The Chalkboaard Technique has been all the rage around cyberspace lately and I knew Stampin' Up's "From the Heart" stamp set would be perfect. (Item 126555 - wood and 126557 in clear mount). My stamp clubs in January -- and demonstrators at our team meeting -- loved making this card. They could choose from two sayings and two color schemes.

The border image comes from the Madison Avenue stamp set that is available free with a $50 order (U.S.) right now through Mar. 22. The punched four-petal flower image from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack (item 118309) fits PERFECTLY inside -- love that look. Hard to tell in these photos but there is a tiny stick-on pearl in the center of each card stock flower.

The chalkboard technique starts with black card stock and images that are heat embossed with White embossing powder (I like to stamp with Versmark clear ink and use white powder -- the Versamark gives a nice clean image). Then you can stamp some images if you like in plain white pigment/craft ink -- but I did not do that on these cards -- I did use the white pigment ink though to look like leftover chalk marks on the "board/" The idea is to rub bits of ink where it would look like the board had been erased a lot or to highlight parts of your saying.I just used a soft tissue to apply the ink and then burnish it in.

Also key to the look is adding some lines or doodling with a white pencil -- any white pencil will do. I used the one from my kids' Crayola pencil set and also a nice Prismacolor one -- the look is the same. A grid ruler made sure my lines were straight.

Vintage Verses, which is another free Sale-a-bration set right now, would be so perfect for this technique as well! This whole technique goes so well with my love of school supplies. This would be a great thank you card or set of cards to give a teacher.

Happy Super Bowl Day! Who are you cheering for?