Mother's Day Monogrammed Card Set
Did you see Sharon Johnson's fabulous monogrammed cards yesterday? I had recently gotten a Just Rite round monogram stamper as well, and Sharon's cards, combined with Taylor's amazing stationery set from last week, convinced me that I needed to make time to play with it! (Guess I'll have to work on taxes later tonight. . .)
This is a very easily reproducible gift set. Although you could use any patterned paper that you have on hand, I started with a digital paper file, Scalloped Mask from the French Linens kit by Denise Zavagno. I downloaded this paper as part of a digital freebie kit when Little Dreamer Designs was having an apprentice contest a few weeks ago. At the moment, it is still up on the Little Dreamers site here, BUT you must register as a user to access the gallery/download. If you want it later and this link no longer works, try e-mailing Denise at that point.
The original Scalloped Mask color scheme is shown on the left. I manipulated the colors in Photoshop Elements to get a soft blue, pink, and green. I then used a fairly heavy matte paper to print on, and printed at an 8" x 8" size. This gave me enough paper to cut my card front from the center of the design and have strips left over to glue to the envelopes. (You could print directly on the envelopes too.)
I next inked my empty stamp cartridges with blue (SU Soft Sky), pink (mixture of SU Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom), and green (SU Certainly Celery) re-inkers. These worked much better after sitting for a couple of hours; I think that it gave the ink time to spread out. (If you don't get good coverage, add more ink. If it gets too juicy around the edges, again, letting it sit will help to spread the ink evenly, and stamping on a scrap paper will help as well.)
It was super-simple to create the monogram; I used only four pieces--a circle and three letters, which fit into a track that made getting them evenly spaced foolproof. (Track pictured in this post by Kellie Fortin.) I stamped them on Cryogen White/Shimmery White cardstock and cut and embossed them with my Spellbinders Nestability plain circle dies. I then cut scalloped mats from SU Soft Sky, and PaperTrey Ink's Spring Moss and Sweet Blush. The wide satin ivory ribbon was from Jacksonbelle Embellishments, and the rhinestones are A Muse Micro Dot Twinkle Stickers, except for the green ones, which are clear Hero Arts rhinestones that I used my Copic YG03 to tint the right green shade.
I made two cards of each color, as well as coordinating envelopes. Tying these in a bundle with a length of the satin ribbon and adding a tag will finish off the set. I think that my Mom will enjoy these! If you make a set, I'd love to see what you come up with! Thanks for visiting.
Gee, is there ANYTHING you can't do masterfully???!!! These are truly gorgeous, what a beautiful set! What great colors! What elegance!!! Once again, you have made something unbelievably awesome!!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | March 27, 2008 at 11:42 PM
This is just stunning Debbie. I really like the idea of printing my own digital background. This is a must-try project for me, so thanks for posting it.
Posted by: Susan Williamson | March 28, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Drop dead gorgeous!!! I love these -- great paper, too!!! Circle Nesties are a must with these and I don't have them yet, but should soon!!! Just love these -- a perfect Mom gift!!!!
Posted by: Sharon (notimetostamp) | March 28, 2008 at 12:47 AM
OMG these are amazing!! Your work is so very stunning and beautiful. The end result you have here is far superior to anything store bought! I can't wait to see what you create next!
Posted by: Becca | March 28, 2008 at 03:28 AM
These are scrumptious! They remind me of berry swirl sorbet or something delicious like that! What a wonderful idea, and a neat little stamping tool that monogrammer is!!
Posted by: LeAnne | March 28, 2008 at 05:41 AM
I think that these would make a most wonderful gift for just about anyone!! Just gorgeous... Have a great day!!
Posted by: Janine | March 28, 2008 at 05:47 AM
I totally love these!!!!!! The colors are so beautiful. I just made a set of monogrammed cards with 2 sheets of designer paper that had been sitting on my shelf. Maybe I can upload and link to them later.
Posted by: donna calamari | March 28, 2008 at 06:12 AM
This project is simply beautiful. I like the elegance of the set and this would make such a nice gift for many occasions.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Denise in PA | March 28, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Beautiful. So elegant. You are all making me want to do monogrammed paper. I just I'll just have to do it now. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Beth Norman | March 28, 2008 at 08:07 AM
These are beautiful - your mom is going to love them!
Posted by: Pam | March 28, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Oh these are beautiful!! Thankfully the company doesn't do paypal!! I would have already bought them!! Being lazy...not going to go get my purse for a CC!! LOL!
Posted by: Otter | March 28, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Your stationery set is just sooo elegant! Amazing job of changing colors on the computer *and* matching the colors to SU! Colors. The colors are perfect!
Posted by: Cindy H. | March 28, 2008 at 08:52 AM
What a perfect gift for Mother's Day - I love this! Totally beautiful cards - love the simple elegance of them!
Posted by: Marilyn | March 28, 2008 at 09:00 AM
This is gorgeous, Debbie! I have those Just Rite monogram stampers. Can you believe they still haven't seen any ink and I've had them for about a year! LOL! Now I'm inspired to get them out and use them.
Posted by: theresa tyree | March 28, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Thanks for the JustRite shout out Debbie. This is one of the many wonderful and versatile products in our line and you did a wonderful job creating a stunning set of cards...as usual.
Posted by: Denise Bryant (imchatty) | March 28, 2008 at 09:24 AM
what lovely sets and such pretty soft colors!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | March 28, 2008 at 09:42 AM
gorgeous - these look like expensive boutique sets - only more personal since they're handmade!
Posted by: Karen Sullivan | March 28, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Very Elegant !!
*A perfect gift!!
Posted by: Dee | March 28, 2008 at 10:43 AM
These took my breath away!!!! Simply elegant and beautiful to behold.
Posted by: Sandra | March 28, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Ab-So-Lutley Georgous! Very simple, clean lines and a wonderful gift for Mother's Day! I'm a "do it from scratch when possible" kinda gal, so hearing how you digi-made your papers/colors, made them even more scrumptious! Thanks for sharing....I'm totally gonna do this for my Mom for M Day! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kearneykrafter | March 28, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Beautimous! I love great stationary and it's been ages since I've made any...I think it's time to pull out the supplies!
Charmaine
Posted by: Charmaine | March 28, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Wow these are stunning! taxes can so wait:) I love your work!
Laura
Posted by: Laura Davis | March 28, 2008 at 11:40 AM
These are so beautiful! I love your patterned paper and pretty colors! The monogram looks so nice popped and with the wide satin ribbon!
Posted by: Rose Ann | March 28, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Debbie, you'd better BELIEVE your taxes can wait till' later...lol This is set is soo wonderfully YUMMY!! I love the muted colors and tones...simply breathtaking:)
Posted by: Dawn Chau | March 28, 2008 at 12:24 PM
These are so beautiful! I am certain your mom will love them!
Posted by: Mandy Cheshire | March 28, 2008 at 12:31 PM