Easy to Make Cricut Card Idea: Congratulations

Kudos and Congratulations are always nice things to hear when you've done well at something. I love receiving and giving congratulations cards even when it's a small event. As busy as everyone is these days, taking the time to congratulate a friend, family member, or whatever the relationship happens to be, is special and worth the effort. The idea of a homemade card is appealing; the effort and care that goes into it can make anybody's day even better.

Making cards with a Cricut machine and using stamps from Stampin'Up! is not only fun but easy once you've practiced a bit. There are so many shapes you can cutout with the Cricut personal cutting machine along with sentiments. Stampin'Up! has sentiments and shapes available from very tiny to large. The acrylic or rubber stamps leave a crisp impression on your cardstock.

Cricut Cartridge: Sweethearts

Cricut Machine Pressure: Max

Cricut Machine Blade Depth: #2

Cricut Machine Speed: Medium

Stampin'Up! stamp set: Curly Cute

Stampin'Up! sponges: I cut each sponge in quarters, then staple a small piece of scrap cardstock to the edge for a handle to hold on to.

Base Cardstock:

Choose a subtly patterned or plain piece of cardstock for this piece so the birds nest will show up clearly.

Cut a base piece of cardstock for your card, measuring 5 1/4" x 4".

Adhere the base cardstock to the card.

Cricut Cutouts:

Cut one <Birdnest>, pg 67, size 3 1/2", using the Shadow and base keyboard keys. This will cut out the yellow large shadow cardstock layer.

Cut one <Birdnest>, pg 67, size 3 1/2", using the Base and base keyboard keys. This will cut out the green cardstock layer.

Cut one <Birdnest>, pg 67, size 3 1/2", using the Layers and base keyboard keys. This will cut out the small patterned cardstock pieces: hat, wings, birdnest.

Adhere the yellow layer to the card

Adhere the green layer to the card

Adhere the smaller patterned pieces to the card

Adhere the heart layers next.

Adhere the larger heart first to the top left side of the card.

Adhere the smaller heart next on top of the larger heart.

Handcut:

Handcut a rectangle piece of cardstock to be size 1 1/4" x 3 3/4"

I suggest you use the same patterned piece of cardstock used on the birds nest.

Adhere this piece to the bottom of your card.

Handcut a rectangle piece of cardstock to be size 1" x 3 1/4" using the yellow cardstock you used for the shadow layer.

Take this smaller piece of cardstock and place it on a piece of scrap cardstock.

Sponging and Stamping:

Using a sponge from Stampin'Up!, dab lightly around the edges with green ink, very lightly is the key. This will give you a multi-colored edge area for your stamp.

Carefully...stamp the word "Congratulations" in the center of this piece of cardstock. Let it dry for a few minutes

Adhere it on top of the larger rectangle already on the card. Dab at it to make sure the adhesive is smooth, don't rub or you might smudge the stamp.

Done!