Today’s project is a very simple thank you card using the Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set. I’ll admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of ‘fruit’ images on my projects but gave in with this set. The reason? The sentiments and the gorgeous leaf and flower images. Even if I never used the strawberry images, there are still 14 stamps that would see a lot of use. For me that made buying this set a complete no-brainer. Of course there is a coordinating punch, and so I ended up getting that as well, just in case…

STRAWBERRY FLOWERS

My project today was all about showing off the combined flowers and leaves image. But before I could start I first needed to cut some card pieces.

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to make my card base. With that done I just needed to cut two 4″ x 5-1/4″ pieces of Very Vanilla Card to stamp on.

Using Tuxedo Black ink I first stamped the flower and leaf image across the bottom right corner of one of the Very Vanilla layers. Next I stamped the image in the same place on the front of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Then I put these pieces aside while I worked on the layer for the front of the card.

I started by cutting a 3/4″ x 3″ mask from a Full-Adhesive Post-It® Note. Then I placed the mask across the centre of the second Very Vanilla layer. This would allow me to stamp the image twice and leave an area for the sentiment.

First I stamped the flower and leaf image in the top half of the layer so the bottom of the stem and parts of the lower leaves stamped onto the mask. Then after reinking it, I stamped the image in the bottom half of the layer, once again with the end of the stem and parts of the lower leaves on the mask.

Finally, with all the images stamped I removed the mask to reveal the clear area between the two images. Then I simply stamped my “thank you” sentiment in the space. This was easy as I could see right through the photopolymer stamp to get the placement just right.

QUICK FINISH

Colouring the images was quick and easy too using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. For the flowers I chose Flirty Flamingo, with Granny Apple Green for the leaves. To make sure the alcohol ink didn’t bleed through to the back of the envelope I put a scrap of white paper inside while I coloured.

Finally I was ready to assemble the card, and even that was simple. First, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow), I fixed the sentiment panel directly onto the front of the card base. Then I glued the other panel to the inside of the card. In less than 15 minutes my quick but colourful thank you card was complete.

I love how this project turned out. In fact I may even make a batch of these without stamping in the space across the middle. Then when I need a card in a hurry I’ll just stamp an appropriate sentiment in the gap and the card will be ready to mail. What do you think?

PRODUCT LIST

I actually made this project some time ago but decided not to post it to my blog as the coordinating Strawberry Builder Punch (not used today) was not orderable at the time. Now that it’s back in stock you can get the Strawberry Stamp Set and Strawberry Builder Punch using a single bundle item number. That’s what I did, and it saved me 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore that option.