Elegant cards on a budget

 As card makers we have a special talent that non-card makers really enjoy!  Groups of cards like this make very special gifts.  The value is high and the cost can be LOW! All of these were created for under $7.00. All the cards are A2 size cards unless otherwise noted in the captions.

6 x 6" card. EF on the right is Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. EF on the left is a 12" Butterfly by Darice. Shapes cut with Spellbinders dies.

Inside embossed with same 12" Darice EF

I did a breakdown of the cost related to my group of cards.  I have broken it down so that you can see the related cost for each card element. I've given you some very close estimates - possibly not exact but this way you can estimate from your own resources what these same cards would cost you.

Two 12 x 12" pieces of solid white cs @ .05 each.
Six 8.5 x 11" pieces solid white cs @ .30 each
One 8.5 x 11" piece of SU Almost Amethyst cs @ .30
One fourth of  8.5 x 11" piece of SU Pink Pirouette cs @ approximately .08
48" Double Face Satin Ribbon - White @ .25 per yard
One  Miss Elizabeth's clear sticker sheet (which had 42 stickers on it) $2.99
Thirty One mini pearls @ .03 each
Two Pink rhinestones @.03
"Itty bits" not included in the cost estimation include three sequins, a bit of silver thread, and a small piece of batten burg lace ribbon. I did not include the cost of the envies in this breakdown.

This whole collection of cards were created by me for only $6.59 Isn't that amazing!! : )  I LOVE IT!!

In case you fall asleep by the time you reach the bottom of this post heehee please note that ALL floral and butterfly images are from the Miss Elizabeth's clear sticker sheet.

EF on the front and inside by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.   Oval EF on top  is from SU Designer Frames.

 I used a double sticker for almost every little butterfly you see on these cards.  Simply done - just apply your first butterfly where you would like it and add a tiny dab of secure glue to the top of the body.  Next remove the stickiness from the second sticker using an embossing buddy or powder.  Then line up the second butterfly over the first on top of the glue.  I sort of bend up the wings to give dimension as you can see in the picture above. 

EF is by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.  Flower was created using two stickers separated by foam tape. Stickles Glitter Glue applied to the top of the bouquet.

EF on the left "Script" by Cuttlebug, EF on the right is by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Circle and scallop shapes by Spellbinders dies. Sentiment from The Angel Company.

Embossing folders on white are so elegant! You can use almost any embossing folder to achieve this same elegant look!  Always add something interesting on the inside of your card too!

A2 size card finished size 3.5 x 5.5". Top EF is Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug, bottom EF is "Stripes" by SU. Circle and scallop shapes cut with Spellbinders dies.  Sentiment from CTMH B1244 "Solo T". Batten Burg ribbon from my stash.

Within the same gift assortment try changing the card size and orientation. 

This is a 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Sentiment from The Angel Company.

This is a 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Flourish die cut from "Parisian Accents" by Spellbinders.  Sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes by Stampin Up.

Inside of the above 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. Flourish cut from "Parisisn Accents" by Spellbinders

For a #6 Envelope - card dimensions are 3.5 x 6".  Overlay cut from a 5 x 7" Anna Griffin die called "Flower Bramble" for Cuttlebug. Sentiment is from the Sticker set.  I used a Marvy punch for the corners and strung a silver thread around it.

For an added value consider adding multiple style appropriate sentiments in your gift pack.  If you do remember to place some double sided tape on the back of each sentiment so that the recipient can easily select the sentiment they would like to use - remove the tape backing and attach it to their card : )

6 x 6" card. Left EF "Woodgrain" bu SU, right EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.  Shapes cut with Spellbinders dies. Sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes set by Stampin Up.

Long post : ) Perhaps you can tell I've been doing bookkeeping and looking for ways to save money! LOL I hope you've enjoyed seeing ways to create beautiful gifts from the beautiful cards YOU make!

Top EF "Designer Frames" by SU. Bottom EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.

Enjoy your day friends! Thank you so much for stopping by.

Patti