Cycling On To A Belated Birthday. . .

It's past time to honor a long-time friend's early January birthday!  This year, it will be a belated birthday wish, I'm sorry so say!  If you've been reading my blog, you have already read that my daughter was married on January 9th, as she continued to work as a nurse and maintain her 4.0 grade point in her university classes to achieve her Bachelor's in Nursing degree.  Ultiminately, it fell to me, and thus, my entire life was taken over after I became aware that she needed a wedding planner, big time!  I instantly became a one-man wedding oversight committee to make sure things that had slipped through the cracks were fixed and to assure that nothing else followed down the wrong path (or no path)!  Thus, I missed finishing Christmas cards, and getting any of my January cards made that I usually like to do.  

As I mentioned last year in the post for this friend's birthday card, she loves to bicycle, and I would often see a Facebook bicycling adventure entry, along with wonderful pictures she always took while out cycling along scenic bicycle trails.  If you saw last year's post, I will add, "No I have not yet joined her on one of these jaunts. . .maybe after I have my knee replacement surgery.  Oh, wait, that won't be until next fall!  Sorry, Holly, really it's not just an excuse. . .LOL."

Again, I decided her birthday card should reflect this cycling passion, but this time instead of a normal bicycle, I would to venture way back into history, and throw in a vintage penny-farthing bicycle as the feature point of her card.  Did you know that the first penny-farthing or high wheeler was invented by a Frenchman, Eugêne Meyer in 1869?  Around 1870, English inventor James Starley, who is described as the father of the bicycle industry, began to produce bicycles based on the French high wheeler, which became a symbol of the late Victorian era and also coincided with the birth of cycling as a sport.  Excuse my getting side-tracked, but I love tidbits of historical information. . .hope you do too!

For my card, I used the retired 2013 Sale-A-Bration stamp, Feeling Sentimental, which boasts a very vintage penny-farthing bicycle stamp.  The lacy background is made by first determining the center size desired or needed.  The Feeling Sentiment penny-farthing stamp needed approximately a 2-3/4" square in order to accommodate the stamp and the background layers I wanted add.  Next, you will need to determine the width needed for whatever border punch you choose.  In this case, I used the Stampin' Up retired Lace Ribbon border punch, which needs 1-1/4" on all sides.  I added the center plus 2 sides:  2-3/4" + 1-1/4" =1-1/4" = 5-1/4"; therefore, I cut my square patterned paper to a 5-1/4" square.  I centered my border punch on each side and punch once, and thus the pattern was developed!

I stamped my penny-farthing stamp onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Next, I determined the exact sizes of my black and red cardstock layers to overlay the center of my patterned paper and to go under my penny-farthing.  I then cut the penny-farthing Very Vanilla cardstock to fit over these finished  layers, and decided on a little corner punch to spruce it up and a little Modern Label punch with brad for a corner embellishment.  I threw in a little ribbon, more brads and flowers, to which I added some Iridescent Glitter adhesive for some sparkly shine, and I was done.

My next step was to create an inside design that would compliment the outside design, compose a little belated birthday verse to finish it off!

Recipe:  SU Stamp: Feeling Sentimental (SAB 2013) – penny farthing bicycle.  SU papers: Very Vannila base, Basic Black cs, Cherry Cobbler cs. Pattern: AdornIt-Happy Holidays.  SU Ink: Basic Black.  SU Punches: Lace Ribbon (ret.), Modern Label (ret.).  WRMK Deco corner punch. EK punch: Fancy Corners (inside).  SU 3/8” and mini glimmer brads.  SU ribbon: 1/2” Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots ribbon (reverse side), Offray 3/8” Picot Edge Satin-Black.  Recollections Florals.  Stickles-Lace (glitter adhesive).

2015 Sister-in-Law Birthdays #1 - Brother's Wife

Every year, if you've read my blog, you know I have eight sister-in-laws whose birthdays fall between May and October.  So, as usual, be prepared to be deluged by sister-in-law birthday cards and blog posts.  My first sister-in-law birthday is my brother's wife, Diane.

Still in the what I call my fast mode to finish my must-do cards before my wonderful Get-Away Event and still have time leftover for snail mail, I needed to complete Diane's birthday card right away.  When I get into the fast mode, I find my "from scratch creative" flies out the window, and I want to resort to at least a starting point of  something I've made before. 

I remembered a card I made that was designed by Liz Thayer for her Stampin' Up Sale-A-Bration event, which featured stamps available for that sale event, such as the penny-farthing bicycle featured in this card.  I completed her bicycle card at that event, but added a few tweaks of my own after coming home.  I don't have a sample of the original design, and at this late date, but I do remember some my additions or modifications, which was to increased the finished card size by adding two new layers in black and silver glimmer and group these with a larger cherry cobbler layer, making a three-layer frame under the  smaller black and vanilla layers.  I also centered my penny-farthing layer instead of off-centering it and lightly sponged Basic Gray and Cherry Cobbler Red onto the vanilla layers and the newsprint.  So, my card is at least a CASE of Liz's original design. . .thank you Liz!  I just love this little old-fashioned bicycle stamp, and I think Diane will like its vintage flavor as well.

And now for the inside design made to coordinate with the outside, and the little birthday verse jut for Diane.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Pattern--First Edition dsp;  stamp--Feeling Sentimental (2013 SAB); ink--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler (sponging); ribbon--1/8" Black Taffeta; Glimmer brads-Silver.  Core'dinations Silver Glitter paper.  Computer-made verse.  Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Belated Wishes Little Niece #1's January Birthday!

Two of my nieces, who are sisters, have birthdays in January.  The oldest is first, and she celebrated her sixth birthday.  I had in mind to make a birthday card with balloons on it.  I don't have any dies to cut out balloons, so I decided to use my Spellbinder Ovals to imitate a balloon and found a good idea on Pinterest of using the owl's feet from the Stampin' Up Owl Builder Punch for the balloons "blow-up valve."  What a great idea. . .it worked perfectly!

I have seen numerous cards that have tied balloons to a bicycle die cut.  I thought it would be a great idea to tie my birthday balloons to the handle bars of the old-fashioned, penny-farthing bicycle from Stampin' Up's 2014 SAB Feeling Sentimental stamp set.  For some reason, finding just the right papers for my card became my next challenge.  After much indecision, I finally settled on October Afternoon's Cakewalk birthday papers for the major portion of the card's designer papers.  

I am pretty happy with the way this little card turned out, but just after I finished creating the card front, I realized the card will be late.  Evidentally, I entered the wrong date for Taylor's birthday in my date book.  This forced me to come up with just the right inside birthday verse acknowledging and sending belated birthday wishes.  I hope Taylor likes her finished card inside and out!  (Hmmm...do you suppose that's where the phrase better late than never came from?)

Recipe:  DCWV 12x12 Cardstock Stack (kraft).  DCWV Glitter Red.  October Afternoon: Cakewalk-Paper Straws (diag. stripe)/ Sugar Stix (ray collage).  BoBunny Double Dot: Buttercup Dot.  Carta Bella: It's A Celebration/ Candles (backside).  Pinecone Press: Sweet Plaid.  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla cs.  SU stamps:  Feeling Sentimental (2014 SAB); Happiest Birthday Wishes.  SU Ink:  Mossy Meadow.  Dies:  Lifestyle Nesting Scallop Squares ;  Spellbinders Ovals (balloons);  SU Stars Framelits.  SU Owl Builder punch: feet.  Stash:  Gold Metallic Twine; Glitter Brads.  Distressing: Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  EK Corner Punch: Medium Scallops.  Size: 5-3/4" square.

Long-Time Friend's January 2015 Birthday!

A long-time friend, who was my youngest son's so very excellent child-care provider, has a January birthday.  One of her favorite pastimes, and a means of exercise, is riding her bicycle.  I see many Facebook posts of her many bicycle adventures, taking beautiful pictures as she ventures out on her long rides with friends.  She has offered me a bicycle to enjoy a bike adventure with her, one that she says I can ride with my bum knee.  I should make a New Year's resolution to do just that.  Who knows Holly, you may yet be surprised!

With these adventures in mind, I had just the theme for her birthday card. . .one that certainly includes a bicycle.  My sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog), made a wonderful card that I absolutely fell in love with several years ago.  I decided I would just have to re-create this card for Holly.  My card remains true to the original design, because I certainly could not improve upon it one little bit.  It also comes at just the right time, as my creative mojo is waning right now just having created TWO masculine cards right off the bat to start the 2015 cardmaking year!

The entire paper line used is from the My Mind's Eye - Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing 6x6 paper pad.  It uses bits and pieces from over six different papers in the stack. . .quite a collection!  The bicycle stamp/ die is Pedal Pusher from Papertrey Ink.  I hope Holly enjoys her card as much as I enjoyed making it.  Thanks, Heidi, for letting me borrow your design. . .I still love it as much as when I saw you making it two years ago!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla.  My Mind's Eye-Be Amazing 6x6 pad.  Papertrey Ink dies/stamps:  Pedal Pusher.  Stampin' Up stamp:  Tiny Tags.  Stampin' Up Punch: Jewelry Tag.  Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up: Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral.  Stampin' Up Seam Binding Ribbon: Calypso Coral.  May Arts: Twine.  Stampin' Up: Brads.  EK Card Creators Interlaced Corner Punch (inside), Size:  5-3/8" square.

Birthday for Cardmaking Mentor!

One of my favorite people is having a birthday this month in June.  I wanted to be sure to honor her on her birthday, plus thank her for all the wonderful cardmaking extravaganzas and events that she sponsors where we get to make wonderful cards and learn exciting cardmaking techniques.  She has been responsible for many a fun-filled day and evening that I have spent in the last two years!  

I had to give it a lot of thought because I wanted Liz's card to be as special as I think she is.  And, then a thought came to me.  I had shown Liz a card that I designed about nine months ago that she tried to talk me out of right then and there, because she like it so well.  At first, my thought was that I would send it to her in the mail as a surprise, but one thing led to another and I never got it sent.  So, I decided it would be perfect to make a card from its design that was especially made with just Liz in mind, and that is what I did.

Liz likes bling and glitter and girly stuff, so I decided to make her a pink card.  (I seem to be into pink when I think of a girly card!)  I do have to admit that I have never seen Liz wear pink, so maybe it was not a good choice, but I do hope so, as I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  I then went to work on a verse for the inside that I felt would be perfect for Liz as well.  I hope Liz likes her card, inside and out, because it was made especially with her in mind instead of the original which was just an "oh, let's try this idea card," that happened to turn out well.  And, here it is:

As it turned out, I was able to hand-deliver Liz's card with a little libations gift and take her to lunch with another cardmaking buddy.  We had a great time chatting it up and also enjoyed a little songfest with fabulous cheesecake for dessert.  What a way to celebrate!   Liz can have more birthday's any day!

Recipe:  Papers: Stampin' Up: Whisper White cs (card base); K&Co. Watercolor Bouquet Specialty Pad; Michaels' open stock (green circles), Recollections Essentials Distressed (pink-inside), SU Feeling Sentimental (retired) (penny-farthing bicycle). SU Ink: Chocolate Chip.  Punches: SU-Lace Ribbon punch (retired), SU-Modern Label; WRMK Corner Chopper-Deco; EK-Fancy Photo Corners (inside).  Prima: Pink Rosebuds.  Recollections:  Pink Flower/ Rhinestones.  Offray ribbons: Pink stitched, 3/8" Satin Loop.  SU Dazzling Details glitter adhesive.  Computer-made verse (Xiorama font). 

Challenge: Cycling On...

I wanted to make another entry in the "Paper Sweeties" Sketch Inspiration #11 before it closes on September 30th.  The link to the sketch entry guidelines are below; click over and take a look at the wonderful entries:  www.papersweeties.com/uncategorized/paper-sweeties-sketch-inspiration-11/

I love bicycles and particularly penny-farthing bicycles, and I had a yen to making a card with one.  I chose the Feeling Sentimental stamp set from Stampin' Up and decided black and red would offset a black stamped penny-farthing a bring a little dramatic contrast as well.

The instructions said the sketch was a starting point and you could "flip it, change the shapes..."  I decided to do both.  My center focal point would be a square instead of a star to accomnodate my bicycle stamp, and the ribbon or trim would be diagonal instead of horizontal!  I'm hoping I'm still within the guidelines!  Here is how my card evolved.

Recipe:  SU Stamp: Feeling Sentimental (SAB 2013) – penny farthing bicycle. SU papers: Very Vannila base, Basic Black cs, Cherry Cobbler cs. Pattern: AdornIt-Happy Holidays.  SU Ink: Basic Black. SU Punches: Lace Ribbon (ret.), Modern Label. WRMK Deco corner punch. SU 3/8” and mini glimmer brads. SU ribbon: 1/2” Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots ribbon (reverse side), Offray 3/8” Picot Edge Satin-Black. Recollections Florals. Stickles-Lace. 

2012 Birthday for Nephew, Parker!

I bought a cute little turtle riding a bicycle from CC Designs several months ago to use for Parker's birthday.  With his little bike helmet, he reminded me of a Ninja turtle, so I colored him with Copics so that really did enhance the idea in your brain.  I'm always a little uneasy when coloring with Copics because I have not done a lot of it, and I'm always worried that it just isn't going to go well.  But, this little guy went very well, so I was stoked.  Then, the search was on for papers that would work with my coloring job.  I don't usually color first and then find paper.  I find it is usually easier to find the paper you want to use with the type of image and then color the image to coordinate with the paper, or at least that works best for me.  But, in this case, I knew I wanted him to be greens and almost on army camouflage idea for his shell.  I did wait to color his bicycle, basket, and pavement until after I had the papers chosen.  I think Parker will be really please with his little turtle.