Adorable Elephants

 I have sooooo much patterned paper and am always looking for a good way to use it up.  (Can anyone relate??)  One-sheet wonders appeal to me so much because it is a way to use up an ENTIRE sheet of patterned paper.!!  No little scraps left over (other than really tiny ones that you don't feel bad about throwing away).  I did a batch for Christmas last year and then for Valentine's Day this year (here, here and here, and here).    Now, I decided to do a batch of feminine birthday cards so I could have some on hand for those times when birthdays sneak up on me.  Some of the sentiments I used could also go for other occasions, which could end up being a life-saver, too.  So far, when I've done a batch, I've used one stamp set (images) and maybe mixed in other sets for the sentiments.  This time I've used the "Adorable Elephants" from MFT.  They are just. so. cute!  Here is my first set of three completed:

For this batch I tried this template--a new one for me.  I don't use any other patterned papers on these, but I will use two colors of coordinating card stock, one spool of ribbon and maybe some similar embellishments on some of them.  So, on the first one, I did use an embossing folder to give the background some interest.

On the second card, I stamped a background stamp using a yellow ink, so it just barely shows up.

On the third card I really liked the look of the plain card stock base and decided to leave it that way.  It gives a really clean look.

I will be posting more in the coming days (hopefully) but wanted to get these up before the sketch challenges close.

Supplies:

CARD #1:

Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown

Dies: Verve "Classy Labels"

Embossing Folder: Sizzix "Circles"

CARD #2:

Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown; Simon Says Stamp circle background

Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large" and "Scalloped Circles, large" and "Say What?" speech bubble

CARD #3:

 Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown 

Challenges:

CARD #1:

Stick-It-Down Challenge--sketch (I turned it to a horizontal orientation so my squares would fit)

{Pin}spirational Challenge #278--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the elephants)

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #160--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #498--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Crafty Sentiments--anything goes

CARD #2:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Pink Gem Challenge--anything goes

Penny's Challenge #499--anything goes

Creative Moments #217--anything goes

CARD #3:

Try Stampin' on Tuesday #512--sketch

Sweet Stampin'--I spy something beginning with "B" (I used a balloon and a banner)

Double Trouble #87--It's Hip to Be Square (Thing #1: squares or circles, Thing #2: play along with Try Stampin' on Tuesday)

Creative Fingers #211--anything goes