Green typewriter cards....inspired by Going Green Inspiration Board

Today I'm jumping right into using my March Going Green Pinterest Inspiration Board as inspiration for some cards.  You can view the Going Green board here.  For inspiration I created a collage using the Pic Collage app on my iPhone.  I then printed my collage onto a sheet of 8.5 x 11 glossy photo paper.  I also created a smaller collage of some of my cards that I've created that I like to use for card sketches.  I was inspired by the cell phone cover with the typewriter sitting in the grass.  I took a photo of my typewriter, changed the color to green and printed a mini Instagram sheet.  These will be available in my online shop soon. 

For my cards, once I have an idea of what I want to create I select papers and embellishments to create somewhat of a mini kit to use.  I like to have this little messy pile of goodies all fanned out.  The creativity just starts to flow once I see color and patterns and unique embellishments.  For my mini typewriter Instagrams, I trimmed four of them down to little squares. The patterned papers are from the March Gossamer Blue 6 x 6 paper pad in the Bits & Pieces Kit.  On the right side of the photo below you'll see that I stitched with green thread down the side of some Basics Journaling Cards.  I absolutely must have these in my stash to use for card fronts.  Love them to pieces.  

In my inspiration collage there's a photo of a butterfly on ledger paper (you can see all the photos better on my Going Green Inspiration Board).  I dug out one of my old ledger books and tore out a sheet to cut up for a bottom layer of my cards.  

Here are my finished cards.  I love the office supply feel that the typewriter Instagrams, lined journaling cards and ledger paper lends to these cards.  The color definitely says green too. 

Here's a nice shot of all the layers the cards have.  I just love stitching and stapling pieces of paper together.  

I found plenty of embellishments and twine from the March Gossamer Blue kits this month. Those little daisy brads...oh, I could use full packs of them.  If you're liking the gold and silver twines, I do carry some in my shop.  Silver is here.  Gold is here.  

The little typewriter Instagrams.  I keep adding these to my stash/shop because they just come in so handy for cards and little packaging items.  For the sentiments, I used the "just my type" stamp from a previous Life Pages stamp set from Gossamer Blue.  For the other sentiment I typed those out with my vintage typewriter.  You can also get a glimpse of my favorite product from this month's Gossamer Blue kits.  It's the wood tape from the March Life Pages Themed Add-On.  You can stitch on it, trim it with scissors or a trimmer, die cut it....you really will love this.  And this kit is one of the few remaining over at the Gossamer Blue store. You'll also really love the My Mind's Eye wood dots in this kit too.  Oh and then there's gold shimmer paper, a Brilliance ink pad and the most beautiful journaling cards.  Just a fun, fun kit. 

I wanted to share a fun tip for you to try the next time you work with 6 x6 paper pads.  Lots of times the 6 x 6 sheet will have a border at the top with a perforated line for tearing the sheets out.  When I tore out my sheets, the whole page ripped out.  So I just rolled with it and used the torn edge + the cream border with the hole as the bottom of my patterned paper layer.  And I love it so much.  It just adds texture and a little something unexpected to the card design. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today & I hope you enjoyed my cards.  I really am getting so much inspiration from my Pinterest boards.  I'd love for you to link up your creations in the comments section if you are inspired to create something from my Going Green board.  I'll be back with more projects all month long and be sure to check the shop soon for some new green items + fun kits, etc.  As always, thank you for leaving a nice comment.  They do mean so much to me. :)

Radiant Orchid Packaging...

Today I'm excited to share a little gift packaging I created using the Radiant Orchid Inspiration Kit (now sold out) that I had in my shop earlier this month.  The inspiration came from my new monthly inspiration series where I create a themed board on Pinterest and share inspiration all month long here on the blog. This month's inspiration board is titled Radiant Orchid(Pantone Color of the Year). You can read about it in this post. 

Here's the supply line up for my gift packaging.  I used Large Kraft Sacks, the painted Medium White Parcel Tags from the kit, a glittered flower sprig, Washi tape from my stash and the silk ribbon and seam binding from the kit.  

 A good friend gifted me with a fun Thirty-One tote bag to take to ballgames and parties.  It was so thoughtful...I am so touched when friends give you gifts "just because".  Actually she said it was a thank you for always having 20 kids at our house at any given moment.  :)  Anyway, I packaged up 3 cards with envelopes for her because she loves my cards.  Another great reason to have cards on hand...to keep them for little gifts.

 I used two shades of pinkish/purple Washi tape to seal the flap.  Next I used some ruffled seam binding that I simply ran through my sewing machine, just scrunching it up and folding it as I pushed it through the sewing foot.  I did about 2 yards so I could have a nice, long piece to use for gift wrap.  I think it's sooo pretty.  I used the seam binding from the kit and the beautiful silk ribbon for a finishing tied bow.  I snipped a little sparkly sprig to add as a finishing touch.

 The painted tag is from the kit and comes straight from a photo on my Radiant Orchid Pinterest board. I love the metallic gold paired with the matte acrylic paints.  It's a fun idea to have some of the white tags on hand, paint your own tags then add some typed sentiments.

My friend who gave me the tote bag carries a similar one to all of the ballgames.  She keeps her camera, snacks, wallet....everything but the kitchen sink......in her bag.  I plan to tuck this sweet little gift into her sack so she can find it at the ballgame.

Up for discussion....
I'm finding that it really warms my heart to send a card or give a small gift (even if it's just a few handmade cards) to those who do good deeds for us.  It's a fun exchange and I find the more you give, the more you receive.  Receive as in feeling good....but sometimes a surprise like receiving a fun gift like a new tote bag.  I'd love to hear what you give as little gifts as this is high on my to do list this year. Next up, I got an invite to one of these Thirty-One parties from my friend.  It's been years since I've been to a home party so I'm kind of out of the loop.  I'm thinking I'll buy my mom a little tote to take back and forth to her car.  She's getting kind of forgetful these days so I thought a fun bag with lots of pockets might be nice for keeping her list, wallet, travel cup, snacks, etc.  Fun stuff!