Mailable Monday!

My friend Mindy has a weekly blog feature she calls Mailable Monday and I love the idea of it!  The trick is to keep the cards flat without a lot of embellishments so that you can quickly throw them in the mail with a regular stamp.   If you hate going to the post office as much as me, then this idea is perfect!   I pulled out my Distressing Essentials kit to play with and here's what I came up with.   Now I wanted to stick a ton of brads on it and maybe a button, but that defeats the purpose!    I did have fun playing with the kit, so I think it might be our featured technique at stamp club in April.   Distressing is such a great way to get those frustrations out!  :)  

Stamps:  The Open Sea (still available as a write-in)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Tea Stain distress ink

Paper:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla (textured and normal)

Tools/Accessories:  Distressing Essentials kit, Cutter Kit, Color Spritzer tool, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Linen Thread

Play Date Cafe #105

The Play Date Cafe had a wonderful inspiration photo this week and I just had to play along.   I am more than  a little obsessed with any kind of coffee drink, so it took me a bit to quit looking at the picture and actually work on my card!   Don't those look yummy?    Anyway, on the the card....

I'll start by saying that I don't do vintage.  It is totally outside my comfort zone and I find it very confusing.  Distressing?  I end up way more distressed than the paper!  However, I love to challenge myself so I recently purchased the Distressing Essentials kit.   I pulled out my tea stain ink and started swiping, wiping, and crumbling like an old pro.   I hope I managed to achieve a vintage feel to it.  Any suggestions or comments from you vintage professionals?  I'm so happy that Stampin' Up! decided to carry this set over through June.   I had no idea I was such a fan of nautical things until I got it.  

I hope you enjoyed my card today!  I'm off to start some pizza dough and get ready for some football!  Go Texans!   

Stamps:  The Open Sea, Something to Celebrate (retired)

Ink:  Marina Mist, Crumb, Cake, Chocolate Chip, Tea Stain Distress ink

Paper:  Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:   Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Distressing Essentials Kit, Mini Brads - silver, 2 1/2 circle punch, Chocolate Chip 1 1/4 striped ribbon (retired), paper snips