A card and a giveaway!

I love to make cards like this that can be nearly finished but have the flexibility of adding the greeting at any point -- so when you're feeling crafty you can create a stack of half a dozen cards that have a spot perfect for writing, but wait until you need to send the card to write in your happy birthday, thank you, congratulations and so forth.  That way you're never stuck always having to make a card at the last minute because you didn't have something appropriate to hand!

I made this card with an American Crafts trifold card blank in white (they have recently debuted a line of card blanks and envelopes with their subtly textured cardstocks and I love them!) and layered with patterned papers from Basic Grey (green), American Crafts (pink) and October Afternoon (yellow).  The aqua was a tiny scrap left in my basket of bits and pieces and I *think* it was from a Scrap in Style collection a few years back.  There are three stamped designs: the polaroidesque box from It's All About...Documenting, the circle from Circus Stories and the medium bloom from Scribble Flowers, all Banana Frog stamps (and now available straight from Banana Frog's website).  Sticker letters from My Little Shoebox are perfect for adding the greeting when you are ready to deliver your card!

And....it's a giveaway day!

In the comments below, tell me what occasion you tend to make cards for!  Birthdays, weddings, thank yous....whatever it may be!  One lucky commenter will win a set of Banana Frog stamps!!

Entries close at midnight on the 15th of March and the winner will be posted here on the 17th!  Good luck!

Love and glitter,
Shimelle

PS: I'm teaching a new class all about using your supplies -- including your stamps!  Find the details here!

 

Comments

[Bree]

I make cards for everything... I mean EVERyTHING

[Lay Hoon]

I make cards for Valentine & special day like Anniversary.

[Irene Lenihan]

I make cards for birthdays, anniversaries, 'just because' days, get well days etc. It helps to be able to have something pretty to send on all kinds of occasions.

[JPScraps]

I make cards for everything since I send a lot to Operation Write Home.

[Carmen]

I struggle with cards so it's usually for someone specials birthday or just to say 'thinking of you'.

[jude]

I've only just started making cards and only make them for people I think will appreciate them and coo over them!!! they do make an extra special birthday card so i'm sending a lot more birthday cards than I would ordinarily.

[SarahLP]

I have so much stash I can't justify buying another greeting card for the rest of my life! So I do make all my cards.. although usually at the last minute - so this is a great idea for getting a bit more organised.. thanks Shimelle!

[Jo Sowerby]

i make cards for special occasions more than anyuthing however i keep meaning to make them for ALL occasons.
Jo xxx

[Anso]

Birthdays is definitely the occasion I make most cards for :)

[Rachel Howells]

I mostly make birthday cards but my best friend and her sister in law have both had babies this week so I'm making welcome baby cards.

[Sonja]

I only make when I've misplaced the shop bought ones I already have lol. I'm not a great card maker yet.

[Janet]

I don't really need a reason to make cards !! I just keep on making them. Love it :)

[ciacchina]

bellissima la tua card!
io ne faccio soprattutto in occasione di compleanni o per ringraziare qualcuno!

[helen]

I'm making a whole bunch of cards at the moment for ivitations to Nick's Bday party (25yo) well, that means I'm getting old too lol:);)thanks for the opportunity !

[Sally]

Hey Shim,

Loving the card, where do you get the inspiration? I struggle with cards A LOT!!!.
I find I only make cards for really special people who appriciate them ( fellow crafters, hubby and my mum!!! usually) or for really big occasions like weddings when i know the card is more likely to be kept ( like in a keepsake box) i guess i dont like the thought of all that lovely stash and time going to waste!

thanks for this fabby chance xxx

[Helen Overton]

I make cards for birthdays occasionally, but I'm more of a scrapbooker really.

[Katy]

I make cards for birthdays in the main - at least for close family and friends anyway. I'd rather be spending my time making layouts or trinkets though so only make cards if I have an occasion pending!

[scrapperita]

I make cards for birthdays!!!
thanks for the chance
bye

[Shawn]

Im back in a card swap with a few girls and we pick themes. Each scrapper gets to pick how many groups, usually two groups and there is a variety of card themes. I actually needed sympathy cards so that is what I just made recently. :(

[Sarah Packer]

I make cards fir all occassions! Birthdays, new baby, weddings, get well etc etc!

[Anne]

I mainly make birthday cards - because I can't bring myself to send a bought card when I have this much patterned paper! It's not something I find as easy as scrapbooking, though. I love this one though - so pretty.

[Laura]

I have ME so there lots of things I can't do for myself that other people kindly do for me... so I mostly make Thank You cards to let people know how appreciated they are.

[joy aitman]

I make cards for any event but mostly birthdays. I am doing lots of teen ones athe moment.

[Teresa]

I make cards for most birthdays, and I certainly make the effort for thank you cards. Christmas cards are an annual ritual, and this year I've been making heaps of thinking of you cards, for people that I don't get to see too often, but are still very dear to me.

[{vicki}]

birthdays mainly but I do for other occassions too

[Claude]

I usually make card for birthdays. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Charlotta]

Like your card very much with the gate-fold opening and Basic Grey papers!!

La Vikinga

[Jacky S]

I maake cards for everything...but probably most for birthdays...just because there are more birthdays!!

[Mel]

Lovely card, Shimelle :-) Like you mention here, I will often make 'blank' cards and add the greeting when I need a card - I need birthday cards more than any other kind though!

[Brenda Weaver]

I make cards for every occasion. I love to make cards.

[Antonia S-H]

I don't really make cards, but I might be inspired by some gorgeous Banana Frog stamps!

[Tinkersdamn]

I've done a few birthday cards, but mostly I make "Just Because" cards. Usually "just because" I'm trying out a new technique or tool or something and then have a "thing" with no home.

[Lisa]

thanks for the inspiration. I just received the retro space stamps. I plan on making loads of boy cards for my 4 year old. Can't wait to use it!!

[Meghann]

I mostly make cards for birthdays! Love the card, Shimelle.

[Sindy]

I make farewell cards for colleagues who are leaving or returning to Japan (our head office). There isn't much choice in the market for farewell cards and I like to add journaling to the card.

[Ruth]

I have not scrapbooked since before Christmas as i have been cardmaking for our card swap... so i am hoping to get inspired with your class!

[BeckyG]

I make cards for family birthdays and anniversaries and have just started making them for work colleagues too - mainly do scrapbooking though and looking forward to the start of tomorrow's class :)

[Lizzie]

I make pretty much all my cards, for every occasion. I also make them for my mum. Sometimes I even find time to do some other work!
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity - Banana Frog stamps are such fun.

[Emily]

I make cards for everything but I think my favourite cards to make are thankyou cards (they seem to be a dying breed!) & cards for my husband. Sometimes I just make cards because I want to make cards! I find a home for them later! I love the little pink clip on your card- what a cool idea! :o)

[sally nicol]

I make cards when the feeling strikes me. I tend to make them with a space for a greeting as I am never too sure what occasion I will need one for next. Some Banana Frog stamps would help me create even more exciting designs.

[Shirley]

If there is an occasion I make a card for it.
Always good to have some in reserve. :o)

[Louise]

I ...want to make cards and always struggle...having a chance of winning some fantastic banana frog stamps will hopefully inspire me to make cards for all occassions :)

[Sam]

I try and make cards as far in advance as possible, so that it doesn't feel like a chore, I'm useless crafting to tight deadlines. If I do have to do that I tend to have a few designs in my head that I can use for a variety of circumstances by changing the papers, colourschemes and greeting. I make most of the cards I give now wherever possible.

Yes, I am one of those people who starts making their Christmas cards right about.... now :) Well ish.

[Lisa Russell]

I tend to make cards for birthdays and sympathy occasions. I also wait until I need it before I make it, so I think that is a good idea to have some made up without any greetings so it is ready to go when you need one!

[Alison Russell]

I make cards for all occasions and have not bought a card for almost 2 years. I made about 120 cards fro Christmas. Unfortunately I usually leave it to the last minute, I should really try to get more organised and do them more in advance!

[Karen Keiper]

Definitely birthdays. But I love making special valentines cards for my husband and .............
children!! :-)

[Sonia Y]

I make cards for birthdays ,Christmas and for friendships . Thanks for the chance to win,Shimelle!

[Cris C.]

I enjoy making little 4x4 blank note cards w/matching envelopes that I can fill in later. So quick and fun - and I get to use up all my scraps!

[Claire W]

I make lots of birthday cards, and spend November and December making Christmas cards. It's also handy to keep a couple of "any occasions" lying around!

[Mole]

I’m usually very ‘last minute’ with my card-making, although just occasionally I manage to steal enough time to make a whole batch of ‘suit any occasion’ creations! I suppose that most of my cards are designed for birthdays and to a lesser extent, anniversaries. Then there are the ‘thinking of you’ and ‘just a note’ type cards that are handy from time to time. My mum likes to order a clutch of ‘with sympathy’ cards from me to keep her in stocks – she says that sadly, they’re the cards she needs most often these days ….

[ruth]

I make cards for almost everything and anything! But I do find myself leaving the making to the last minute so I love the idea of adding the greeting at the last minute!

[Linda Ross]

I make cards for family and friends but like to enter competitions too. I love stamping and also printing from CDs and downloads. I make for Birthdays, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, Christmas, Teachers Cards from my kids, Congrats cards and I recently made a card for a new baby.

[Robin Gibson]

LOVE your card!! Love that idea too, thanks for the inspiration! I tend to make more Birthday & TY cards...but really, for any occasion - friends, family, weddings, sympathy. LOVE making cards. Everyone loves them too! People love knowing special thoughts & love went directly in to their card, from you:) I love that:)

[Sharon]

I tend to make cards to take part in sketch challenges as they inspire me- then I can just add the sentiment as and when I need a card
Sharon

[Joanne Crossland]

I have only just started to make cards so I've made a mothers day card and one for a special friend! I hvae loads of stash so like you idea of making a batch then adding the greeting later, thanks.

[Mary Harris]

I make cards for everything birthdays, holidays, I make cards for OWH so I make cards for any occasion! Its fun.

[zeffy]

I make cards too, my latest is a wallet card.i give them to my nephews now that they are older with some cash hidden away...I do that for weddings too.

[Jayne]

I make cards for all sorts of occasions....my most unusual request to date was one for a 65th Wedding Anniversary!!! How impressive is that??? I tend to be a bit last minute when making for my family and have been known to be completing Christmas cards on 24th Dec!!! :)

[Kim Dellow]

I'm not sure what occasions I make most of my cards for as I try to leave my cards a bit multi-use. But I do seem to spend a lot of Nov and Dec making Christmas cards or perhaps that is just how it feels at the time. LOL! Kim

[Mini]

My friend Susi has just introduced me to the joys of making cards - hers are beautiful! I will be making them ALL THE TIME!

[alyssa]

This is adorable!! I love, love, love making cards. Thank yous & birthdays are probably the two most frequent, but my favorites are often the "just because". Just because there's no pressure. :)

[Sarah Somerset]

Oh I make cards for everything! All the usual, birthdays, weddings, new babys/homes etc., BUT that is still not enough occaisions to fulfill my creativity, so I've recently started making cards just to send to friends and family that are not nearby. I just write a little hello note and some news. I'm also thinking of starting to enter competetions, so that should keep me busy! lol

[Lesley Sharpe]

I always start the year by making about 50 birthday cards from all the scraps of patterned paper and cardstock I have in my scrapsbox from the year before then I make cards for other occasions as they come up. Currently making Mother's Days cards for my mother, my mother in law and also for my childless elderly Godmother, well I don't want her to feel left out.

[Trish Fairclough]

I make cards for all occasions, I also like to enter challenges and try new techniques. I enjoy the creativity of experimenting. Lots of the cards are then given away for various charities. Trish:)

[Lola]

I usually make cards for birthdays and other special occasions.

[Tracey]

It seems like I make cards for EVERYTHING !! My family makes fun of me because I am ALWAYS "cuttin n gluin!" But I think I make alot of I Love You cards. I want everyone to remember how much I love them so I am always making I love you cards.

[Karen]

i very rarely make cards only in an emergancy...
i am still alllowed to comment?

[Lousette]

I tend to go through a lot of thank you cards. Birthdays are always needed too, especially childrens ones. I have a box full of mixed message cards too just for in case I need them, but I like your idea of leaving the message part plain until you need it.

[Kathy (kathyb)]

I make cards for all occasions, though need to get more organised as I'm always working very last minute at present. I love Lousettes idea of having a box of cards ready - add the sentiment and go. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.

[Dana H]

I make cards for birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. I'm new to card making so when I improve my techniques... :)... I will make cards for other occasions too!

[Annie M.]

I make cards for every occasion, but the majority seem to end up being birthdays and thank-you's. I also like making "generic" cards that I can add a greeting to at the last minute--it makes my stash of cards much more flexible and "useable".

[Helen G]

I make cards for all occasions but especially Christmas, it is a chance to get the sparkles out!

[Clair]

I've never really made cards, but I've really started to think about them as a great way to use up my scraps - and you've made it look so simple. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

[Louise]

I do make cards but I'm afraid I'm not very organised so its usually last minute when I realise I haven't bought one, BUT I have made cards for both My Mom and the MIL for Mothers day this weekend.

[ReNi]

Birthdays are obligatory card-making occasions ^^

[KathyK]

I've only made birthday cards.

[iana]

i make card fir everything:-
birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, sympathy, thankyou, get well, well done, thinking of you, and a lot of blanks for anything else that might need one..

i sell them at work and donate all but 50p a card to charity

i give them to friends as presents, last xmas i gave some older friends them instead of the regulation tins of biscuits and they loved them, i need to give them away/sell them as i am addicted to making them!

i also tend to design them to be either blanks or labelled, as that way i can add a sentiment if and when its appropriate, and i found that once i started doing that i was much more creative as i'm then making the card purely becuase i like the card,,...if that makes any sense...

[Jimjams]

I make cards for ... Valentine's Day (1), Christmas (2), Birthdays (5/6) ... which is only a few because I just hate giving them away! Before I scrapbooked I used to do 3 at a time: 1 for giving away, 1 in reserve and 1 to keep!

[Elizabeth]

I make cards for special birthdays and for Christmas. The ones I HAVE to make each year are for my nieces' adoption day anniversaries.

[Nixiness]

That is a lovely versatile card :) I tend to make birthday cards for close friends and family followed by lots of anniversary cards. In the shops they are expensive and so unoriginal, not to mention impersonal so it is nice to craft out something that is appropriate to your the couple you are sending a card to.

[Alice Cruz]

I love birthdays and Christmas cards... but I'm not used to make many... so my goal for this year is to make a lot of cards, so whenever I need I'll have one ready to go!