My teenage daughter just had a birthday and needed to write thank you notes promptly (non-negotiable in our household since the time she could write). I whipped up a set of six cards and envelopes and tucked them neatly into a coordinating box. It's just the thing to "inspire" her to share her gratitude to generous friends and family.
Each card combines Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Stems (available Jan. 19) and stamp sentiments from Absolutely Fabulous. The bold colors stem from Splitcoast Color Challenge 200, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green. TIP: I used VersaMark and Black Embossing Powder for the Sweet Stem Images . . . the tiny raised ridge makes coloring with markers a snap.
The Pumpkin Pie pattern paper is the last of my Ghostly Greetings Designer Series. Yes, there are bats on the flip side–no one will see it! This paper is on the retired accessories list so won't be available after Jan. 18. Click here for the complete Retired Accessories List. My inspiration for the thank you layouts is from
The A-2 sized card box is quick and easy using these instructions. It accommodates Stampin' Up!'s medium envelopes perfectly. IMPORTANT TIP: The directions are reversed (or is it me)? Meaning the directions for the top ended up being the bottom and vice versa. Let me know if you give this a try.
More Brilliant Blue Textured card stock creates a band, pulled together (literally) with Bigz Scallop Circle and Scallop Circle #2 Die Cuts and topped off with a Pumpkin Pie Die Cut Bloom. Go Go Boots Die Cuts helped me cut the "C" to personalize the box for my Caroline. All these shapes came to life after a quick ride through my Big Shot Die-Cut Machine.
Absolutely Fabulous:
Love the colors of these!!! And the different designs are fabulous!
Love the clean look of these, Mary! I’m sure your daughter will love to hand these out! Does she join you in your Stampin Zone?Hugs, Monica
Hi Monica:
Unfortunately, my daughter isn’t hip on stamping. She thinks I expect perfection. I have no idea where she gets this (hee, hee). In any event, I plan to lure her into the new “zone” when it’s done and promise to ease up on my standards. Hugs, Mary
Beautiful! The colors are so vibrant and so “young.” Thanks for the link to the box – I’ll have to give that a try and remember your tip that the directions are reversed.
What a darling set of cards! Love the contrast of the fresh colors and the perfect amount of white space.
Hi Mary,
Just received your wonderful email this morning walking me through how to make comments. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that for me. And to volunteer to call me was above and beyond. what a lovely offer. but alas, I thing I have it!!Keep making those beautiful cards and can’t wait to see the next photos of your new room.
Blessings
Ann
Hi Ann: Good job. You have officially left a comment on my blog. I look forward to hearing from you again!
Hugs,
Mary
These look great Mary! I passed up on this color challenge – just wasn’t workin’ for me, but you clearly nailed it!
Beautiful coloring on these Mary! What a loveley set of cards.
Mary, Love these thank you notes. Just perfect! I also love that I’m not the only parent out there who makes their children do thank yous. I agree. Children need to be grateful and show appreciation. These days, I see too little of that…
Brilliant! I’ve seen others take on this color challenge…but they can’t compare with you! This color challenge had your name all over it. Love this layout, the emobossing, the brad, the dp…all of it. I completely agree with sending thank you cards, with a short personalized note. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mary, I absolutely LOVE this one. The brilliant colors are just too much. I thank you each morning for the beautiful ideas you share.
Dearest Mary…What beautiful cards indeed to say the least….but also what a wonderful “lesson” you are teaching your daughter about how important it is to respond to “gifts”. It’s almost a lost art. I have a 7 year old granddaughter who I encourage to either call or make her own “thank-you” cards. It’s so important that we teach them this courtesy in life. You’re a great teacher. Sara
hmmm. i wonder if i have any black embossing powder. these little flowers have SO much pop – i must try this right away. any tips for keeping the black powder from sticking to the c/s where you dont want it? i dont see even a speck in the photo. i know about the embossing buddy, but is there anything else i could (should) be doing?? and … my parents raised three girls and thank you notes were not negotiable. i passed this on to our two sons – believe it or not, they write thank you notes!!! old fashioned but HEY! manners & gratitude do NOT go out of fashion in my book! thanks for sharing this gorgeous card/set!
blessings, jo ann.
Hi Jo Ann: Glad you taught your boys the proper way to show gratitude. An email just doesn’t cut it in most cases.
I struggle a bit, too, with black embossing powder migrating. I use an embossing buddy first and actually try to control (using less) embossing powder on the image. This is different than my cracked glass technique where I dumped a heavy amount on before heating. Black poses more care.
Once I dump a small amount on the image, I swirl it a bit to cover the image, then flip it over (into a Powder Pal) and flick the back side. Also, when I first start up the heat gun, let it get warm first . . . otherwise it acts as a fan for a few seconds rather than immediately melting the powder.
Hope this helps.
Hugs, Mary
love it m!! i love the sentiment…so fun!! good job on the color challenge! love it all girl! thanks much for sharing!!
Those are stunning! I love the vibrant colors! I am usually an Earth Elements girl, but those are wonderful together! I may break out of my confort zone!
Hi Laura: I’m an Earth Elements girl, too (other than the In Colors). However, I’m working hard to incorporate the three other color families more and more. Hugs, Mary
Absolutely gorgeous Mary! I must get my daughter to start this habit.
I’m in NZ & all the demos over here are hoping ALOT of the new products end up in our new catty out in April.
Fabulous set!! Love that stamp set too!!
HUgs, K
Mary,
Once again you just blow me away! Love the thank you’s and the box! How does one person come up with so many beautiful ideas. I look at those sketch challenges and my mind goes blank. I have the designer papers and all the cardstock and a lot of the little accessories and ribbon and it never comes together like yours. But I keep trying! 🙂 So keep up the FANTASTIC job! I watch for your emails every day to see what you’ve come up with next. You never disappoint! And by the way I really like your new “Stampin Pretty Zone”
OH I love the bright colors on this project very cool indeed! 🙂
This set is so cute. And you did a great job on them.
You and I agree with the thank you notes. My kids always write them now. Without me even reminding them!