Hello April!
In our topsy-turvy world these days, I hope that you are finding comfort in your craft. I know I have! I’ve been trying to keep my mind off things by creating up a storm. I hope you are doing the same.
I recently received the March SCT Sampler, and it included a fantastic collection of patterned papers that made my mouth water. I set out to create some cards, and I just couldn’t stop! Keep in mind, the sampler ISN’T a card kit, but rather a collection of goodies in mini quantities. Nevertheless, by simply adding just a few basic things, you can get a lot of mileage out of the Sampler, especially when making cards.
The delicious papers in this AMAZING Sampler come from My Mind’s Eye and Simple Stories, and I ended up making 9 cards from just 8 of the 6” x 6” patterned papers that came in the Sampler.
Let’s take a look at my results!
My first card features the super cute SCT exclusive acrylic word “amazing” mounted on one of the bits of ephemera. All I added here was black ink and the “you’re” stamp from My Favorite Things.
The second card was basically an homage to this YUMMY patterned paper. I used brown ink to stamp the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp, and then I added a twine bow. That’s it!
My third card incorporates 4 different patterned paper strips and a sentiment from Close To My Heart, which I heat embossed with black embossing powder from Avery Elle Stamps. The final touch was a black satin ribbon. I’ve always been a sucker for a pretty bow!
If you’re anything like me, you’re always in need of sympathy and thinking of you cards, so I used a very simple and time-honored (for me, at least!) design to make four cards.
All I needed to add was a pretty sentiment from Simon Says Stamp stamped in black on white cardstock. This design would be a great one to make in multiples!
Do you have a baggie or bowl of little bits that you’ve created that you choose not to use right away on a card? I’ve been digging into my stash and having a blast creating unique cards with those leftovers. This card came together in about 10 minutes since I found that the leaves I’d already die cut and the sentiment I’d already stamped and heat embossed worked perfectly with the last bits of patterned paper. I’m planning to use the hashtag #SusansBowlOfBits to share my cards on Instagram if you’d like to follow along!
The last card I’m showing you today was the first one that I made, and I sent it to a friend right away! She loved it! This was the paper that I was most eager to use. And all I had to add to the card was the polka dotted ribbon that I had in my ever-so-large ribbon stash. The “hello” is in the Sampler, too!
Hopefully my tips and designs have given you some ideas for how to make pretty cards without a lot of stuff.
Praying you are safe and sound and have all of the adhesive and cardstock that you need to survive!
~ Susan R. Opel, Editor-in-Chief
Beautiful! ???? The papers this month in the SCT Sampler were simply stunning & such a bright spot amidst the grey!
Great cards!! Stay healthy.
Thanks for sharing! Great cards…love the paper!
I LOVE those sympathy cards! What a great basic layout. I love those papers and the colors in them. Thank you for sharing
An array of gorgeous cards! I’m thinking that I should sign up for the samplers!
~carol
Absolutely gorgeous cards, Susan!!!
Susan, I honestly love your creativity & fashion sense and I see how it translates into your beautiful assortment of cards. Each one is carefully mastered and it shows! I hope you continue to crank out more and more!
Lovely cards
Susan, these are all so beautiful! I love the SCT sampler. You get so much mileage out of a bite sized collection of products.
You made some amazing cards. Now I’m thinking I could do the same with my SCT Sampler kits ❤️
Such lovely cards and beautifully created by you. Love this SCT sampler and its endless possibilities. Thanks for sharing your creations.
You made some great cards using your “stash”. We have to do more of that so we don’t waste so much.
These are all so gorgeous! I love the simplicity, because I tend to complicate cards more than necessary!
Such beautiful cards! Great ideas and very inspiring!
Gorgeous cards! I am inspired to create some too! I have plenty of adhesive and more than enough patterned paper.
These are all so lovely, the sympathy cards in particular, as I always have trouble making them and yours seems so doable when you’re short of time.
Thanks for the inspiration! I really enjoyed reading this post! I am spending my days home schooling my kids which I find exhausting…kudos to all teachers out there. Reading your post keeps me hopeful that I can squeeze in some time to create some simple yet beautiful cards to cheer someone else up. Pass on the cheer!
Very nice and inspiring.