Lighthearted Lines With Thanks

Have you ever done something completely daft? You know the kind of thing that you hoped no one saw at the time. Then somehow you can’t resist telling a special friend or family member about it. Usually the retelling is accompanied by “don’t laugh but…” Of course laughter often eventually follows. This was what came to mind with this thank you card using the Lighthearted Lines Stamp Set. “Thanks for lending and ear … and keeping a straight face.”

"Thanks for lending an ear ...and keeping a straight face" - card created using the Lighthearted Lines Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

MYSTERY STAMPING

This card actually came about as part of an online gathering of Canadian Demonstrators. We had a fun four hours of training and games and, a mystery stamping event. This is where we were told to cut some supplies but not shown the project we were going to make. Mystery stamping can be fun, but it also brings with it some unique challenges.

As I’ve no idea where the project is going I usually start with instructions about patterned Designer Series Paper (DSP). This time we were asked to choose a design and cut a strip 2″ x 12″. I chose a sheet from the Hand-Penned DSP and made sure that I liked the designs on both sides. This way I’d still have a little choice when assembling my project.

Then I had to cut some card pieces. First there was a standard card base cut at 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ Plus I needed three pieces in a contrasting card colour. Keeping things safe I took my colour choices directly from the Hand-Penned DSP. I chose Misty Moonlight for the card base and Pool Party for the other card layers. I cut the three layers as instructed, at all 2-1/4″ wide but one 3-1/4″ long, one 4-1/4″ long and one 5-1/4″ long.

At this point I began to think about a stamp set, and I wanted something that would give me a few different options. The instructions mentioned a ‘large shape for the sentiment’, which meant I’d want a large sentiment to fill it. So after a little searching I settled on Lighthearted Lines. It met the criteria and still gave me the variety I thought I might need.

Hedging my bets I chose a die from the Tasteful Labels Dies to create my ‘large shape’. I thought the shape was interesting with an ’embossed’ detail around the edges. More importantly though it would fit quite a few of the sentiments in the Lighthearted Lines Stamp Set.

Finally I collected together an assortment of coordinating embellishments and ribbon and basic tools.

LIGHTHEARTED THANKS

Once we began we were instructed to cut our 2″ x 12″ DSP strip into three pieces, 3″, 4″ and 5″ long. Then we had to mount them onto the three 2-1/4″ wide card strips. I used my favourite glue, Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive (Tombow), for this. I also decided to use both sides of the DSP, just in case.

Next we told to attach the three layered pieces onto the front of our card base anywhere we wanted. I started with the longest piece down the centre of my card and attached with liquid glue. The second longest came next, attached towards the left with Stampin’ Dimensionals. That was followed by the smallest piece towards the right but using Stampin’ Dimensionals stacked two high.

I was really happy with how the card was coming together. But now it was time to decide on the sentiment.

After looking at the various options in the Lighthearted Lines Stamp Set I chose the phrase with the big “Thanks”. Then, keeping with my colour palette, I stamped it onto the die-cut shape using Misty Moonlight ink.

After adding the sentiment to the card front with more Stampin’ Dimensionals (double stacked under the left side), all I had to do was add my embellishments. I decided to keep it simple with three silver circles from the Silver & Clear Epoxy Essentials Pack scattered around the sentiment.

NOT QUITE FINISHED

What we weren’t asked to do or prepare for was to decorate the inside of the card and liner. But to me that’s as important as the card front. So I went back to the DSP pack and chose the same floral sheet. First I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ strip and glued it down the right-hand edge of the 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Basic White Card. Then with more liquid glue I fixed it inside the card base.

Next I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of the floral paper and glued it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then with my Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess paper. using the edge of the flap as a guide. With that I felt that my project was finally complete.

I must say I love how this card turned out. Using the DSP to help choose the colour scheme really worked. I’m also pleased that I opted to show both sides of the DSP. Then stamping my sentiment to match the card base brings it all together. Mystery stamping was fun and I know I’ll want to try it again. What do you think?

For more projects using the Lighthearted Lines Stamp Set see the following blog post: