When I got my mail yesterday, there was a little surprise for me waiting in my PO Box.
One of my sweet friends, Bee (who is also a new stamper and paper crafter, as well as blogger), sent me a beautiful card that she created for me along with a second envelope with some fantastic ribbon that she picked up while at Target.....after knowing that we don't have even ONE Target store in the whole great state of Vermont.
I feel a certain kinship with Bee, as she also has a son that is autistic. Bee and I actually met on LiveJournal because our sons are autistic. A mutual friend hooked us up and I've enjoyed getting to know Bee. And it seems that Bee would like to blame me for encouraging her new addiction to stamping. ;) That's okay.....at least this addiction is legal. ;)
Thank you, Bee, for the special treats in the mail! You ROCK!
I impressed myself so much yesterday with the Christmas tree card that I decided to try something along that line again today. The whole paper strip thing. But then I started looking at that ribbon and went in a different direction. This is what I came up with.
The card of ribbon actually came with 6 different ribbons on it, but there were 4 that caught my eye and seemed to work perfectly together. The "Celebrate" ribbon was part of the card, too, and was great as my greeting. This card ended up taking me about 7 minutes to put together and required no stamping whatsoever. (I can hear the collective gasps out there.....it's okay, you die hard stampers can pick yourself up off the floor now.....you heard right, the Stampin' Mama DID say this card required no stamping.....it's okay, really, it is.)
I cut strips of cardstock, taped some ribbon on top and cut the ends so they were flush with the edges of the cardstock. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. :) The "Celebrate" ribbon did get folded around the back of the cardstock, though. Using the "Celebrate" ribbon gave me a good reason to pull the coveted stash of Cool Caribbean cardstock I have hiding in my paper files. Since that luscious color retired at the end of June, I haven't been able to bring myself to use it. I limited myself (actually, I think "rationed" is a better word for this instance) to one piece for this card and then gave the rest of the pack of cardstock a kiss, petted it and lovingly put it back in the paper file, all the while telling it I won't forget it. I had to assure the poor Cool Caribbean that it's not that I'm not using it because I don't love it anymore, but because I love it TOO much to use it all up. It seemed sad, but understanding. I think Cool Caribbean just needs a little more time to fully understand my love and devotion to it.
I just love my little candle. You never know where a brad is going to come in handy. A little snip-snip of some ribbon, a punched hole and a brad, and BAM.....you've got yourself a trendy little candle.
Have yourselves a lovely Wednesday night.....and I'm going to ask Bee if I can share the beautiful card she made me. :) I also have another card from another reader that came in the mail that I plan on sharing, as well! :)
Happy Creating!
-Stampin' Mama
Supplies:
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Cool Caribbean, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa; ribbon on cake from Target; ribbon for candle from Michael's; gold mini brad
love the cake card! doesn't need stamps cute as can be just the way you did it.
Posted by: joslyn | October 04, 2007 at 01:08 AM
Major WOW! Not only no stamping.. but no INK either!?! I realy must ask ... How does it feal to be inkless? LOL You must be dying to get inked ;)
Happy Stamping my friend!
Lourin
Posted by: Lourin | October 04, 2007 at 05:56 AM
The candle idea - awesome...'cuse me while I go make a birthday card!!
Posted by: Becky Campbell | October 04, 2007 at 08:05 AM
Adorable card. Hard to believe there's no stampin' but you could stamp a verse on the inside.
Posted by: Gail | October 04, 2007 at 08:14 AM
You sure made good use of that ribbon!!!
The card is awesome! The little candle is the bomb!! :-)
It's funny because you picked my favorites ribbons from the lot, I especially like the celebrate one and the brown with blue polka dots...and I used the "funky disco" one (as I call it!) this week on a double pocket card...
Thanks for the kind words and a very public thank you! *blushes*
And yes, even though I caught the scrapbooking/stamping virus shortly before "meeting" you, you sure inspired me to take it to another level and get lost in the addiction!! ;-)
Sure you can share my card if you'd like, but it's up on my site so you don't have to!... ;-)
Posted by: Bee | October 04, 2007 at 10:25 AM
What a creative card, especially the candle. Love it!!
Posted by: MeredithC | October 04, 2007 at 10:55 AM
AWESOME idea Erika! I'm gonna' case these birthday cake cards for sure! Oh, and I'll give you full credit of couse! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Lorraine
Posted by: Lorraine Rowe | October 04, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Ooooh, I have little wheels a-spinning in my head now! :) TFS!
Posted by: Caroline in Toronto | October 04, 2007 at 07:20 PM
Very creative Erika - love this! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Posted by: Alexandra Hobson | October 04, 2007 at 11:13 PM
This card is GREAT!! TFS!!
Posted by: Amanda A. | October 05, 2007 at 08:52 AM
aWESOME iDEA!!!!!
Posted by: Gina Wrona | October 05, 2007 at 10:25 AM
What a clever use of the paper strips!!
Posted by: Michele | October 05, 2007 at 10:34 AM
What a wonderful card, so creative!
Posted by: Samantha | October 06, 2007 at 09:00 PM
What a wonderful card, so creative!
Posted by: Samantha | October 06, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Erika,
Adorable! Just adorable!
You always inspire me to jump out of the box!
Kim
Posted by: Kim Leach | October 07, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Great card!! What a creative idea...I love it!
Posted by: kerianne | October 14, 2007 at 06:31 PM