A Simple Merry Christmas!

And, to all a good night. Yes, this is my final post on the Inspiration/Design Team Blog. With that in mind, I thought I would make it short and sweet, as they say. I created a couple of greeting cards using the Brutus Monroe Holiday Sentiment Stamp Set and bits and bobs of scraps I had just waiting in my paper drawer.

I started by cutting a few printed pattern papers that match two of my planner sticker designs into “gifts” of varying widths and heights for the three packages on each card. I tied the packages with a combination of baker’s twine and 1/8 inch wide satin and grosgrain ribbons, making the bow land on top of each gift. On both card backs I spritzed Liquid Elements in Sterling. I do like that vintage mercury glass feeling it gives. The Christmas backing got two layers just to darken it a bit. I attached the gifts to the card back with double-sided tape. At that point, I wrapped baker’s twine around the top of the card back and tied a bow. I rounded the corners on both the card backs and the card blanks with that old hop-along paper punch of mine. 

The final steps — using the double-sided tape, I attached each card back to a 4.25 inch by 5.50 inch card blank. With Brutus Monroe Detail Ink in Raven I stamped the sentiments and a few snowflakes. After they were fussy cut, I used bits of foam tape to nestle and secure the sentiments right under the top bows. On the Christmas card I placed a few of the snowflakes. Just a side note — there are digital cut files for the sentiments in the Brutus Monroe online store; but I was making just one and I like fussy cutting, so I went the old-fashioned route.

I do like how the finished cards look. I also like the idea that they are a great size and design to be included in planner spreads! Planner gals can punch them for their Happy Planners and attach those coil tabs that work with the Erin Condren planners. It’s a great way to use up all those little bits of paper that we hang on to for way too long. It’s also a great design if you find yourself in a rush and heading out the door. With a couple stamps and great ink, some ribbon and a few scraps of paper you’ll have a card for that special occasion and no one would ever guess that it took just a few minutes to pull it all together.

In signing off, I want to say that I have enjoyed sharing my designs with all of you. It has been fun documenting my adventures as I came back into the world of stamping and cardmaking and combining the fun new techniques with items that work in my various planners. I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of the Brutus Monroe team. With that being said, I am wishing you all a happy holiday season and a bright, cheery and healthy new year.

As you may know, I had the good fortune to be a member of the Brutus Monroe Inspiration Team in 2016. I thought it would be fun to share my posts from that blog with all of you here. Hope you enjoy!