DIY Recycled Card Garland for Spring

No craft supplies are no problem with this easy DIY recycled card garland for spring.   I love crafts and home decor that stretches the budget or – better yet, can look cute for $0.  Because these days, that is my craft, home decor, and hobby budget all rolled into one.  Which is why I’m so thrilled I could make this cheery DIY recycled card garland without spending any money on craft supplies.  It’s surprisingly sturdy – and can be used year after year, storing flat and taking up very little room – and it adds just the right amount of cheer to a mantle, credenza or, in my case, the kitchen window.

My Mom downsized a few years ago and so we sifted through hundreds of cards she had received.  We kept super special ones and, to help the keep pile from getting too big, she cut out some of the messages from many more and recycled the decorative part.  Well, she thought she recycled the cards.  I took the box of cards home instead, and turned them into a cheery DIY spring garland!  I guess I have a hard time letting go of things too, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of recycling some of these beautiful designs.

Want to make your own DIY recycled card garland?  This is all you need – and I bet you have it all at home already!

Supplies for Recycled Card Garland:

• Pretty cards, cardstock, old photos – anything on a firm paper with some pretty color
• Glue stick
• Yarn or string (I used white cotton yarn)
• XL Circle Paper Punch (or trace and cut by hand)
• Clear 3M hooks for hanging

How to Make Recycled Card Garland:

Cut circles out of the cards using an XL circle punch, or trace something circular (like a glass) and cut them by hand.  I do love my XL punch though – I used it to make my alcohol ink cards inspired by Lake Superior.  And now that I think of it, alcohol ink garland would be stunning too!  Okay, back to this DIY recycled card garland.  Next, glue the back side, lay down a piece of string/yarn, and the glue the backside of another and press together, sandwiching the string in between.  Press down along the edges and especially where the string/yarn is.  It’s super easy to make!  I just cut one big long piece of white cotton yarn and worked my down, leaving a few millimeters between each disc.   You can leave some extra at the ends too, to tie it somewhere. Or cut off the ends and drape it over two hooks like I did.

Then I used two clear 3M hooks at the corners of my window to hang my new recycled card garland.   I wish I had a proper mantle because all of these colorful discs would really POP against my black fireplace!

This was a cheap and cheerful craft to make and a nice way to let those cards live on as spring home decor.  I plan to make a sparklier version with old Christmas cards for the holidays – and maybe hang it in various lengths on the fireplace for some sparkle.

This would be a fun project to make with kids but, quite honestly, I found it really relaxing too.  Sometimes it’s nice to sit down with a cup of tea and make something easy and repetitive like this – it calms the nerves and keeps the hands busy.  I cut the circles while I was watching TV one night and then made the garland the next morning.  It didn’t take long, but it may occupy small hands for longer.

I “borrowed” this little vintage bunny vase from my Mom when I worked on her stairwell makeover and now I don’t think I want to return it.  I don’t have that much spring decor (you can see more here) so I think I need it.  Honestly, with the arrival of chicks, I’m okay with even just a little spring decor because I’m already in a spring mood.

I hope you liked this upcycled spring craft idea and that it inspires you to make some cheery garland this weekend.   You can make these for every season and it’s a great way to create some free holiday decor and let those beautiful card designs get another moment in the spotlight.