February 2025

For the first card I paired a chevron print for the background with an airplane print as the focal panel.  I extended the focal panel by adding the sentiment directly beneath the airplane print.  For some separation, I used a bit of black and white baker's twine.  To break up all the straight lines I used a Fiskars scallop border punch along the bottom edge of the focal panel.  To accomodate the dimension added by the baker's twine I popped up the entire focal panel so that it lays flat on the card.

The next card uses the same 2 pattern papers.  On this card the airplane focal panel is a larger.  Instead of using black cardstock for the banner across the card I dug into my scrap cardstock and found a small piece of bright red cardstock to use.  I stamped the same "Let's go places" sentiment and matted it on black cardstock.  For embellishment I used Nuvo Drops to sprinke a few black dots around the card.

The last card is a bit busier.  The background is an all-over arrow print.  For the 2nd pattern paper I added a strip of a diagonal strip paper vertically on the card.  I think the clean lines and black matting give it just enough separation from the background.  Since the arrow paper reminded me of road signs/directions, I switched up the sentiment and added a stamped compass image.  For embellishment I added a few light blue brads to the upper left corner of the vertical panel.

After using the chicken and pig paper I pulled out the cow paper.  I used a very simple layout so I could get as many cows on the card a possible.  I dug through my scrap stash and found the striped paper.  The blue and black stripes were a nice match.  For some separation I added a black and brown gingham ribbon.  The "Thanks" sentiment is stamped in brown ink on an oval diecut and popped up with foam tape.

For the last card in this batch I ended up making an Easter card.  I wasn't planning to make Easter cards, but the bunnies and spring flowers said Easter to me.  For the background I dug through my scrap papers again and found the orange tone-on-tone print.  I've had the paper for years and think I have finally used it up.  The sentiment is stamped on another oval die cut and popped up with foam tape.  For embellishment I added an orange banner and green flag under the sentiment and an orange flower brad in the lower right corner.

I've used this sketch a few times in the past.  Finding a sentiment that is just the right size makes this sketch a bit challenging.  I only have a few Valentine's Day sentiment stamps and this one is the perfect size.  As on just about every card I made, I added a few heart rhinestones for embellishment.

This card is very simple.  To add interest and soften the straight lines I rounded the bottom corners and used a circle sentiment panel.  The bottom portion of the card was too plain and needed some embellishment.  A couple clear heart rhinestones added some sparkle.

I don't normally stamp the sentiment directly onto the card but the pink horizontal banner was perfect for the sentiment.  The grid pattern wasn't too busy and the lines made it easy to line up the sentiment.  A thin black banner and few more heart rhinestones completed the card.

Looking at this card now I wonder if I should have added some texture to the background, maybe with a quilt coverplate die.  Although, it does have a nice clean look and is maybe a little less feminine without the texture. 

I was determined to use this sketch.  It's one that my favorite card maker uses frequently.  And, the sentiment stamp was the perfect size.  

Since none of the remaining papers worked as a background I found a textured pink cardstock in my craft room that was a nice match.  I used dark gray cardstock for most of the matting but added silver Love from Lizi peel-offs along the edges of the striped panel.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to use the script print as a focal panel or a background.  Looking at the completed card I think as a background was a good choice.  I paired it with a strip of the red tile print cut on the diagonal.  For a focal panel, a large heart was die cut from red metallic cardstock.  I used the same sentiment again placing it diagonally across the heart.

There were a couple larger scraps of the "xoxo" paper left but no full sheets to use for a background.  Instead I added 2 strips of the diagonal striped paper on either side of the "xoxo" panel.  Once the panel was added you can't tell that the diagonal stripe isn't a full sheet.  To add some sparkle and shine I added a thin strip of red metallic paper, a Love from Lizi peel-off and 3 red heart rhinestones.

I typically use my favorite papers first so the first few cards are usually my favorite.  This was just about the last card I made using less liked papers and it ended up being my favorite card.  I know it's the layout and the small pops of red in the scallop matting and the heart rhinestones.  I think it has a very elegant look.

In an effort to use some of the scraps before putting the paper pad away, I re-used a layout from the previous batch of Valentine cards.  I used a larger heart die cut and sprinked the rhinestone hearts around the card.  I also moved the sentiment panel and cut a fish tail banner.

One of my favorite prints in the paper pad is the postage stamp print.  I only had a few scraps left but there was enough for the small focal panel.  None of the paper worked for a background so I pulled out red cardstock and used a quilted coverplate die to give it some texture.  I stamped a simple "love" sentiment and added it to the bottom corner of the card.

This card was my favorite.  I think it's more due to the layout than the actual papers used.  Both the background and focal panel are busy prints but with the black matting it worked out okay.  Adding the solid red heart and banners also helped to break up some of the busyness.  Adding the 3 red heart rhinestones filled in the bottom right corner.

At this point there were mainly 2 inch strips of paper left.  Instead of trying to find coordinating cardstock to use for backgrounds I went with a very simple layout featuring 2 pattern papers.  To separate the prints I added a die cut heart and a heat embossed "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment.  The cards were a bit plain but a few more rhinestone hearts added just enough sparkle.