or whatever else you want to save from your week or day.
11. Do a 100-Day Project
The 100-Day Project is a community art project Michael Bierut founded in 2007 at the Yale School of Art. Now, people all over the country and the world participate in the #100dayproject each winter.
100-day projects are simple: you have to recreate the same artwork every day for 100 days. For example, you could take a new picture in the same location every day for 100 days.
You can also bring note cards into your 100-day project. For example, you could produce 100 different watercolour paintings using note cards as the canvas for your project. But there are so many other options to consider, too!
12. Write a Thank You Note
Aside from creating flashcards, handwritten thank-you notes are probably the main use for note cards. After all, people have been writing thank you cards for almost as long as paper has been around.
Next time someone gives you a gift or performs a service for you, use your note cards to write a quick thank you. Use colourful pens, add inspirational quotes, or draw small icons on your thank you note cards to create something truly unique and thoughtful.
Pemberly Fox Embossed Note Cards
Sending note cards as thank you letters is not the only use for note cards these days. You can add note cards to your bullet journal, create accordion books with your kids, and so much more.
Are you searching for luxurious embossed note cards for your thank you notes and wedding note cards? Pemberly Fox is the industry's premiere luxury paper provider. Browse our note cards to find the best stationery for you!