Big Thanks

When I purchase a rubber stamp, it is usually because it has a nice graphic design. Recently, while at Craft in the City (downtown Honolulu on Bishop Street) I bought this three birds rubber stamp (Hero Arts) because it had a child-like quality. I left it on my desk for a week or so while I thought of how to use it.

In my stash of undecorated cards and envelopes, I spied a long, bright turquoise card by Making Memories. I don't think we have this polka dot set any more for sale at BFC, but the design is so simple I'm sure you can make it. The envelope is 9-1/2"x 4-1/4"and the blue polka dot card is 9-1/4"x 4". The white paper that slips into the polka dot one is 8-1/2"x 3-1/4". The two slits in the polka dot paper are 3-3/8" long and one inch apart.

I began the card by stamping the word 'THANKS' using 2-1/2"letters (Making Memories) and yellow green paper paint (Making Memories). Next I stamped the bird design on salmon colored cardstock paper using turquoise ink (Versa Magic). Before the ink dried I sprinkled on turquoise embossing powder and melted it with my heat gun. (If you don't have turquoise embossing powder you can just use clear embossing powder over the turquoise ink.) I cut around the design and taped it (with Merikan double stick) to the 1" panel between the slits.

Finally, I used my mini craft sewing machine and orange thread to sew around (twice) the edge of the white card.

Rarely does my finished project match or exceed my imagination. I think this project really looks better than the card I had in mind. Don't worry if your craft work does not have every stitch in place and keep playing with colors, sizes, shapes, etc. until YOU are pleased....then it will be perfect!