Easiest Birthday Card EVER!

Have you ever realized you need a birthday card and you have absolutely NO time to make something super cute, super extraordinary?  If you are like me, you have a whole Stamp Studio FULL of decorative paper, inks, and stamps and would HATE to have to buy a Hallmark card.

With just a bit of "shopping" in your stash, you can make a super quick card any time the need arises. I made this one (pictured below) in under 5 minutes and that included finding my paper cutter that I was pretty someone stole while I was picking up kids!

Step #1:  Gather your stash!  Pick one sheet of decorative paper.  Don't get too stuck on finding birthday themed paper or something in just the right pattern.  Also remember you will only need 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" so look through your scraps! Pick a sheet of cardstock (and don't always pick white . . . it could be a color that matches your pretty decorative paper!).  Gather your paper cutter and your favorite adhesive and POW! get started!

Step #2: Cut your cardstock to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  If you are using 8 1/2" x 11" paper (this is standard size copier/printer paper) you can cut this in half (on the short side) and you will have 2 cards!  Set your scraps aside.  Cut your decorative paper to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".

Step #3: Fold your 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" cardstock in half to form a standard size card that measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  Using your favorite adhesive, glue the decorative paper to the front of the card.

Step #4: Using a stamp that says "Happy Birthday" or "Celebrate" or whatever you choose, stamp the image on a scrap of your white paper (or even one of your matching papers). You may choose to mat the saying with another piece of paper like I have done in the sample, or just leave it plain.  You may also have some stickers in your stash . . . pull them out and see if one would fit your theme or your message.

Step #5: Shop your stash for some fun bling . . . try a ribbon or some buttons. Decorate to your heart's content!

Presto, you have a quickie card AND you shopped your stash! Wasn't that super easy?!

One final note before I dash back into my Stamp Studio to whip up some cards . . . I buy my envelopes at one of the office supply stores, like Office Depot.  The envelopes are called "invitation size" and are sold in a box of 100 for super cheap! 

Let me know if you need help . . . I think when times are tough and money is tight it's always fun to see what's in the stash!  :-)