Margaret Moody

A Quick and Simple Thank You

In today's fast and busy world, a simple note of gratitude is always welcome and never goes out of style!  Today's card is the perfect answer when you need something quick and simple, yet handmade and personal!  My design preferences are very classic and traditional, but I've learned to appreciate the clean look of contemporary design, too. The striped pattern from the Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper is featured in this clean and contemporary design.  The layout offers numerous possibilities for a different look or feel by simply changing the Designer Series Paper and coordinating your colors. Don't need any "thank you" notes?  Change out the sentiment to fit your need!  Make one or make several!  Stylish, clean, quick and simple!  

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:  

Stamps:  Thanks for Everything (retired)  
Paper:  Basic Gray, Basic Black, Apricot Appeal, Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper   
Ink:  Basic Black   
Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig  
Extras:  Vintage Brads (black)

Unexpected Occasions

Life is full of unexpected moments and it's always great to have on hand a few handmade cards for those unexpected occasions.  This simple but pretty "Thinking of You" card was made for a friend who recently lost a close family member. The design can be easily adapted for other purposes by simply changing out the sentiment to fit the occasion and you're ready to go!   I love the color trio of Lovely Lilac, Pumpkin Pie, and Ruby Red together! Add Certainly Celery to the mix and the butterflies from the Great Friend set really "pop" against the Soft Suede base.  I think the results are striking! I hope you agree!  Thanks for visiting!

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Great Friend, Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Soft Suede, Lovely Lilac, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper, Whisper White
Ink:  Lovely Lilac, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red
Tools:  Paper Snips, Boho Blossoms Punch, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool
Extras:  Linen Thread, Buttons (my button box), colored rhinestones (my embellishment stash), Stampin' Dimensionals

It's "The Little Things"

Have you ever considered what life would be like without "the little things"?  Sharing a card with someone is a "little thing" that often means so much to the receiver!  So with that in mind, I'd like to share with you the card I created for the K.I.S.S. challenge or PPA8, hosted this week at Pals Paper Arts. K.I.S.S. stands for "Keep It Simple, Sweetie" and the suggested guidelines for creating a KISS card are as follows:

• Clean with lots of 'white' space
• Simple Designs
• Minimum time to create
• Limited layers and embellishments

This quick and easy card meets all the KISS guidelines and more!  I used my own sketch and one of my favorite stamp sets to create this clean and simple card in less than 15 minutes!  I love the final results and hope you do too!  If so, please leave a comment!  I really enjoy hearing from all of you and hope you're inspired by my cards!  Now...go get out your stamping supplies and get started on your own "little thing" to share with someone!   

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamp set:  Enjoy Every Moment

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Summer Sun, Lovely Lilac, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Only Orange

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Only Orange

Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch

Extras:  Vintage Brads (black), yellow brad (from personal stash), Mini Glue Dots

Lots of Apples!

The Pals Paper Arts challenge blog is hosting a sketch challenge this week and I'm excited to be the Featured Stamper again!  I used the simple sketch I designed for PPA7 to create this school-themed thank you card.  Read on for my inspiration and the details for making the card!

September always makes me think of going back to school, buying school supplies, and new school clothes.  And, who doesn't love a brand new box of crayons and a package of pencils to start the new school year?  Don't forget an apple for the teacher, too!  This card is loaded with apples for a new or favorite teacher, a first-time or returning student, or someone who works in a school. The recipient of this card, however, is someone who isn't going back-to-school this year!  It was made especially for my sister, who recently retired after 39 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator. She undoubtedly received lots of apples throughout the years!  Thanks, Donna, for your dedication, your inspiration, and always putting the students first!

All supplies used for this card are Stampin' Up!, unless noted otherwise:

• Bright and sunny Yoyo Yellow was used for the card base.  A band of Basic Black spans the width of the card.  It's topped with a strip of lined note paper that mimics the "torn from my spiral" look, easily duplicated with the easy-to-use Spiral punch (TIP:  Adhere a layer of Whisper White under the note paper before punching; this adds stability and also gives the look of more paper hiding underneath!).

• The "thank you" sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set was stamped in Jet Black StazOn onto a strip of Old Olive.  The Corner Rounder punch was used to replicate the look of a file folder tab.  The tab was tucked under the band of Basic Black and attached with Sticky Strip. The entire assembly was adhered to the card base using Sticky Strip.

• I used the Big Shot, the Circles #2 die, and Circle punches to make the layered circles to display each apple. For the base circle, I used Basic Black and ran it through the Big Shot, using the Circles #2 die. The next layer, attached to the black circle using Stampin' Dimensionals, was punched from Old Olive using the 1 3/8" Circle punch.  A crisp layer of Whisper White was punched out using the 1 1/4" Circle punch, and adhered with SNAIL Adhesive.    

• The bright red apples were created using the image stamp from the Tart & Tangy set and Stampin' Write markers in Real Red, Old Olive, and Close to Cocoa.  Each apple was cut out using Paper Snips and added to the Whisper White circle using Stampin' Dimensionals.  The finished "apple embellishments" were adhered to the card base with snippets of Sticky Strip.

• For the finishing touch, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon is wrapped around the card atop the note paper strip and tied in a pretty bow.  An A+ touch!

Thanks for visiting my blog!  I hope my sketch for PPA7 will inspire you to take out your stamping supplies and create something fun today!  For more inspiration, visit the Pals Paper Arts blog and "play along" too!

A Simple Birthday Greeting!

As a teacher, September is always a very busy month for me!  It also happens to be a busy month for birthdays, too.  I have ten birthday cards to make for friends and family members who will be celebrating their birthdays this month!  This simple but pretty birthday greeting was made in less than 15 minutes!  You can't beat that when you're pressed for time!  This particular card was made for the wonderful instructional aide that helps me everyday in my PreK classroom.  She's great with my students, always ready to do anything I ask her to do, and, most of all, she makes me laugh!  I know she'll like this card because she loves the red floral pattern from the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper package as much as I do!  Happy Birthday, Cheryl!

All supplies used for this card are from Stampin' Up!, unless noted otherwise:

• This card starts with a standard size card base in Whisper White.  

• Red floral patterned paper from the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper was added using SNAIL Adhesive.  

• A band of Real Red was added at the bottom of the patterned paper, overlapping the red floral paper slightly to conceal the edge.

• The birthday greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set was stamped directly onto the Whisper White base in Real Red ink.  A Stamp-a-ma-jig was used for easy but accurate placement. 

• A Hobby Blade was used to cut a small slit in the fold of the card on the left hand side.  This allowed the 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red to be threaded through, then wrapped around the front of the card and tied in a simple knot.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Feedback is always appreciated and welcomed!  If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work on those birthday cards!  One down...nine more to go!

Pretty Posies

This birthday card was made for a wonderful classroom aide with whom I work with at the school where I teach.  She recently celebrated her birthday and I wanted to make her a card that reflected her sunny and cheerful personality!  She's always happy, upbeat, and a true joy to work with!  Happy Birthday, Deana!

All supplies used for this card are Stampin' Up!, unless noted otherwise:

• I started with a standard size card base of Basic Black and added a layer of Ballet Blue.      

• A crisp layer of Whisper White provides the foundation for my "flower bed" of pretty posies. Strips of Wild Wasabi make tall, straight stems for showcasing the pretty blooms.  

• Flowers from the Polka-Dot Posies set (retired) were stamped in Real Red, then snipped out with Paper Snips.  Sunny yellow buttons from my button jar make the perfect centers for the flowers. Mini Glue Dots hold the buttons securely in place. The flowers were adhered atop the stems with Stampin' Dimensionals.

• Leaves were made by scoring and folding in half a piece of Wild Wasabi, then hand-cutting each leaf.  Veining was added to each leaf using a Stylus and a metal ruler.  Leaves were adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

• The Happy Birthday stamp from the Mark the Date set was inked with Jet Black StazOn and stamped onto the Whisper White background. 

• The Scallop Edge punch was used at the base of the Whisper White piece to add interest and contrast at the bottom.  

• A pretty piece of red double-stitched ribbon from my ribbon stash adds the finishing touch to "tie it all" together!                                                   

• The finished Whisper White layer was added to the Ballet Blue layer using SNAIL Adhesive.     

Don't forget...there's still time to "play along" and join in the fun at this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge!  Go to Pals Paper Arts for more details!   Thanks for stopping by!