While I am not a huge fan of real chalkboards……chalk gives me the chills just to touch it or think about it, let along writing with it on a chalkboard….I so love this look! I know you are probably thinking but Laura doesn’t like rustic or dirty. It’s true, I’m more of a clean, bold stamper but I do love this chalkboard look! It mostly reminds me of a bakery like Panera (YUM!) or a little bistro restaurant and I love that! Stampin’ Up! has made getting this look easy and fun with no chills crawling up your spine!

How fabulous is this card? I love the polka dots and ribbon and chalkboard and ALL OF IT! I started off with a Whisper White card base. Then I took a piece of Birthday Bash Specialty Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″) and wrapped some Calypso Coral Seam Binding around it and tied a knot. Now you can adhere that to your card front. For the greeting, I used some of the NEW Chalkboard Paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I found that this image is small enough that you can stamp first or after cutting it out. I stamped the greeting from the Big Day Stamp Set which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn for FREE! I stamped it with the Aquamarine Colorbox Chalk Ink Pad and then cut it out with the Labels Collection Framelits and my Big Shot. Then I used my Chalk Marker to create the border!!! Love it!!! NOTE: The Aquamarine color comes out really light but it slowly gets darker as it dries and it is just a light look. Also, a few tips for using the Colorbox Chalkboard Ink:

~Be sure to stamp straight down and right up again because it could slide and smear if you wiggle it.

~Be sure you are stamping on the slick/sort of rubbery/textured (not sure how to describe it) side of the Chalkboard Paper. The back side feels and looks like regular paper.

~Be sure to allow it to dry for a bit as it takes longer than traditional ink. If you would like to speed up the process, you can set the ink with your Heat Tool.

~For a more bold look, you can stamp the greeting once and then using your Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp again right on top.

I hope you try out this new Chalkboard Paper and Ink! It is super fun! Don’t forget that every $50.00 (US) order placed between now and March 31st earns you a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!

Happy Chalkin’

~Laura