Strategy for Simple Cards

I don't know about the rest of the card makers out there but, I never seem to have enough cards for occasions that I need.   ESPECIALLY for Sympathy cards.   One of the reasons is that they are sad cards so, I don't like to make them.   Well, I decided that I am going to try to build up some stock by using a couple 12x12 sheets until I only had scraps left.   here is what I came up with.   There are no Cricut cuts here, just the paper and sentiments, ribbons, or other embellishments.

All of these were made with two sheets from the DCWV Garden Party stack.   

This one has a sheer ruffled ribbon down the left side, from Crate Paper Peppermint collection,  as well as a 'woodgrain' butterfly sticker from Studio Calico.   The stamp is Inkadinkado.

This one has a tag from the stack and a pearl from Core'dinations.   The scallop border is also included with the stack and the ribbon is from Martha Stewart Crafts.

The one features a TPC Studio stamp on the outside and a Fiskar's on the inside, as well as green flocked ribbon from Making Memories

This last one has a stamp from American Crafts; Dear Lizzy ribbon; and the brown solid frame was embossed with the Tim Holtz Regal Flourishes folder.

Lovey Valentine

Well this card is a vintage Victorian style valentine that I made for a friend of mine that I used to work with.   She has since retired and is living the dream but, she always loves and appreciates my cards so I really try to go the extra mile when I make one with her in mind.  

The paper on this one is from Crate Paper 'Fourteen' 6x6.   The bottom print, I actually hand pleated and attached.   Then I used a ric rack from Michael's over the seam.

The cut here is the Oblong heart from Elegant Edges at 4" with the shadow and then I added a hand stamped and mounts sentiment from Studio G.   I also added a little red stickles to the heart on the cut and then some mini heart brads on the bottom right, below the cut.   I was happy with how pretty it turned out.