Joe is home from a month long trek across the US. He’s had about as much fun as he can stand with moving old and decrepit trucks from one place to another. I know my time at home is limited and it will be back out once again for a few weeks. 
Operation Write Home Card Sketches.
I have been using my stash of scrap papers to create card fronts. Not the whole entire card(s), just fronts.
My stash of scraps
Click on the image(s) below to enlarge the photos to see the details.
OWH Sketch #1
I used a Stampin’ Up! embossing folder (don’t know the name of it) to add texture to the background for Card Sketch #2.
OWH Sketch #2
I used a Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder for the background texture on the bottom most card front in the following photo. The next card front features a Cuttlebug embossing folder (I think it is Damask). The second one down is another Stampin’ Up! embossing folder and I don’t remember the name of it either. This top card front has a texture made using a Fiskar’s Texture Plate titled “Fabric”. These card fronts are OWH Card Sketch #3
OWH Sketch #3
For Card Sketch #4 I used a Thin Cuts “Drill and Bits” die on the bottom card, a Stampin’ Up! embosslet titled Beautiful Wings for the butterflies, a Sizzix Thin Die titled Buttons #5 for the second card front, and finally I used stickers I purchased from Scrap Your Trip that I’ve had for a while.
OWH Sketch #4
I’ve made a video featuring the making of Operation Write Home Sketch #4 and the reasons why I make them as you see them.
My thinking is to have a stash of ready made card fronts available. When I need to have a card for some reason all that would be necessary would be a stamped sentiment added to the front of the card then attach the assembled front to an A2 card base then add a piece of white card stock and another stamped sentiment to the inside of the card. Kind of a “Wham Bam” thing.
Personally, thinking up a concept design and sentiment to make a complete card is not my forte. I don’t think well on my feet in this type of creativity. Seems to add more stress to me and take all the fun out of making cards. Having a visual already in front of me will make choosing a sentiment easier. All I need to worry about is getting the stamped images straight and clean without worrying about having to remake the card all over again because I screwed up the inking and stamping.
I got to get into my die stash. I was reminded of the tools I have had for years and years and not use. I also got to get into my embossing folder stash to create some really great background texture. I have not been so happy to be crafting in quite a long time.
Christmas cards! This would be a fantastic way to make Christmas cards.
If you would like to have access to the Operation Write Home Card Sketches you can click the link above, or HERE, to get the downloadable PDF files. One day, when I’m not having to leave home for long periods of time, I will get cards made for our military service people. If I would have known that I could have this much fun I would have done this so much sooner :/.
I would like to know: Do you like to make full cards? Do you make card fronts already? If not, would you consider trying this type of creative design and just let the papers and tools take you where ever they will?
Leslie
Message In A Fold 