More Good as Gold

Tags

Good As Gold, Sale-A-Bration 2014, Thank You Cards

 

Continuing with my thank you cards from the Sale-A-Bration Good as Gold Simply Sent Card Kit (item 133512), I have six more cards to share with you.  These are the correct size for the envelopes that come in the kit unlike the previous post where I did the standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch cards.  As before, I trimmed the card bases from the kit to use them as layers on the card front and then I added some additional items.  Additional items that are not found in the kit but used in the cards shown:

• Decorative Dots Textured Embossing Folder (SAB 2014, item 133520
• Card Stocks:  Pistachio Pudding, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Basic Black
• Bermuda Bay Tafetta Ribbon (IBC, item 131206)
• In Color Dahlias (IBC, 127556)

The first card uses just a small amount of the card base and then a layer of Basic Black that has been embossed using the Decorative Dots Textured Folder.  This folder mimics the pattern found on the paper from the card bases in the Simply Sent kit.  I also used some scrap Bermuda Bay Tafetta Ribbon in this design and you can see that whenever I punched the star out of the gold flag, I tried to use it somewhere else on the card or on another card.  The card base for this one is Crumb Cake.

For the next card, I also used the embossing folder.  Did I mention that this embossing folder is another Sale-A-Bration goodie.  Shhh, don’t tell my husband I spent $50 to earn each item.  😉  On this “danke” card, I used more of the embossed Basic Black layered with the card base piece.  I also used both the twine and gold cord to add a little extra texture near the fold.  I also think that the sentiment flags lend themself well to curling up the flag on one end so you can see I’ve done that on most of the card designs.  Just a little fun touch that adds a little extra dimension to the card.  This card uses the Island Indigo for the base.  The dots are actually Bermuda Bay, but the Island Indigo worked pretty well.

The next thank you card is done with the Pistachio Pudding card stock.  I used all the different flags available from the kit and then added some extra dimension with the embossed Crumb Cake and also some Bermuda Bay Tafetta Ribbon tied with some of the gold cord.  Since I had the ribbon on the flag, I moved it away from the edge of the card.  I did this because the flag had the Pistachio Pudding along the edges and I wanted to allow for some contrast and not have tone on tone with the flag right at the edge.

For the next “danke” card, I decided to run one of the narrow flags from the Simply Sent kit through the embossing folder.  I also left the polka dot card base a little larger for layering onto the Crumb Cake card stock.  I used both the twine and the cord again.  I think this one is a little simpler and cleaner than some of the other ones in this set, but still very nice.  All of these cards are perfect examples that you do not need to be super fancy or use lots of fancy items to make a beautiful handmade card to share with someone.

For the second card using the Crumb Cake base, I added an In Color Dahlia (IBC, item 127556).  I used some smaller pieces of Island Indigo that were embossed using the Decorative Dots folder.  Rather than having the flags all go the same direction, I did a horizontal and a vertical layer.  I like cards with this type of balance.  The small star that was punched out of the gold flag was used on the interior of the card to add just a little extra color.  Although I don’t always show it, I typically use a small piece of leftover card stock or designer series paper to jazz up the inside of the cards.  Nothing too elaborate, just enough to balance the beauty of the front.

The final card used the Island Indigo for the card base and repeats some of the design features you’ve seen in the other cards, just layering card stock and embellishments.  Again, simple, using what I had on hand.  I always save the bits and pieces and try to splurge on at least one package of embellishments or some ribbon in every order.  It really adds a nice touch to the cards.

After completing 12 cards, I still have all 12 of the “for you” sentiment flags available to use in other card designs, several sheets/pieces of the polka dot card base, a few pieces of twine and gold cord, some of the gold flags and the thin flags.  I also have 2 lined envelopes that can be used.  I’m not exactly sure how many cards I can make.  I can at least make 12 “for you” cards using those flags even without using some of the other embellishments.

If you are on the fence about trying to make handmade cards, the Stampin’ Up! Simply Sent Kits are a good place to start.  There are several “Simply” kits in the Occasions Catalog as well as the Idea Book and Catalog.  You can add a package of neutral card stock to your order along with a complimentary package of ribbon or other type of embellishment and go “out of the box” like I did here or you can follow the directions of the kit and still have an absolutely gorgeous project.  Let’s face it, the artists at Stampin’ Up! know what they are doing!  Check out the catalogs and promotions at my website as well the project ideas and class schedule.

God Bless and Happy Stampin’!

Charity

Good As Gold – Sale-A-Bration 2014

Tags

Banner Blast, Banner Punch, Good As Gold, Sale-A-Bration, Thank You Cards

We are a few weeks into Sale-A-Bration now so I’ve picked up a few products already.  My goal each year is to try to get all of the offerings- either by earning them with my purchases or through benefits as a demonstrator.  One of my recent acquisitions during SAB 2014 is the Good As Gold Simply Sent Card Kit, item 133512. 

The kit includes: 

• 8 card bases (3 1/2 x 5 inches)
• 8 envelope liners
• 1 sheet gold foil tags
• 1 sheet printed die cut tags
• 8 pieces gold elastic cord (24 inches each)
• 8 pieces Bermuda Bay Baker’s Twine (24 inches each)

 

If you follow the samples and photos shown, the kit yields 8 cards.  Using the sentiments provided, you can make general occasion cards/gift cards (for you) or thank you cards.  The sentiments are in English, French and German which is a fun twist.  I have to send out several thank you cards so I opted to make thank you cards.  Also, since I have to produce so many cards, I decided to cut the card bases in half and use them as a layer on a plain card stock base.  I used Island Indigo, Crumb Cake and Pistachio Pudding for the cards shown.

In addition to the items included with the kit, I embellished my cards with a few extra accessories:

• Banner Blast Stamp Set (SAB 2014, item 133551)
• Banner Punch (SAB 2014, item 133519)
• In Color Boutique Details (IBC item 130938)
• RETIRED ITEM:  Bitty Clear Buttons (you can get a similar look using Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, item #127555)

By cutting the card bases in half, I will be able to make at least 16 cards.  However, if I don’t use the entire piece of card base as a layer, I will be able to get more.  There are enough sentiments to get 12 thank you cards, but using some other stamps, I should be able to get a few more. 

So far, I’ve completed 6 cards.  More to come later.  But here the close-ups of each of the cards so you can see the detail.  Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2014 so if you’d like a chance to have some of these great products, now is the time to act.  For every $50 you spend, you earn 1 item.  Shop online 24 hours a day or contact me to host a show and receive hostess benefits. 

Stampin’ Up! is also offering a special recruiting promotion during Sale-A-Bration, become a demonstrator for only $99 and receive $150 worth of product. Visit my Stampin’ Up! website for details on joining my team.

 

 

God Bless and Happy Stampin’!

Charity

Stampin’ Again

Tags

My Digital Studio, Paper Pumpkin, Sale-A-Bration

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a stamper!  Sale-A-Bration is in full swing.  For those who don’t know about Sale-A-Bration, it is the time of year when Stampin’ Up! gives you FREE items for every $50 you spend.  Free stamps, free paper, free accessories, free punches, free embossing folders, free digital content; I’m not sure what else would be better!

To check out the Sale-A-Bration items, visit my Stampin’ Up! website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/charityl/promotions. 

 

Since my last post way back in July, lots has been going on for me and it has not afforded me much time in my stamp room.  A few days after that post, I attended my second boot camp class at the local YMCA.  It didn’t go as planned.  I jumped over a little hurdle and did not land like a cat.  More like a really clumsy, awkward dog.  I sprained my ankle in the worst possible way, tore just about every tendon in my ankle and ended up in a cast and on crutches.  I slowly worked my way up to a walking boot and then a brace by October, but I did not heal enough and we scheduled surgery for December.  Unfortunately, my stamp room is not too accessible when on crutches and I often end up trying to elevate my ankle while laying in bed or on the couch.  Not so friendly for stamping.  I have been managing to get my Paper Pumpkin projects done and I managed to get Christmas cards done in the knick of time, but not much else.  So, as I continue to heal and am back in the walking boot hoping to start physical therapy next month, I plan to get back in there for more crafting. 

We also lost my wonderful mother-in-law in January and my heart is broken as we learn how to move forward in life without her with us.  She fought a long battle with multiple sclerosis and a 2 year one with brain cancer.  Most people are blessed with one mother to help them through life, I was blessed with two.  The one I was born to and the one I received in marriage.  As I finally got back into my craft room yesterday to make Valentine’s for my husband (no judgement on waiting until the last minute!) and then today to work on Thank You cards for people who have brought us meals after my surgery and helped with the memorial for my mother-in-law, I was reminded how much she loved my handmade cards and I felt inspired to get back in the regular habit of doing what I love.  In the last few months of her life, her physical ailments didn’t always allow her to do the things she wanted to so I know she would want me to keep doing the things I love despite my injury.

So, you will be seeing some more from me, I’ll have a post soon on Sale-A-Bration Projects.  I recently placed an order and got a few items in my box.  I also have some My Digital Studio projects to share.  I made my first family album and I love the way it turned out so I’ll be sharing that.  Digital scrapbooking was the one thing I could do from my bed while laid up.  If you want to give it a try, My Digital Studio is available for a free 30 day trial.  It is very easy to use and they have great online tutorials when you do get stuck on something.  And of course, there is the Paper Pumpkin subscription.  It is a monthly project that comes to your mailbox and it is less than $20 a month and you can place your subscription on hold at any time.  Check it out at www.mypaperpumpkin.com.  If you identify me as your demonstrator, we can exchange ways to tweak the project to make it unique.  For example, I turned my January project from a Valentine theme to a Thank You theme by using some extra stamps. 

God Bless and Happy Stampin’!

Charity