Friday, April 15, 2011

OWH Sticker Skip

Welcome to the second Operation Write Home SKIP. Today’s SKIP is going to focus on the use of Stickers. Stickers are a great way to make a card but you do have to be careful how you use your stickers – you don’t want to just randomly place them all over a card. If you have been watching any of Sandy’s TV episodes and our design segments – you are learning about the importance of focal points on your cards. Little things you can do to step up your card design.

There are many great sticker companies. One of my favorite companies is SRM Stickers – they have sheets of Sentiments – usually around one particular subject area – ie birthday, winter, holiday, etc. Their cost is very inexpensive for the number of cards you can make out of a sticker sheet of sentiments. If you check through my blog you will find their sentiments on many of my cards. Penny Black has always had beautiful stickers. It is so easy to make a card using one of her stickers. Great value for your money. Mrs. Grossman has many stickers also.

I made three cards for you today. I had hopes of making more but time gets away from you. Working sure gets in the way of having time to create.



My first card is a masculine card. Golf is a favorite sport for many people – men and women – I chose to take a masculine route with this card. When I first laid out the card – it had no depth or character – so I cuddlebugged the blue background with an argyle folder (argyle/golf – they go together don’t they). I then got out my chalk and chalked the background blue embossed paper, chalked the golf cart (main focus of the card). If you notice I placed the sticker on a piece of paper that also had depth to it. Adds more character than a plain piece of green paper. I added the sentiment to a strip of green paper. A strip of plaid and a couple brads made a great sticker card. I dressed up the focal point (golf card) by using a interesting piece of paper to mount the sticker on and then added some chalk to add some distress (or maybe it was mud) to the focal point. The sentiment (one of the great sentiment stickers from SRM Stickers) was not just stuck on the card but placed on another piece of paper which had some depth. See how easy it is to dress up a Sticker card.



The second card is a more feminine card and could be sent to an adult or younger female. I found this great clear sticker at JoAnn’s – it is by Me and My Big Ideas – the bling is already on the card. I also used some letter stickers for my sentiment – letter stickers can be found all over and by many different companies. On this card – I used a Bo Bunny dots paper for my cardbase – this paper adds depth – you could have just used a piece of this paper also on top of a plain card base. I tried to follow the color palette of the light blue with pink accents for my color in the card. Both colors are in the bling on the sticker. Very simple layered card but I think makes great use of the sticker and the sentiment is simple but effective because it picks up the pink used in the card.



My third card is very simple – I think it needs something to dress it up and that is where you come in. The s tickers on this card are the buttons. I punched holes in the buttons (just like a real button) and then wove a double strand of twine through the buttons – I left a small amount of twine hanging over the edge of the card to add a little dimension. The buttons are pop dotted to give a little depth to them. The card is OK but needs to be stepped up – so this is where you come into the mix – please leave me a comment and give me suggestions on how you think I should dress up this card.

So please leave a comment on everyone’s Sticker Post – this puts you in a drawing for a prize from OWH – I also will have a drawing for a SRM Sentiment sheet for anyone who leaves me a comment (please leave me your e mail address so I can contact you).

You will be next popping over to visit Erica and see what she has to share with you. If you get lost – the list is below – or pop back to Stars and Stamps and start all over.

Operation Stars and Stamps

Barb - you are here

Erica


  • Jan

    Sherry

    Julie

    Velda

    John

    Steph and Robin

    Paula

    Samantha
  • 56 comments:

    Sue D said...

    Great cards--I will have to look through my sticker collection.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    RobinH said...

    I had to look at those buttons twice, at first glance I thought they were the real thing!

    Nancy M said...

    I agree-I thought the buttons were real! I have a drawer full of stickers of various types but I'm never quite sure how best to use them, so thanks!

    Cora said...

    They looked like real buttons to me too. I think your last card could use a cute snowman

    Paula S. said...

    Those button stickers look so real! The background paper is great with the sentiment already there. I think I'd add a simple Christmas tree image or sticker layered in the brown and tan in the top center area of the card.

    helloholley said...

    Wow!!! these are all so wonderful!!! Love the bumblebee!!! I can't believe those buttons are stickers....they look so real!!!;) Great job!!!!

    Sherry Hickey said...

    Barb, your cards are great! I've never seen a blinged-out sticker like that; must look more closely at the sticker displays!! Guys will love the golf cart, and I truly thought those were real buttons! I think a vertically-oriented sticker like a Christmas tree or a stocking would work well in the vertical space on your last card. Thanks for setting up the SKIP!!

    Shirley G said...

    I agree with everyone on the buttons. They do look real. I was thinking a wreath for the last card.
    Great cards overall

    Sandi F. said...

    I had to look at those buttons again... they still look real :)
    I think that one of the Meljens sentiments would go well on that card.

    Unknown said...

    These are so cute and fun!

    Velda said...

    Glad you got the modem fixed so we could see your great samples. It's nice to learn about other companies making nice stickers.

    Yvonne - ymbashor@yahoo.com said...

    Barb, I really like what you've done with stickers on all of your cards. I do have a stash of stickers to evaluate now! Those buttons definitely fooled me--I love the twine through them. I might suggest a penguin image layered above the buttons. Of course I would! Thanks for kicking this off!

    Unknown said...

    I love the bee card. The colors are great. For the xmas card, I thought the buttons were real. Maybe some kind of image above the row of buttons would be what you need. I think I would layer it to add some definition.

    annjerryk at aol dot com

    airbornewife said...

    ohhhh... I really like the Golf card.. everybody in my family golfs. Thanks for sharing ~ great group of cards. ~ Pam

    Seongsook Duncan said...

    Very nice cards. I thought the buttons are real, too. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Sue said...

    Nice cards. On the third one, I didn't really think it needed anything but since you asked,a simple Merry Christmas on the top part would be nice...

    Misty said...

    I really thought those buttons were real! Maybe a silhouette of a horse drawn sleigh?
    Hummer Hugs,
    Misty
    http://deliteful-gifts.blogspot.com/
    hummingbird204 at comcast dot net

    Unknown said...

    Love those button stickers! I vote for a simple folk art style pine tree to dress up your card. Or better yet a stitched pine.

    Ann said...

    Barb, I love how you used the stickers. I have those same button stickers, love the twine through them.I agree with Yolanda, a pine tree or pine bough would look nice. Thanks!!
    bam at gmail dot com

    Cherie said...

    I completely thought the buttons were real! I think maybe a snowman or some winter sticker layers with paper the color of the words would add some extra punch to the card.

    Samantha said...

    LOVE your cards!! I had to take a second look at your last button card..I thought they were real! Love the SRM Stickers too!

    Kimberley Martini Young said...

    What a great range of cards that you did with the stickers.

    Jean B in PA said...

    Your cards are great. My first thought for the Christmas card was two pine trees on the left side above the button band. One reaching nearly to the top of the card and then one to the right of it, slightly shorter.

    pearx2 at zoominternet dot net

    Susan W. said...

    I love the ideas you gave to use stickers on our cards... now I can use up some of my sticker stash! I agree with the others that your last card with the real-looking button stickers needs a little snowman.

    Just Me said...

    I, too, thought the buttons were real. I like all the cards. Am going to have to check out my stickers.
    The last card, I'm not good at adding bling, etc to cards, but I would add "Merry Christmas" on a banner. I would try to match the pp colors or use a very lt. blue for the banner.

    Debbie said...

    The buttons look so real ..love this idea

    Ronda S said...

    Love the buttons!! I thought they were real till I read your post. And the golf cart is really manly.

    Cindy's Card Co said...

    Hi Barb, great cards. The Christmas cards could use an image in the large area. How about a wreath in those nice colors to fill the spot. Happy Saturday.

    Andrea said...

    this is my first ever blog skip! fun. i totally agree with you about the whole working thing... i'd do so much crafting if i never had to work. ha! love, andrea
    csa.andrea@gmail.com

    Kathryn said...

    Thanks for sharing, Barb. I think your use of the button stickers is great. I saw them at the store recently and wondered how I could use them on cards.

    Diane said...

    The buttons are fantastic- love all the cards- thanks for sharing!

    AllisonG said...

    I think to pump up the card with the buttons (which I too thought were real!), maybe you could add a Christmas image or sticker in the space above the buttons since your paper is Christmas paper.

    mallisonr at aol dot com

    sandybear76 said...

    Cute cards. I have lots of stickers I need to dig to use. Thanks for the ideas. The buttons are very real looking. Myabe the card could use a rustic Christmas tree.

    Linda said...

    Just like everyone else I was fooled by the button! When you finish your card ple report for all to see. Hope you got some great ideas!

    Christy said...

    I'm not much of a sticker person, but I like the buttons especially with the twine. Since it's a Christmas card, I'd add a Christmas tree to the card. Great job! TFS!

    Julie said...

    Great skipping, Barb! Thanks for putting this together! I love that second card with the circle of rhinestones, I might have to CASE that!

    Jan Hunnicutt said...

    The buttons on your card look so real, wow! Great cards today, thanks for your inspiration :)

    andyjay said...

    I stared at the button card and thought "where is the sticker?" until I read the post. The button sticker looks soooo real! Great cards! Thanks for sharing your ideas!

    grandmalee said...

    I still can't believe the buttons are stickers! Great work on all 3. Great idea to put the stickers on an additional piece of cardstock. I think I'd use something with a button theme on the last card like a stocking with buttons on it or even used to "hang" it on the card.

    MizDenise said...

    I like the button card as is, but I'm definately a clean & simple gal. Thanks for the sticker ideas - they always seem more inviting in the store than once I'm home trying to use them.

    Anonymous said...

    cool sticker cards! my DH would love the golf card card!
    linda patti tpatti@windstream.net

    Dixie Cochran said...

    Barb, thanks for the scoop! Your post was most informative, and the cards are terrific! I'd add a tall skinny tree to the last card.

    Lynn said...

    Wow! Those are great! I love what you did with those button stickers!hiscreation2 at hotmail dot com

    Cut n Paste said...

    Great use of stickers!

    Barbara said...

    Love the sticker inspiration!

    Lori said...

    Great ideas!

    mumgranny said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    mumgranny said...

    Pulling out my stickers today - Thanks for the ideas

    Dee N said...

    The buttons look so real that it's hard to believe they aren't. I think your card could use an image in the area above the buttons--maybe an ice skater, snowman, Santa? Thanks for the wonderful ideas on how to use stickers.

    Operation Write Home said...

    I think I was the only one not fooled by the buttons - since I have that sticker too! Really great cards, Barb, lots of good ideas to inspire us!

    Auntie Marg said...

    ok time to pull out the old sticker bucket and see what I have.
    Great cards TFS.

    Patricia H said...

    The buttons are stickers?!? Wow! They are so realistic! That's a nice layout to use with real buttons too.

    Dawn W said...

    Awesome cards. The masculine and the button ones are my favorite.

    Dolores A. said...

    Thanks for sharing all the details about your great sticker cards.
    dm dot allnock at verizon dot net

    Kajikit said...

    Since it's a Christmas paper I'd add a simple stylised triangle christmas tree to the card, either another sticker or hand-cut.

    Just A Pac Rat said...

    Wow, you did an awesome job with those stickers. I would add a snowman or tree or stocking onto paper onto the card. Great buttons, they do look real.

    Thanks for the skip!

    circlebenterprises.com