I have a new stamp set that has sparked a lot of creativity lately. It isn’t a stamp set that I would typically consider, as it’s very subject specific, which in my mind makes it less versatile. I usually gravitate towards more well-rounded sets that have a variety of images and sentiments that I can use all year long. Something about this set really caught my eye, however, and I ended up buying it anyway. I’m so glad I did, as the more I use it, the more I’m discovering how applicable and versatile the images and dies are, even though they are all centered around one theme–ice cream. Yes, you read it right–ice cream! Milkshakes, to be exact!

Here is a look at the stamp set. As you can see, all of the images help create milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. I love some of the extra details that are included, like the cherry, the striped straw, and the spoon. I also love the font used for the sentiments–it’s so cheerful and fun! What’s surprising is that it isn’t the images that inspired today’s project; it’s the name of the set–“Share a Milkshake”. As I have said many times, inspiration can come from anywhere, and today, it came from the title of a stamp set.

In truth, the name of the stamp set only provided half of the inspiration for my project. The other half came from the return of these:

McDonald’s Shamrock shakes! Not being Irish, St. Patrick’s Day usually comes and goes without much fanfare, except for two traditions–we order take-out corned beef and cabbage dinners from a local Irish restaurant, and we get a Shamrock shake for dessert. I love Shamrock shakes, and I look forward to enjoying that minty goodness every year! It was in thinking about how good these shakes are, that I decided that it would be fun to come up with a way to literally “share” a Shamrock shake with my family and friends. And that is how this project came to be.

I created a Shamrock shake gift card holder using some of the images and dies from this set. I’ll let my pictures show you the design process from beginning to end:

My vision was a simple card design with a Shamrock shake on the front, and space for a gift card as well as a handwritten note on the inside. My color scheme was mint macaron and white, and I brought in lots of scalloped layers and gingham for added charm and sweetness.

Let’s start with the inside–the gift card will go on the left, and my handwritten note will go on the right under the sentiment. I just love how the scalloped edges really soften the mint macaron layers and bring in so much charm! The scalloped gingham strip is adhered only on the edges and the bottom, so that the top is open for the gift card. The small scalloped circle will indicate the gift card amount.

And now for the front! I brought in lots of charm and personality, because this is the first thing people will see when they open the envelope. I love the gingham fountain glass, but my favorite part of the shake is the whipped cream–I embossed it with a polka dot pattern to help it stand out. I added a little bling to the cherry, and I also stamped some little shamrocks on the mint macaron layer to add interest and help break up the blank space.

And that’s it–the gift card holder is finished! The layout is simple, but this project is dripping with charm and sweetness, which is just the way I like it!

I can’t wait to get these in the mail!

BUT, I discovered an issue when I went to put them in the envelopes:

The gift card holder was too small for the envelope and flopped around inside. So, back to the drawing board. I needed to design some packaging so that the card would fit better inside the envelope. Here’s what I came up with:

I placed the cards inside 4″ x 6″ inch glassine bags that were folded over and stapled shut. I added a simple shamrock topper using layered scalloped circles and

ta da–problem solved!

Now this project is finished! My sweet Shamrock shake gift card holders are loaded with gift cards; packaged; and ready to be mailed. I love sending happy mail, and I can’t wait to “share” a Shamrock shake with some very special people!

Thank you for stopping by today. Take care and have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. And, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I am going to close with an Irish blessing rather than my usual ending:

“May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks; / may your heart be as light as a song; / may each day bring you bright happy hours; / that stay with you all year long”

-C-