The Three R's

If you're my age and were a fan of the TV series Little House on the Prairie, you may remember Laura Ingalls Wilder saying that she went to school to learn the 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmatic. At least I think that's where I remember hearing it; one of the downfalls (and believe me, there are many!) of being my age is that I have a tendency to misremember things. Anyway, with graduation season right around the corner, I wanted to come up with a graduation card project for my stamp club. I tried a couple different card ideas, but they turned out really lame, and I was starting to panic because I was on a tight deadline. I started cleaning out the cupboards in my stamp room, as sometimes doing mindless chores helps me think, and I came across a packet of Fresh-Cut Notes note cards with envelopes. For a previous project I had used quite a few of the note card fronts only, so I had a bunch of envelopes and just back pieces of the note cards. I pulled them out to set them aside for sale at my annual stamp garage sale when the light bulb in my head went off so brightly it just about blinded me! I had once made a teacher thank you using the Stampin' Up! small open-end envelopes, and it was a big hit. Could I possibly use the note card envelopes in much the same way? You be the judge!

This gift card incorporates the "green" 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. I reduced my stash of stuff, and I was able to reuse the envelope as a gift card or money holder in the card. The back piece of the original note card was recycled as the bottom inside portion of the card. First, I cut the black CS 4-1/4"x8-1/2" and folded it in half. Then I adhered the envelope to the top inside of the card, so that when the card is closed the envelope flap hangs over the top outside (see top picture). To make the "Happy Graduation" tag on the front, I cut a strip of white cardstock 3/8" wide and about 3" long and stamped the greeting. Then I turned my Jewelry Tag punch upside down and held it so the circular end of the punch was to the left. I then fed the strip of cardstock word-side up through the open end of the punch on the left and pulled the strip up through the rectangular opening in the back until the word portion was visible. Then I just punched, actually punching out just the top circular portion. This is a quick and easy way to use a small punch with a greeting that is too large for the actual size of the punch. I hope that made sense! If not, just let me know and I'll try to post a "how to" picture.

Recipe

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes ("Happy Graduation"), Happy Greetings from the Summer Mini Catalog ("Way to go..."), Word Play ("Go in the direction...")

Paper: Basic Black textured 12"x12" and Brushed Gold cardstock, Fresh-Cut Notes

Ink: Jet Black StazOn

Accessories: Jewelry Tag punch, Stars #2 die cut, Big Shot, Paper Piercing tool, Gold brad, Stampin' Dimensionals

Now it's late, and I must get to bed. Hope you have a sweet rest of the week!