Discovering the lost art of letter writing

Welcome to Scrapnel.

Doesn't matter how old you are or where you live, I bet you know someone who is a "scrapbooker."

The term is a little ambiguous these days. Scrapbooking isn't just about scrapbooks. There's card making and all sorts of other paper crafts out there. And Scrapnel is your new place to learn about them.

Outside of tips and tricks, you'll get information about the unending supply of products available.There's also a quote-of-the-month and other sources to improve your journaling.

But most importantly -- there's you. The scrapbooker. You're the best part about Scrapnel. This once-a-month column is a great place share your ideas (and upcoming scrapbooking-related events) with other readers.

So contact features editor Callie Clark Miller with your favorite paper craft projects and scrapbooking news at 335-6611, ext. 128, e-mail cmiller@semissourian.com or write to PO Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

And happy scrapping.

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With all the new and improved forms of communication out there -- e-mail, text-messaging, cell phones -- there aren't a lot of good reasons to use the postal service to get a message to friends and loved ones.

Well, here's a good reason: this nifty card-making idea.

It's called the "diamond foldnote" and is from the "Clever Cards" idea book. When folded closed, the card resembles a square envelope with an accordian-folded note within (offering lots of writing space for those extra-long thank-yous). Here's how to make it:

1. Fold an 11-by-11-inch square diagonally, creasing well.

2. Mark dots 5.5 inches and 10 inches from the left end of the folded edge (the longest side). Fold points of triangle to the opposite dots. Crease well.

3. Fold the tip of the left point back, so that the new fold is at the bottom of the "v" formed by the overlapping sections. Crease.

4. Open and flatten the point to make a diamond pocket. The top flap tucks in here.

5. Glue and accordian-folded piece of paper instead. Consider decorating it with stickers, stamps, or whatever fits your theme.

6. Fold the card up and tie a piece of twine around it.