My very good friend Beth White has served as the PTO President for our local middle school for the past three years.  During that time, she has asked me to create several thank-you gift items to give to the local business partners and volunteers who have so graciously donated their time and money to the school.  This year, Beth wanted to express her thanks to her fellow PTO board members at their final meeting of the year. 

My mission:  create a beautiful thank-you item that could not only function as a very special heartfelt gift, but also could serve as a gift-card holder.  Below are two photos of what I came up with.

You’ll notice that I slipped the gift card underneath the bow.  Once the recipient removes the gift card, they can replace it with a photograph and then hang the board by the ribbon or place it on a plate stand.  I have a feeling my daughters and I are going to spend some rainy summer days creating lots of these in different sizes and styles!  

Supply List   Paper:  Naturals Ivory cardstock; Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper  Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Pad; Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Craft Pads  Ribbon:  Twill Tape  Punches: Designer Label Punch  Accessories:  Blooms Again Die Cuts; Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons; Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware; Book Basics Small  Tools:  Crop-a-Dial™; Crafter’s Tool Kit; Stampin’ Sponges  Purchased: canvas board (bottom layer); coaster (top layer); ribbon for hanging

When I think back to the cards I made as a new stamper seven years ago, I just cringe!  I actually thought I was “so cool” because not only did I stamp a flower onto a piece of cardstock, but also because I used a piece of ribbon!

Over the years I have learned more about the art of paper crafting and I have incorporated different techniques and eye-catching elements.  I owe most of what I have learned to other stampers.  One such stamper who really inspires me is Michelle Fischer from the lovely state of Washington.  One reason I really love her cards is because she uses what I like to call “little vignettes” on her creations.  Instead of having one focal point, Michelle often has a few different things going on at the same time.  What makes her work so magical to me is that her little vignettes all gel together to form a cohesive work of art.

Here are a couple of cards I created using vignettes.  Thank you, Michelle, for inspiring me!

“Good Friend” Card One

Stamp Set:  Good Friend  Paper:  Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun and Whisper White cardstock; Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper  Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Pad  Markers: Chocolate Chip and Summer Sun Stampin’ Write Markers  Ribbon:  Blue Bayou 5/8” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon  Punches: Scallop Edge and Scallop Square Punches  Tools:  Crafter’s Tool Kit

“Good Friend” Card Two

Stamp Set:  Good Friend  Paper:  Blue Bayou, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White cardstock; Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper  Ink:  Tangerine Tango Classic Pad  Markers: Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Markers  Ribbon:  Tangerine Tango 5/8” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon  Punches: Spiral Punch  Tools:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Texture Plates Kit #4, Texturz Impression Pad, Texturz Silicone Rubber

“Unforgettable Friend” Card

Stamp Set:  Happy Heart Day  Paper:  Kiwi Kiss and Real Red cardstock; Watercolor Paper; Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper  Ink:  Black Staz-On Ink Pad  Ribbon:  Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon  Accessories: Vintage Brads; Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Aqua Painter  Punches: Ticket Corner Punch; Tag Punch and Small Tag Punch

“Flower Button” Card

Stamp Set:  Baroque Motifs  Paper:  Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White cardstock; Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper  Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, and Pink Pirouette Classic Pads  Markers: Old Olive and Rose Red Stampin’ Write Markers  Ribbon:  Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon  Accessories: Button Latte Designer Buttons  Punches: Scallop Edge Punch  Tools:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Sizzix ™ Scallop Circle #2 Die, Coluzzle® Cutting System; Crafter’s Tool Kit