Forgotten Treasures ~ Two Thank You Cards

Hey crafty friends, I've had a couple of cards that I found in my hunt back through my makes, looking for some crafty mojo inspiration. I like looking back through my own creations to remind me of old techniques I may not have used in a while and I found a couple of cards I'd not yet blogged. These are from a while ago and were made as thank you cards for BreAnn Loveland and Jennifer McGuire when I won a giveaway from Jennifer to BreAnn's business The Ink Stand. It was such a lovely prize to win. I shared about it at the time, but made their thank you cards afterwards and waited to hear they'd arrived safely intending to share after. BreAnn sent me a really sweet message when hers arrived. I included a few bits of the vellum ephemera for Lyla to have a creative play with in Jennifer's card. I hope it arrived safely. Either way, it's time these cards were shared!

This was the card I sent BreAnn. I made it with a Distress Oxide Ink smooshed background and used Spun Sugar and Tattered Rose I believe for this. I may have used a shimmer spray too, as there's definitely something else going on in that background, but it's a while since I made it, so I can't be sure, but at a guess, I'd say I also used some Rose Gold Shimmer Spray.

The stencil I used for that lovely kaleidoscope of butterflies is from Whimsy Stamps. That particular stencil is now retired, but they replaced it with a similar and even better version, with extra elements on it. Always innovating those guys, love their products! 

I used Nuvo Embellishment Mousse with a palette knife through the stencil to add those sweet butterflies. The colour of the mousse was Cosmic Brown and it has a lovely warm golden shimmer. It dries with dimension and holds its form well, not cracking, or flaking off. I was pleased with the result.

The lovely vellum elements I used were pre-foiled ephemera. If I recall correctly, these were from a local craft store in New Zealand, so I don't have a link for these, but there's lots of lovely ephemera out there with butterflies if you like the idea of these.

I made Jennifer's card in a similar way to BreAnn's and they were made in the same crafty session. I pulled out my Distress Oxide Inks in Dried Marigold, Saltwater Taffy and Scattered Straw. I really loved the way the ink smooshing turned out on this one. 

I went for a subtle shade of Nuvo Embellishment Mousse for the kaleidoscope of butterflies on this one. I used the Toasted Almond colour. I've just checked my mousses, which are several years old now and they look to have dried up in the containers, so I'll have a go reconstituting them but remember to use your pastes friends, they don't last forever! 

I love the softness of those butterflies in the background, I think this turned out so pretty. I also love the dimension the mousse gives, it's was a great choice for this stencil as it really holds the shape of the butterflies so well! It gives such a lovely shimmer and point of interest to the background. 

I used the same lovely vellum ephemera on this card too. I thought these were super pretty and slipped a few inside the card for Jennifer's daughter Lyla to have a play with. I never heard if it arrived safely, so I am worried it wasn't delivered, but the thought was there! I know Jennifer is a busy person, so never like to enquire. I hope she did get my thank you card, because it meant to world to me, to get her lovely gift.

One final pic to show the lovely shine on that foiled vellum butterfly. Such a pretty ephemera set. I'll have to hunt it down for a follow up card. I'm desperately trying to find my mojo and some enthusiasm for crafting. I had too many stressful and heartbreaking things happen last year and just feel like the stuffing was knocked out of me. But a restful month with no creating is slowly putting me back together. I think it's good to listen to our bodies and our souls when life gets too much. I'm grateful for a supportive hubby and understanding crafty bosses, who have given me grace and space to regroup. If I'm honest, I don't feel quite ready to return, but hopefully in a couple more days I'll find my joy again, as I'll be back in Feb', creating and sharing again. Until then, I wish you a wonderful creative week. Hugs, Wends xoxo

(I share thumbnails to the elements I design with in order to make your search for them easier, in case you like something I've used. I do use affiliate links where possible, and so appreciate if you use these when shopping. They cost you no extra whatsoever. I am proud to design for the companies I do and always feel happy to share where my inspiration and where my crafty stash comes from. I am occasionally gifted products to use, but I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own.)

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