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I am starting to work with a prison ministry group in sending out Birthday and general encouragement cards to inmates. I have been trying to send some handmade cards and the challenge comes in sending cards with stamped images only. No glue for contrasting papers, no embellishments, no nothing else. Just cardstock and stamped images, which can be colored. Anyone have any ideas? Some of these inmates (female and male) have not received a card or letter in years and are very appreciative. I have tried using lots of different "Happy Birthday" "Thinking of You" etc. stamps in different colors all over the cards and I am seriously running out of creative ideas. Have any of you ever done stamped only cards? They just seem so plain and lacking. Any of your ideas would be very appreciated. Thanks.
Vicki

Vicki that's a tough one. I would just try taking some of the stamps you have and use that to create cardstock embellishments (if you can do that). Maybe try a new technique, like bleach stamping (I've got the directions on the site and my blog).

Are you limited because of the Challenge itself or the fact that it's going to inmates?

Thanks for the reply and hints. We are limited to what the inmates are allowed. Paper only. No glue, no embellishments, no nothing!! But you know what? Sometimes this is the only mail those guys and girls ever get, so I am happy to try to help out a little.

Maybe just stamp up one side with a flourish?
I am not a card guru LOL

Thanks Pinky, On the Birthday cards I just find as many Happy Birthday stamps as I can and do an all over stamp design and then color in. The "Thinking of You" sort I usually just stamp an expression on the front and a few designs. Hard to be creative when you are so limited, but since the cards are appreciated so much I can get over that side of me that keeps thinking they are so plain.

I love stamping from front to back. what about those fun beautiful border punches?

I've been rolling this one around in my head and I have to admit that I am at a loss!!! Heck I can't hardly stand when I have to use no patterned papers as a challenge (ROFL I am hosting one of these right now on another board trying to get card creative juices flowing) so not being able to add anything to it is really got me for a loss. I was thinking maybe emboss like the top part with one of the CB folders and then stamp the sentiment or image on the bottom. Can you color the images in and use Stickles? I love making cards but I think this one might put a damper on cardmaking if I had to do it all the time but the cause is def worth it!!!!

I had an idea - after reading the initial post again...LOL - what about stamping the top half or three quarters with a simple stamp, someone mentioned a flourish - then embossing that same area with the CB folder as I mentioned and then inking the embossed part lightly with chalk or chalk inks - then, like I mentioned in the last post stamp your image to color or just the sentiment in the bottom corner and then ink around the edges of the entire card for added depth and contrast.

Just an idea - hhhmmm, I may try this with my card challenge I have going LOL

Karen, Thanks for putting on your creative hat and sending me the hints. It is amazing what you can come up with in this talented group of scrappers. I had thought about borders and such, but had not even thought about embossing. I love to distress and ink edges also and that will add at least some dimension. Guess I'll try to find time this weekend to put some of your suggestions on paper. lol Thanks everyone

OK, I had an idea when I read this, and hope I can write it down and explain it like it is in my head!! LOL

what about cutting *slits* in the paper, to add paper embellishments, instead of gluing them down...... You could even *Layer* it like this, just using more slits on the Diagnal...... does that make sense??? if not, let me know and I will try to explain it a little better.

Rae

Wow Rae, You never fail to impress me. Had not considered inserting embellishments that way, but don't know why that would not be "approved" At the very least it would drive the people in the mail room crazy trying to find the glue, etc. I got a cricut from Santa so I am going to put it to use and try out this hint. Thanks so much. Good to hear from you.

Glad I could help out!! Even gladder (is that a word?? LOL) that you could understand what I was trying to say!!! Let me know how it turns out!!!


Rae

Okay, pinky rocked with the border punch! That would be a great way to add flair without actually adding anything or using glue!
Rachel had a great idea with the slits!

How about some paper folding to create unique cards! I know iris folding would require adhesive so that's out, but there is a great template site you could use to add some style and pizzaz to cards. Try MIRKWOOD DESIGNS. It's free and the templates are easy!

And that brings to mind about creating cards on your computer, then printing them out? That could offer flair and detail w/o adhesives!

Wow, great hints and a great website to try out. Now if you can just give me some hints on how to get organized and find some additional time each day I'll be set. Thanks....

Those are some good ideas. I saw something once (12 x 12 layout) where they used corner punches and did something similiar - it looked cool, though there was just one layer. We need to try this and post it up!

Vicki, how's this going? Have you gotten anywhere on it yet? I bet you've rocked it on out!