BIRDCAGE THANK YOU

 

I was fortunate to receive a few generous Christmas gifts at work last month, and that gave me the opportunity to make cards.  Some of my thank you cards were Christmas designs but, since some of the gifts were received after the holiday, I designed these birdcage cards to send.

I think I mentioned that my guys gave me a Cricut Maker machine for Christmas, so designing these cards was the perfect excuse opportunity to play work with my new machine.  

The stamped "thank you" is from Stampin' Up!'s "Go To Greetings" stamp set, and two retired Stampin' Up! punches are featured on this card . . . the oval and the sprigs.  

I doubt that I will ever tire of designing shaped cards--they are truly my jam!  These little birdcage designs turned out cute, don't you think?

"WATERFRONT" BIRTHDAY CARD

I've said it before, and I'll say it again . . . masculine cards are some of the most challenging to make.  I sometimes dread the process because it means that I have to reach for something other than flowers.  While looking at my many choices, Stampin' Up!'s retired "Waterfront" stamp set seemed perfect for the task.

Didn't the images create a pretty scene?  Best of all, making this card was sooooooo easy and quite fun.  I liked the wonky placement of layers and, of course, all of the distressed edges.  They lend so much texture to the overall design.  The punched leafy branch ("Bough" punch) seemed to be an appropriate embellishment, along with the linen thread--even though it was tied in a bow.  BTW, if you like to add just a little something simple to your cards (especially those with a floral and/or nature-ish design), I can't recommend the "Bough" punch strongly enough.  When I first laid eyes on this punch, I knew that I must own it and have had ZERO regrets!  It's definitely a keeper! 

It's hard to tell from the photos, but I used the Wink of Stella on the "water" so it would have a bit of shimmer.  Was that necessary for a masculine card?  Probably not, but water needs to shimmer.

I wish I had taken a better photo of the envelope, but it was also stamped with some of the same images and colors that I used on the card.

This card and envelope turned out quite nice, huh?