Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Teacher or Acquaintance Quick Gift

Hello! Welcome to today's Stamp Simply Celebrates! featured project and challenge!
Do you have trouble coming up with a quick gift for your student's teacher, or for an acquaintance that seems to have everything? Notecards are a great gift for someone who may be difficult to buy for!
I prefer to create giftcards that are for any occasion, so they are useful for the recepient. Teachers appreciate notecards for communication and thank you's; elderly folks also enjoy notecards, as they very often mail "the old-fashioned way."

Here is a grouping of simple notecards following a bird theme. I purposely left any sentiment off, so they are suitable for any situation. I also do not use a lot of embellishments, so they are easily mailed without extra postage.

This grouping has two different methods to present your gift. The first is the A2 card box, pictured in the back row on the right. I followed a wonderful tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers by Beate Johns for this very easy box. You can find Beate's tutorial here.

The second is a Notecard Folder, pictured in the back row, left. I found this template online at Mirkwood Designs. There is a bevy of marvelous templates at this site-- be sure to check it out. The Notecard Folder holds four A2 cards, as well as envelopes. Instead of using ribbon or cord to close it, I used a tab with Velcro self-stick dots. Here is a photo of the inside:


I used two different stamp sets: Stampin' Up "Soft as a Feather" (retired) and Crafty Secrets "Bird Notes." I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream, and colored them with Copic Markers. I used marker colors 0, G40, E00, C1, YR21, YG11, BG93 and E55. I die cut the images out with with my trusty Cuttlebug, Nestabilties Labels I, and Curved Rectangles.
The designer paper is Cosmo Cricket's Fleuriste: Vineyard, purchased from Joan's Gardens. Regular cardstock: Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up. All ribbon used is also from Stampin' Up.

My challenge to you is to create a set of simple notecards and package them as a gift. I am really looking forward to seeing any and all of your ideas for cards and presentation! Please feel free to upload them at any gallery. If you choose to upload at Splitcoast Stampers, please use keywords SSC08. Make sure that you link your design here as well!
Please use these links for more wonderful notecard ideas:
Let us not forget blog candy! Dee and Sharon both have fun goodies--best wishes!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow this is GORGEOUS!! I love the color combo and the stamps you used.

Julie Koerber said...

Oh my gosh, pick my jaw up off the floor!!!! Those are just too pretty for words! To die for in fact!!

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Oh, DEb!!! Totally fabulous!!! I LOVE the cards but the box and the folder are just over the top!!! I will be casing that folder, for sure!!! Love this entire post - FABULOUS WORK -- great images -- wonderful colors!!! Thank you so much!!!

Elaine said...

OMG these are my favorite colors this season! I love the set of cards...they are sooo pretty!

LeAnne said...

These are gorgeous! I could KICK myself for getting rid of Soft as a Feather---works perfectly with your other CS set! Thanks for the template link!
LeAnne

Janine said...

These are just amazing!! What a beautiful set! The folder is just perfect!!! Thanks for this challenge..

Anonymous said...

Oh Deb, this ensemble is positively fabulous! Love the papers, the stamps, everything! Over-the-top gorgeous girl!

C said...

Just beautiful...jawdroppingly beautiful!

Darlene said...

FANTASTIC!! What a great gift idea Deb and these are amazing! Thanks for the links ... will definately be checking those out. LOVE your choice of color & images and the way you've packaged them really makes for a beautiful presentation!! Awesome project ... thanks! I just might have to give this a try today!!!

Judy Rozema said...

Wow!!!! How gorgeous these are!!!

AJ said...

these are just fabulous, love those birds!!

Amy said...

Deb, these cards are wonderful! I have talked myself out of buying these stamp sets in the past, but my resolve is now crumbling.

Thanks for sharing!

Barbara Schram said...

What a terrific set, DEB! The colors are so soft and beautiful! Love the idea of the folder to house them in too! What a perfect gift!

Anonymous said...

I love the notecards you created, especially the great folder to keep them in! Each card is just beautiful!
I recently made a set of simple notecards {with a matching box} for a gift, and it's perfect for you challenge, so I posted them here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1150649?cat=500&ppuser=88761

Thanks for the inspiration - I think I'll make more now:)

Barb said...

Your cards are lovely. I love those birds. The holder is very pretty as well. Barb

Anonymous said...

Deb,
This is my first visit....how great is your work....I love birds so I am really taken with this set...thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

TFS your gorgeous cards and wonderful card gift boxes. You are such an inspiration. Thanks again....

jenn said...

Thanks for the template link and a great idea. I had a few people I was stuck on what to get them, but your challenge was the perfect motivation. Here's my attempt http://jennscrafts.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-4-challenge.html

Anonymous said...

This was just the inspiration I needed to create a set of note cards for my mom.

I've uploaded them to SCS and you can see them here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1151188?cat=500&ppuser=188455
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1151187&cat=500&ppuser=188455

Thanks for a great project idea!

Jill Haddad said...

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! Here's my entry for your challenge:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1151203?cat=3202
This was a great idea and just the kick I needed to get started making my Christmas gifts. Thanks.

Nancy said...

These care just gorgeous, Deb! I love the colors, and the images are perfect!

Here's my set:
http://windstarcreations.blogspot.com/2008/12/pretty-simple-notecards-for-wonderful.html