Thanks a Bunch Valentines

 Hey Friends!  I know this whole idea is waaayyyy late, but the ideas will work for other things instead of valentines.  So why not?  I just didn't get around to sharing these in a timely manner as I should have, and I've been debating with myself ever since about posting them.  These cards use that 'carrot stamp set' that's part of the Sale-a-bration line-up this year.  Since there are only a few more days left of Sale-a-bration, I figured I needed to give you another idea for this set.  When I first saw the set, my first thought was what would I ever use that for?  Then I started seeing all kinds of fun, creative ideas and was hooked.  Here are two of the valentine cards I made for my grandsons.  They aren't into mushy so I was going for fun.  They seemed to like them, so here they are for you.

Here they are in all their 'carrot-y' glory.  Doesn't much look like valentine cards, right?  That's why I think you could use the idea for other things if you just changed out the 'love you' sentiment.  But actually, even that isn't a problem if you're just sending a note, is it?  These cards do say 'happy valentines day' inside, so that really would have to change if you weren't making valentine cards.

Both cards started with a base of Pale Papaya cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored 4 1/4" and folded in half. And that's where they go their separate ways.

Here we start by adding a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock that measures 5 1/2" x 2 1/2".  It's embossed with the Cane Weave Embossing Folder that's in the current Mini Catalog.  I love the wonderful texture this gives it!  It's attached to the card base about 1/2" from the left side using Multi Purpose Liquid Glue.  This really holds those heavily embossed layers to the card without popping off a couple of months later.  It's become my go-to adhesive for any embossed layers.

Next, I cut a Basic White layer for stamping the main images.  The Deckled Rectangle Dies were used for this.  The measurement is about 3 1/2" x 2 1/4".  

When stamping the carrots, I tried to keep the top of the carrot at about the center of this cardstock piece.  The carrots are stamped with both Pumpkin Pie and Pale Papaya inks.  Before I started stamping on the card, I stamped one carrot on Masking Paper found on page 149 in the Annual Catalog.  I've been using this more lately and find it quite helpful.  Since it's sticky all over, it's not as hard as stamping on a Post It Note and trying to keep as much of your design in the little sticky strip.  It was easy to keep moving that little carrot around on the design wherever it was needed.

For the green tops, I used both Parakeet Party and Granny Apple Green inks.  The Parakeet Party was stamped across the carrots 3 times.  Then the Granny Apple Green ink was stamped twice to fill in and give it more depth.

A length of Parakeet Party 1/8" Metallic Woven Ribbon was wrapped around and tied into a bow for an accent.

A 1/2" piece of Basic White cardstock has the sentiment stamped on it with Pumpkin Pie ink.  The ends were trimmed a little shorter, then the Banners Pick A Punch was used to flag the ends.  

Both pieces were attached to the embossed Pumpkin Pie section of the card front using Dimensionals.

The inside sentiments were stamped with Pumpkin Pie and Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  "A bunch" comes from the Thanks a Bunch stamp set.  "Big" comes from the Whale Done stamp set.  I used a Basic Black Marker to make the insert mark for the word big.  The valentine sentiment comes from Country Bouquet stamp set found on page 10 of the current Mini Catalog.

The second card uses most of the same colors as the first.  The changes include a 2" strip of a print from the Dainty Flowers DSP that was available during Sale-a-bration, but it has sold out.  What a pity because I really loved the prints in that DSP!  Truly fun to create with!

The checked paper strip is a piece of Country Gingham Designer Paper.  These colors are so soft and spring-like.  I just love them.  Yes, I know - me and my pastel fetish!  ha ha   But if you love pastels like I do, you can find them on page 9 of the current Mini Catalog.

The circles were cut with the Stylish Shapes Dies.  One is cut from Basic White and the other from Pumpkin Pie.  The carrots are stamped with Pumpkin Pie ink and the greenery with Parakeet Party and Pear Pizzazz.  The sentiment piece was cut with the Stitched Rectangle Die.

And there you have it.  A little late for Valentine's Day, but cute card ideas anyway.  When your grandsons start growing up and are definitely not into cutesy stuff anymore, you have to think out of the box a bit.  Right?  And revisiting these cards also reminded me of all the chocolates we made for Easter a bunch of years ago.  Remember all those little bags of carrots we made from colored white chocolate?  Oh my!!  Memories!  Maybe I should make these into Easter cards for the boys and make some of those orange-colored chocolate carrots to go along with it!?  Hmm, I think I like that idea!

So that's it for today.  Just a few more days to take advantage of the Sale-a-bration deals.  I'm so sorry the Dainty Flowers DSP is already gone, but there are many other fun things still available.  Thanks for sharing a few moments and maybe that cup of coffee with me this morning.  Hope to hear from you - leave a comment here or call me.  Either works quite well.  I miss you all.  Have a blessed day!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Carrots?

Ok, I've been thinking about Valentine cards lately.  You know, it's that time of year where everything is in pinks and reds with lace, hearts and flowers covering everything.  As I was going through my newer stamps, one of the sentiments on the Thanks A Bunch set caught my eye.  "Love you a bunch" sounded like it should be on a Valentine card, right?   While looking for a stamp with a bouquet of flowers, my eyes kept going back to that set.  Hmmm, what do you think of carrots for Valentine's Day?  Actually, with the colors I chose, you don't have to use this card for a valentine at all.  But the idea just makes me laugh and reminds me of those 'punny' valentines that were around when I was in grade school way back in the dark ages!  Do they still make those kinds of valentines anymore?  Or is everything superheroes or video game characters?  No matter, let's get on to those carrots!

Starting out, use a piece of Basic White Thick cardstock that's cut to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.  The largest Rectangle Stitched Die was used to cut a piece of So Saffron cardstock.  This piece is attached to the white card base using adhesive.

The bit of Designer Paper that's used is from the Dandy Designs DSP that is one of the freebies during Sale-a-bration right now.  With a $100 order, you can get this huge 48 sheet pack of Designer Paper.  There's a mix of bright and softer colors with multiple stripes and prints.  If you know me, you know this is one of the first items I had to have!  The piece here is Mango Melody and measures 4" x 2 1/8".  It's attached to the center of the card front by using adhesive.

Now comes the fun.  I used Stylish Shapes Dies next.  The two middle sizes of the circles were used - the smaller for the white layer and the larger for the Mango Melody layer.   After die-cutting, the carrots were stamped first, then the greenery.  The carrots were inked with a Mango Melody ink pad then darkened on the ends with Pumpkin Pie ink and a sponge dauber.  Then the carrot tops were stamped with Granny Apple Green ink twice.  You can find the carrots in the Thanks a Bunch set that is in the Sale-a-bration brochure on page 5.  Yes, this is a freebie item when you have a $50 purchase!  Woo hoo!

The white circle was attached to the Mango Melody layer with a Dimensional in the middle.  More Dimensionals were added under the Mango Melody layer then attached to the card front.

The banner was cut from Basic White cardstock using the Stylish Shapes also.  This is the largest banner.  The "love you" was stamped in Granny Apple Green ink and "a bunch" was stamped using Pumpkin Pie.  It's attached to the card front using Dimensionals also.

To dress up my carrot card, I used some of the twine in the 2022-2024 In Color Baker's Twine Pack in the Parakeet Party color.  Two lengths were tied into a sweet bow and attached to the banner under the "love you" stamping.  I used a rolled Mini Glue Dot to attach it.

Of course, the card needed a little bling if it's going to be a valentine, right?  I used three of the 2021-2023 In Color Opal Rounds in the Pale Papaya color.  Don't they fit right in with the Mango Melody colors?  It needed a couple carrots added inside the card to finish it off.

So, what do you think of carrots for a valentine?  Do you "carrot" all?     😁   Yeah, I know, that was really bad.

Don't forget to check out the Sale-s-bration options available to you.  I've shared two great items that I used today, and others that I've shared earlier.  You don't always have a chance to get something for free when you're out shopping, so it makes sense to take advantage when you can.  And thank you for doing your shopping with me.  It is so appreciated!

Happy stamping and creating!

Sharon