Ink to Paper :: March 2021 Release :: Day Two

Welcome to Day Two of the Ink to Paper/Papertrey Ink March new releases!  I've got several projects to share with you today so let's get right to them!

I remember being so sad for the graduates last year, as social gatherings were canceled and most people had to isolate.  It was an uncertain time for everyone, but graduation--whether it's from high school, college, grad school, and even kindergarten or 8th grade--is such an important thing to celebrate and recognize.  I'm hopeful things might be a little different for the graduates of 2021, and I wanted to create something special to help recognize those achievements.  Enter the Go-to Gift Card Holder: Congratulations Graduate!  It's a cap and gown-inspired die collection for a slider gift card with an accompanying mini stamp set.

It's really easy to put together--cut out two gowns, adhere along the sides, on the sleeves, and at the bottom, leaving the top open to insert the slider.  The edges of the cap fold over the back of the top of the slider and the whole thing slides down into the gown.  Decorate however you wish, adding a collar and a tassel or even a rolled up diploma.  It's a great way to show your support for the graduates in your life this year, and in years to come!

A few tips:

1. Add a decorative button or brad to the cap to wrap the tassel around; use the included 1/4" circle die to cut a hole in the center of the cap, but be sure to cut the hole BEFORE adhering the cap to the gift card slider

2. Students often receive flowers at graduation; add extra details to the gown with your favorite floral stamps

3. The long, thin sentiments of the Congratulations Graduate! stamps fit on the diploma

Supplies:

Stamps: Congratulations Graduate!, Effortless Beauties, Blossoming Branches

Ink: Autumn Rose, Pale Peony, Raspberry Fizz, Sweet Blush, True Black

Paper: Autumn Rose, Pale Peony, Raspberry Fizz, Stamper's Select White

Dies: Go-To Gift Card Holder: Congratulations Graduate!, Effortless Beauties, Blossoming Branches, Big Balloon

Other: Melon Berry button, thread

If you don't want to make a gift card holder, I thought the size and shape of the gown die would make a fun greeting card.  It's just slightly bigger than 6", so you'll want to grab some 12" x 12" cardstock or patterned paper.  Create a folded card (about 6" x 6") from that.  I used 60lb cardstock so that the die would cut through the double layer without issue.  Place the gown die just slightly above the fold line and cut.  Just a smidge will be cut off from the bottom of the gown, where it curves, but it doesn't take away from the overall design of the card.

Then I decorated the card, after backing it with some heavier cardstock.  I cut out 2 more gowns and after just a bit of easy measuring and trimming, had them lined up perfectly to make my card sturdier for the stamped and die cut balloon bouquet, tag, and cap.  The cap is cut from Bitty Big patterned paper, so I also backed that with some heavier stock, then I snipped off the folded edges.

A few tips:

1. Create a gown-shaped card by folding 12" x 12" paper in half and placing the top of the gown die just above the fold, then run through the die cutting machine.

2. If making the card with paper lighter than cardstock, back the card with thicker stock to make it sturdier.

3. Graduations are occasions to celebrate so break out your balloon and streamer stamps!

Supplies:

Stamps: Congratulations Graduate!, Celebrating You, Big Balloon Sentiments

Ink: Bright Buttercup, Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Pale Peony, Orange Zest, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal

Paper: Stamper's Select White, Berry Sorbet cardstock, Berry Sorbet Bitty Big, yellow textured 12x12 paper

Dies: Go-To Gift Card Holder: Congratulations Graduate!, Celebrating You, Tag Creations: Modern Gift

Other: white enamel dot

Finally, it might be fun to give a small, more personal gift to the graduate along with a gift card.  In that case, just make the gown gift card holder a part of the package!

A few tips:

1. Turn the gift card holder into a package topper by clipping it onto a bag or box

2. Add a bow or some string to the diploma for an extra detail

3. Consider using school colors when choosing the hues for the cap, gown, and other decorative elements

Supplies:

Stamps: Congratulations Graduate!

Ink: Ripe Avocado, True Black

Paper: Ocean Tides, Mint Julep, Ripe Avocado, Soft Stone

Dies: Congratulations Graduate!

Other: Enchanted Evening grosgrain ribbon, decorative brad, black twine, orange gift bag, tissue paper

My last card of the day is a little something special for a teacher--and this one will probably go to my son's teacher because she has been absolutely amazing this year!

There's a new To Die For Sentiment called Grow, and a Teacher addition to the Storybook stamps and dies.  I love these Storybook stamps--they are so cute and this one, being for teachers, is very fitting!  I made a few books and a couple of bright green apples to stack up underneath the sentiment, cut from Lemon Tart card stock.  The background is the largest size of the Love to Layer: Torn Edges die.

Supplies:

Stamps: Storybook Teacher, Storybook Christmas

Ink: Orange Zest, Pale Peony, Bright Buttercup, Pure Poppy, Tropical Teal, New Leaf, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate

Paper: Lemon tart, Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White

Dies: Storybook Teacher, Storybook Christmas, To Die For Sentiments: Grow, Love to Layer: Torn Edges

Other: teal twine

Thanks for coming by today and hanging out for so long!  Don't forget, these products will be available on the 20th at 10pm in the Ink to Paper shop.  As always, the blog today is full of lots of inspiration, so head there next if you haven't stopped by yet.  Happy Wednesday, friends!