All Paper Arts

This Saturday is our February Card Party. I love card parties. I love seeing everyone’s ideas and making them. I love seeing my friends whom a lot of I only see once a month. When I have to miss a party I’m just not the same all month long. I feel the same about my MOMS study and book club every Tuesday. However, card parties are extra special. Not only is this a chance for me to be creative it is a chance to just relax and see how everyone else is doing. This is how our card parties work.

Usually, at the previous month’s party we decide what the theme if any the next month’s card is going to be. For instance this month is either Valentine or whatever you want. Most people will probably do Valentines. This is great because it is early enough we can get ideas or learn techniques that we can use to make even more Valentines once we get back home. After the “host” gets all of the RSVP’s, usually no later then the Wednesday before the party, she emails everyone a head count. The head count is really important because it gives us an idea of how much material we need. SO if we have 12 people planning on coming then I know after I design and make my card I need to have enough materials for 11 more cards. In most cases we go ahead and cut what ever needs to be cut so it cuts down on timing and also so we know we have enough to everyone. This is important with ribbon because sometimes a roll of ribbon you buy might not go as far as you thought it would.

After you have decided on your card and have enough materials then you collect everything you need. Some of us use plastic shoe boxes, baskets, or the little plastic totes with handles. Whatever you use it needs to have enough room to hold all of your materials. It also should be small enough and flat on the bottom so that it can be on the table and be passed around easily. Usually the host will also have some plastic baskets to put materials in if you don’t have one. Most of us use rubber stamps for our cards. So you need to make sure you have all the ink pads, marker/pencils, stamps, paper, and any embellishments in your basket. This includes tools. If you used a hole punch or stapler on your card then you need to bring that, too. Make sure to bring your cards or whatever your item is. Sometimes people may choose a bag or box instead of a card. A good rule of thumb is if your card needs an envelope that you make sure to bring envelopes.

Once we get to the party we all find a spot to put our card stuff. This usually isn’t the same place you are going to sit. We also usually each bring something to eat. While we are waiting for everyone to get to the party we are catching up with everyone and snacking. After everyone is there and it is time to get serious we all find a spot to sit.

At the table it is good to have something to stamp on. This can be the thin cardboard that comes with a pack of 12X12 paper or a giant piece of manila paper or anything that is at least 12×12 that is okay to get dirty. Also, you need rubber stamp cleaner and stamp cleaner pads. A lot of us like to use old tube socks they are really good to rub the ink off. You can also put a plate with some damp paper towels down. Anything, to get the stamp clean. Please make sure to clean any stamps you used before placing it back in its basket. Oh and little trash bags are great. Brown Paper Lunch bags cut down or folded down work good. You want about 1 bag per 2 or 3 people.

Okay, so let’s start. First thing everybody does is to start working on the card that is in the basket where they are sitting. The completed card everybody made at home is the sample so you go by that for directions. After you are finished making a card you keep the ones you make and switch baskets with someone else until you have made all the cards. At a party with 12 people you will make 11 cards and leave with 12 (remember the sample you made is your card). It is about that time we have some dessert as we clean up.
Just sitting here writing about card party has me all excited and I am defiantly more motivated now to get my sample done. I just have to decide which stamp set if any I want to use. I also got some great sizzix dies for Christmas from my DH. So I am trying to figure out if I want to incorporate or save one or the other for next time.
Remember there are never too few people for a card party. And as they say there is always a reason for a party!