This time of year I’m writing thank you notes to school teachers, coaches, and office staff. What better time to get a jump on a few thank-you notes and gifts? From tags for store bought things to homemade thank you gifts, cards, or anything else you dream up – thanks is the theme this week.

Ashli loves having cards on-hand and at the ready!

While I didn’t have a specific person in mind as I crafted up this card, I do love having a stash of handmade cards at the ready! Using some Amy Tangerine and Studio Calico Papers, I hand-cut the lettering for this whimsical look. Some black splatters provide the much needed contrast and a Pink Flamingo is the perfect finishing touch!

When Barbara needs to thank someone, the first idea that comes to mind is a card.

I know it may seem something obvious, but the way and the care that you put to realize the card, makes the difference! This week I wanted to color my “thank you” with spring shades. The stars of my project are my Distress ink pads, the stunning butterfly and my favorite dies Mixed media. To hold my card, I created an envelope with vellum which incorporates colors and design and I embellished it with crinkle ribbon and some new Idea-ology remnant rubs.

Emma‘s thank you card is full of surprises!

We all love surprises and I love the idea of creating cards that contain a little hidden gift for the recipient ~ what better way to say “thank you”. I chose to use a coffee theme which would compliment the gift card that’s tucked away in a secret pocket and used the Tim Holtz Fresh Brewed die to create the coffee cup focal point. I added the die cut to a Cracked Pistachio background that I embossed using the Trellis Texture Fade and to complete this card, I added various embellishments including a flash card.

Sandra is loving the foil movement

I love that foil is the new thing in crafting. It’s lots of fun and can be applied lots of different ways. Personally I like the not so perfect look, and it’s easier too. Double win! For the background I used Heidi Swapp’s Hot Pink Minc Foil with Clear Embossing Powder and a laminator. The Thanks die is from Simon Says Stamp and is cut out of Adhesive Cork.

Meihsia was inspired to create a thank you tag this week.

My kids and I usually make simple and cute thank you cards together for teachers and friends. This week, I wanted to try something different with some mixed media elements. This thank you tag was stenciled with Tim Holtz Layering Stencil and Modeling Paste. The edges of the tag were distressed and embossed with Gold Embossing Powder after the Tim Holtz embellishments and Alpha Parts were attached with Tombow Glue.

Anna-Karin made an art journal page with a theme relating to being thankful.

I made quite a few thank you cards lately, so instead of that, I decided to make a page in my art journal, about being thankful. The background was done with Dina Wakley’s paints and stencils, and I used Ranger’s Texture Tools on the heart and half circle. Dina’s Silhouetted Women stamps are perfect for journaling and I paired it up with a sentiment stamp by Tim Holtz.

Suzz decided to get a head start on some thank you cards with all the birthdays and parties coming up.

I decided to create a series of quick and inky cards for the different events coming up. I used three basic combinations: Stampers Anonymous Monarch, Ranger Distress Stain Sprays, and a few Simon Says Stamp Thank You sets (Many Thanks, Lots of Thanks). Then I just played around with different combinations of inks, butterflies and thank you sentiments. A fun morning and I ended up with a nice selection of cards.

I (May) love thank you cards!

They are my favorite to make because they always get used, and they are my favorite to send too! This Hero Arts stamp is one of my favorites, and when I saw this challenge listed I knew immediately I would use it. Combined with some embossing, some pistachio ink, and a few splatters of gold I just love how this card turned out!

Michelle owes thanks to many people in her life.

Sometimes the smallest of deeds can make the greatest impact. These everyday “Thank You” cards are easy to make with the Avery Elle Alpha Dies and my Sizzix. An easy way to express my gratitude.

Andrea wanted to thank those who keep her afloat!

I have the best family and friends in the universe and it’s always a pleasure to let them know how grateful I am for them keeping me sane. I went with a water theme for this card and tried to mix vintage with whimsy. I used Tim Holtz’s Found Relatives cards, the Avery Elle “Simply Said You” die and some Salty Ocean Distress Ink Stain to pull it off.

For more inspiration click on our design team’s blog links so you can see more photos (and full supply lists) for their projects. Leave them a little comment love while you’re there so they know how they’ve inspired you too, if you’re so inclined.

As always, Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $50 gift voucher that will go to a random entry chosen by random generator. To qualify all you need to do is create a new project that ties in (in any way!) with our theme and post it, along with a link back to this challenge, and add a link here. This challenge will end at 11:59pm on Sunday May 31st Eastern time. We will also be choosing some of our entries to put in the spotlight – a special honor where we talk about why we loved that entry in particular and award a special badge too! For the full rules, read the “challenge rules” posted in the side-bar here on our blog.

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