This handmade retirement card will be well-received, but it's not going to break the bank to make it. Using just one layer of Whisper White Card Stock and a little ink, it's only going to cost you about 34 cents to make. And that's including the envelope!
Speaking of card prices, I was in a large discount store recently and I was curious to check out what greeting cards were selling for these days. As you might imagine, I haven't bought a card in a store in over 20 years! Every few years or so I get a little curious, and so I checked out the prices of a variety of cards, from simple to a little extravagant. I think the least expensive one I found was about $4, and the most expensive one was about $8. I'm sure you can find some cheaper than that, and certainly more expensive, too! But they won't be as meaningful or as beautiful as the ones you make yourself, of that I'm sure. Just a little something to think about. 🙂
I started by masking off areas and sponging on some color to make the sky, water, and beach. To do that I used a Sponge Brayer for the sky and water, and a wedge of a Stamping Sponge for the beach. The colors used were Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, and Crumb Cake.
The beach chair came from the Colorful Seasons stamp set. The Stamparatus makes it so easy to line up the images for perfect stamping every time!
Cleaning Stamps When Using the Stamparatus
I admit, I didn't originally get the new Simply Shammy but I purchased it recently and I really like it. I can clean the stamps while they are still on my Stamparatus, and that makes it very easy. (Remember, when using the Stamparatus they are not on a block.) You can throw it in the wash, too! The Shammy does stain, however, so be aware of that. That's really the only thing I don't like about it. I may give the Stamp Cleaning Pad a try for just that reason. It's small and portable and probably would work well with the Stamparatus. Stay tuned for an update! 🙂
The rest of the images came from Sailing Home, a fun maritime-themed stamp set. You can pick it up alone or save 10% and get it in the Sailing Home Bundle which also includes the coordinating Smooth Sailing Dies.
I admit, I'm dreaming of retiring close to a beach somewhere myself soon. When I do, I would love to receive a handmade retirement card like this.
For another example using the Sailing Home stamp set check out this retirement card idea.
