Quilted postcards are a unique alternative to a traditional paper greeting card. By sending a quilted card, you will be sharing your craft, giving something truly unique and saving paper which is important to many people who are vowing a "greener" life as a resolution for the coming year.

Quilted postcards are perfectly fine to send through the United States postal system. There are a few regulations you have to meet. Check with your local post office to learn the dimensions that are allowable and the current postage cost. Remember to use a permanent marker that will not smear when writing the addresses on fabric. Also, print clearly to make reading the addresses easier for the postal carrier.

Looking for ideas? Try these blocks for your quilted postcard needs:

Birthdays: cupcake with a candle appliqué block, a flower block, or a favorite theme (such as cars, fishing, etc.), any traditional pattern with birthday theme fabric

Wedding anniversaries: a wedding ring block, a photo block using a photo of the recipients, or a traditional favorite of the recipient

Baby themes: any traditional pattern in pastels, appliqué blocks such as Sunbonnet Sue or Overall Sam, any custom appliqué idea to match the new baby's nursery

Missing You: any traditional pattern in any color scheme

Here are a few monthly ideas to get you started:

January: snowmen, snowflakes, "happy New Year" block

February: Valentine hearts, flowers

March: clovers, any traditional pattern in spring colors

April: Easter basket, bunny themes, umbrellas for "April showers"

May: flowers for Mother's Day, any traditional block in spring colors for all occasion cards

June: traditional blocks in masculine colors for Father's day, theme postcards like fishing, hunting, etc.

July: patriotic designs, traditional designs in summer colors

August: back to school themes such as apples, school houses

September: traditional blocks in fall colors

October: Halloween pumpkin postcards (try using ghosts and other goblins, too), candy corn, witch blocks, traditional blocks in seasonal prints and colors

November: turkeys and praying hands for Thanksgiving, turkey in the straw design, election theme, bread basket design, patriotic designs and colors for Veterans' Day

December: holiday designs for Christmas and Hanukah such as star patterns, candle patterns, wreaths, trees and any traditional pattern in seasonal colors and patterns

There's no limit to the types of quilted postcards you can create. Look for online quilt block libraries to get even more ideas. Why not join up with other quilting friends to start a quilted postcard program? Make and send them to service members of our military. Send your cards to hospitalized children, or find another group of people who might need some cheering up. Join forces with www.fabric-postcards.com. It's a great way to share your love of quilting with others and a great way to make someone happy with your hobby.

The great part about making quilted postcards is that it's a wonderful way to use those scraps you have lying around. Less fabric will go to waste! And while many paper cards end up in the trash after a couple of weeks, your quilted postcard is sure to be kept as a priceless memento and might even be found hanging on a wall or sitting on a desk for quite some time.

Make sharing your love for quilting a New Year's resolution. What better way to share it than by sending quilted postcards instead of the usual paper cards? You'll be hooked on making them and just might encourage another friend to pick up the hobby as well!