How often do you find yourself in need of a quick card to cheer up a friend, need to send a note of thanks, or just want to let someone know that you are thinking of them? Today’s simple card is perfect for any of those occasions. It’s nice to have a few cards like these available. The appropriate sentiment can be added on the inside when you need them.
____________________

I stamped the image and sentiment, from the Hello Sweet Friend Stamp Set, onto Strathmore Toned Gray Sketch paper. I did not want bold black lines so I used Simon Says Stamp Barely Beige ink. I used my MISTI so that I could stamp twice for a darker image. 

This is not cardstock so the paper is thin, but it works well with colored pencils. For this project I used my Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I used different shades of grey to color the flowers and foliage, with just a pop of color here and there. And of course I used one of my favorite colors to make the container the star of the show.

An important key in using colored pencils is to start lightly and build the color. Pencils have a waxy base. If you lay too much color at once you will fill the fibers of the paper and won’t be able to add more. These images are small so it is vital to have a sharp point on your pencil. I use a Uni Mitsubishi Pencil sharpener. It allows you to sharpen two different point lengths. 

I also get asked about my pencil case. It is a BTSKY and comes in several different sizes and colors. Mine is a lovely teal (they call it green) and holds 160 pencils. I have included a link below.

I grounded the image by adding shadows at the base. I also added some lighter cast shadows around the bottom edges of the flowers and foliage.

To finish, I trimmed the panel down and added it to a piece of Simon Says Stamp Slate Grey Cardstock, using a Kokuyo Tape Runner. It was then attached to a #110 Neenah Classic Cardstock folded cardbase.

This is truly a quick and simple card. You can stamp a bunch of them at once, color while you watch TV or ride in the car (if you’re not driving…LOL), and have them on hand when needed! Because they are one layer, they are easy to mail.

Thanks for joining me today. I look forward to creating with you again here at Trinity!

Joyfully, Jo Ann

Supplies used:
The products that I used are listed below in compensated affiliate links. You can click the icon of your choice, below the product picture, to go directly to your favorite shop. There is NO additional cost to you when using these links. Thank you for your support!