My Future Business

I remember when I was younger that I had dreamed of working for Hallmark Cards. I enjoyed buying cards and sending them out to friends. I get such a thrill out of finding a card that says exactly what I want to say. I remember when I was a college freshman (I was 15!), I was exchanging letters with a guy friend who migrated to the US. We would exchange letters 5 pages long, back to back, in yellow paper (the long, lined sheets). Then one day, I got a letter that shocked me to my bones. It was a love letter (I'm actually smiling as I write this). I was 15! He was 18. Romance is totally not in my radar. But I enjoyed his friendship and I didn't want to lose that. So, I went out in search of a card that would best express how I felt. Lo and behold, I found the perfect card in one of the bookstores in UP. It was a long message but the last portion says something like "...and it's because I value our friendship too much that I am writing this...I hope you won't see us as something other that friends..." Imagine that! What are the chances of me ever finding a card like that?!

Anyway, I no longer dream of writing cards for Hallmark. Now, I want to sell cards that I personally designed. Last weekend, I finished 5 which I made for friends who will be celebrating their birthdays this week.

This is for someone whose name obviously starts with a letter B.

A closer look. - I stamped the sentiment. I painted the letter B with acrylic and embossed with 3 layers of UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel).

This one uses the same papers and techniques as the one above.

The "Enjoy Life" button is actually an epoxy sticker.

This is for a girl friend celebrating her birthday today! I sewed the button on the flower shape which I cut from kraft paper. I embossed the word "delight" using gold embossing powder.

A closer look...

This is for my colleague who celebrated her birthday last week. I stamped the words, flowers and butterfly and created layers for some dimension. I punched the edges of the 2nd layer paper with Threading Water Border Punch from Fiskars. The re was such strong demand for this puncher that I felt so lucky to have snagged one - on sale too!

I love the vibrant colors on this one. I stamped and inked the flowers and butterfly. I also created layers and added glitter for some sparkle.

A closer look on the layered elements...

Last but not least, this is for another colleague who will celebrate her birthday on Sunday. I dry-embossed the flower on Kraft paper and inked the raised image. I stamped the sentiment and wrapped a ribbon along the lower portion of the card. I so love the simplicity of this one that I am thinking of adding this to my favorite styles.

So, will you buy my cards if I start selling them?