Quick But Stunning Graduation Card

Hello! Well it's been a long time since I've posted. I'm sorry for that. I've had quite a time being sick from allergies the past month. I fought with it for over two months and had to go through two rounds of antibiotics to reverse sinus and ear infections. To make it worse, I had to fly during this time. But it's all much better finally and I'm getting back into the groove.

Today I'm posting for the Bitten By the Bug 2 Challenge Blog. Like so many people this time of year, I needed a quick graduation card and that fit nicely with the challenge theme since it's graduation! I encourage you to make your own Graduation themed project and enter it into the challenge. The Design Team really outdid themselves. You're going to love seeing what they made. You can go to the challenge here: BBTB2 Granduation Challenge. The only requirement is that it is graduation themed and made using your favorite Cricut machine. Go for it!

This card couldn't be easier. The A2 card base is a simple cut in Design Space called Congrats Card - #M97B1F. I cut it out on a black multi-colored glitter cardstock. I love the formal but still festive feel of this cardstock. It's by Core'dinations and is called Black Tie.

After cutting the base, I cut a white cardstock rectangle slightly larger than needed and blended four colors of Distress Oxide ink on it. I used Salty Ocean, Worn Lipstick, Squeezed Lemonade and Cracked Pistachio. You can see below that I blended the colors well but not really well. The cutout in the black cardstock will distract the eye from any blending that's not perfect. Did I mention this was a quick and easy card?! I also find that the finished blending always looks better after it dries. It seems to soak into the paper better and blend even more during the drying process. Once it dried, I trimmed it down to an A2 size. Trimming takes the harsh inked edges off for an overall better look.

Next, I applied Art Glitter Glue on the back side of the card front and applied the Oxide panel underneath being careful to wipe away any excess glue that seeped out. Wow, was the result fantastic! If you don't have distress inks, you can use any pretty paper underneath this cut for a similar look.

To finish the inside of this card, I cut another pattern from Design Space called Graduation Cap, #MC252B73. I had a stamp in mind and made sure that the cap would be large enough for it. Sorry for my well used and loved mat. It's a little dirty!

I put the cap inside the card for a truly stunning result without a lot of time and work. Don't you love it when you find something so easy but so beautiful! I know I do! The stamp I used is an older one from a Close To My Heart set called Kudos.

So what do you think? I hope you like it and will try this card yourself. It was fun and I loved the results.

Have a crafty day!

Hugs,
Janet