If I were Oprah Winfrey, I would definitely include Stampin’ Up!’s Note Cards and Envelopes on my Favorite Things List. Since I am not Oprah, my proclamation that I love these note cards isn’t quite as exaggerated and doesn’t get one minute of air time, but I’m going to give it a try, anyway: “[clears his throat] Everyone wants a quick and easy way to communicate with loved ones this holiday season. That’s why the next item on my Favorite Things List is Stampin’ Up!’s NOTE CA-RDS AND EN-VEL-OPES!!!!! YOU GET A PACK! AND YOU GET A PACK! AND YOU GET A PACK!…that’ll be $5.95 plus shipping and taxes…” Wow! That was big!
In all seriousness, these Note Cards and Envelopes are one of my favorite finds in the catalog. They are hidden on page 160, and are really inexpensive, providing a perfect base for a quick and easy card. Here’s a quick Christmas card I made – nothing fancy, nothing complicated: 
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- Simple Shading. The three stamped images on this card were shaded with a blender pen. In case you missed it, I shared this technique in my first video tutorial on Saturday. If you missed it, please check it out here. It’s easy to render this effect. Simply stamp the image and then pull the color out of the stamped lines by running your blender pen in tiny circles from the edge of the image into the center. This works perfectly on bold images with lots of white space inside – but it won’t be white any longer after your blender pen does its magic!
- A pop of solid color. These images from Every Little Bit are perfect for a quick and easy card. While the shading technique adds some interest to the images, I think the images really popped when I added a touch of solid color to one small part of each image using my Stampin’ Write Markers. The hearts on the mug and ornament and the heel of the sock really pop and add balance to the card.
- The power of three. I have a theory that three images is better than one, two or four. There’s something so calming about it. Here’s a copy/paste from one of my previous posts that says it all:
In comedy, a punchline is funny. A callback to that punchline is funnier. A second callback (the third reference to the item) is the funniest. There’s balance in threes. Likewise, a collection of three images is almost always appealing and calming.
Stamp sets: Every Little Bit, Teeny Tiny Wishes Papers: Real Red, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Note Cards (Whisper White) Inks: Real Red Accessories: 1″ Square Punch, Scallop Square punch, Word Window punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Thanks,
Brian
Gift certificates. Don’t forget to subtly request Stampin’ Up! gift certificates for Christmas – or buy them for your crafty friends (or yourself). These are redeemable only by me, and I’ve included a little bonus cash. Click here for more information.
Ribbon shares. There are still seats available in my current ribbon shares. Don’t you want a bunch of ribbon for a little? Check out the options here
Hip, Hip, Hurray…..am I first today? Love that little card, Brian. Simple, uncomplicated, fast and pretty. This time of the year, a lot of us are always in a hurry so this note cards are perfect. Ok, the dead line for the card swap is here and I’m sure you probably are up to your ears in cards, Ohhh!! I can’t wait till you start mailing them. Have a super day today!!!!!
I like the whimsical look of your card. I also love to use the note cards for a quick little something when I am in need. Storing the Christmas card idea in my ‘Brian memory bank’ for next year. Okay, now to your Christmas project you shared………I had the ‘deer in the headlight look’ reading your post! You had to be making them in your sleep. Loved them all! Congrats on the first video, keep them coming! Going to plant myself in front of my office window (I am fortunate to be able to work out of my home) so when I see the mailman drive up I can run out like a wild woman and get my swap card. Can’t you just see the mailman throwing the mail at me and driving away as fast as he can not wanting to deal with the yelling crazy woman running at him saying……is it here yet….is it here yet!!!! Enough rambling….have a fantastic day!
This is so CUUUUTE..(she says in a baby voice) I like the squares…that is one of my favorite card designs …but you were talking about the notecards this morning…these are great for making a gift that everybody likes ,especially if you prepare them with already stamped images and sentiments .These note cards are very reasonable in price and the quality is first class .Gosh ,I think I just talked myself into buying some more. Reminds me to make my sister some more for christmas again this year… Later I plan to pull out the Blender Pen and do some watercoloring in a small way… I really like your shy and simple approach to it ,Brian .
Those note cards are SO handy, aren’t they? You did a saweeeet number on this one, Brian! I love how easy it is to have something really handy to just whip up a little number on! And quick for mass producing…have a wonderful day!
Don’t forget all those ribbon shares, guys! We’re all waiting on you! ;D
Beautiful, simple, and love what you are doing with that blender pen!
This is a great card, especially for this time of the year…regular sized cards can be a bit daunting when deadlines loom and Christmas baking calls. I wondered about the magic of three on your recent card with the flowers (2 of them) that you had flicked the petals to stand out from the surface.(Blender pen too!!!! Why did you choose not to have 3 flowers on that card, Brian? I’d like to know how you made your decision.
Cute , love it !!
Okay, you sold me…I will order these soon and will use at least some of them for Thank You notes. I soooo enjoy your blogs….your great sense of humor (move over Oprah, etc.!!!) and love of what we do is sooooo amazingly wonderful with all that you share. Again, thank you!