They’re an often overlooked aspect of card making… why oh why? I’m not much of a card maker, to be sure. But the cards I gravitate towards are simple in design. So when I’m finished with a card, I usually feel like… now what? That’s it?! Until my little cousin, Rachel, told me about how she makes her own envelopes. Genius! This is something I’m sure is not new to you wise readers, but oh wow, it’s like a whole new world I’ve discovered! :)

For any of you who have never used any Hambly products, you just don’t know how exquisite the paper is until you hold it in your hand. So silky and scrumptious! Perfect for upping the ante in card giving.

And speaking of giving… my lovely friend Kara sent me a gift in the mail this week. Totally brightened up this dismal time of due dates and final exams. Not just lovely art and goodies, but a gift card to my fave! Urban Outfitters. She’s the sweetest. And whenever she sends me something in the mail, she addresses the package to “Mandi Pants.” So now and forever, Phil calls me Mandi pants.

It’s not that I haven’t been making mini albums… just haven’t been sharing a lot! I have a ton going on with school and whatnot right now… and that’s how it will be for the next couple of weeks. But I wanted to share a little summin summin I did with mostly Hambly products. It’s also a gift for my brother… that I haven’t given him yet. So, Matt, if you’re reading this now… here’s a gift for ya! :)

Hambly is having a contest right now at 2Peas… you should check it out!

The rest of the journal will be up with the rest of them in the photo album to the right. Now off to work on homework like a good girl!

…and let’s not forget Kraft and Mr. Woodgrain Dymo.
Hambly does not ask me to tout their products…. but people, I just can’t help it. I seriously hardly use any other product these days. And I think it’s so easy to come up with designs using their screen printed papers, overlays, stickers, and rubons.

Making cards is pretty much the easiest.

And while I had my scissors and glue (who am I kidding? We all know it’s Xacto knife and rubber cement! Sorry, scissors and glue…), I decided to make two! (Two quickly led to three… but more on that another day.)

I don’t need a photo or a reason to make a card. But I like to have a stock pile of them, because we all know that when we’re running late to a party, the last thing you have time to do is make a card.

So this card making thing is sort of turning into a new hobby….

Life’s unexpected pleasures. :)