If you’ve been by the store lately, you know that we had a great turn out for the January Card Club! While we had different levels of crafters participate, most followed the guidelines to a ‘T’ and the cards were wonderful! If you’re participating in February, please, remember to use a Hero Arts stamp and embellish each of your cards. (see below)

There are always questions when we start a new project and we had few regarding Card Club. We figured if one of you asked, that there were probably a few of you who would like the same information.

If you don’t find the answers to your questions after reading the guidelines and this FAQ, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Read on for our Frequently Asked Card Club Questions!

What’s an embellishment?

An embellishment is an addition to the card that helps give it that “Wow!”  An embellishment is something that can be seen and felt on a card. Examples include, but are not limited to baker’s twine, pins, fabric flowers, pearls, chipboard shapes, etc.

Here are a few examples of embellishments from our January Card Club: 

Cupcake: This cupcake is die cut and “popped” up and then layered with the flower with the brad

Kisses: Kisses and sentiment are punched or cut out and “popped” up

          Pink Ribbon: Gorgeous ribbon bow and liquid pearls add dimension

Rhinestone: Simple and easy to adhere

                                 Brown Ribbon: Snipped ends and stapled on

Black Ribbon: Fibers knotted with a tag

                      Teacup: This teacup is adhered like a pocket and stands out

Items that do NOT count as an embellishment:

-       Sprays or mists

-       patterned paper (unless punched or cut out and “popped” up)

-       Stickers (unless layered on chipboard or cardstock and “popped” up.) 

Wish we could show all the great designs here on the blog…stop by the store to see all of the January cards before they’re moved!

Why should I participate?

Inspiration. Design ideas. Techniques. You can keep the cards as samples and use them as references for your own projects. It’s always fun to try new techniques and see where they lead you! 

Of course, you could just add these to your card supply and use them. Who doesn’t love a handmade card?!

I’m new to making cards. Can I participate?

Yes! We have guidelines for our Card Club, so that even someone new to card making can participate! Take a moment to read over the guidelines and this FAQ.  If you still have questions call, email or stop by the store! 

If I missed January’s Card Club, can I still participate?

Can I only participate in one of the months?

Do I need to sign up to participate?

Feel free to participate when you want to…one month, two months or all the months; it’s up to you. We all have busy schedules, so participate when you can. Sign ups are not required. Check our Card Club schedule and make certain that you can meet the drop off date on the third Saturday of the month before close of business.

I don’t have any new Hero Arts stamps. Can I still participate in February’s Card Club?

Yes! If you don’t have a new Hero Arts stamp, feel free to stop by the store and get one. We’re certain that you’ll find something you like!

Of course, if you already own a Hero Arts stamp that you love, feel free to use it – no matter how old it is!

Do I have to use the Monthly Theme?

We would love for you to use our Monthly Themes! Please interpret the theme for your design. For instance, our Monthly Theme for March is “Spring into Easter!” Some ideas that come to mind are Spring, Easter, bunnies, chickens, flowers, blooms, green, pastels, rain, sheep, lamb, renewal, baskets, Peeps, chocolate…this is just to get you started!

Can I use my computer and print out my cards?

Yes and no. We welcome the use of your computer, but please limit its use to an embellishment that you have printed, cut out and “popped up” on your card, printing a patterned paper or for the printing of a sentiment.

However, you may not design and print out a card without following the guidelines, such as using 2 layers and an embellishment on each card.

Please note that our February Card Club theme is to use at least one Hero Arts stamp in your design.

Can I make a ‘gate fold’, slider or (insert type of card here)?

Of course! We welcome cards of any design as long as the finished card outside measurements meet the guidelines of 4.25” x 5.5” (this is an A2 size card.)

What’s a recipe?

We have all seen projects and thought, “Wow! I love what they used. I wonder what this is…”

A recipe is a detailed list of supplies that you used on your card listing, if you know it, the manufacturer and name of the product. You don’t have to list everything, such as ‘black cardstock’, but the specialty items such as names of papers, stamps, punches, designer brads, etc. Recipes can be printed, stamped or handwritten.

If you used a special technique, please list it, too! Remember, some of us are newbies and we all want to know, “How did s/he do it?”

If you would like, you may list your personal email here, too (no business information, personal email addresses only, please!)

Here’s an example of a recipe:

Paper: Bo Bunny Double Dots-Poppy, Core’dinations Gemstones-Moonstone

Stamps: Hero Arts-Musical Collage

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Shabby Shutters, Wild Honey; Memento-Tuxedo Black

Embellishments: Little Yellow Bicycle-Twig Chipboard Shapes

Accessories: EK Success Border Punch-Retro Flower

Techniques: faux batik

name @ yourprovider . com

What do I do if I run out of (insert supply here) while I’m making my cards and don’t have enough for 10 cards?

We have all been there! Make substitutions, if needed, but try to stay as close to the design and colors of your original card, as possible.

What if I want one of each of the other cards for the month?

We can’t guarantee the number of participants every month, however, you are more than welcome to make more than one set of 10 cards. We ask that each set of 10 be of a completely different design. For example, we wouldn’t want to see the first set of 10 be a pink design and your second 10 to be the same design in blue. For each set of 10, one will be on display at the store and you will receive 9 cards back.

Do I need to put a sentiment inside the card?

No sentiments are required. If you have a sentiment that goes with your design, go ahead and use it!

When do I drop off/pick up my cards?

You can drop off cards any time prior to the due date of the 3^rd Saturday every month before we close that day. If you finish your cards early, mark on the bag the month and theme and drop them off when it’s convenient for you!

The earliest the cards are available for pick up is the 4^th Saturday of every month after 12:00pm. If you aren’t able to make it in that Saturday – no problem! Stop by when you can and let us know you need to pick up your cards!

We are having lots of fun with our Card Club exchanges and it's not too late to participate in the upcoming February exchange. Here is what Melissa,  one of the participants in the January "How Sweet It Is" card exchange, had to say:

"Hi all,

I don't know what everyone else thought about the card club "How Sweet It Is", but I know that I enjoyed it. It motivated me to make my own creation, but more than that, what I got back was great for future inspirations and designs.
*The "Magnolia Sugar Bag" by LH was great. I would never have thought so many papers and elements would work so well together.
*"You're Sweet" by JB was another favorite. Loved your paper choices, and the carry over to the inside of the card. I'll probably steal that idea with pride.
*"Sweet Wonderful You' by Angi, is another card that stood out to me. The diamond glaze and neon pink embossing powder really made it pop.
*All so good, including the "Gorgeous Grapevine", by GMS that has such a classy look.

... I was worried that some might be to plain or boring, but that is not the case. I think the idea and the guidelines Simple Pleasures has given us, make it worth doing again. I'm looking forward to seeing the "Hero Arts" ideas that are due soon. The 1st round has given me more inspiration and motivation to push my creativity.

Thanks to all who got involved.
Melissa"

There's still time to participate in our February Card Club! The theme is "Hero Arts Stamps" and cards need to be turned in at Simple Pleasures by Saturday, February 19. Watch for Angi's  post with some "FAQ" about the Card Club and you can see more information on the Card Club in our previous posts or stopping in at the store for the guidelines and the  listing of themes for the entire year. 

Hope to see you and your cards ..... it really is a fun way to get inspired with different ideas!!

WOW - our first Card Club exchange  with the theme "How Sweet It Is" was awesome. Participants created 10 alike cards and received 9 different cards in return. What happened to the 10th card, you ask? One card from each participant remains at Simple Pleasures where we have all 15 of the different "Sweet" themed cards on display for your viewing pleasure at the store. And, we added a "Sweet Treat" for each participant ... Ghirardelli chocolates do hit the spot!

Each month, we will showcase, right here on our blog, one of the cards created for month. (But you'll still want to pop in at the store to see all of the cards.) This month's featured card is very special to me. It is the card my mom created for the exchange. Why so special? Because, you see, it was my mom who got me my first rubber stamp. And it was "monumental" in more ways than one!

The stamp Mom gave me was a stamp of a tiny stork with the text "It's a Girl". And, you have probably guessed it by now, that stamp commemorated the birth of my daughter, Jennine, in 1983. I used that stamp (with PINK ink, of course) to stamp on the back of Jennine's birth announcement envelopes.

Aside from the life-enhancing event of my daughter's arrival, that tiny little stamp was also a major contributor to the birth of Simple Pleasures. You see, without the support and encouragement of my mom, I may have never gotten "hooked" on stamping. Mom was also my cheerleader when Jennine was ready to trot off to Kindergarten. We lived in Alaska at the time, my folks were visiting, and my mom and I visited the local stamp store Far North Images (a modest 400 square foot mecca of rubber stamping inspiration where I was a frequent patron.) At Mom's prompting, I offered my services should they ever need any help ----- whoa, was I surprised, and excited, when they asked "When can you start?"!

The rest is history - my hobby became my passion, and here we are.

OK, now that I have explained why my mom's card is befitting of the honour of being our first featured card for our first Card Club exchange, here is her card. DRUMROLL, please ....

Our next Card Club exchange theme is for a card featuring one or more Hero Arts stamps. Turn in your 10 alike cards no later than February 19 to participate in the next exchange. Please be sure to double-check the guidelines which include one or more embellishments and your "recipe" for the card.

Watch for Angi's upcoming blog post answering "Frequently Asked Card Club Questions"

WOOHOO! Thanks to everyone who took part in our first Card Club Exchange. Our theme was "How Sweet It Is" and ding,dang - the cards are SWEEEEEEEEEEET!!

Saturday, Jan 22, after 12 noon, the "Sweet" exchange cards will be available for pickup for those of you who participated in this exchange. Watch for an update later next week for a  blog post featuring one of the "Sweet" cards.

Our next Card Club exchange theme is for a card featuring one or more Hero Arts stamps. Turn in your 10 alike cards no later than February 19 to participate in the next exchange. See our previous blog post for the guidelines. This is such a cool way to share ideas and get inspired!!! Love it, love it, love it!

You have to give a little to get a little, right? How about giving a little and receiving a whole lot of inspiration and paper goodness in return?

Have you heard about Simple Pleasures new Card Club? It’s a monthly card exchange where you can participate one month,  2 months or every month – whatever works for you!

Each month has a theme (see the end of this post for the first quarter's themes and important dates.)

January’s theme is “How Sweet It Is!”

It’s simple to participate. To ensure a fun experience for everyone, please read the following guidelines and only submit your best work!

Make 10 cards (exactly the same) using the pre-selected theme and drop them off at Simple Pleasures by close of business on the 3^rd Saturday of each month and pick up your packet of 9 different cards the 4^th Saturday of the same month after 12:00 pm. The store will keep one of each entry for ideas and display them in the store.

No need to provide envelopes.

Cards need to be a minimum of 4.25” x 5.5” (this is an A2 size card.) Full, fold-over cards only. No card fronts or tags. (Tags are welcomed as a component of the card.)

The card should consist of at least 2 layers:

-        The card base should be a good quality cardstock, such as Bazzill.

-        Plus at least one other layer of pattern/designer paper

Each card should be embellished at least once. Embellishments are generally 3D items or “popped” up items, such as trees fussy-cut from a pattern paper and then “popped” up using foam tape. Examples of embellishments include, but are not limited to ribbon, buttons, brads, chipboard, ephemera, rhinestones etc.

-        Patterned paper alone does not count as an embellishment.

-        Stickers do not count as an embellishment, unless layered on cardstock or chipboard and “popped” up.

Please include a ‘recipe’ for each of your cards (on a scrap paper or sticky note) of the products used (i.e. vendor & item codes) and place inside each card. Information may be stamped, typed or handwritten.

Please sign the back of your card with at least your initials; you are the artist after all! (This also helps to ensure you do not get your own card back.)

Please place your cards into a gallon zip lock bag labeled with:

1. Your name

2. Phone

3. Email Address

Want more than 9 cards? For every 10 cards you turn in (each set of 10 must be a different design), you will receive 9 back!  (Remember SP keeps one to display at the store.)

If you have any questions, give us a call, send us an email or stop by the store!

2011 Simple Pleasures Card Club Important Dates & Themes