Stamps and Ribbons

Playing around with some crafting elements on pre-cut card sets. Simple, fast and colourful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Each season has its own charm and fall is probably the most fashionable of them all (I can finally break out my boots!). Autumn colours are warm and rich, making them very fun to work with.

I was invited to a Thanksgiving turkey dinner at the house of some friends this past weekend which gave me the perfect excuse to break out the punches and stamps. These cards were actually very easy to put together and that lovely array of colours is thanks to paint chips.

My personal stamp!

I can't wait until I have time to work on some Christmas cards!

Quick Stamp

I have been so busy these last few weeks. Sadly, far too busy for crafting or at least, crafting any project that would take more than an hour at most. Still, on a sunny post-call day, I could not resist at least making something small and quick just for the fun of it. I pulled out my stamps and some blank cards and whipped together this cute card set in under an hour. I plan on using these as thank you notes – there are several people I need to thank for helping me get through this crazy month.

I have always been fond of clean, spare designs. Not adding too many frills really lets the stamps shine.

Materials: White index cards

Tools:  Recollections™ clear stamps, Recollections™ Signature Dye Ink Pad Ruby, Recollections™ Signature Dye Ink Pad Cricket

Time to Make: <1 hour

Nerdy Thank You Card

I was cleaning out my desk when I came across this old card.

I sketched out the letters first before inking. I hate it when I run out of room on a card for lettering.

This one was made over two years ago. After I got accepted into my current job, I made a whole batch of thank you cards for everyone who had helped me put together my application or be my references. Can you tell that I am in the field of genetics? ; )

The 'thank you's are made up of chromosomes. (The bands are not accurate but I was not thinking about that at the time) The design was very simple since I only used a sharpie and white Mayfair but I think its effective. I like the almost graphic look to them. 

I made 16 identical cards while watching some TVB crime drama (I do not remember which one…).  Now that is productivity. *grin*

Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.8 cm

Materials: white Mayfair paper

Tools: ruler, utility knife, sharpie

Time to Make: Cannot remember

I plan on make more genetically-themed cards but unfortunately, I do not have any good ideas currently. Any suggestions? If you come across any greeting card-type pictures or quotes related to genetics, please send them my way.

Card Making

Card making is in.

When I go to the library, I love checking out the newest issue of Papercrafts (http://www.papercraftsmag.com/index.html). These cards are worlds away from the 8.5’x11’-printer-paper-folded-into-four cards that we used to make in elementary school. These are professional looking die-cut-stamped-glittered-quality-cardstock cards. They put Hallmark to shame. 

Over the past year, I have amassed a healthy collection of cardstock (I am completely in love with linen texture!) and was given a variety of different embellishments (ie. Stickers, patterned paper, die cuts, etc.) for a graduation gift. I have also recently bought myself a letter stamping set and a box of ink. So really, I have everything to start my own card making empire. Unfortunately, I have just not made the time to sit down and make anything yet.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I did do an afternoon of card making with a friend a few months back (now she has a truly impressive collection of card making supplies) and these are the results.

Blue Thank you card:

Front

Inside

Back

Pink Thank you card:

Front

Inside

Back

I was experimenting with stamping and coloured pencils. A little rough but I think it’s a good start. Personally, I like my pink card better than the blue one - its brighter. It will be interesting to compare these early efforts with my later ones. Soon, I too will put Hallmark to shame!