Good Morning! WOW ~ I am so glad that you enjoyed yesterdays card and I sure hope that you like today’s version…still basically the same…just a bit stepped up! I know that I say this all of the time…but I really do not think that you could go wrong with either card!
I hope that if you are new to my blog…1st welcome and 2nd…on the weekends I do a (2) day post showing you the same card….just 2 different ways. Some weeks…the Simple Saturday might suit your fancy…and then there are the Step it up Sunday version that make you roll….which ever it is, it is my goal to inspire you to find some “me time” and just have fun…
Here you go….you decide!
My pick this week…today’s version. I think the POP of the splatter from the gorgeous grunge stamp set makes the washi label punches POP… Here is a tip ~ if you do not own the gorgeous grunge stamp set and want this effect…take a paint brush…and “flick” ink onto your card stock. ( I will say…this IS a stamp set that you would use a bunch so I say….GO FOR IT)
Below you will see how I “built” the focal part. I just found this to be easy using a scrap piece of paper. The paper size that I used was 3 1/8″ X 2″ and then simply adhered the piece on it. I made a dozen of these cards in a snap…this IS a great card to mass produce and it is FUN to make.
Here are some great close ups that will show you how the contrast of the grunge stamp accents the FUN from the Washi Tape Punches. This method/design is perfect for small prints of paper and also have fun coming up with different sentiments!
The other difference I did today was to add a very simple piece of Thick Bakers Twine to the front. Here is how I do it as I get super frustrated trying to tie a bow…..I took a piece of twine and just anchored it behind and then took another piece….tied a bow and used a glue dot to hold it in place!
I am sure that there are many of you that are surprised that I do it that way….but heck – I am just being honest as this works for me and causes no frustration! (when that happens…I smile!)
Yesterday I shared with you that I used a regular envelope (but of course it was lined) and I asked you…..does that bother you not to have an envelope that is a perfect fit? If you go back to read the comments there were many views and again, I just think that it is a personal preference….
My thoughts….I like to make an envelope that fits. Trust me…this is totally a no judgment zone here, I am just being honest with what I like to do. I can remember when we used to make envelopes with the Simply Scored….(I honestly can’t remember how to do that) and then the envelope punch board came out….and I swore that I would never be ever to figure it out….(remember….that’s why my blog is called Simple Stampin’…sometimes Simple Susan doesn’t get it)
Here is the low down on the products used! Remember, at the end of the post you will see all of the items used and you can click on the image and read more about it and then if you wish to purchase it, you can simply add it to the shopping cart!
Please remember to pin your favorites so you can go back and make them – quick references are always a huge help!
Enjoy your Sunday….I am excited to hear what you think about today’s card…feel free to leave a comment….I think that we all love reading what makes us roll. I am going to make John some of these cards (layout) and change up the paper and also use a more masculine font as he needs to write some notes. He is always my best critic….he said he liked today’s card!
I love your step ups–they show how an extra touch can really ramp up the results.
I vote for the Sunday Step Up. I like the Saturday card, would be happy to send or receive it, but the DSP has enough Very Vanilla in it to make me choose that stepped up version, even without the matting and the Gorgeous Grunge background stamping. And I vote for envelopes fitted to the card size. I wouldn’t turn down RECEIVING any handmade card EVER, even if it came in a crumpled paper bag, but I personally can’t send one out into the world without the corresponding ” correct size” envelope. Yup, obsessive and okay with it! Thanks for another great post.
Hi Susan, I do love the stepped up version, but today I’m a middle of the road Gal! I love how the punched DSP line up. So perfectly. I love the edges of the washi tape punch. I think the grunge stamp hides the edges. Love the twine and bow and extra layer. Great, great, great. As far as an envelope goes . . . if I am hand delivering it, I definitely make one to fit. I don’t care for adding extra postage for a “square” (under A2 size) card just because it is square! (Just my opinion.)
🙂
I Adore both cards! Today’s version is definitely geared to the more masculine side (even though with the right dp & ribbon it can be feminine)! I use my Itty Bitty Background stamps a Lot and I would never give them up! Those are the ones that came out Way before grunge came onto the scene. I just love the added texture and softness they give to a bg, and that makes me smile~
I love today’s card…yesterday’s was great also. I think a lot depends on the recipient’s style, and this card style is so easy to adapt for anyone. I like my envelopes to fit also. 🙂
I love today’s card too!!
Yesterday’s “clean & simple” version was like a breath of fresh air, but today’s “more is better” version is my pick! Great cards. About the postage issue: Using an A2 envelope for a 4×4 card is acceptable, I think, but when it comes to the few cents more of extra postage to use the correct size envelope – I mean, really? What else can you buy for, what it is? 23 cents extra, that gives so much pleasure to the receiver AND the giver? (I should add this disclaimer: My mother was a postmaster for nearly 23 years, my sister after her for about 4, and I clerked at their tiny village post office for 7 years. In my world, stamps are a bargain at any price!)
Both cards are fabulous. I am a layer person, and love the grunge look, but for some reason I have been in a keep it simple frame of mind this weekend. I really like Saturday’s clean, sharp lines. I think you created a classic and those are always great.
Hi Susan! Both cards are awesome. The stepped up version is a little “warmer” if that makes sense. The Gorgeous Grunge adds such a nice look, I am someone who has used the paintbrush technique in the past. I would be proud f both cards!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Cute and quick cards–both of them, but that grunge adds the gorgeous to it! I smile at the bow too, no matter how it’s tied. I usually solve the square envelope issue by just not making a square card!! But when I CASE one of yours, I go with a bigger envelope and put a piece of double-sided tape in the envelope beside the card to hold the card in its space. Have even taken time to center the card and put tape on either side of it. I’m not into the extra postage bit and that makes the envelope “fit”
Love them both but go more for the Saturday one. Personally I don’t make square cards because of the postage issue. I send lots of cards and like that any envelope I have fits. However, I would have to say that if a card I make didn’t fit the envelope perfectly, that would be OK with me. They’re going to throw the envelope away anyway, so who cares. And if the recipient is that fussy, they don’t need one of my less than perfect cards to begin with. Just sayin.
Also noted one other difference between Sat. Case and today. Your three little dots by the sentiment. Sure hope you keep doing these two day cards. It is fun to see what changes you make. Sometimes when I “step it up” I ruin what could have been a pretty nice card. LOL
My favorite would be today’s stepped up version, but yesterday’s card is perfect too. I like how easy these are to put together. You said you made 10 of them and it is true when all the products are out, it makes sense to mass-produce them. My problem is I get bored after making about six of the same design and want to move on to the next project. Patience is a virtue I’m working on!! Have a great day.
OK. I just went and read yesterday’s comments about the envelopes. I DO think it is nicer to have it fit. I DO have the envelope punch board and love it. My objection is the postage. I guess I don’t understand why it costs more for a square card and it bothers me to have to pay more. Perhaps I need to ask the postman why the extra postage is required. I DO use pretty stamps ( usually) does that help? I feel almost rude that I would send a card in an ill-fitting envelope! I think I will just stick with the A2 cards.
I really like reading the comments. Gives me a new perspective.
Thanks for all you do and thanks to your readers whose comments I enjoy and learn from. Hi Chris in Iowa. My home state!
Love both cards. It’s amazing how a little grunge & thick Baker’s twine changes a pretty card into a fabulous card. TFS.
I am going to vote for today’s card. I still really do love yesterday’s card but I always go for the extra color and layering, given the choice. I am excited to case this card since I have the punch and have not used it a lot.
Both of your cards are great fun. Love yesterday’s simplicity and clean look. I’m really liking today’s addition of the grunge piece and green layer. Thanks for the inspiration!
First of all, Simple Stampin — is just simply the best! I don’t say that enough. You take harder stuff or looks hard and break it down for us into doable parts. I was already to agonize trying to line up the scraps on the card and had already forgot you popped up that piece. WEll, in comes the pencil or even some lined notebook paper etc. Then, you have the photo today of the piece you adhered it to. The bow, well I have done it your way before and it works just fine and sometimes it looks a heck of a lot better than a real tied bow! I love the thick baker’s twine!
O.k. now I went and read the comments. Love that! Hi Tonilee and I agree about the perspective! I loved the comment about the double sided tape to make the card “fit” the envelope! I am more apt to make a 3×3 card or close to it and I do mail them.
I loved yesterday’s card but today is my favorite with the mat and the grunge and thick baker’s twine. The twine finished off the top layer perfectly for me. But, then we have extra bulk in mailing. IF that is our only problem, we are doing good! As a recipient, I am just excited to get a card and I don’t care if it fits or not. As far as mailing, ummm no more square cards I guess from me until I break down and buy that darn envelope punch board! Have a great week everyone!
“WOW” Today’s card is so beautiful. I love it. Yesterday’s card was cute it I like today’s I love all the detail. The bow is adorable . Thank you,Susan. Have a great day. Ellen Hinds
What a darling use of the washi punch!
For those who like their A2 sized cards, (ME), I just added an extra washi label to the bottom or you could do four on top of the sentiment and one on the bottom. The base for the focal piece was 3 3/4″ x 2″ popped up on the 3 3/4″ x 5″ “grunged” layer, 4″ x 5 1/4″ colored card stock and A2 Whisper White card base. Enjoy!
Ah ha! One of my stepped up ideas were to use twine around that raised piece and you did that. The other was to use designer paper behind it. However you did better than that with the grunge splatters. Truly that is better as DP might be too busy behind that other DP. Fun card! It got me thinking of some quickie ideas (that I truly need as I need to make a bunch of thank you cards for a friend).