Jan 30 2008
A Whole Lotta Stampin’ Goin’ On
I’d like to take a moment to share a project that’s been occupying my stamping thoughts for quite a little while. These are a few of the 50 baby shower invitations I’m in the process of making for a friend. Production stamping is not my strong suit but she asked me so nicely…
This is the same design I used for my Valentine Gift Card Holder which I explained in a recent post, minus the inside pocket. I traveled a winding road to arrive at this destination. I was so concerned about providing her with something that would make her not regret she’d asked me yet would also be achievable for me. I know I overthink things too much but it seemed like there was so much to consider from her perspective and mine. I began by reminding her of how many very cute invitations she could get at Wal-Mart for a fraction of the cost she was willing to pay me. This gave her the briefest, almost imperceptible pause but she stood firm and so I set to work.
I hoped, with this fold design, to minimize layering and give the card some “fun appeal”. I used Hammermill 110 lb. cardstock — a nice, bright white — not the best for stamping but it worked quite well with the soft look of this wheel in Barely Banana. I wheeled the flap of each envelope, too. That’s 200 passes with the wheel (yikes!) but still quicker, easier and more cost effective than designer paper. All the other stamping is done on Whisper White, but the layers underneath are Hammermill. I’ve made panels of Whisper White stamped with the “date, time, place, rsvp” to line the inside of the card, and stamped the inside of the scalloped border with pink polka dots (SU!’s Itty Bitty Backgrounds). To add a touch of color to the layers I ran the Pretty In Pink pad along the edges of the pieces which will be on the card front. I also stamped the back with the Stampin’ Up! copyright and initialed every card. Finally, I cut card-size panels of Hammermill for placing over each card front in their envelopes for protection in the mail.
All tolled, in addition to the 200 passes with the wheel, I’ve cut 350 pieces of cardstock and designer paper, stamped 350 times, punched 250 times, tied 200 ribbons and cords, made 100 score lines, trimmed 50 scalloped borders, colored 50 images, applied 50 lengths of Sticky Strip, and signed my initials 50 times. Whew!
I have these pieces yet to assemble and my personal goal was to have them done by the end of this month. I believe now I’ll deliver them on Monday. This hasn’t been an arduous or unpleasant task but I’m simply not good at putting everything else aside in favor of one project. The rest of it will move along quickly, I think. Still, I’ll have to focus…
I’ll be back with more stamping this week so I’ll see you again soon! Have a wonderful day!
Stamps: Greetings Galore, Hugs & Wishes, Leaves & Swirls jumbo wheel, Sweet Spots (all Stampin’ Up)
Paper: Hammermill white cardstock, Whisper White, Me & My Big Ideas designer paper
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Barely Banana, markers for coloring
Accessories: Ribbon, scallop circle punch, 1/2″ circle punch, 1/16″ hand held punch, double rectangle punch, Fiskars scallop edge scissors, Sticky Strip, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
I saw your comment over on Wild Rose about how you wish you had SU! markers in the in colors - you know you can make your own? It’s REALLY easy…
http://abraleahstamps.blogspot.com/2007/03/its-in-thing-to-do.html
Oh my word!!! You are one true and good friend!!! If they ONLY knew the time this takes!!! The invites are GORGEOUS!!!! Your friend will love them, I’m sure!!! As will the recipients!!! So, you not only made a good portion of the cards the attendees will give, but you are making the invites THEY will receive — oh, too funny!!! But isn’t it nice to have your work loved that much for all your friends!!!!
Hi Leslie! Thanks for the VERY sweet comments you left me - they made my day! And, your cards are amazing - everything on your blog is!! I love visiting to see what new goodie you have posted. These are so cute - love them! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Wow! I agree with Sharon - you are a very good friend. She will love them and so will the recipients. Mass stamping is not my thing either. Actually I’m not good at sticking to one project of anything and sooner or later must take a break and do something different - even household tasks like ironing.
[…] A Whole Lotta Stampin’ Goin’ On […]
Wow, just reading what you did makes me tired! 50 invites - what a huge baby shower! But the cards are both absolutely gorgeous & adorable, I’m sure your friend is going to love them! Much more special than a less expensive Walmart purchase!
Absolutely adorable! Your customer should be very happy with your design and the quality of work. Loved this!!
Wow that’s alot to do of the same card, but I can understand why she wanted you to do them, very special, and I am sure she is very appreciative of all you have done, they turned out ever so cute!
These are adorable!!! I think you are VERY good at production stamping! I am in the middle of the same project for my little sister, except she is having a boy.
OMG Leslie, your final results are just adorable! I love the flap design, soft baby colors, wheeling and sweet main image. TFS all your hard, but very creative work.
do you now where can I buy online the jumbo scalloped circle punch??
PLEASE HELP ME!!
I live in Guatemala, Central America and they don`t sell the jumbo or even the large one in the scrapbook stores here and I haven`t been able to find one online so please help me!!!
Wow - I go tired just reading about doing the 200 invites!! What a wonderfully special thing to do for a friend and I know she will appreciate the great effort! These invites look fantastic!
Wow that’s alot of cards!!! They are so lovely!I’m sure or she better appreciate them!
Wow. You are good. They look fantastic.
WOW that’s a lot of work! I’ve only done production stamping once and I don’t know if I would attempt it a second time! She must be a very good friend!
The invites are too cute!
WOW…The invites are just beautiful Leslie, LOVE the match box design and the sweet paper. Have a wonderful weekend, Jennifer
YOWZA!! You really are a true friend to do this project! I don’t think I’ve ever stamped that many of one card - in fact, I know I haven’t and I’m not sure I could!! You really are in ‘baby’ mode these day, aren’cha?! LOL! Bet you’ll be glad to get back to your regularly scheduled stamping.
Your invitation is delightful and I know your friend will be thrilled.
Oh my goodness Leslie! That is a lot of work and I’m sure your friend will greatly appreciate the gorgeous cards you created for her! They are beautiful!
Wow…that’s a whole lot of wheeling…but you have such adorable and fantastic cards!!
Your friend is going to LOVE these!!
This invitation is darling! I’ll bet your friend will adore them
Wowzers!! I hope she paid you more than just for the supplies!!! What a great friend to make so many invites. They are so cute!! I’ve done 20 before and that seemed like a lot of work. You are a special friend indeed;).
Melissa
Absolutely fantastic, Leslie! The mother-to-be is so lucky to have these beautiful handmade invitations for her shower. I certainly know why she stuck with you making her invitations, rather than buying a cute ready-made set. I love the colors and polka dots, and how your flap closure design works for this. And the image is one of my baby card favorties, as you know. But the crowning touch, very appropriately for you, is the ribboning. I can just hear the oooh’s and aaaah’s as each one of these 50 invitations is opened by the lucky recipient. Well done! Give yourself a huge pat on the back! Linda
Way to go, Leslie!! %) of these?! You go girl! They are precious
These are adorable Leslie!! What a wonderful gift for your friend:) I’m no longer surprised to see how organized you are but Wow!! a picture is worth a thousand words and this speaks volumes not only of your awesome talent and huge heart, but the organization skills you have!… you go girl!!
Dee
Yikes…that is an awful lot of mass production stamping! I hope she appreciates all that you’ve put into this. Super cute and simple looking (although we know otherwise)!
Linda
She made the right decision. These are BEAUTIFUL!!! I have a cousin whose wife if preggers with their first baby and I was looking around for invite ideas and found this. You should be very proud of yourself.
Michelle
These are adorable! I love the layout and ribbons. And wow…you’re busy!
Leslie, I’m a *newbie* stamper who stumbled across your blog from an SCS challenge link, and I am so glad I did! It’s going into my Fav Blogs folder. Your creations are beautiful, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store here. These shower invitations are chubby-cheeked baby adorable! The colors are wonderful and the sheer ribbon is the perfect embellishment. I had marked the Greetings Galore as a *maybe* in my catalog, but after seeing these, I’m calling my SU demo and ordering today! What a wonderful friend you are - I am confident that the mom-to-be will be thrilled with these!