Under the Stars tri-shutter card...

Who can resist the bear from Under the Stars? I can't.

I paired up that stamp set with To The Nines specialty paper to make this adorable card. It fits in a medium envelope (regular size for a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card) and is definitely a WOW for the recipient.

I used a 5 1/2" x 12" piece of Always Artichoke card stock, scored at 2", 4", 8" and 10". Then I cut 1-1/2" from each long side between the 2" and 10" score lines. Trust me, it's much easier than it sounds!

I used the Really Retro word stamp set for the front, and On Your Birthday for the words on the rest of the card. All of the other stamps are from the Under the Stars stamp set.

From there, it's just using whatever embellishments you want (jumbo eyelet, punched out stars adhered with dimensionals, mini library clip, corduroy button and brads).

I took a photo of the top of the card. You may have to fold it a couple of times to get it where it looks like this when the recipient opens it, but that just takes a minute.

I hope you'll try your hand at this kind of card and share what you come up with!

Retreat swaps...

I had a wonderful time at our American Ink group stampin' retreat last Friday thru Sunday. We stamped, scrapbooked, ate, chatted, made make & takes and swapped.

If you'd like to join us at our next retreat, join my American Ink group today! Just visit http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net and click on JOIN. My recruiter password: Terry Blais.

At top is a textured Whisper White card with Ever After stamps inked in Basic Black from Frankie. I love the simple elegance of this card and plan to use it at an upcoming event.

Next, is a fun punch card swap by Heather using the Under the Stars stamp set. She CASE'd the idea, which happened to be perfect for our Hawaiian theme.

My favorite part of the card is the adorable grass skirt on the bear.

Bea made her swap with the Polka Dot background stamp and Petal Pizzazz. She even decorated the inside of the card. The sentiment is from the Great Friend stamp set, and there's a knot of Chocolate Chip grosgrain too.

The 6" x 6" page is Heather's swap, using Under the Stars again. I had a photo in mind - and on hand - when I received this. It's one of my son and his friends on a field trip to a place called Pioneer Farms.

The page features cut-out stars adhered with dimensionals, double-stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon, and a Not Quite Navy photo mat.