Printable quilled thank you card and envelope

Dear Crafting Creatures readers, I want to say thank you!

I started this blog years ago with my friends to inspire each other with our projects. I've been the only one adding to it for some time, and the name Crafting Creatures doesn't suit my new direction. I will continue blogging in my spare time, but now it means more to me than a hobby. I'm taking my paper on new paths and I really hope you'll follow me there, as I will not be updating this blog anymore.

My new blog is Paper Zen, which describes both how tranquil I feel when working with paper, and the enlightenment I hope my work gives others.

I'm indebted to you, kind reader, for giving me wonderfully encouraging words to keep going. To return your enthusiasm, I'd like to give you my quilled Thank You card and matching envelope. It'll be for sale in my Etsy shop afterwards, so grab it now by visiting Paper Zen!

Thank You Cards

 
I was surprised with my gift of a personal die cutter, the Silhouette / Craft Robo. I love it as much as my iphone, which is pretty much top of the totem pole. Of course the first project had to be thank you cards.


Had some difficulty setting it up for a Mac even though I know Adobe Illustrator. The software had to be downloaded (only PC software found on CDs), and their numerous websites were not only confusing/inconsistent but also did not have the latest software. Some even stated it would not work for Macs. The one that finally worked correctly was found here: http://www.craftrobostore.com/craftrobodownloads.html
Each flower was drawn in Adobe Illustrator using bezier curves to define the petal and stamen. My poor adhesive mat was well used very quickly due to so many fine cuts. Instead of making new mats with spray adhesive, I delved into my roll of airbrushing frisket from high school, neglected for too many years. The frisket adhered to the not-so-sticky mat very well because it’s made of plastic. My paper stuck to the frisket almost better than the original matt because as I peeled it off, the flower strips didn’t curl. The only thing was if I cut too deeply or too many times, the frisket would stick in pieces to the backs of my quilling strips. The strips were rolled up using my usual slotted quilling tool.
I had a hard time finding the right paper in Vancouver. Craft and art supply stores carry heavier card stock for scrapbookers. Stationary supplies and even paper mills have limited color ranges. In the end I used alcohol-based felt markers to color in the petals or stamens to give it extra depth and yet stay coordinated. I enjoyed customizing each bouquet for each person. Of course, after I was finished, I found out venders on ebay sell the matching quilling paper in 8.5×11 sheets. My thanks to Ann Martin‘s post on Robert Sabuda‘s pop-up flower for Mother’s Day. It was the perfect floral surprise on the inside.

Quilled Jam Jar

Homegrown raspberries were plucked and jellied (yay! i don't like seeds)
and given to me, so this was just a small note of thanks.

Quilled Thank You Cards

Wow, I didn’t think I could make 3 cards in the span of less than a week! I hope the teachers enjoy these cards I made for a friend’s kids’ teachers, and know they are appreciated. The last is for a music teacher obviously.

Thanks a Bunch!

Pun intended!

Quilled Thank You Cards

Thank you cards were sent to the doctor and ICU dept at Vancouver General Hospital for the care and attention they gave.

Quilled Thank You Card

Simple bouquet of flowers to express thanks. This is actually my first card using a different technique to produce a flower. The open petals are playful to me in a way that traditional quilling isn’t, and it’s the first time I’m inspired to keep quilling the same thing repeatedly.

Quilled Butterfly

This quilled butterfly is a "Thank You" card for my cancer surgery team. My oncologist is Irish and wore a surgery cap decorated with 4 leaf clovers, which are represented in the wings. The white is pure luck because they found the cancer, and the cancer itself is the black dots. The iconic pink ribbon which represents cancer causes, completes the butterfly’s antennae.