A Notecard Box Set

Here's my finish to the Year of Psalms notecards.  A handmade card box using cardstock and a little ingenuity.  The box was made something like this.  I varied the sizes by 1/4 in. to allow the lid to fit snugly, but easily over the box.      The front was embellished with one of the Year of Psalms stamp that is featured on  each card.

I kept the flowers the same using my Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms stamp and die set ot create the flowers and leaves.  The box needed to have some pizzazz so I used a little glitter paper, again, keeping the design simple focused on the sentiment stamp. 

The second box, I toyed with some of the patterned paper in the cards to create these flags.  I like the differences in the embellishments, a decided style difference.

In the end, I love them all and had so much fun.  I'm sure these stamps will be a go to when I need a quick gift/card set in the future.  I'd challenge you all to do the same, use those stamps and be amazed by the beauty they create.

A Finish to the Psalms Notecards

I'm finishing out my notecard set using the Papertrey Ink Year of Psalms stamp sets with my favorite of these stamps.  For this card, I used the Year of Psalms July mini stamp which comes with these fun embellishments, the wheat sheaf looking stamp and the berry branch stamp.  These tiny stamps allow for some really neat embellishing of the sentiment stamp.  I picked out this super fun plaid for the background which dictated the pink coordinating flowers using my Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms stamp and die set.  A little glitter finish the backdrop keeping the sentiment stamp the star. 

So the card set is done.  I'm truly pleased, these stamps and dies made the process so easy that even with my busy work schedule, I was able to whip this set up in no time.  I've dedicated myself to a grand finish and am thinking, card box to house these lovelies for gifting.  The bits and pieces are out on the workbench, so I'm going back to finish now.

Giving Thanks - More of the Psalms Notecards

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For this notecard, I considered going for the obvious fall colored cards.  However, I noticed that there were quite a few of the yellow variety already, so I went in the opposite direction - towards a more summery color palette.  In this card I used my Papertrey Ink Year of Psalms August mini stamp and again chose the keep the theme with my Mix and Mat Pretty Brackets die.  The flowers are Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms die cuts. 

The Lord has truly been good to me.  Look at the abundance I've had the privilege to enjoy!  ... and there are still more to make.  I'm thinking of finishing the weekend fun with the last of the set and maybe a wrapper to gift these cards in.

Fun Notecards - More of the Psalms

I'm keeping my commitment to make notecards with my new-to-me Papertrey Ink Year of Psalms stamp sets.  Here's the latest using my Year of Psalms August mini stamp and Mix and Mat Pretty Brackets die.  I found that I need to use my MISTI stamping tool to ensure a strong stamp on some of the stamps like this one - big and bold, the MISTI gives me the opportunity to stamp twice if I miss or don't get solid inking.

There's more of my Birds and Blooms die cut flowers, simple and sweet so that the stamped sentiment is the star.  I'm still loving this card set and so I'll be back later this week with a couple more.  I've also started thinking of the finish for these sets as well.

Another Psalms Notecard

Here's the second in my Psalms notecard set.  Whoa doggies, this is a ton of fun.  Easy to spend time after a long day at work creating these lovely cards, but not so much that I feel either overwhelmed or burdened.  Keeping the design the same worked well too, so I think I'll do that with the remaining stamps. 

This card was stamped using my Year of Psalms March mini stamp and some colored ink for the layered stamping.  I also decided to place these on black card bases to create a very graphic stunning effect.  I'm selecting from a pad of patterned paper for all the backgrounds as well. Keeping the process simple to stay motivated for my challenge.

These two will go with the first two and I'm 40% of my way through.  How fun!

Psalms Notecard

Papertrey Ink is always such a temptation to me.  I try to ignore what they have going on because I can become almost a hoarder about their products.  My temptation became too great and I've picked up a few of their Psalms of the Year stamps.  They almost always have some die set too, but I resisted (for the most part), instead getting this fantastic die set - Pretty Brackets.  This die cut with a impression frame worked so nicely, I've decided to make a set of cards with my stamps.  I'm going try to be diligent about making, photographing and posting these cards regularly over then coming days.

This card was made by stamping with various stamps from the Year of Psalms June mini stamp.  I matched the coloring of the flowers (Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms flowers watercolored to select colors) selected and the feel of the stamp in the background patterned paper to make the card design go together quickly since I intend to make a pack of 5 cards and maybe make two sets at the same time.

Oh so pretty!  I am simply in love with these and can't wait to create with what remains in my new purchases.

Geometric Watercoloring

October and November are infamously known in my family as "birthday season".  We have quite a few individuals who celebrate during this fun time of the year so I typically need to make a few cards, many masculine themed.  I used a geometric background stamp to white emboss some watercolor paper.  I the filled in the sections with Mission Gold watercolor paint.  Such a simple design, but very effective.

Inside, a simple sentiment.  One down, a few more to go!

For Those Who Love Horses

One last post of this adorable watercolor created by Brandy for her son, Ryan's clinic.  The image is stamped onto watercolor cardstock and then colored with the Mission Gold watercolors, layering and combining colors to create this very artistic card.  Some splatters of paint make it that much more interesting!

What do you think?  Simple, fantastic and ever so appropriate for the task.

Andie for 

A Welcome for the Jumping Clinic

I don't know whether we've ever really talked much about Brandy's son, but Ryan is a grown man with his own business providing lessons, training horses and arranging clinics for jumping skills.  Brandy is very proud of her young man and decided to make a few items for his most recent clinic.  The start is a guest book.  An embossed, stamped image on the front is the perfect minimalist effort.  Perfect!

Since the clinic was to work on skills a Instamatic camera was provided to capture images and sign the guest book.  Great idea and a fun set up for the clinic.

Didn't Brandy set a fantastic table to great guests?  This was all easily set up outside the event and provided a fun way to promote and accentuate the experience.  I'm constantly amazed by my friend and this just adds to the amazement.

Andie for 

Finishing Projects from the Stash

I stumbled upon this lovely card kit which was mostly undone.  I can't for the life of me remember which time or what circumstance left a card kit undone, but decided immediately to put them together.  The kit includes a bunch of Basic Grey patterned paper, die cuts, etc.  I know that dates it at least several years old since Basic Grey has been out of business at least a couple of years at this point.

Proof that timeless style doesn't go out, these cards are as cute today and yesterday.  They've been forwarded to the stash where I'll use them during the holidays.

Most of the effort was in inking the edges to add some depth and interest to the cards.  The rest was simply placing pieces into the right spots and gluing down. 

Not bad for a lovely evening of crafting, don't you think?  Plus, one less hoarded supply that all used up!

A Bunch of Birthday Sentiments

Brandy shared this lovely creation with me.  She used her Concord & 9th Pallets and Petals stamp and die set.  I thinking the whole card turned out perfectly.  Those pallet boards look very realistic ad the white embossing pairs perfectly with her multi-colored flowers stamped and die cut.  This is a great versitle set that makes putting a card together a breeze.

Andie for