I was inspired by a multitude of posts, all originating from a challenge and sample by JulieHRR (from Splitcoaststampers) with a simple, no-layer card that caught my eye and was absolutely gorgeous! I knew I HAD to do that! And, why not make the entire class about simplicity? How many people have stamps and don't use them? It took me two years to actually stamp after my first purchase of nearly $200. They all just sat in a box because every time I tried, I was frustrated at the outcome (by the way, the perfect solution, if your suffering from this ailment is a) the Simply Sent kits that SU! is offering now - check out the mini) or b) attend classes to get ideas). So, I thought this would be the perfect class! Simple for me. Simple for you. Reproducable. And, January is always hectic...that whole idea that the holidays are over and things settle down is really only a half-truth. There is football, un-decorating the house, the white sales and clearance sales to shop, and all the resolutions of exercise and eating right which require TONS more time than a quick jaunt through the drive through...make simple sound WONDERFUL!
And so, I was on a quest to have three SIMPLE projects. The first was the CASE'd idea from surfing blogs, and so was really just a matter of selecting the stamp set and execution. I did stamp on Shimmery White cardstock to add a little zing, and I couldnt resist a ribbon. I thought about bling on the flowers, but the glitter I had on hand didn't add to the card...it took away. So here is the final sample:
Next, I thought, wouldn't some little love notes or cute, tiny cards be sweet. And surely those could be made simply! I didn't have any small envies on hand, so I was prepared to fall back on my templates, and we could make our own envies (and use that greeting glue I've had and never used!). I fell in LOVE with the Small Sayings set from the Winter mini...and used the sample in the catty as inspiration for:
So here's where it wasn't so simple. I thought with Valentine's Day so close, I would like to make a little something with that in mind. And I usually try to make one 3-D item. I was purusing my supplies (and the one's at Mike's) and decided that small "take out boxes" would be adorable with Happy Hearts all over them. I had it all figured out...ribbons on the handles, and a tag with Tagger's Dozen from the Winter mini! I was excited. So I bought a dozen boxes and charged home to tackle the task, confident that this was, indeed, a simple class.
While I collected inks and stamps and ribbons, I had this great thought about eyelets followed closely by that little butterfly skip in my belly at the thought of a project for my crop-a-dile...I still had large heart-shaped eyelets (now retired)! I began stamping with classic ink (don't do this at home, girls) - but it wouldn't dry. When I hit it with a heat tool, the color changed. So, I thought I would clear emboss over it...and when I tried it I first thought there was a problem and someone must have mixed my clear EP with white EP! The colors became milky and cloudy. Refusing to succomb, I tried craft ink, which also changed colors. I was not happy. My class was in less than two hours (ever the Queen Procrasinator) and this was anything BUT simple.
That's when DH (former Prince, and now elevated to King status) offered to run to get the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge for my Cricut! I feined resistance of the cost and frivolity...but of course, gave in and (you guessed it) am not the proud owner of said cartridge! I used a scalloped edge box, stamped it as discussed above (Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink Classic Ink; Happy Hearts Stamp Set). I took the wire handles off the purchased boxes and attached to each finished box, embellished, and viola!
What do you think? Didn't it turn out gorgeous? So we stuffed it with pink and red paper shreds, and lots of pretty V-Day candy. Closed the flaps with Sticky Strip. You could make these (except the handle) in about five minutes. The handles take longer, but you could do them while watching Jack Bauer (what a perfect evening that would be!).
Well, I think I've done enough for one day. I'll check back in a day or two! Happy Stamping!
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