Instant Inspiration...Rustic Branches/October Afternoon

This day, I created just for myself. I needed a bunch of birthday cards for upcoming September birthdays so I set out to make a bunch. Check our Nichole's post HERE. She did the same thing but for thank you cards. Are YOU sending out cards? Don't forget that feeling you get when you receive a hand made card in the mail.....just for you. Other's love that feeling too and you are sure to make some one's day by sending them a card to let them know you are thinking of them.

On to my cards. Instant Inspiration.....I just started pulling out supplies from my stash that I like. I purchased all this new ribbon at Archiver's recently so that was my starting point. My October Afternoon paper was a perfect match. I just love to see these little piles of products on my stamping table.

I already knew the stamp set I wanted to use...Pine's new Rustic Branches stamp set from Papertrey Ink. She totally got me hooked on Twinkling Watercolors too. So after deciding that I was going to make six birthday cards, I went to work. I cut and embossed 6 Spellbinder's Label dies from Papertrey's Vintage Cream Cardstock. I think painted my Twinkling H2O's onto my wreath stamp until I had 6 completed images. Hint: I keep a little spray bottle handy and just keep re-wetting my Twinkling H2O's. I find that if you get the little paint really wet and let it sit a little bit, it gets a little thicker consistency. This helps it apply to the acrylic stamps a little better.
Next, I stamped the berries on the wreaths with Papertrey's Dark Chocolate ink. Then I reached for my jar of vintage buttons. This whole jar of buttons has been snipped right off of clothing, so lucky for me they're all threaded. I just adhered them to the centers of the rustic wreath and set them aside to dry. These will become my focal images.
Next I decided on specific paper and ribbon. I chose two patterns from October Afternoon and four different ribbons. It was time to assemble my cards. I cut my patterned paper into 4" squares to get maximum usage out of a 12 x 12 sheet. For my card bases, I used Papertrey's Vintage Cream cardstock.
And here's my finished cards. I did three of each design for a total of 6 cards. I love how vintage and homemade they look. I finished up the cards with a *Happy Birthday* sentiment from PTI's Birthday Basics stamp set.
Here's a closeup of the ribbon. Hint: Because this ribbon was a little pricey, I only use it in snippets, never all the way around a card. So what I did for my cards was cut enough for the card fronts only, applied a little adhesive and then stapled the ends at the edges of the cards. This holds it all in place and adds to that homey feel of the cards. The textures are amazing too!

I did the same thing for the little ribbon snippets on the focal piece. I added a little bit of adhesive and then stapled the ribbon to secure it in place.
Here's my cards, all ready to be sent out. I placed some envelopes and all of my cards into a junk store bread tin find....they're all ready to be written in, addressed and sent out. September birthday cards done!! Oh, zoom in on this photo below to see the shimmery effects of the Twinkling H2O's, it's soooooo pretty.
So, my dears, I now challenge you all to do a little mass producing of your own. Send out those birthday cards, get well cards and just plain ol' thinking of you cards to those that would really love your creations. You'll be sure to make someone's day.