Need Idea for Gift

email me the poem and I will email you back with something really nice that you can print at walmart and frame. I have a computer program that creates photo collages, prints, etc.

Take it to a print shop and have them print it on a fabric for you to frame, which would last longer and maybe look prettier than paper.

I would be sure to use acid & lingen free paper (scrapbooking paper), and use acid-free ink to write with. (I'm pretty sure that ink jet ink does well over time, too, so you could probably print it right on your fancy paper.) Also, I would have it professionally framed/sealed. If you don't like your handwriting, take it to a local printer and see if they'll emboss it. I definitely agree that a mat would dress it up, too.

I use scrapbook paper for all kinds of things. You can get it at any craft store like Joanne's or Michaels for less than a dollar a sheet. Your home printer will print right on it. I've used it for birthday invitations, as the background for a shadowbox, etc. It's archival safe so it won't fade quickly like other papers. And you have hundreds of possible designs and colors.

I don't know how long your poem is, but you could have the poem printed with vinyl lettering. I am an independent consultant with Uppercase Living and can create anything you want in nearly any size and color, and it can be applied on anything except unfinished wood. If you would like to check it out you can go to my website at http://michelleklemm.uppercaseliving.net

Hope this helps,
M.

An amateur calligrapher would probably do it for a little bit of nothing (ask around). Or buy some nice 'certificate' type stock paper (they make all kinds) and print it off your computer in a co-ordinating (or contrasting) color of ink.

Hello S., I am from MO and there you could get paper that had different pictures or scenes at places like an office supply store or bookstores. I am not an artist but a friend of mine sketched a picture of a rose on an off white paper then hand wrote a poem over it, then put it in a frame. You could also try a card store or card section at the store.

If you print it on cardstock paper it will be more durable. You can usually find cardstock in many colors. Or if you know anyone who uses Creative Memories scrapbook stuff get some paper from them. The paper is guarantee to not fade even in direct sunlight. My sister did a poem for my Dad once, although it was suppose to be from my nephew. She did my nephew's handprint on the paper and printed the poem over it.

Craft stores (Michaels, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, etc) have single sheets of scrap book paper you can buy. Perhaps you could find a paper you liked (for well under a dollar) and use a font you like on your word processor/computer, and find a nice frame you like as well (on sale) to put it in.

Hi, I had a friend make me a similar gift. she printed out song lyrics onto Vellum (I don't know if you know what that is or not, but it's see through paper that you can get a the craft store) and then she put my maternity picture under the vellum so that my picutre showed through the lyrics and put them in a frame. It was really neat.

so you could put a picture under your poem. Good luck!!!

Kinko's is fantastic!

For my husband and my anniversary this year, I took a Marine Corps ball picture faded it on the computer and printed the poem over top of the picture on picture paper. Then I framed it. My husband loved it.

S.,

What about handwriting on the glass of a frame? You can purchase a marker for writing on glass at a Craft Store like Micheals and seal with Modge Podge (dries clear). You can use a piece of scrap wallpaper or fabric material inside the frame as the back ground.

If you still wanted to "print" I believe a heavy linen paper would do the trick. The linen in the paper would probably age nicely. I believe a "big box" craft store would carry linen paper or a local print shop could sell by the sheet too.

Good luck and what a nice thoughtful gift for your mom!

Hi - as a woodworker who makes frames I want to suggest a handcrafted frame - perhaps of some local special wood (the cool thing about handmade frames is that you can use even wood that would not work for anything else , because you need so little.) This way you can get really unusual grain and features (like knots etc.)

There is a site called "etsy" and I have some stuff on "craftsie" f you want to get some ideas. I think a framed poem would be great with a mat so think about your final size needs if you try to order a custom frame from a woodworker. If you get a standard size mat you can buy it off the shelf and save a bunch.

hi S., i am a mother from Green Mother Goods and i was just thinking of a shadow box that one of our consigners made from things that she found from her Grandmothers after she passed away. her Grandmother had collected so many little things and she didn't want to just throw them away so she took some shallow wooden box (kind of like a drawer divider-some products come wraped with them..) She added some wallpaper scraps, lace,small spools, small silk flowers, wrapped wire,jewelary pices....and arranged them in the box with a poam printed on paper(you can use archive inks if you like-call creative printing)and she burnt the edges of the paper to give it a unique look. They are great. I think we still have a couple at the store if you would like to see them or purchase one. i got one for my girls on valentines day and it looks so sweet in their room. Good luck!~meredith anders

Michaels frame shop (inside the craft store) has things that is supposed to not fade but I don't know if they could print it or not. I would check with one of the office supply stores and see if they can print it off on something pretty and on something that won't fade.
Good luck.

Try an office supply store like Office Depot or Staples. They do printing for things like business cards and business presentations. I used to use Office Depot when I was in medical sales, and they did do single-printed orders that I did not need anymore than a few of. I am sure they would help you with your small order of one page.:) Also-maybe a store like kinko copy shop. Hope you find what you are looking for. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

A couple of suggestions:
Hallmark stores have a printer, you can type on the puter, you choose a aper with an edging, and it prints the whole thing beautifully. I made some invitations that way. Then buy a frame, or have it framed.
Pick a lovely paper from a stationery store, and take it to a calligraher, then, frame it.
Pick a beautiful velvet folding frame, and have it put in that with a photo of you and children on the other side.

this is just an idea... i did this for my mother... instead of putting the poem on papaer do an apron. we did this and she loved it! also if shes not the apron type you can go to walgreens or kinkos and have them put things like photos and print on things like pillow cases blankets ect. so that might be a fun alternative to just a poem in a frame.