Card-Making for a Cause!

 I have been thinking about ways to do more for my community while doing something I'm passionate about, and my daughter's preschool Silent Auction gave me the perfect chance.  I donated a card-making class for 6 ladies and spent the past couple of weeks getting ready for it.  The girls had different skill levels, so pre-made kits were definitely the way to go.  I hosted the party Saturday night and it was a blast! 

I served some appetizers so, my daughter got creative and embossed the napkins for me...

To keep things simple, before the  class party, I folded the cards, cut the cardstock and made the embellies, like these punched butterfly with faux pearl centers. 

 I separated the materials for each card into a cute baggie.

For the first time ever, I went to Pinterest for some clean and simple (CAS) card inspiration.  I don't do a lot of CAS cards, so I needed help with layouts lol!  The ladies did great with the first card, a bowtie and shirt combo for Father's Day, inspired by this card.  I found the free bowtie printable here.  

 They got to emboss and stamp a little with this second Pinterest-inspired butterfly card found here.

They quickly got the hang of embossing with the Sizzix Big Kick and combined that with paper-weaving for a fun "Thank You" card.  We modified the original card pinned here.

What a fun way to spend a Saturday night and all for a good cause...I think I like this teaching thing! Do you craft for charity? Thanks for stopping by

On a Stamping Spree!

Today, I wanna share a little secret with you, well maybe two.  First, I am a recovering perfectionist!  Yep, in the past I have been so worried about something being just right, it actually kept me from starting new craft projects. 

 

I decided a couple of years ago that outlook was holding me back, and that there is no room for that kind of "fear" in my life!  

 

 

The second is that I USED to be a little intimidated by stampers, and I know some really good ones :)  Their work always looked so picture-perfect, and whenever I stamped, well it was less than fabulous to me.  Again, that stupid perfectionist thing getting in the way. 

Well, not anymore.  I started making cards a couple of years ago, to sell at Divine Designs in North Carolina.  Now, you know I love a good sticker, but I realized some time ago that stamping can be easier on the pocket book.  AND, if you love a card you made, with a stamp, you can easily recreate it without having to buy more stickers.  I recently shipped a batch of cards to NC and yes, I stamped some of the sentiments and actually enjoyed it! 

 

 

 I'm just started out, so I bought some really inexpensive stamps from Michaels.  What types of stamps do you use?  If there's a technique you recently tried, do tell!