Friday, March 23, 2012

Paper Crafts Practical Solutions Mini Blog Hop

** If you're looking for PSA Essentials & Basic Grey blog hop please scroll down.**

Hi everyone and welcome to Paper Crafts blog hop as we are celebrating the release of Paper Crafts Practical Solution. I love, love this issue as there are so many awesome ideas on this edition. 


For the blog hop we want to focus on the theme "Five for $5". To make 5 cards for $5 or less. And, I went to town with this challenge. :) 

First up is a small 3" x 4" card set.  


Here's my price break down for this set:
Cardstock: $0.38
Layered sticker: $0.65 
Digi sentiment set: $1 (This sentiment set is called A Kind Word - love part 2 designed by Deena Rutter & I got it on sale for only $1, normal price is $3.99)
Total: $2.03

The moment I saw this K&Company sticker pack, called Meadow designed  by Susan Winget, I fell in love with it right away and it such a good deal. Normal price for this set is $4.99 and with 40% off coupon I only have to pay $2.99 for the pack and it has 24 beautiful layered stickers, which make it to only $0.13/sticker.. 

Always, always, pay attention at what's on sale & I use coupon whenever I can. Oh, did I mention, I have Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn all within 10 minutes from my house? Coupon, sale, & craft galore!!


Not only this card set is easy on the budget, it's super quick & easy to make as well.  

Next, I make a set of standard size card using the same supplies like above (but this time I used  the colored cardstocks), just to show that you can make a standard size card set as well for less  than $5. I love this set because each card has a bird. I notice that my favorite card to make are the ones that has bird. :)




The price breakdown for this set:
Cardstock: $1.06
Layered sticker: $0.65
Digi sentiment: $1.00
Total: $2.71

As you can see, it didn't cost much more to make this bigger set. Simply by using the right ingredients you definitely can make beautiful cards at affordable cost.

Check out these talented ladies and see what they have created for today hop, which I am sure is awesome & fun!

Emily Branch
Lorena Cantó Laveria
Chan Vuong
Vera Wirianta Yates ------ you are here 
Agnieszka Malyszek

If you'd like to order a copy of Paper Crafts Practical Solutions, you can order it HERE. And, PC also has generously give me one issue for giveaway. Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight CST Sunday, 3/25/2012. I will pick a winner on Monday and post the winner name on the same day. You can also leave a comment on each blog and on Paper Craft blog to increase your chance to win.

Thank you so much for stopping by here and I hope you enjoy our mini hop.

101 comments:

Ulina / Apricot Bubbles said...

Both sets are super pretty! My favourite one is the absolutely adorable bird-card set!

Anke said...

Thanks for the great ideas. I'm jealous, JoAnn, Michaels and Hobby Lobby within 10 minutes!

Cassie said...

How cool, Vera! You made 2 sets for under $5 each. . .now you're making it look easy ;)

Carol McCready said...

Wonderful cards. I can't believe your so close to those stores. How do you manage to keep any money in your pocket? Thanks for the chance to win.

Margie said...

What sweet little cards!! Love these!

Betty said...

Both sets are wonderful!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Monika Wright | I Love It All said...

Great card designs and it's so cool that you created them all for so little.

Cathy Fongjoyo said...

super lovely cards set!! love ur design, Vera!

Caryn S said...

These are really great card sets and the cost is amazingly low!

Indy's Designs said...

What great cards for such the bargain price of $5!

Elise C. said...

Great cards! Both sets are so cute! Thanks for sharing!!

Chari Moss said...

Beautiful card sets Vera! I definitely want to pick up this issue soon.

Lillian Child said...

I haven't yet dabbled into digital cardmaking, but I can see where it would save $$$ !!! Your cards are so very lovely! Thanks for sharing!

Debbie Cornish said...

Great card sets and all done on a budget.

Miriam Prantner said...

You are such an overachiever! Great, CAS cards, can't believe you got 10 for $5! Great job!

Emily Todd said...

Great cards! I love the stickers you used!

Buffe said...

You are my kind of bargain shopper. Can I say I am jealous of your 10 minute drive to those stores? My drive to the same stores is three hours!!! (Maybe that's really a good thing!) Very nice cards.

chillin with Quillin said...

both sets are lovely!!!
Paula

Scrapycandy said...

Love those birds...just a great idea! I always wondered about doing this and it turned out so terrific! Thank you.

Sandy said...

Very economical! Love that you used all of those stickers at that cost. Great job.

Janeen said...

wow, you did well. digi was a great idea. very cute cards and i have tons of stickers i just need to start using. (i always feel like i'm cheating when i use stickers) lol

Colleen said...

Great cards and great deals. Thanks for sharing everything.

Chark said...

So great--love the birds! I am a big coupon fan at the craft stores too--I won't go if I've forgotten my coupons!

Lee said...

Sweet little cards - i love the birds! thanks!

Rachel said...

very pretty cards-those are some great sentiments too!

calamity jane said...

Vera, these are all so pretty..and can I say it?..cheap (I mean inexpensive!!!) to make! Love coupons too and use them all the time. Lucky girl..to live that close to all the necessary craft stores!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Janet L. said...

Great cards! I, too, use coupons for my card materials and always take my coupon ladened tote! I love bargains!

Queenie said...

Ooooohh!!! I love both sets of cards!! The richly colored cardstock is striking, and the digital elements in the first set are super awesome!! These are LOVELY and so are you!

Susan said...

Love the clean & simple look of your cards!!

Amyscats said...

So really, you made 10 cards for under $5. Wow! And so beautiful, too. Always use my coupons too, but am envious that you have Hobby Lobby.
Amyscats
amylfahnestock at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Wow I am amazed at how manh cards you made for under $5 . Great inspiration

Amy Martin said...

Beautiful cards. I love the birds. so elegant yet clean and simple. Thanks for the inspirations.

Billie Dee said...

Very lovely cards! And so easy. Thank you for the inspiration!

Bethany Becker said...

Great card sets. Thanks for sharing!

Noreen said...

I like the way you didn't overwhelm the first set with embellishments, just let the flowers speak. And the bird set has a nice clean look.

Felicity said...

Great cards, especially love the birds. Thanks for sharing your creations and the chance to win!

stampingbowd said...

Stunning!!! Both sets are BEAUTIFUL!!!! I have a Micheals and Hobby Lobby 20 minutes away (everything is 20 min. away for us!) I try never to buy anything without either their 40% sale or my coupons!!!! Slowly but surely I am building my craft supply collection. TFS these outstanding projects on a budget!!!!

Chunyuan said...

love your cards. Thanks for sharing the tips.

Kathy Mc said...

Hmmm, digi images would really save on the crafting budget, especially with such a versatile one. Hard to believe you could make 10 cards for less than $5. TFS such great tips and also the chance to win PC's mag.

Sue D said...

Great cards! I like how you used the stickers and the digi sentiments.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Mrs. Hill said...

That's a great digi sentiment set. I love how graphic and clean these cards are. It just goes to show that design counts for more than "stuff" does. Lovely!

paperpapier said...

love these clean and simple cards ...so beautiful!

Kris in Alaska said...

Fabulous! I love birds on cards too!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

JJ said...

The birds cards are lovely!

Barbara H said...

I enjoyed visiting your blog and viewing your cards. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Practical Solutions.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, that was a lot of cards and all done within budget - but they don't look it. Nice, creative job! Thanks for sharing.
Carrie C

karenelr said...

You actually made 10 cards under $5.00! They're all so simple yet beautiful! Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win a copy of the magazine!

Sanketi said...

Lovely!..thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Seriously thrifty! I am so impressed!

Helen F. said...

Vera, this 5 for $5 set of cards is fabulous! Thanks for the thrifty tips, inspiration and chance to win :)

Marie said...

Such beautiful cards! TFS =)

cassie said...

gorgeous cards!

Deirdre said...

Stunning sets Vera - you have been busy!!!

Isabel Z said...

Wow, your cards are amazing.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fun set of cards - I just adore bird cards! Thanks for the chance at winning a copy of this magazine!! :)

AJ said...

awesome projects Vera!! Congrats on your submissions!! :)

Chan said...

Two sets of cards?! That's amazing, Vera!! :D And what a great idea to use a digi sentiment set!

Kay S said...

Fabulous card sets! Love the birds - they are some of my favorites on cards also.

Anonymous said...

Great ideas and lovely cards. Thanks for the chance to win.

Agata said...

These are too good to be true! Gorgeous!

Lynda said...

Wow, Vera, you definitely have a knack for stretching your supplies! Both sets of cards are lovely!

Loki Made It said...

gosh you really did make you money last you!!! love it!

Rebecca Ednie said...

Clever! I always look for sales and coupons too!

reddbudd said...

I think i may adapt the bird set to use butterflies aa gift to a friend. Thanks for the inspiraation.

Jean said...

Wow! Using the digital sentiments really saved a lot compared to stamps. You may have just converted me to being a hybrid scrapper. - blue

linf54 said...

Such cute cards! Thanks for the chance to win.

Jenny McGee said...

Pretty cards. I love the sentiments in the first grouping. Thanks for a chance to win. jeannett_mcgee@comcast.ner

Anonymous said...

The birds on the cards look so real. The flowers are pretty too.
Using coupons is the best idea when buying paper crafting supplies.

mtscrapgal said...

Vera, you are a super-dopper bargain hunter. The stickers on both sets of cards are gorgeous. Using digi sentiments was a way to save money too.Great job on your assignment. Thanks.

bzyPTmom said...

I love both your card sets--beautiful! What a super bargain hunger, I am like you, if you can't purchase an item on sale or with a coupon--I don't buy it!

N@ Ali said...

lovely cards! i like those sentiments!

Lindsey said...

Wow, these are gorgeous cards! Beautiful bird set.

Barbara said...

Lovely cards. All of them! I am a Susan Winget fan and loved to see the cards made with some of her designs! The birds are really nice, too!

Peggy B said...

Your cards are so fun - and you are a great shopper, too! Thanks for sharing!

cheryl (clee') said...

Wonderful cards - I especially like the bold sentiment boxes on the first set.

Anonymous said...

I love the sentiments and you kept the cards simple.

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

These are beautiful! Love how many different things you can do with so few products! Thanks so much!
Lisa

janlm said...

Beautiful card sets. Nicely done! Great layouts and ideas. Thanks.

DSW said...

Lovely sets of cards! Thanks for the tips and inspiring ideas.

Frann said...

Super ideas, cute cards and soooo economical!

Lynne in NI said...

Ohhh these are fabulous ... I LOVE your flower stickers and the birds are so pretty too! TFS!

rlovew said...

Awesome cards- and so inexpensive!

Jessica said...

both of your card sets are so pretty! :)

SueB said...

I too am lucky enough to have the 3 large chain hobby stores PLUS 2 specialty stamping stores within 10 minutes of my house! life is good, eh?! I loved both sets ... and as my Mom collects cardinals, am now on the lookout for the vivid bird stickers! thanx for the inspiration and blog candy opp! looks like another great special issue!

Diann said...

I can't believe how little you spent to make such nice cards. It really pays to shop around and use coupons.

Kimberly S. said...

I, like you, absolutely LOVE coupons to all my home town crafting stores!! It's great to get what you want at a bargain price! Love these cards!! Thanks for telling us about the digi site....I'm going to check it today! Love those sentiments!

lynda said...

Papercrafting can be expensive if you don't use what you buy. But if you're a smart shopper & really use the products, I really don't think it HAS to be expensive.

Trinh said...

Two fabulous sets, Vera! Please leave me out of the drawing; I just wanted to say hi!

Unknown said...

Oooh! I love the ones that are on a white background!

mimi said...

Wow your cards are absolutely beautiful! Love what you can do for cheap! Have to get this issue.

Debbie said...

Beautiful but simple, love them. Great cards to use as gifts.

Cheryl said...

So pretty! I love the birds against the bright colored card stock. Thanks for sharing and thanks for a chance to win a copy of the magazine.

Isha Gupta said...

Pretty pretty cards Vera. Love them all.

Marla said...

Love both these sets! I'm a fan of layered stickers, too!

HawaiianLibrarian said...

Michael's, Joann's, and Hobby Lobby w/i 10 mins of your home? W/ weekly 40% coupons...that's like my DD's home in ABQ! I can only drool here in HI. sigh. Love love love your 5 sweet cards for $5. Mahalo for the economical tips.

Becky Cowley said...

Very simple, love the bird cards!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card sets - thanks for the inspiration!

MJ's Kraze said...

Too cute. I love them all.

LindaR said...

I love the bird cards! Thanks for the inspiration.

Laura K said...

I love the clean and striking cards that you made. Thanks for sharing

maria f. said...

Clever. Love all the ideas you ladies came up with. And would I love to live in your neck of the woods - all your shopping opportunities. I should probably be thankful that I don't.

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