Free Is Good!

Today's card was made especially for Shopping Our Stash SOS564 Challenge. The title is "Free Is Good," and indeed it is! The theme is to make a card using items that were gifted to us. 

If you're like me, once people find out I'm a crafter, the supplies start coming in. This has been happening ever since I taught a card making class at church years ago. It's amazing the stuff that people give me, and I'm so very thankful for each item. Even if I choose to not keep something, I'll donate it to the Salvation Army and let someone else use it.

Here are a few of my free items used in this card:

The Paper:

All of these sheets were freebies from a friend many years ago. I can't remember if they're all from the same set or not, but I don't think so. One is thin and the other is thick and embossed with glitter. (Brands unknown.)

The Stamps:

These were a really nice surprise. I can always use birthday greetings! The red rubber is so nice to work with too, and each stamp has a good amount of stickiness left. (Brand unknown.)

The Envelopes:

When I decided to go with the polar bear image, I knew I needed a big envelope. I used an envelope from this set. It holds a 8.5 x 5.5 card, which is a regular sheet of card stock folded in half. I have found the paper too light for a card, but I'm loving these extra large envelopes!

The Rhinestones:

I've been gifted so many rhinestones, and I'm pretty sure these were included in that. I struggle with using them because when I do, I have to put a "non-machineable" postage stamp on the envelope, which costs $1.27 instead of the regular .78 cents. I'm wanting to switch over to "low profile" enamels, etc. I know Stampin' Up! is starting to make a lot of theirs like that now, and I've even picked up some from the Dollar Tree that are quite flat. But I'm using up my rhinestones because, well, they were free.

In addition to my freebies, I also used Stampin' Up! Blueberry Bushel Card Stock and Memento's Danube Blue Ink. 

This was such a fun challenge and it really makes me reflect on  how blessed I am by the kindness of those around me. If you have some supplies that you've been given, join in the fun over at Shopping Our Stash! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!