Raspberry Suite meets Clean and Simple

I needed a few thank you cards and to get me jump-started decided to combine Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #14 with the Clean and Simple sketches FTL54 and FTL5.

This first card will be sent off to our niece, Sarah, and her husband, Bob, who hosted "the sisters" for dinner last Friday night. 

 

 

 

SHOW

 
AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Simply Stationery, Floral Fusion, Mother); paper is PTI (Vintage Cream) and Stampin' Up (Perfect Plum, Baroque Burgundy); ink is Stampin' Up (Baroque Burgundy, Eggplant Envy, Pink Passion); gems are from my stash.

These next cards will be going to each of my sisters-in-law as just a "thank you and wasn't that sister weekend fun" type of note. 

I feel like these need a little explanation. They started out as a regular notecard that closely followed the sketch with the single line drawn for the border, but just seemed too plain. I decided to do some squiggles around the lines — which helped somewhat — but I think my little chickadee image was just too small to really carry off all that blank space. So — I decided to cut off the back of the card and make them into more of a postcard style. I'll start writing my notes there on the front. Now I'm much happier with the design. And I do like the way I positioned the wing to leave just one hole in the button uncovered, making an eye. (Remember, you can click on a picture to make it bigger.) I do love those Papertrey Ink buttons. The variety in each bag is astounding and there are always some unique buttons to inspire me.

SHOW

AND TELL:  stamps are from PTI (Everyday Button Bits); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream); ink is Stampin' Up (Pink Passion, Eggplant Envy); buttons are PTI (Scarlet Jewel); also used Stampin' Write Markers (Pink Passion, Elegant Eggplant). 

 

I mailed these cards on Wednesday, so hopefully they'll have been delivered and opened before all the recipients check my blog (assuming they do check the blog!). And I hope they went through the mail OK. Do any of you cardmakers out there worry about your cards after you put them in the mail? And do you have any good tips for mailing them? If my cards have any doo-dads on them I always slip an extra piece of {cheap} cardstock in the envelope to help smooth the bumps out and to protect them a bit. I have used a padded envelope before, but it cost me 10 times the regular postage! That seemed excessive to me. So far no one that I've sent a card to has mentioned that it has been damaged or that it arrived postage-due — so I'm assuming that I've been doing OK. Anyway, I'd appreciate any tips or recommendations that you all can give me. I've been making cards for some time, but only recently started actually mailing them. (Now, I know some of you can relate to that!!)

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your sweet comments. I love reading them! Have a great Friday. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon with the Christmas card that I'm taking to Stamp Club. Hope to "see" you then!

Comments

[alanna]

New to your blog here. I love these cards. Especially the PTI chickadee ones. Such a cute set. Awesome job.

[Kelley Smith]

I like the idea of the eye for the bird with the button.Also, the squiggles on the border really do add a little extra something. Are they free-hand or stamped?Another success and more inspiration! :^)

[Janelle]

To answer Kelley's question, the squiggles are freehand...

[Courtney]

I love how you added the squiggle lines. It really sets it off. I love it.

[Julia Aston]

Love your creative use of the PTI stationary stamp as a flower! and the bird cards are just so darn cute!

I usually put a kleenex or other padding for any 'bumps' and I also put one extra stamp on it just to make sure it gets where it's going! - the post office told me if it's thick at all - it needs extra postage but I really don't want to take each and every card I send over to the PO to check it out..... (!)

[Terri E.]

Adorable bling accents and fun chick. Awesome job on Dawn's color challenge.

It's a good life!
Terri E

[Beatriz Jennings]

cute cards ;)

[jaspere]

Wow! Love your work. Those thank you cards are adorable and the first project is beautiful.

[SmilynStef]

What a pretty card ... love the sentiment along the bottom.

[amber]

it looks like you were at cha with your cute card! i love how you layered it!!! so fun! and those chickadee "postcards" are precious! thanks for sharing!

[Dana F.]

Oooh Janelle, what a sweet card for Dawn's challenge! I just love your Simply Stationary layer around the flower. And your notecards are too cute!! I simply love that little chickie - so far it's my favorite image from this set.

[Natasha]

Ooh these are both fabulous! I love that you're going back into the "sketch vault". It's so fun to see those sketches again!

[Heather P.]

Your sketch card is SUPER CUTE! Love how you changed it into a postcard. :)

[Bonnie Sharp]

This is just too cool! Love your freehanded squiggles!!

[Maureen P]

these are all adorable! Love how the flower comes off the middle panel...congrats on making the Spotlight!!

[Winter]

Congrats on top pick! :)

[Maile Belles]

Beautiful card!!! Congrats on making the spotlight!

[Kelley]

Hey girl! Congratulations!! I was so excited to see my name on it that I totally forgot to look and see who else was on there! Ha!!

[Alice W.]

really simple and beautiful! Congrats on making the spotlight!!

[Brenda]

congrats on making the spotlight! Your cards are great!

[Betty]

Janelle, these are gorgeous!!! Fabulous designs. Love your created border/frame detailing. Congrats on making the spotlight!!!

[Catherine]

Really pretty and elegant at the same time, great take on the challenge. Congratulations on being chosen for "In the Spotlight".:)

[Jessica Keller]

This is a very lovely card, I really like the rhinestones, they add to the elegance! So pretty! Congrats on the spotlight and thanks for the sweet comments on my blog!

[Kim H]

These are adorable! I love the squiggles you added over the solid black line.