Card Ministry 101 Just Because

I am having so much fun with these Card Ministry 101 posts! Just a reminder, these cards are made with just Stamps, Paper and Ink…no punches, dies or embossing folders! You can find previous Card Ministry 101 posts by searching Card Ministry 101. I know sometimes people look at cards I make and think or even say that they can’t make cards like mine because they don’t have all the “fancy” equipment I have. This card and other cards in this series are made to prove those people WRONG! Don’t get me wrong, I still love the “fancy” equipment and making fancy cards but it’s so nice to know you don’t NEED those things to make fun and pretty cards to send to family and friends! Trust me, your family and friends would LOVE to receive today’s card!!!

Am I hearing some oohs and ahhhs??? I couldn’t believe it when I finished this card and saw how pretty it turned out! My challenge for this week was to make a card that would fit in a business-size envelope. Yes, this card is 9 1/4″ x 4″ and fits perfectly in the business-size envelope! As you can see, I offset the Balmy Blue piece to add some interest but the Whisper White piece is straight. I added three Glitter Dots for fun! Did you know the same effect can be achieved by stamping the dots on your paper with the eraser end of a pencil? WHAT?!!! Yes, just ink up the eraser and then stamp on your paper!

My coloring was a bit wonky but the overall effect was still stunning! I used Stampin’ Blends to color my images but you can use colored pencils, watercolor pencils, markers…even crayons to color these images and they will look fabulous!

Of course, if you have been following me for any time at all, you know I love to decorate the inside of my card as well as the outside…continuity! And when the front of your card, the inside AND the envelope all match, it really shows your attention to detail!

Now, I am going to teach you a little lesson about paper. BORING!!! Okay, I’ll keep it short! For my card I used Stampin’ Up!’s Whisper White Cardstock and it is very smooth so it takes the ink and marker colors well…perfectly! However, the envelope I used is a poor quality paper so the colors aren’t as true as with the Stampin’ Up! paper. My colors didn’t come out as well on the envelope so I decided to go with a different colored flower since the color variations weren’t the same as with the better quality paper. So, are you ready for the Card Recipe???

Just Because Card Recipe:

• Night of Navy Cardstock (item #100867) base cut at 9 1/4” x 8”, scored in half at 4”
• Balmy Blue Cardstock (item #146982) cut at 8 1/4” x 3 1/4”
• Whisper White card stock (item #100730) cut at 8” x 3”; cut at 9” x 7 3/4” (inside)
• Just Because stamp set (item #148786—only available as a hostess item)
• Soft Suede ink pad (item #147115)
• Other: Stampin’ Blends: Balmy Blue Combo (item #148544), Night of Navy Light (item #144036), Granny Apple Green Combo (item #147274) and Daffodil Delight Dark (144585); Glitter Enamel Dots (146934)

I would love to see how you use YOUR stamps, ink and paper to achieve a similar card, so please share! I would LOVE for you to comment about what you like or don’t like about this Card Ministry 101 series (please be gentle). And please, sign up to be notified by email when I post next so you don’t miss anything!

Have a great day and a wonderful week!