From Tiny Acorns

I'm so happy to be here today sharing three back-to-school cards/gift card holders using a potpourri of products! My crafty session started out because I wanted to make the cute backpack card, but then I just couldn't seem to stop!

To begin, I die cut all of the pieces three times using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Die from white cardstock and then I did all of the stamping. I like having options and I figured I may as well make more than enough, especially while I have all of the images lined up in the MISTI. Because I had so many pieces, I was able to make the three cards for today with a few pieces leftover.

I did all of the stamping using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Stamp Set. Once that was done, I got to work on the backpack itself. I used the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Die and cut the main backpack shape from Mint Julep cardstock, the front pocket from a prized scrap of Aqua Mist cardstock and the side pockets are cut from Vintage Cream as well as the loop at the top. The straps are also cut from Aqua Mist, but when it was all said and done, I should have just used Mint Julep.

I'm planning on sliding a gift card down in the slot on the backpack, so I did assemble this like you do for the gift card holder. If you're not planning on using it that way, you can just glue and stick to your heart's content! ha ha! I cut the zipper pulls from silver cardstock for added realism and attached them with foam squares.

I had fun arranging all of the elements in the pockets and at the top. 

Make sure to stamp the pattern on the front pocket if you're going to; I forgot and had to do it when it was already assembled and let's just say, there are some strategically placed school supplies to cover some problem areas! ha ha!

My favorite thing is the cute paint set; I added some Ranger Glossy Accents to each of the colors. I let it dry and then added an extra coat for maximum glossy-goodness! The background papers were pulled from the hoard of SU! pattern papers I’ve had for years! I'm so glad they got put to good use! I added a few LEAVES for that traditional back-to-school feeling.

As you can see, my second card takes us to a land lost in time! I simply ADORE the Teach and Inspire Stamp Set (retired sadly) and I don’t think anything will ever compare! This is hands-down my FAVORITE school-themed stamp set of all time! To begin, I did the stenciling on an A2 panel of white cardstock using the stencils that are included in the  Elegant Notes Stationery Kit. I know I have been using these quite a bit lately, but I'm just loving them. I'm sure it's just a phase, as I’m guessing you all can understand! ha ha!

I stamped the "Looking forward to a wonderful year" sentiment at the bottom of the panel using black ink. The vintage chalkboard was created by stamping the sentiment onto a piece of Stormy Sea cardstock using Versamark ink and then heat set with white detail embossing powder. I added a frame that is cut from Kraft cardstock to create the faux chalkboard. I added it to the center of the stenciled panel at a jaunty angle using foam squares.

From there, I had fun adding all of the stamped elements here and there until I was satisfied with the arrangement. As you can see, the paint pan got the same glossy treatment....insert heart eyes!

This card also got a few more leaves; I have been resisting autumn coming, but these leaves just felt too-perfect!

I added the entire panel to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. Once that was done, I used a Post-It Note to cover up the sentiment at the bottom and the chalkboard sentiment and added some black ink splatter; just a light splatter for added detail and interest.

Continuing with the theme is the last card for today. This sentiment is probably my favorite in the set and was the inspiration for the entire card. I didn't want to use the tree image included in the set, but I remembered I have quite a few different acorn dies in my collection and I got to  work!

To begin, I used the Just Notes Die and cut the torn notebook paper piece from Vintage Cream cardstock. I stamped the sentiment using Vintage Photo distress ink. I added some Antique Linen distress oxide ink and a touch of vintage photo ink as well. The paper clip is also from the same die set and I cut it from silver cardstock.

I created another vintage chalkboard, but added some white paint splatter to the Stormy Sea cardstock before I added the frame. My daughter is just the cutest; she said, you should have used black cardstock to make it look like a chalkboard. I kindly explained to her that it WAS supposed to be a chalkboard, just one from the olden days! She said, "I've never seen a chalkboard like that except for at our old church building." I replied with, you mean the one that was built forever ago? LOL! So, hopefully those of you who are of my same vintage will know it is SUPPOSED to be a chalkboard! ha ha!

All of the foliage and acorns are from the Curio: Autumn Findings Die and are cut from white cardstock and then colored with blender brushes and dye ink.

The cute little bee is leftover from another project and then I just had fun adding in the stamped images. I was sure glad I made so many of each thing so I could pick and choose!

I had so much fun working on all three of these cards! I still have quite a few back-t0-school ideas I want to try, but I'm not sure if I'll have time! fingers crossed.....thanks for fluttering by!