Birthday Card from Wooden Spools $0

I don't know why I have things like this in my stash. Actually, yes I do. I have them because I love anything that resembles a sewing notion. I always make a motion for notions. These are available at any craft store. Unfinished wooden spools. Get some.

Stain them. I used spray-on ink. Easy. Just squirt, let sit, and rub off the residue with a paper towel. If you don't have spray ink you could use paint, an ink pad, or probably even a cup of tea. Or you could always just use it as-is.

Type the birthday message. You will have to make sure that the message is just under the width of the spool and about 1/4" less than the circumference around the spool. My messages were 1.75" wide and 4.25" long.

Glue to spool with a glue stick. Glue the bottom of the message first, where you signed your name, so that when you wrap the note around the spool the header will lay on top and look nice and neat.

Punch circles from neat paper to paste to the end of the spools for fake spool labels. I used a map of Paris. Glue circles to ends of spool with a glue stick.

Find some neat ribbon. Ooh, I have a stash of antiqued bias tape that would make your head spin. And if you're wondering about my adorable square pincushion...Jaime made it for me. You'll have to talk to Jaime.

Cleverly conceal your words of love by wrapping the ribbon around the spool.

Pin it with a pretty pin. Like one with a pearl head. This is your friend, after all. They deserve better than a silver straight pin. Drop the finished spool in a sack and maybe add some salted chocolate. Again, don't you love your friend? Give them the square you've been hoarding in your stash!