I’ve been the recipient of a bunch of cards lately. Words fail to describe how much it meant to know that someone cared enough to make a card and mail it to me. It was like getting a big huge hug, all across the miles. They really brightened my day!
Then I found a box of cards that my Grandma saved. Still can’t believe that she saved all the cards I ever made her. I found out that my Dad, sister, and J have all saved all the cards I’ve made them, too. Wow.
Cards aren’t just paper — they’re a smile in an envelope! :)
Then I got to thinking some more about how there are all these cardmaking challenges out there, and I wondered what happens to all of those cards. Do they get a chance to make someone smile? I have some cards sitting here in a box that I’ve made for challenges that I’ve never mailed. Made me sad. :(
Then I thought: why not start a new challenge? A challenge to make a card (or anything else) and then mail it. I’m going to call it “Make-It + Mail-It”. Yeah! :) J even drew a logo for me, yay!
So, this is the very first Make-It and Mail-It challenge: make a card (or anything else!), mail it, and leave a link to your card below. I’ll post my card here too, to challenge myself and to keep things real. And! To make it even more interesting, in one week I’ll randomly draw one person to make a card for! Now, how’s that for a challenge?
Thought I’d do a little step-by-step tutorial to show you how I made a whole batch of cards, lickety split.
I started with plain shipping tags from the office supply store.
Then I distressed them. Here’s a mini how-to: first I crumpled them up, then rubbed them with Distress Inks (don’t ask me what colors, I just grabbed a bunch!), misted them with water, and then ironed them flat.
Whenever I get stuck in a creative rut I love to do a whole bunch of tags like this. You can never have too many tags, you know?
Next I stamped all over them with some new Hero Arts flowers and more distress inks.
Then I broke out some washi tape. (Love this packaging!)
I went to town adding washi tape all over them! The only trick here is to not try to think too much — just tape away!
Next, I stamped this thanks message on white copy paper with walnut stain Distress ink. Love how it looks — well, yeah, distressed.
I thought these tags would make great bookmarks, so I wanted to adhere them to the card front in such a way that they could easily be removed. So I got out the glue dots and put one towards the bottom of the tag.
Then I punched a hole at the top and tied the tag on with twine. (Love this grey twine so much.)
And that’s it! Seven cards ready for mailing. (I’m not saying who these are for, in case they are reading this. Ha!)
(Supplies: The white painted board that I took the photos on is an idea I got from reading Ishtar Olivera’s wonderful photography tutorials. Thanks again, Ishtar! Why didn’t I do this sooner? All stamps by Hero Arts: flowers are from the Sweet Threads set and the message is from Big Hugs. The notecards are also by Hero — they’re oldies but goodies that I’ve been hoarding — time to break them out. I used too many Distress inks to keep track of, but I’m pretty sure that there’s rusty hinge, tattered rose, pumice stone, and tea dye. Probably lots more! Shipping tags are from the office supply store. The grey and white twine is by Divine Twine.)
Now it’s your turn: make a card (or anything else!) and mail it. Leave your link below so that we can all see. In one week I’ll randomly select a winner to mail a card to. Yay!
This is gonna be good.
Wow! LOVE these, Lisa! So creative and inspiring!
I’m sure it’s true that many of us cardmakers have lots of cards that never get mailed. I’ve been making a card for a friend of mine, once a week for almost two years now. (She’s been very sick for a long time.) I usually make it on Monday and mail it to her on Tuesday, so I will definitely be joining in your challenge! Love your gorgeous bookmark cards! Fab idea, the way you’ve attached them! Thanks for this fun challenge, Lisa and hope you had a wonderful Easter! :)
Oh Barb, you are such a great friend! I had a great Easter, hope you did too. Hugs! :)
Love this idea so much Lisa, I’m glad you posted it! AND – the bookmarks are awesome, totally love your random taping. I’d never be able to do it without overthinking. :-) AND – I want to paint a board now for photos. :-)
Gorgeous tags Lisa…sounds Luke a great challenge! I’m so guilty of not mailing my cards have like 5 photo boxes full! happy Easter sweet girl….Xoxo!
Wow…So inspiring,Lisa! love those bookmark! You are so creative!!!
Thanks so much, Sarah, Kelly, Libby, and Vera! Hugs! :)
These are amazing … they make me want to go play with ink & tape. I’m off to make a card to include with a “just because” package I’m sending to my sister. Thanks for the great idea.
[…] at Lisa’s blog she is having a Make-it and Mail it challenge. So I made this card a few weeks ago and decided to […]
Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Love your post. I have been trying to mail cards more often and this will give me more inspiration to do so. Thanks!
I didn’t know you could buy those sorts of tags at an office supply store. That would make my life WAY easier! :> I love this make it and mail it idea! I have a list I need to do first than hopefully I will be able to do it! Love the way you did the washi tape!
WOW, Lisa.. your tags are gorgeous and I LOVE the idea to just create a card with them.. so simple and easy, yet so beautiful!
Thanks for the challenge! I think it’s a great idea to not only create but also mail the card instantly.. I have a huge stash of cards at home and I think it’s soooo much lovelier to just MAIL them to someone who will be surprised and happy to get it :)
Greetings from Germany
Sylvia xx
Lisa your photos look great : )
I´ve run out of white foam board since I moved to the uk, need to buy one too!! : )
oh and your tags.amazing!!! loved them!
Love your bookmark tags Lisa! I’m not so confident with that collagey-distressed style, but you’ve inspired me to give it another try.
Can’t wait to have a go with this challenge too. Sounds fun! I can tell your little fawn is impressed too ;)
Hugs, Ruth S
Your tags are stunning. I love the texture, the colors and the design, i.e. everything!!! Love. Love. Love.
LoVe your tags Lisa! I have a bizillion office tags too so I will have to try the crumpling them up method and inking w/ distress inks.
can’t wait to get home (from Hawaii) to play along your fun challenge!
Oh Lisa, what a great challenge! I’ll definitely be joining in on the fun! I usually either send or give my cards to family or friends so don’t keep many unless there is some special reason for holding on to one. Your cards are absolutely gorgeous! The tags look amazing – love the distressing, colours, stamping and use of washi tape (everything really, lol)!
These look terrific!!!
More brilliance….your fabulous tags and the challenge! How wonderful!
blessings~
LOVE these tags-amazing!!
Wow these tags are so pretty Lisa, great challenge, I have made a card and will mail it tomorrow!!
Yay, Sally! Thanks so much. :)
I feel so good to know that all these cards are getting mailed! YEAH! :)
Lisa, I saw your thread over on the Flickr gallery and just love to see such initiative. Love joining in something like this – we can ALL give something away! Your cards are so cheerful!