Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Penny Black | Blooming into a New Season

Hello! As the festivities of Christmas fade away, I find myself drawn to new cardmaking themes. I decided to revisit some Penny Black products, several of which I previously used on this card.

- Through the circle stencil in the Background Basics set, I applied Tumbled Glass ink. I stamped the Blooming Sentiments sentiment in black ink at the top of the circle and trimmed the panel as needed. I added the sentiment panel to an A2-size card base.
- To begin, I cut the Boots, Burst of Blooms, Daisy Delight, and butterfly (Flight of Fancy set) from Soft Finish cardstock. I colored the boots, Burst of Blooms floral sections, and butterfly with Distress Inks. I colored the stems of the flowers and the daisy centers with Copic markers. I adhered centers cut from white cardstock with the Dots die.
- I trimmed the floral pieces and added them to the boots, taping them in place on the back of the boots.
- I added the butterfly and filled boots to the card front with foam adhesive.

Cards to Say Thank You

Hello! In this post, I’m excited to share a collection of “Thank You” cards that I’ve crafted over the years. From classic elegance to whimsical designs, each card tells a story of appreciation in its own distinctive style. I also want to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving comments. It means a lot to me!

Sending a thank you card is a timeless gesture that conveys appreciation and gratitude in a tangible way. There are many occasions and reasons that prompt the sending of thank you cards including acknowledgement of a gift received or an act of kindness or support, gratitude to a host and/or hostess for a social event, and appreciation for an act of service by a teacher, mentor, coach, or volunteer.

Throughout this post, I’ll be using cards from my blog archive as examples. Click on the card image to be taken to the original post. Even if the specific products used on the cards may no longer be available, the focus is on how the theme is represented on the card.

For those who appreciate a contemporary approach to expressing thanks, these slimline cards demonstrate the power of saying “Thanks” with nothing more than bold letters and striking hues.

Complete with a personalized license plate that spells out “THANKU,” this card, featuring a bright, sporty car in a tropical scene, adds fun to expressing gratitude.

A simple, yet sweet, “THX” message grounds the colorful birds on this CAS card.

For a touch of sophistication, an intricate floral pattern frames a central “Thank You” sentiment. Perfect for those special occasions that call for a more refined expression of thanks.

With the clever message “Thanks a Latte,” this card is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who enjoys a good cup of coffee.

The focal point of this appreciation is a large and gracefully scripted “Thanks” placed in the center and surrounded with die-cut floral clusters.

Complement the large die-cut “Thanks” with the stamped message, “For making my day brighter.” Added to a teal, geometric background that includes vibrant die-cut butterflies, this stylish card brightens the spirit.

A small, yet impactful, stamped “Thank You” sentiment adds a touch of sweetness to this nature-inspired creation featuring a Mason jar vase filled with daises.

A vibrant, colored Viking adds a playful twist to the traditional “Thank You” card.

Whether you’re drawn to the bold simplicity of a single word or the intricate details of die-cut designs, whimsy or traditional, the common thread is the sentiment conveyed through these creations. I hope these cards inspire you to explore your own creativity in expressing gratitude, making each “thank you” note a personalized work of art.

Art Impressions Winter Wonderland

Hello and Merry Christmas! Step into a picturesque scene of a cozy house nestled in the snow, created with the Art Impressions Snowy Window stamp and die set.

Stamp Snowy Window images (scene and snowman) with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set. Color the images with watercoloring mediums of choice (I used Tombow markers). Set aside to dry. (You can read more about watercoloring stamped images HERE.) Once dry, cut the snowman with the die included in the Snowy Window set.
Cut a 4 x 5 1/4 inch patterned paper panel (I used a now-retired My Favorite Things die). Use a square die to cut a window in the panel. Attach patterned paper frame to the watercolored image. Add assembly to an A2-size card base. Add the snowman to the scene with foam adhesive.

The window set stamps at Art Impressions are a lot of fun to color. I shared a card created with the Birdhouse Neighborhood set HERE.

Warm Wishes and Bear Hugs

Hello! This winter-themed friendship card, adorned with a charming bear created with the Impression Obsession Cocoa Bear set, exudes a playful charm that is sure to bring a smile to the recipient.

- - Cut Cocoa Bear from a variety of cardstock colors and textures. Assemble.
  - Stamp the Bear Sayings sentiment on to a die-cut Polaroid frame. (I used one from Paper Smooches.)
  - Back the frame with patterned paper. (I used Cabin Fever from Carta Bella for the scarf, the back of the frame, and the card base.)
  - Add frame to a patterned paper card base (A2-size). Add bear to the front of the frame.

Watercolored Penny Black Santa Paws

Hello! Today, I am sharing a holiday card featuring the adorable Penny Black Santa Paws stamp watercolored on a one-layer canvas. I was drawn to the image of a dog playing Santa and his rabbit helper spreading the magic of “Ho Ho Ho.”

Cut an A2-size rectangle of Light Brown Woodgrain cardstock and add to a card base.
Stamp the Santa Paws image with Versafine on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper and heat set. Color the image with watercoloring mediums of choice (I used Distress Ink, and Zig and Tombow markers). (Check out my “Resources for Watercoloring Stamped Images” HERE.)
Stamp the image on to masking paper and fussy-cut.
Once the watercolored image is dry, stamp the sentiment on the panel.
Cut a snowbank from vellum. I used a die in the Sunny Studio Nature Borders set. Cover the image with the mask. Place the vellum snowbank over the image. Tape down one of the Background Basics stencils and apply Tumbled Glass ink to the sky area.
Cut the watercolored and stenciled panel with the largest die in the Zig Zag Stackers set. Add to the card base. I pressed the watercolored image overnight before adding to the card base.