Is it easy for you to mail cards you make? I will admit, for me, it’s not. I always think that to send something it has to be AH-MAZING. And then there is the extra postage for added layers. So I end up not sending many at all. Which is so silly! I know that I love getting mail no matter what, because it’s not about the card itself. It’s about the love and paper hugs that come with it! Knowing that someone was thinking of me makes my day.

So today I am sharing a quick and easy pick-me-up card that is quirky and whimsical enough to bring a smile. And the best part? It’s FLAT for mailing!

Take a peek at the steps:I started with my favorite Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock, and stamped using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink. Isn’t that cactus cute with his little spines? (A Pricking Break by Picket Fence Studios). It stamps beautifully on the Classic Crest smooth surface. I then heat embossed the image with WOW! Clear Embossing Powder. I decided I wanted a crazy look to the coloring, rather than “super blended,” to match the whimsical nature of the image, so I chose five Copics and colored with fast strokes to give the image a wild look.

I cut out the cactus with the matching die, a selfie frame (Stampin’ Up!), some cute patterned paper from my stash, and a little banner for the fun sentiment (also stamped with Nocturne, and popped up with Double Sided Foam Adhesive Strips). Everything is adhered together with 1/4″ Scor-Tape.

I mean, who could resist smiling at a selfie-taking cactus? And the sentiment is perfect for a pick-me-up greeting to send to an unsuspecting friend. You never know the effect a paper hug will have coming via snail mail! It might just be the bright spot they need!

So get out there and mail a card! I am making sure this gets mailed today!

You can find more of my projects at my blog, Joy in a JAR.