While visiting my list of favorite blogs I found out that Kristina Werner had posted a challenge to create a one layer card. Since I had a birthday card to make anyway I figured it was a “sign” for me to take the challenge.

When I started to think about what I would be able to use to make the card I figured that the easiest way to go would be to use stamps. Since the birthday card was for my nephew I remembered some new stamps that I got from Michael’s using a gift card I got from Kirk & Amy (thanks!) that would be perfect. Now the only problem was figuring which of the cute zoo animal stamps to use. I debated between the monkey on a vine and the giraffe, but my mom reminded me how crazy he was about giraffes so I used him. It was hard for me not to add some ribbon to the card so I used a ribbon stamp that I had and other than my little mishap with the length of the stamp it worked out well.

Supplies:

• Bazzill Plain Cardstock (Almond Cream)
• Recollections Clear Stamps (Zoo-Licious)
• The Paper Company Studio Clear Stamps (Cupcakes)
• Hero Arts Wood Stamps (Ribbons – Polka Dot)
• Colorbox Ink Queue (Olive, Moss Green, Brown)
• Martha Stewart Ink Stacks (Nautical Blue)
• Zig Memory Markers (Pure Yellow, Pure Orange)
• Hero Arts Clear Stamps (Wonderful Birthday)
• Autumn Leaves Ink Pad (Onyx)

To create this card I cut some almond cream cardstock to size, folded it in half. I found some patterned papers that matched the colors in the flower sticker I was going to use as the main element. These were adhered to the bottom portion of the card base. Next I trimmed white cardstock for the inside of the front cover and adhered it with repositionable adhesive. I postioned a 3″ circle punch on the card where I wanted the opening and punched it, which required a bit more pressure than normal. Then I removed the white cardstock, adhered a square piece of the transparency film to cover the opening, tied ribbon around the card and then adhered the white cardstock with permanent adhesive. Once that was all in place I attached the flower sticker to the center of the opening. I did have to trim down the stem a bit to fit it into the circle but it wasn’t enough to ruin the look of the flower. To finish off the card I added a black dotted line around the top portion of the opening, added a butterfly sticker from the flower set, added the greeting rub on, rounded to corners of the bottom of the card.

For the inside greeting I used Microsoft Word to create a template of the card along with the opening and used individual text boxes to get it lined up so it didn’t show through the transparency. It took a few tries for me to get it just right, but it was worth the work.

Supplies:

• Bazzill Plain Cardstock (Almond Cream)
• The Paper Company Cardstock (White)
• Unknown Patterned Paper (Dotted Pink, Green Grid)
• IBM Transparency Film (InkJet)
• Jolee’s Dimensional Stickers (Lily Flower)
• Making Memories Rub Ons (Card Sayings)
• Clever Lever Giga Craft Punch (Circle)
• Zig Memory System Writers (Black)

When I first got the Paper Co.’s cupcake stamps I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to use them, then every time I thought hey I can use those cupcake stamps I wouldn’t be able to work them into the project, so when it came time to create a card for my nephew it was the perfect chance for me to make a card around the stamps. I wanted the card to be vibrant and fun! So I found some cardstock and paper that worked well together and then matched the inks I used to them.

To create the card I cut some blue cardstock to size, folded it in half and adhered some great patterned paper to upper portion of the card base. I used some green dotted ribbon to soften the edge of the paper. Then I stamped three cupcakes on some white cardstock trying to keep them close to each other and in a straight line. Next I trimmed the cardstock done to size and matted it with some green cardstock. I centered it on the top portion of the card and adhered it.

Supplies:

• Diecuts with a View Textured Cardstock (Blue, Green)
• The Paper Company Cardstock (White)
• Unknown Patterned Paper (Colorful Dots)
• The Paper Company Studio Clear Stamps (Cupcakes)
• Colorbox Pigment Ink Queque’s (Moss Green)
• Dew Drop Brilliance Ink (Rocket Red, Pearlescent Sky Blue)
• Marcella ByK Ink (Black)
• American Crafts Ribbon (Spring Green Dots)