Using Card Kits to Make Your Cards

Have you ever watched a cooking show on television, where expertly prepared meals are made in the course of a half-hour or hour, and wished that you could do something similar with your cardmaking?  

You know ... take the thinking out of the equation, leave the shopping for ingredients to someone else, and the chopping and dicing would be done for you, and all you had to do was saute, stir, and serve?

The same concept is available, in the form of monthly card kits.  I am a subscriber of two such services. Each is different in the way the ingredients are provided, and both produce nice finished cards.

This week, I'm going to introduce you to the two cardmaking kits I receive monthly, and I will show you the finished cards.  I'll share pros and cons, as well as some research I've done on the other kits that are available. 

Please note: I am not affiliated in any way with either of these card kit companies, and I pay for my subscription. I've received no compensation for these endorsements, and my opinions are only my own. 

First up, let me reveal my favorite card kit company: The Card Kitchen, by Jillibean Soup.  

Here is the promotional picture of what the kit a subscriber received in September:

This is a fantastic assortment of goodies! Just in case you're still curious as to the value, let me show you my view of the Card Kitchen goodies as they arrived:

Packed nicely in a reusable corrugated pizza-sized box, the kit arrives in a branded cello-envelope that includes 8 full sheets of 12x12" paper (That's usually. One month, I received a very nice, full 6x6" paper pack as well as other 12x12" papers to match.) ... along with full sheets of stickers ... a bag of hand-picked ribbons, buttons, Candi, and other embellishments ... and this month, a sheet of clear stamps.  There are full color instructions, with complete instructions on sizes of paper to cut, measurements as to where embellishments are placed, etc.  

Each kit includes 8 pre-made (cut/scored) cards and envelopes in a variety of colors to match the project papers. The paper and embellishments provided will make far more than the minimum 8 cards -- and is thus, quite a good value, at $22.99/month (+ $5.25 shipping) for subscribers.  For subscribers, there is guaranteed availability; a limited number of extra kits are sold ($2.00 surcharge above the kit cost) after the subscribers' orders are filled.  

Let's take a look at HALF of this month's cards that I made using the kit's supplies and instructions. (I'll show the other half tomorrow .. stop back!)  ... Sometimes I change my cards up a little ... it's part of the adventure.  

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I added the S-M-I-L-E letters to the pennant, and the twine bow.

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I extended the green and red pennants a bit.

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I put Stickles dots at the tip of each pennant, and
changed up the buttons a little with my own supply.

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,