Michael's Dollar Bin Find

Before I get onto the card for this post, I just want to mention that the next CARD MAKING CROP is Saturday, September 1st, from 10 AM until 4 PM.  It's at my church, Holy Name of Jesus, on Bonesteel Street.  If you haven't been yet and need directions and details about the group, email me at thestamppad@yahoo.com and I will send them to you.  Hope you'll join us on the 1st.  Please let me know if you are coming.  Now, on to the cards.....

I was poking around in the dollar bin at Michael's a few weeks ago, and the prettiest paper pad caught my eye.  It was one of the 5 x 5 pads with 10-12 sheets in it, two of each.  It was a pretty blue floral, with striped and dotted coordinating sheets.  It just had to come home with me, so I bought two (now I wish I had bought more)!  I thought they would be good for a few cards each.

These are two cards I made with my "find" at our last card making crop:

I immediately though ' sympathy' with this pattern and the soft, comforting colors.  First, I layered a portion of a piece of the floral paper to a blue card.  I borrowed Kathy's Stampin Up punch (which I now HAVE to have) for the saying panel.  I punched white card stock, stamped the sympathy saying on it, attached it to a scrap of blue card stock, then cut around the punched image, leaving a scant 1/8" or so border of blue.  I tucked some white satin ribbon under for extra pizazz, and foam taped it to the card front.  A couple of rhinestones, and I was done!  How's that for CAS!!

On this card, I attached some of the floral paper, and some of the coordinating stripe.  Wrapped with a white ribbon, it just went together so quickly and well.  I hand-fashioned a 'tag' shape, and stamped It's your day on it, added a bow, and some green pearls.  Voila, another easy, yet elegant, card.

I love this paper, and when everyone at the group saw it, they wanted it too.  So we all ended up at Michael's and, of course, it was no longer there.  Lesson here is - If you see it and love it, BUY it right then.....and buy more than one, or two, or even three......

It is amazing how the right papers can really make a card.  There is no fancy work here, just some simple layering on both cards.  Much cleaner than my usual style, but I have to admit, I am really enjoying this little reprieve now and then from my more glam it up approach to card making.

Have you had any great finds lately?

Blessings,

lynda