Crafty Monday: Variations on a Theme

For several years now I have entertained the idea of developing a Greeting Card ministry.  I have no desire to begin a business (although I am quite impressed with those who maintain Etsy shops...) or to consider it as another vocation, but I do enjoy paper crafts and I think most people enjoy an unexpected letter in the mail.  A Greeting Card ministry seems to be a nice marriage of my interests and talents coupled with my desire to bring joy to others.  However... I have been rather slow in getting this off the ground; I have lots of ideas and I try to keep a running list of potential recipients, but I fail to make the time to create and thus all I have so far is a heap of good intention.

But this past weekend I wanted to make a card for my youngest's birthday, and I also wanted to work towards the completion of the Pin It and Do It challenge, so I perused my Pinterest Board and found this example.  I really like "simply elegant" cards, those that do not require a lot of artistic skill but are pleasing to the eye, and this one fit the bill.  I was drawn to the embossed white on white with just a touch of pastel color. 

While I had this particular embossing folder, I did not have the cupcake die cut nor this exact stamp set.  This is my typical mode of operation, however - to find an idea but modify it to suit my needs or style.  While I tried to duplicate the birthday sentiment on the front of the card with a decorative stamp (I tried a party hat, cupcake and streamers), I ultimately decided to leave the front quite simple... and instead add a bit of decorative sentiment to the inside.

I played a bit with the cupcake stamp - trying to find a shade of ink that would match the ribbon but not be too overpowering - and then I added a bit of flair by giving the candle's flame a "glow" and adding dimension to the icing with Stickles.  I had to wait about an hour for the icing to dry, but I liked the end result.

I then realized that this design is so versatile that it can be adapted to many other occasions and not just birthdays.  I embossed the fronts using a different folder and left the inside blank; I can then add the appropriate sentiment when the time comes.  I think these would make a good baby card, sympathy card, or simply a Just Because card.

As with most crafts, it is just as easy to make several as it is to make one, so I thought I would create a few extras to keep on hand.  I changed the color of the ribbon and the inside sentiment to add a bit of variety.  The collection reminds me of a Sherbet sundae.

My final experiment of the day was to modify the front and add the sentiment, leaving room on the inside to write a more elaborate note.  I think black and white is quite formal and elegant, the perfect combination for a wedding.

I had a lot of fun creating this weekend.  I just need to remind myself to do it more often.