Make Placemats from Greeting Cards

There are various methods of making placemats for your table, but this one is perfect for right after the holidays because you can recycle your greeting cards! These holiday-themed placemats will make a fitting seasonal decoration for next year.

Steps

1. Dig out last year's greeting cards.
2. Scribe 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) circles on the picture areas of ten (preferably color coordinated) greeting cards. Center the photo/pic in the circle.
3. Cut out the circles.
4. Cut two sheets of clear contact paper to approximately 20x26 inches (50x65 cm).
5. Peel away the paper backing from one sheet of contact paper.
6. Arrange the greeting cards on the sticky surface so that they are overlapping in three rows. (A row of three cards, then a middle row of 4 cards, and then a bottom row of 3 cards). Overlap so that there are no gaps between rows or adjacent circles.
   
   
   • Feel free to experiment with different arrangements, for example, a wreath, tree, or dove. Consider using more cards back to back for a two-sided placemat.
7. Peel away the paper backing from the second sheet of contact paper.
8. Carefully place the second sheet over the cards and smooth out any bubbles.
9. Trim the contact paper approximately 1/2 an inch from the edges of the greeting card circle(s).
10. Pat yourself on the back for creating an easily cleanable placemat from recycled greeting cards!

Tips

• You can also use single circles to make coasters.

Warnings

• Scissors are sharp. Handle with care.

Things You'll Need

• Greeting cards to recycle
• Clear Contact Paper or adhesive plastic film
• Scissors
• 4-6inch round object to trace or Scrapbooking circle templates.
• Compass (Optional- may poke hole in card)
• Laminating sheets (optional)
• Heat sealer (optional)

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See also

• Make a Paper Straw
• Make a Paper Daisy
• Make Placemats by Weaving Paper Strips
• Fold a Paper Into Thirds
• Make Paper Look Old
• Make a Translation Tessellation
• Make a Paper Bag
• Make a 3D Paper Snowflake
• Fold a Hexaflexagon
• Use Paper Creatively

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What links here

• Make Table Placemats from Cloth
• Make Table Placemats with Leaves
• Make a Gift Box out of a Greeting Card
• Make a Gift Pouch from a Greeting Card
• Put Old Greeting Cards to Use
• Recycle Christmas Cards