Inspiration and Ministry

While Matt attended a midnight movie with a friend last night, I stayed home and stamped!

One thing I really enjoy about paper crafting is the opportunity for relaxation and meditation when I make cards for a friend who is in need of a lift. If you have heard of the "Prayer Shawl" idea, this is--for me--similar. I love to customize my cards, and while I created these cards last night, I thought about and prayed for my friends.

Here is a very simple card using just one layer of card stock and a flat piece of ribbon (no knot or bow). While the ribbon and Ruby Red card stock are both retired products, the Herb Expressions stamp set is current, and new to me. Thanks to all of my fabulous customers, Club members and Hostesses for your continued business in 2009 I was able to earn this stamp set free!



Here is another card using the same basic color scheme and layout, but this time I added a lot of dimension with three additional layers, distressing, a big bow in the ribbon, sponging and a punched border. Even with all of that added detail, this was still a pretty quick card to make.



I think this is my favorite card of the four I created with the Ruby Red/Very Vanilla theme last night. Here I added some other retired products: Cameo Coral Classic Ink, Best Blossoms and Whimsical Words stamp sets. My inspiration for both this card and the final one was a challenge to make a monochromatic card with a 'splash' of a contrasting color. I 'splashed' my creations with Old Olive Classic Ink.



If you've been following my blog posts, you might recognize the layout and style of this fourth card from my 'quilting' spree at the beginning of July. I liked those cards so much, I was thrilled with an opportunity to switch up a few things and reprise my Brights quilt card in shades of red with a splash of green. Another change I made to the card this time around was to use my new Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Man, do I love that tool! If you are looking for a nice deep impression for a card front, the Folders are the way to go.



I'd love to hear what you think of my set of cards, and would also be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Thanks for checking out my blog! Now go stamp.