A Dickens of a Card

Stamping is such a tactile endeavor. That's my favorite part about it. The constant hands on element, the touching of little parts and pieces, satisfies that need to be creative with my hands.  And yet, the desire to create begins way before the color of the paper and ink is even considered. 

It begins with the selection of the stamp. Whether they are cling stamps or wooden, I have to touch them first.  I rummage through my collection, handling them until there is one that does not leave my hand, and I think one of two things. It's either: "Ooh, I know what I'll do.", or it's: "Aww, I remember why I bought this stamp."  

I made a set of these cards to give as a gift to my nephew and his wife after the birth of their son. I could have easily enough found a quote on the internet and printed it off in matching ink for my cards, but instead I rummaged first. I picked up the Dickens quote. It has no artist or vendor identification, but I know I bought it in Virginia over 14 years ago, and I used it for the birth announcements I made for my second daughter.  Aww! 

Card Details: Folded white card is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches; emboss Night of Navy paper (Stampin'Up) with hearts (The Paper Studio); round all corners and trim to leave a 1/4" border on the white card. Stamp "Swinging on a Star" (PrintWorks) and sentiment (unidentified) in Night of Navy ink on white card stock; color star and ribbon using markers and colored pencils (Crayola, Cyklop Aquarell, Stampin' Up); add diamond embellishment to ribbon; stamp baby image on printed paper; cut out pajamas and lay over first image; adhere star with mounting tape; adhere sentiment on printed paper and trim to 1/4 " border; adhere to embossed paper.