Simple Things Card (coordinating bargains)

Sometimes when I am shopping I find irresistible bargains and so, of course, I "have" to buy them.  The only problem is that these deals can sit around for quite some time waiting for me to put them to use.  This card was made with a few of these items and I have decided to challenge myself to use my finds more frequently.  After all, a deal is only a deal if you use the things you buy.  Otherwise, as my father-in-law says, "I know how you can save 100% (leave it in the store!).

I've mentioned before that the Tuesday Morning stores often have great prices on crafting supplies.  Usually these are "last season" items.  The savings can be huge.  I have found Tim Holtz embellishments and dies, many types of stamps and great papers.  The papers are typically in packs of 25 (as they are sold to stores for their racks) so it is nice if you can split them up between a few people for a good variety.  If you are making a mini-album or larger project, you might be able to use all of the pieces - this is a good way to make things coordinate.

I bought this Graphic 45 border paper from the Le Cirque collection earlier this year.  These are double sided, perforated sheets.  While they are definitely thematic, there is usually a more "plain" side that is quite versatile, so be sure to take a good look to see if you can work with the patterns.  I didn't really "need" circus themed paper but I think I will be able to make lots and lots of other types of cards with these border strips.

The corrugated paper for the card layer was also a find at Tuesday Morning and it is from The Paper Company.  The color is burnt umber.

Another source of bargain supplies is the sales that many independent shops have to clear out their older stamps and teaching sets.  The stamp I used on this card is from the "set" above from Hero Arts.  It contains some stamps from a variety of sets for stores to use in demos.  I bought it because I loved the peacock!

I looked online and found that the stamp I used is actually a part of this set, which has been discontinued but you may still be able to find it in some places.

I made a basic A2 card, and layered two strips from the border collection.  All of the edges were inked with Distress Ink - Fired Brick for the corrugated, Weathered Wood for the blue and Vintage Photo for the striped strip.  I embossed the sentiment on another strip of paper cut from a full piece from the Le Circue collection.  This 12 x 12 sheet has the same floral pattern on one side and stripes on the other.  I used Fired Brick ink and clear embossing powder (I always forget this trick but remembered once I saw that the sentiment was very hard to read when I used clear powder on clear ink).

I needed a layer to back the sentiment strip and I had some lemony yellow cardstock that was close in color but too bright.

I inked the entire surface of the cardstock with Vintage Photo ink and it dulled down nicely to coordinate with the star border.

The strips were cut at four inches with the backing strip one inch wide and the blue strip 3/4 inch wide.  I positioned them so the yellow strip is centered on two of the rusty red stripes on the star border.

Then I cut the ends to form a pennant shape.  The easiest way to do this is to mark the center point of the strip with a pointy tool and then cut in from both corners evenly.

I used thin foam squares to raise the sentiment strip slightly.

To add a little more interest to the card, I punched two stars in graduated sizes with my trusty old Creative Memories punches (I have always liked the way they were made is sets of four shapes on two punches for easy layering).

The star is also adhered with a thin foam to add more dimension.  I wanted an accent for the middle of the star and I found this button and the waxed string in the supplies from the Tim Holtz classes I took a year or so ago.  Both were a great match for the colors in the card.

I thought the tails of string could give a "shooting star" effect but I decided they were just a bit too long.

A couple of quick snips got them to a more attractive length and my card was finished.

I was able to make two basic cards with the border strips.  I haven't embellished the second card yet.  I think it is pretty without anything extra so I might leave it this way.

Everything I used to make these cards was from a "deal" or leftover from a class (other than the tools and ink).  It was fun to challenge myself to find things that worked together and to actually use a bit of my paper stash.  I think many crafters share my problem of liking paper and thinking "it's too pretty to use."  I have finally learned that there will always be more paper that I want so it is best to use up what is on hand to make room for the new.  It helps when you buy these bargain packs because you get so much at once that you don't have that "I can't cut into that special paper" dilemma.

Do you have trouble using your favorite papers?  How much do you have "in reserve?"  Remember, there will always be new collections and paper styles, like everything else, go in and out of fashion.  So take it out and use it!

I'd love it if you would leave a comment telling me how long you have held on to some paper without using it - I imagine it is years for many people!

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