Placement and color impact the message your project is sending. Even more immediate is the non-verbal message of the image you choose. It sets the tone even before the recipient begins to read what you have to say. With simple cards, the image must be carefully chosen

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A tear helps when a message is difficult or painful.

An "I'm so sorry" or "It is so sad" when appropriate words are hard to come by, is implicit with an image such as this one.

Hearts are virtually a universal symbol for love, affection, caring.

This heart seems to be indicating a ..g...r...o...w...i...n...g love-- or certainly one too big to be contained in such a small card.

 

while the bouquet, fettered as it is, tied down, just might be sending a different message.

Could it be the "C" word? (Commitment?!!!)This card has actual silver cord holding the balloons onto the card. The bow is a small plastic bow saved from Christmas decorations. The 3-D touches add interest.

Children love to stamp. When allowed,they do it with great exuberance! Oftentimes stamping tables,walls and particularly hands.

While that is not recommended, providing them with a project they can do is.

Tissue paper takes ink very well, so stamping clean images is fairly easy. If the tissue paper is too fragile, shelf paper from the grocery store is a good substitute. Not the color selection provided by tissue, but still useful. Stamping randomly over large areas guarantees some selections will be "keepers". Seeing their handiwork under the tree at Christmas time or used for wrapping a friend's birthday gift is very rewarding.

It is a good starter project for new stampers as well.

To coordinate a card, gift wrap and even envelope liners gives a unified look that covers a multitude of imperfections.

If you keep a sheet of clear Ink Jet labels with your supplies, you will also have an easy, coordinated sticker --to close the envelope you made in fine "ensemble" fashion. Just stamp your image and seal flap. Since the label is transparent, you won't need to trim around it