Just curious, someone gave me the idea to do a poll - before I send out handmade Christmas cards and your loved ones don't get them. Gosh, Kevin gets his, they always bend the paper back a little to see if there's anything in there, but then he still gets the card. I guess it;s different everywhere. I guess if there's no one who can receive them, I won;t make any for the card exchange - just wanted to know in advance so I can start if need be......

In your loved ones facility, are handmade cards allowed in?

I don't know what you put on your hand made cards !!! Joey can't receive any kind of stickers for instance.

For the moment I don't answer your poll untill I know what you mean exactly by hand made card. Or maybe some other members dealing with Fla DOC might answer for me. :)

Phil

my daugter makes cards for Kenny, and he gets them. she makes them out of construction paper, markers, stickers, glue, tape, etc...just kiddy stuff

DeniseJ

You can make them on the computer and I can't see why you couldn't use colored pencils, gel pens and glitter pens on them. Anything like stickers or stuff glued on won't get into most prisons. But you can make ones with stuff glued on and scan and print a scan of them.

Also if there are pieces of paper guled on top of paper... smaller pieces that make the design of the card - where my Partner is they would not allow that... they don't like the commercial cards that have a 'double paper' either...

It is going to be different from prison to prison - even between prisons in the same state!

I guess maybe the handmade cards aren't a great idea - unless I do the scanning of them, kind of takes away the 3D kind of thing tho.

Usually I use cardstock, I use stampers to whhite cardstock then color them, then cut them out to usually double-stick tape to several layers of colored cardstock. Sometiems I use ribbon, ornaments, dried flowers, leaves,etc. I also use stickers also, tasteful ones - but if they don't take stickers, I doublt they'd let in any of my cards!

Actually my cards are ooohd and ahhhd even by the CO's where Kevin is. Like I said, sometimes they lift up the sides of all layers to make sure there's nothing in there, but usually give them to him. They don't like glue, so I usually use double-stick tape. It makes me laugh cuz I put stickers all over his envelopes, but they cut of the postage stamp. They never say anything about the tons of stickers on the envelopes!

Well, unless there's a call for it, Ill stick to store cards or computer made ones. Glad I asked! I almost just assumed!

It used to be that, in Oregon, you could send the women just about anything so long as it was paper. Then they kind of revised that to be more exclusive. And you can send cards to both men and women but not blank cards------so if you write very lightly in pencil in cards then your loved ones can erase the message out and re-use or trade off the cards. One man I wrote to had a ton of birthdays while I wrote to him.

I've sent Tony cards that I've produced on the computer and he gets a lot of shop bought ones that have the double paper in, they've never been a problem in Illinois. Well, not in Menard, anyway.

Rose

Nothing glued on, layered, etc. will be accepted in Michigan. I have also had them reject one with glitter.

What I'm doing for card projects is using rubber stamps and making cards that way - I use post cards. They are less expensive to mail and you can either buy a package of 200 post cards for under $8 or you can cut your own - getting 4 from each piece of card stock and you don't need an envelope. For those on a budget, its an affordable way to be involved in the project.

mrs. d

I have sent simple hand made cards to my guy... sketching paper folded in half with pen and ink, colored pencils... haven't tried taping them or anything though.

I bought him a card that was two pieces held together by a paper ribbon, and they took the ribbon off, but gave him both pieces of the card.

good maybe someone can help me on this...i have been wondering about this. i make and have been making greeting cards for my husband ken for a while now. but he has never seen them before because i use acryilic paints (craft paints). there is no sparkles in the paints. but i am wondering....am i able to send these cards to my hubby? i can also do them with colored pencils, but i would rather him see them with the paints. please let me know.

also, in texas where my husband is, will they except homemade envelopes? if anyone knows, please let me me know

terri

No, in Utah they can't recieve any home made cards even cards bought at a store that are not one sheet of paper folded and written on seems to get sent back, if they have any folds, stickers glue, anything it is sent back and the reason always is... "can not search item without distroying it"

My man sends me handmade cards all the time. Lots of pictues, he loves to draw, and he does it sooo good.

Our kids sent my hubby construction paper cards when he was in Noble CI, CRC Orient, and the Franklin County Jail in Ohio. They Had designs glued on them,were painted glitered, you name it. I never made one myself, but I would have to assume they would let it in if I did.
We didn't send anything like that when he was at San Quentin because Cali seemed alot more strict with everything else that Ohio was.
CJ

The Rule of Thumb: You don't know til you try. I send Hand made cards all the time, let me just say an Xacto knife and a few tucks here and there usually work instead of glue. Use your Imagination, he'll love it!

one thing that i have discovered are the decorative punches and scissors-- these actually decorate the paper!!! at everglades correctional institution (florida) they don't allow a whole lot in-but they seem to allow stickers-- as long as the paper is not more than two pieces stuck together it seems to go through. no ribbons are allowed and i can't "sew" stuff and use thread or anything like that. but if i keep it simple-- it works.

Mrs. D is right, In Michigan you cannot send anything that has something stuck, glued or adhered in any manner. When I stamp cards for Bill I use rubber stamps, colored pencils and chalks. I don't glue anything to it, so it is one peice of paper, with colors and what not. I also, punch little things in it, with a paper punch..it is really neat to see only part of the inside of the card through little spots on the outside. I always ask before I send them out to other inmates too. I just want to be sure that they let them in before I do it.

Hey, Mrs.D.....what size paper do you use for postcards....12x12?? Can you tell me what size and whatnot, I would love to try that...sounds fun....Give me the details...Thanks!!!

My son makes cards--but i havent tried glitter or glueing. SO far the regular homemade cards havent been denied.

ONE

It All Depends What The Card Has On It-my Mijo Isnt Allowed To Recieve Anything With Glitter And Stuff Like That--its Soo Strict Ova There! :blah: WHEN I GO AND VISIT HIM EVERYTHING IS SEARCHED AND NOTHING GETS PAST THAT FIRST DOOR! THEY GOT SO MANY RULES, IT AINT EVEN FUNNY-THE WAY THEY DO THINGS DOWN THERE I WAS ALREADY BEGINNING TO THINK I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE A CONTACT VISIT-BUT NOPE-THEY GOT ALL THEM RULES AND THE VISIT IS BEHIND GLASS-AND THROUGH A CRUMMY, PHONE!! :angry:

:shake:I HATE HAVING TO DO DEAL WITH ALL OF THIS NON-SENSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT-BUT OH WELL:p THATS ALL APART OF LIVIN LIFE N LOVE WITH A THUG...:shrug: