Every now and then I get an idea in my head and I can’t shake it. A few months back I was struck by a design comment I saw somewhere. In it the writer suggested using fewer colours in a design, limiting it to just two or three. Yesterday’s sunflower sticky notes project definitely didn’t follow that ‘limited colour palette’ idea. So today I decided to make a ‘thinking of you’ card using just Moody Mauve and Very Vanilla. The interest and detail would come from the use of texture.

MOODY MAUVE

Having chosen my colours I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Moody Mauve Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create an A2 card base.

For the background I cut two more pieces of Moody Mauve Card, one 3-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ and the other 3-5/8″ x 4-7/8″. Next I embossed the smaller piece using the Cane Weave 3D Embossing Folder. Then I mounted the smaller layer onto the larger one using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Before attaching the layers to the card base I wanted to add a little more detail. So with a pencil I marked a point on the top edge of the assembled layers 2″ from the top left corner, along with a second point down the left side 2-3/4″ from the same corner. Then I laid 5″ of Moody Mauve 3/8″ Textured Ribbon between the two marks and secured it on the back using Tear & Tape Adhesive. Finally I added the layers to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Now I needed a sentiment and I chose “thinking of you” from the Wonderful Thoughts Stamp Set. Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped it onto a 1-3/8″ x 1-7/8″ piece of Very Vanilla Card. Then I glued it onto a 1-1/2″ x 2″ piece of Moody Mauve Card before adding it to the card front with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.

CANE WEAVE OOPS

All I had left to do was decorate the inside of the card base and the envelope using the same Cane Weave 3D Embossing Folder.

I started simply with a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Very Vanilla Card and embossed just a 1″ strip along the bottom. Then I glued the layer inside the card base to give me a nice area to write a personal message.

Next I slipped the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope inside the embossing folder. Because the envelope is wider than the embossing folder, I had to line up the fold at the top of the flap with the side of the embossing folder. Then the only way to get the folder and envelope through the Cut & Emboss Machine was to carefully crank it through sideways.

I’ve probably done this a hundred times but today I obviously wasn’t paying attention because when I’d finished I realised I’d missed a 1/4″ section along the top of the flap! So now I had two choices, I could trash the envelope and start again, or treat it as an unplanned design feature. In the end I decided that the flap now mimicked the embossed and smooth layers on the front of the card. So with the decision made my card was finally complete.

I have to say I love the texture on this card which adds interest without being distracting. The simple colour scheme really draws the eye in to the sentiment, exactly as I’d hoped. But what do you think? Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts about this card project.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – The Wonderful Thoughts Stamp Set is available by itself, or with coordinating dies (not used today) as part of the Wonderful Thoughts Bundle. What’s really interesting is that 14 of the dies are designed to cut neatly around the 14 sentiments in the stamp set. Plus there’s five other decorative dies. However if you want both the stamp set and coordinating dies you’ll save 10% if you order them using the single ‘bundle’ item number. I’ve included a link to the bundle below so you can explore this option if you wish.