A Just Right Day!

My daughter-in-law's birthday falls in mid-August two days after my Mom's birthday. I went to a card class back in March or April and several of those cards remained unfinished because I wanted to change them a bit rather than follow the original design exactly. As Ginger loves flowers, and I think she would love to have a greenhouse added to her backyard, I decided one particular unfinished card lent itself well to Ginger, as well as several challenges I wanted to enter.

First, I add a few more flowers and extra foliage inside my greenhouse, plus one more blossom outside as I like the look of an odd number of blooms rather than just two, which is an even number. I finished the greenhouse and attached it to the planned white stitched rectangle panel.

The original cardbase design used the same Just Jade cardstock color under the Just Jade embossed brick layer. I wanted to add larger underlying layers and more color. I decided on a Pale Papaya cardbase to match the sentiment die-cut and to use this new cardbase in a picture frame look with an added white mat, and then the Just Jade Brick & Mortar 3D embossed layer. 

I trimmed brick embossed layer about an 1/8" smaller all the way around. I decided to add Clear heat embossing over the 3D bricks to give them a bit of sheen and bring out the texture. I added a little sponged Pale Papaya ink to a recycled scalloped doily for the edging that peeks out just below the greenhouse white stitched panel.  I shaped the doily into a double fan look.  

Next, I offset this same white mat panel quite a bit more to the right than in the original card design to accommodate for the sentiment overlap, which was placed in this location with a specific challenge requirement in mind. I really like my changes and additions to the larger card size, the new Pale Papaya cardbase, the white mat layer, the Clear heat embossing over the 3D brick dry embossing, the extra blooms, and the fan-like doily as I think they all added and enhanced the original card design, which was presented by Luci Kirschbaum!  Take a peak below at my newly-made finished card inside and out:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Pale Papaya, Whisper White, Just Jade, Soft Succulent, Vellum. Stamps/Dies--Garden Greenhouse/ Greenhouse Dies. Dies--Stitched Rectangles, Message Dies. Ink: Just Jade, Pale Papaya, Versamark. EF--Brick & Mortar 3D. Elegant Faceted Gems. Other: WOW Clear Matt Embossing Powder. Rectangle doily from stash. Chatterbox verse. Size-4-3/4" x 6".

A Little Happy Birthday to Sister-in-Law #3

 This is my Sister-in-Law #3 birthday card needed in early July. This was a series of alternative card designs I made from the SU 2019 Made to Bloom card kit.  For this card, I used patterned paper, floral pieces, ink, and the sentiment stamp from the kit.  

I added a Poppy Parade cardbase and a gold foil layer.  I also die-cut a gold foil frame from two different die sets and combined them for a new look.  One is a stitched inverted scallop framing die and the other a stitched oval that I encased around the stitched-scalloped frame, making it double stitched.  I love stretching my materials to make something new!  I also fussy cut the two oval floral wreaths removing the two smaller bouquets to place around my gold framing.  I added some Acrylic Glitter Glaze to the floral centers for some added sparkle, plus some scattered gold gem dots.  I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Next, I worked on the inside, making up a computer verse and printing it in a purple shade to match the Blackberry Bliss ink on the front sentiment.  I added a matching patterned paper used on the front, the verse, and some gold foil punched corners with little floral rhinestones.  Take a peek below at the finished inside and out:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Poppy Parade. Made in Bloom kit (2019)--pattern paper, floral pieces sentiment stamp.  Ink--Blackberry Bliss. Gilded Gems--gold.  Other: Recollections Gold Foil. MFT dies--Stitched Oval Scalloped Frame, Stitched Ovals. Sargent Art Acrylic Glitter Glaze.  Inside: EK--Victorian Corner punch. Busy Kids Camp--Floral Rhinestones. Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

A Sunny Hello for a Fast Recovery!

I wanted to participate in the SCS Teapot Tuesday Challenge--6/22/21 for the husband of SCS friend, Sharon Madson.  Larry broke his hip recently and is feeling rather housebound and in need of cheering up, and I have the perfect card that I started back in August last year but stopped almost immediately.  It is  from my very first Paper Pumpkin card kit, entitled A Box of Sunshine...une boîte de soleil.  I stopped because I knew I couldn't just follow the kit design...it needed more layers to satisfy me.  I didn't have the right supplies with me, because I was on a crafting trip with my Mom and sister in Oregon. 

 
I'm remembered this card that I never got back to finishing because of the challenge requirements...it is the perfect cheerful Hello card to put a smile on Larry's face. Though I remember the challenge requirements for a cheerful, thinking of you, hello, hugs, and etc. card, what I did not remember was that our challenge hostess wanted us to think French when making our cards as well.  Suggestions were to think Eiffel Tower, French flag...blue, white, and red, French wine/cheese, a French painter, a French singer or song, etc.  She even provided a French song/ video, La Tendresse by Bourvil that we might use as inspiration, but it didn't inspire a sun-themed card, and I was determined to use the sunshine/ hello card I had in mind. 

I had an idea that led me to search for a possible French song that would inspire a sun-themed card.  I found a lovely song that really enchanted me entitled, The French Song...When the Sun Says Good-day to the Mountains sung by Lucille Starr.  It a beautiful song, and I played and listened to the video/song several times while completing Larry's card.  The song has stuck with me (in the English version, but I actually prefer it in French ), and I find it replaying in my head at odd times of the day!

I've successfully added two more layers comprising a new black cardbase and a golden dot panel below the sun rays paper provided by the kit.  I really like how the black makes the sunshine and black dotted paper POP.  My only other change was to drop my horizontal band and sun a tad lower...I thought it balanced the card better.  Take a peek at Larry's card...I hope it lifts his spirits and he like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Kit--June 2020 Paper Pumpkin/ Box of Sunshine--Gold metallic sun ray paper, stamps (Hello), sun diecut, black/white dotted strip, fishtail banner.  Artistry in Bloom sequins.  Other:  Patterned paper layer--Pebbles Basic 12x12 Paper Pad (dots).  Colorbox Ink--Chestnut Roam (ink distressing).  EK punch--Victorian Corners.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size--4-3/4 x 6-inches.

June Brings a Birthday for Sister-in-Law#2

As mentioned in the past, I have eight sister-in-laws...most from my husband's side of the family.  I keep track of them by numbers based on their birth date in chronological order.  The first sister-in-law birthday of each year is my brother's wife in May, and she is sister-in-law #1.  For June, we celebrate sister-in-law #2 and her birthday is coming soon.  Once again, I decided to use the Made to Bloom kit, making my own design.

From the kit, I used the calypso coral patterned paper, the pink scalloped panel, and part of the floral wreath.  I fussy-cut an arc of flowers off the wreath to use on the sentiment focal oval.  The cardstocks, die, stamp, embellishments, and glitter glaze were all additions I added to make my design alternative.   I used the glitter glaze on the flower centers to add a bit of shine.

It's fun to use kits in ways not provided and see what you can come up with yourself other than the designs provided.  Take a look below at my finished card inside and out for sister-in-law #2.  I think she will like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White, Pretty-in-Pink (ret.).  Made in Bloom kit (2019):  patterned paper layers, floral piece.  Ink--Blackberry Bliss.  Ribbon--1/4" White Crinkled Seam Binding.  Sequins--Artistry in Bloom.  Other: Stamps--Penny Black-Sweet Wishes.  Dies--Spellbinders Floral Ovals; Lawn Fawn Fancy Scallop Rectangle.  EK Punch--Scalloped Corners (inside).  Sargent Art Acrylic Glitter Glaze.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Thinking of You This Season!

On to my seventh Totally Lovin' Christmas card kit.  I loved the Crumb Cake with the white embossing and layout of this sweet card, but I, of course, wanted it larger, and thought a bit more color, dimension, and texture would be good as well.

I checked out several Splitcoaststamper challenges to see what I could do to enter some of the challenges in trying to play challenge catch-up.  One Featured Stamper challenge card confirmed more brown tones would probably work well.  I added a Soft Suede cardbase and enlarged my card layers.  I changed my sentiment layer ink to a darker brown shade and left off the tree panel's corner ribbon...I thought it was too much and liked it more simple!  

I wasn't sure how Liz accomplished the snowfall, but I used a sponged-tipped make-up pen in Versamark w/ white embossing, a white gel pen for smaller snow, and added a bit of fine glitter to tree surface.  I also thought the tree would be extra pretty if it was layered.  I stamped and white embossed two additional trees, fussy cut them (lots of detailed cutting), and popped each layer up, one over the other, using large thick glue dots as I wanted the popping up to be more subtle than using dimensionals.

I was really happy with the layered tree popping...it added so much depth, plus I like the white gel pen and bit of glitter for more texture and sparkle.  This was the perfect card to send to my niece in Bend, Oregon where they are sure to see a white Christmas.  Take a peek below at my card finished inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products--  Cardstock/ Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Winter Wood (sentiment/ tree) (2019-20 Annual).  Dies--Stitched Brightly (embossed boughs-2019 Holiday.  Ink/ Soft Suede; Versamark Watermark.  Embossing Powder/ White (tree + snow drops).  White Gel pen.  Punch/ Curvy Corners (retired).  Other:  Recollections Fine white glitter.  Fussy-cutting.  1/2" glue dots (popping tree).  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Reaching Classic "Old" Age!

My brother's birthday is in early May and yet another card was needed, especially as this is a milestone birthday well into retirement!  I'm so far behind in cardmaking with the hand recovery that I'll never catch up, it seems! 

I had an unfinished card hidden away in my To Do Stash that I came across when looking for a previous unfinished card.  The initial basic design layout was by Liz Thayer on this one as well.  All the pieces were there to finish, except just a notation of the stamp set used.  I particularly liked the Acetate Foil gold patterned paper and gold foil included in the kit with the navy blue.  I used all the paper pieces provided, but I also decided to add a black cardstock layer as the cardbase and as another image mat layer. 

To start, I masked the image paper with the car outline, and watercolored the background around it with the idea of sky and landscape color tones and dried it with my heat tool.  I then stamped the image and sentiment from the Stampin' Up Guy Greetings stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, using my MISTI to line up the stamp images on my small piece of watercoloring.  Next, I colored the vintage car with my Copic markers.  Finally, I assembled all the paper layers and popped the acetate pattern off the gold foil.  I added some Glitter Enamel Dots, and voila, I was finished! 

As my brother has restored vintage and classic vehicles for many years, I am pretty sure he will like this card...even more so if it were a Chevy.  Take a peek below inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Night of Navy, Gold Foil, Shimmer White.  Patterned Paper--Fabulous Foil Designer Acetate (retired 2018).  Stamps:  Guy Greetings (retired 2018).  Glitter Enamel Dots (retired 2018).  Other:  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Copic Markers.  Artist Loft Watercolor Pan Set (Michaels).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Flowers for Daughter's Birthday

OH SO JOYFUL!  THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 2, 2017!!

My daughter, Michele, is having a birthday at the end of this month.  I wanted to make her a special birthday card, and two challenges on SplitcoastStampers (SCS) gave me some ideas on which to focus.  The Ways to Use It challenge asked that you use strips of paper to create your card, the Inspiration Challenge asked that you make a card using patterned paper, and the Alphabet--Round 7-Red challenge asked that you use a splash of RED.  When checking out ideas presented for the Ways to Use It challenge, I was inspired to use the Herringbone Technique, because I felt it fit the Inspiration Challenge perfectly as well.  I decided to create the background of Michele's card using this technique.

Getting into my creative mojo mode, I pictured the Herringbone pattern being very striking in black and white patterned papers.  Then, I wanted to use flowers in some way, and settled on SU's Botanical Blooms stamps/ Botanical Builder dies.  I thought a vivid contrasting red would be very effective.  Then, I had to find a transition between the herringbone pattern and the red flowers, and the red, black, and white die cuts were born, thus fulfilling the need to use red as well.

I assembled my herringbone bone pattern first, adhering it to a piece of black cardstock cut 5" x 6" because I knew this could be cut to fit the front of my white cardbase, which would be 4-3/4" x 6" finished.  I chose the red pattern for the base die-cut in a simple patterned paper as I needed something calming after the busyness of the herringbone, and finished it by distressing the edges with white craft ink.  I chose to repeat one of my blackish background patterns and white for my two circle die cuts.  I layered them onto my cardbase, and thought spritzing them with my Bath & Body Works Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist would make them very pretty and sparkly.  I also decided I needed to pop-up my red die-cut upon which the circle die-cuts and flowers would rest.  Assembly complete and I was very pleased with the result, and I think Michele will love it!  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks:  Whisper White, Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Basic Black.  Patterned papers:  Crate Paper-Paper Heart/ Delicate 2 (red); Bazzill Basics-Licorice; My Mind's Eye: Everyday Basics; DCWV: Jet Black Stack.  Stamps: SU-Botantical Blooms (leaf pattern); Stampendous-Birthday Wishes (sentiment).  Ink: SU-Wild Wasabi, White Craft; Memento-Tuxedo. Black.  Dies:  SU-Botanical Builder Framelits (flowers, leaves), Top Note (retired); Cottage Cutz-Pierced Circles, Double-Stitched Circles; MFT-Photo Corners (inside).  Bath & Body Works: Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist.  Computer verse. Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Celebrate a Friend With Her Bowling Ball!!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

 WEEK ENDING - NOVEMBER 20, 2016

I have a friend whose birthday I will soon be celebrating by taking her to lunch and sharing a little gifting benevolence.  One of her favorite hobbies is bowling, so I thought I would make her a bowling birthday celebration card, using a little vintage framed image that I came upon a few months ago.  I saved it to my computer's vintage image stash of pictures for future use.

About a month ago, I pulled out the bowling lady image to get a head-start on my card and worked on it a bit to enhance the colors and remove some vintage writing that I did not care to include on my card.  I then re-sized it to fit my die-cut frame I planned to use.  Not having time to begin my card, I put it away for my return from my travels south to Oregon with my daughter.

Today was the day to get started on this bowling card for my friend.  While I was away for over two weeks, I couldn't do any crafting, but that didn't stop my mind from visualizing my vintage bowling picture and how it might look best in a card layout.  With those ideas in mind, I found some papers that would go well with the Fall season and the image colors, and then I worked on finalizing my design layout and got to work.

My bowling card is now done, and in retrospect, I wish I had introduced a bit more red into my card, because of my bowling lady's little red skirt and bow, but all in all, I think I'm pretty satisfied.  I hope my friend likes her card when she finally gets her birthday luncheon!

Take a peak below at my finished inside card design and little verse I concocted for my friend's late birthday card!

Ingredients:  Darice Kraft cardstock.  BasicGrey patterned paper--Pyrus: Cordata (both sides), Pyrus: Regul.  Authenique word paper--Strong: Clever.  DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack: Antique Gold.  Stamps--My Favorite Things:  Essential Sentiments.  Dies--Spellbinders: Deckled Rectangles LG, Rectangles LG (frame);  My Favorite Things: Chevron Stripes.  Punches--WRMK Deco Corner Chomper; EK Arrow Border.  Recollection Pearls: Dark Red.  Fishtail Flags: hand-cut.  Colorbox: Chestnut Roan (edge distressing).  Size:  5" x 6".  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: November 20, 2016 #43).

Getting Well After Surgery. . .

My son's girlfriend recently had surgery and spent a day in the hospital.  She's in that after-surgery rough patch where the pain becomes worse and nothing seems to be going the way you think it should.  I wanted to send some meals and a little homemade get-well card to cheer her up and to let her know that we are thinking about her and hoping she feels better real soon.

I'm still in my vintagey mood, so I put together what I call a simple vintage card, using soft-colored patterned papers, distressing, layering and embellishments to dress it up.  I love word dies and this lower-case "get well" word die that I recently purchased will be perfect for my style of card.  Take a look below at my finished card creation, showing both the front and the decorative inside with a little "get well" verse made up just for Katrina!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla.  Iralamija Music Notes digital paper.   Darice Opulent Opal Glitter paper.  Currugated paper: DCWV sask.  MFT dies: Corners (modified).  Paper Smooches die: Get Well.  Papertrey Ink die: Large Scallops.  Accu-Cut die: Bird.  Stampin' Up Pearls.   Hug Snug seam binding ribbon. Computer verse (Fonts: DaddyO 14/ Shelley 10.5).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  

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.

My Husband's Good Friend Has A Birthday!

We wanted to send my husband's good friend, Gene, a birthday card, so a new creation needed to be completed.  My creative juices are flagging a bit right now, so I began browse some of my favorite blogs to see what was out there.  There is a little scrapbook shop in Chico, CA, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, that I dearly love to visit while traveling and visiting my mother and sister in northern California.  I found this wonderful layered card on their blog made several years ago that I fell in love with and decided I wanted to try my hand at it.

I gathered my materials, finding that I had many of the papers that the original card was made from, which was no surprise to me since I SHOP at PSB at least twice a year and attend crops when able to.  I did change up a few things, like adding an additional color layer that became the new base, now in black.  I decided I wanted my black ribbon to overlay the chevron flag and that it would have a feathered and frayed ribbon tie with a button rather than a bow as my card was for a man.  When the outside was finished, I used my computer to type up my little birthday verse and finished the corner to coordinate with one of the front papers.  This is such a great card, and I thank Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for their design that I was able to re-create and modify just a bit to suit my needs.

Happy Birthday, Gene! 

Nephew-in-law Birthday #1 in October!

Both of my nieces have husbands with birthdays in October!!!  Sooooo, another post for November!  The first nephew-in-law is married to my very first niece...my sister's first daughter.  Jesse is a nice young man and a great father.  I wanted to take time out to make him a card to let him know much I enjoy seeing him and his family when I visit northern California.  Though the card was timely, my post is not.  When I found I hadn't yet posted his card, I got right to work and completed this post.

I was still into loving making fall cards. . . so I thought another card depicting our dinner-plate-sized leaves would be fun.  Early in the month, when I made the first late large-leaf card, I mentioned that, with our late fall, the leaves had barely begun to drop.  Not so by late October!  Of course, they waited until my husband had his foot surgery and would not be able to rake!  Thank you leaves!

With these falling leaves in mind, I was inspired by a card made by Misty Bradley several years ago.  I used the layout of her card, but added and rearranged mine to suit my cardmaking style.  My card is square with lots of colored layers.  I added a wooden button with dark brown twine, a scalloped/ straight edging to my vertical striped pattern, and placed my leaves in a different layout with brown distressed leaf veins just like the ones on our Maple trees.  My sentiment is for a birthday rather than Thanksgiving, so I used a Spellbinder oval die set rather than the paper line's chipboard stickers.  

My final step was to design an interior that coordinated with the card front and to add a verse that fits the occasion.  I hope Jesse enjoys his fall leaves card as much as I enjoyed making it!  Don't you just love those fall colors!

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Natural Ivory (base), Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Pool Party; Echo Park Fall Fever- Stripe (sides #1/ #2).  Dies: SU Autumn Accents Bigz; Spellbinders Petite Ovals/ Petite Scallop Ovals.  Punches: Open-Scallop Edge Border; (Inside: Martha Stewart Mini Leaf).  Other: May Arts Twine.  SU Cotton Twill/ Pumpkin Pie.  Stash:  Wooden button / Dk. Brown Embroidery Floss.  Computer sentiment.

A Cardmaking Buddy Birthday!

One of my cardmaking buddies had a birthday in the busy month of October...bless her heart!  With so many pasts due in October, I decided to publish her card in November.  In making her card, I decided to finished off the last card from the Magnolia stamp card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (Lil' Scrap Corner blog) several years ago.  

Once again, I added some changes to suit my cardmaking style and make the card more me.  I used the Bazzill Lakeshore blue cardstock intended as a mat layer to add another scallop layer under the scalloped flower strip upon which the little Tilda stamp sits in her circle frame.  As I have the Basic Grey Pyrus papers from which this kit was made, I decided to add the striped pattern as my mat layer and add a chocolate chip cardbase instead of white.  I also made my card a more compact rectangle, 6-1/4" x 5" instead of the long narrow rectangle in the original design.  My sentiment also changed from a thanks card to a birthday card.

With my card design set, I colored my little stamped image using the woodless-colored pencil technique with mineral spirits, drawing from the colors in the Pyrus papers.  I then fussy-cut her so she could sit on her circular frame.  I was rewarded by my paper changes with a card full of rich colors. . .very much a fall birthday card to a tee.  I think Charlene will enjoy her birthday wishes brought to her by little Tilda in her patched jeans, head scarf, and little jacket.

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Chocolate Chip (base); Bazzill Lakeshore cs; Basic Grey Pyrus--Bradford/ Plymouth; BoBunny Double Dot--Chocolate Dot/ Rust Dot.  Dies/ Punches: Spellbinders Scallop Circles/ Circles.  Papertrey Ink: Small Scallop Border.  SU Modern Labels / Word Window punches.  Other:  Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils (Michaels).  Mineral spirits (WalMart).  Papertrey buttons.  May Arts: Hemp Twine.  Computer sentiment.

Special Anniversary Celebrations...It's Year #10!!

It is Don and Michele's 10th anniversary this year in the month of September, and I wanted to make them a special card celebrating them as a twosome!  A few years ago, my sister designed a card using Papertrey Ink's mason jar stamp and die set and the Autumn jar fillers.  She chose candied apples for her jar, and I absolutely loved this card with the Crystal Effects glazed apples.  

My re-created card would depict Don and Michele as a twosome in marriage; therefore, my sister's original sentiment, "Autumn Wishes," made it a fall card, but my card needed something different.  I chose new anniversary sentiment that would be a "play on words" referring to the two candied applies. . ."So Sweet Together."

My next creative addition to the card was an interior design that complimented the card front, and my final step was to compose a little anniversary verse celebrating their 10-year marriage.  I am really happy with the way my candied apple anniversary card turned out, and I think Don & Michele will enjoy it, along with their gift certificate for dinner out.  Happy Anniversary you two!  You are on my special people in my life list!

Recipe:  Paper - Cardbase: SU Crumb Cake.  DSP: Graphic 45 French Country; Papertrey Ink: Bitty Box Basic 2008-lime.  Stamp/die set - Papertrey Ink: Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Fall Autumn Fillers, Jar & Lids.  Other dies - Papertrey Ink: XL Rickrack Border, Fillable Frames #10.  Spellbinders Labels Five.  Punches - Zutter 1/2" Corner Rounder. SU Scallop Edge Border (inside).  Extras - SU Crystal Effects.  MayArts twine. Hug Snug Black seam binding ribbon. Stash - Crochet Lace.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan Ink. Coloring: Copic Markers.  Size - 5-1/2" square.  Inspiration: Heidi Gonzales/ My Lil' Scrap Corner blog.

Father's Day Is Soon Here!

Over the years, my husband has built many things involving trees with or for our four children as they grew up.  One of their favorites was the zip line attached across 100 feet of the side yard from maple tree to maple tree (seconded only by the tree house, of course).  They had to climb up on a ladder to catch hold of the handle bars and then jump off.  Away they would sail to the huge maple at the end of the backyard, with the trick being to be sure you got yourself turned around so your feet would stop your speeding travels before you hit the tree, and remember that a trip to the hospital would otherwise be inevitable.  Mom tried not to think of the consequences of a mishap and remember that our children were very agile and Dad was at the end to try and be sure a crash didn't happen!

With the above adventures and Father's Day is just around the corner, and I decided that this year I would do a "tree" card for my husband for Father's Day.  I've been wanting to use my Lovely As a Tree stamp set by Stampin' Up for a very long time, and thought it would be a great card for John for his special day.  I also had to make a few of my own papers for this card as well: a sponged and distressed En francaise background, a Metalllic gold stamped Hardwood background, and a Copic-colored tree.  I think I was in the layering mood as you will see by my finished card below.  I hope you enjoy my card as much as I think my husband will.

Recipe:  Papers: Stampin' Up cs: Old Olive (base), Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Whisper white; DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack (gold); Basic Grey: Origin/Hot Stone.  Stampin' Up stamps: Lovely As a Tree; En Francaise; Hardwood.  Stampin' Up Inks:  Early Espresso; River Rock, Burnt Brown Sugar, Cajun Craze, Garden Green (sponged En Francaise); River Rock, Summer Starfruit, Crushed Curry (sponged tree/ sentiment backgrounds); Encore Gold Metallic (Hardwood stamp on E. Espresso cs).  Colorbox Chestnut Roan distressing.  Dies:  Stampin' Up Starburst; Spellbinders Petite Scallop Circles LG/SM.  Punches:  Stampin' Up 2-1//2" Circle; Martha Stewart Corner Rounder.  Tree colored with Copics/ Stampin' Up Irridescent Dazzling Details added.  Stash: Burlap mottled ribbon; Copper brads; Gold metal leaf.  EK punch: Medium Scallop corners (inside).

Birthday for an "Old" Friend!

My daughter, Michele, is back home permanently in Washington, all the way cross-country from West Virginia.  We are excited to have her back!  She has been very busy setting up her home office in her vacant house and getting back to work.  In her spare time, she is researching and finding vendors and products to complete some remodeling and refinishing work to their home to have it ready for the arrival of her husband and their furniture.  Carpets are being completly replaced, hardwood floors are being sanded and refinished, slate and Travertine tiling are replacing bathroom and laundry room linoleum, and the garage floor is having a speckled epoxy applied, and of course, she is busy painting and refreshing rooms as needed.  The house should look brand new when she's done!

So, somehow, this leads me to a card?  Oh yes, one of Michele's long-time friends is celebrated her 40th birthday with dinner and dancing with the pack of girls that have remained friends for over 22 years!  Michele's wardrobe is somewhat limited...only having with her what would fit in two suitcases and focusing more on casual, work, and paint clothes.  Thus, she felt a new top and some jewelry were needed, plus a birthday present, resulting in a much needed shopping trip.  Upon arriving home, she realized that she forgot a birthday card.  Mom to the rescue...and out came the card stash!  Michele chose a card with a "friend" sentiment that I love.

I made this card a few months ago from a card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, of My Lil' Scrap Corner.  I think my sister had me in mind when she designed it, because, lo and behold, it was a larger card right from the start.  (I love it!)  When my eyes landed on her finished card, I just had to make this card.  It is a great choice for Michele's birthday friend.  I found a little verse online about "old" friends that fit the occasion just right!  Following is the completed card and with the inside created by me just in the nick of time!

Recipe:  SU cardstock: Very Vanilla (base), So Saffron, Whisper White; Authentique-Renew: Spring (both sides).  SU punch: Elegant Butterfly.  SU Pansy punch.  Spellbinders die: Bitty Blossom (small).  Hug Snug seam binding: Mimosa.  SU pearls.  Stash lace.  Inside: EK punch: Fancy Corners.  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.

Easter Bunny's Coming. . .Card #2!

This is a card that I made from a card kit design by my sister, Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner.  The original card pieces were for an A2 size and I wanted my card to be larger.  To accomplish this, I cut a new card base 5-1/4" x 5-1/2", a new paper lace trim, added a new/ longer lace piece and added a striped paper to the bottom below the lace instead of using all one paper pattern.  I also spaced out my banner, corrugated label, and stamped circle embellishments.  I colored my little bunny with Copic markers, and I sponge distressed all my paper and embellishment edges with Chestnut Roan ink.  I love this card design and the pink and green combination.  I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Recipe:  Papers: Stampin'Up cardstocks - Pear Pizzazz (base), Very Vanilla; WRMK Cotton Tails 6x6 Pad; Cloud 9 Pink stripe; DCWV Corrugated Pastels Paper stack.  Stampin' Up stamp: Everybuuny (retired). EK Abstract Flower punch. Lifestyles Circles & Eyelet Circles. Spellbinders: Labels 17.  Hug Snug seam binding ribbons.  Offray lace.  Stash buttons.  Prima rose. SU rhinestone. Colorbox Chestnut Roan ink.

Using Stampin' Ups New "Merry" Expressions Thinlit #2!

I was so excited when the man in brown delivered by Stampin' Up order to me while vacationing in California.  During a weekend crop at my Mom's, I just had to try out my "Merry" Thinlit on a card of my own.  I love this Teresa Collins Cottage Christmas paper that I purchased last year and didn't get a chance to use.  It is so very festive and perfect for my new cursive die!  I'm big on layers, so I didn't seemed to be satisfied until I had added a minimum of eight layers, including embellishments.  But, surprisingly, even with all those layers, the card remains fairly simplistic in look.  I hope you enjoy my "Merry" little card.

Recipe:  Stampin’ Up Papers: Cherry Cobbler cs (base); Red Glimmer. Recollections: White Glimmer.  Teresa Collins-Christmas Cottage: Sentiments/ Tiny Flowers Stripe. SU Expressions Thinlits. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Zutter Corner Rounder. Petaloo Poinsettia. SU Rhinestones (Copic colored).  Ribbon stash: 5/8” white ruffed sheer; Felt rick rack.

Halloween Cauldron of Potions!

I recently purchased a few Halloween QuicKutz dies that I was anxious to try out.  I envisioned a Halloween scene with a witch's cauldron of oozing, bubbling green slime and wicked flasks of potions ready to be added to the brew.  I decide circling bats would add to the eerie night scene.  The ideas for this card seemed a perfect fit for my son, David.  I hope he enjoys this little card I made just for him.

Recipe: DCWV Halloween & Fall stack (2011), Stampin' Up Cardstock: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive. DCWV Glimmer stack (moon). Recollections glimmer (lime). Stash: cork paper. Martha Stewart bat and spider stickers.  Recollections Halloween embellishments (quarter moon). Martha Stewart Spider Web border punch. Tim Holtz fence die. Stampin' Up: Googlie eyes. Colorbox Chestnut Roan sponging. Colorbox Charcoal distressing.  Stash: mesh netting. 

Grab Your Broom!

I made this little Halloween card last year using a card kit from Rock, Paper, Scissors in Redding, CA.  The card retains the flavor of the originally designed card, but I tweaked the layout spacing and the mat layer sizing a bit, added color to the witch's boot with Copics, added the glimmer brads, composed a verse, and decorated the inside of the card to compliment the card front.  I just love this Stampin' Up stamp and thought it was perfect for my daughter Jackie to place in her holiday shadow box picture frames.

Recipe:  Bazzill cardstocks: Blackbird, Yam, Clay.  Bazzill Dot.  Pattern paper: Authentique Enchanted.  Stamps: SU Bootiful Occasions.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Colorbox Charcoal (distressing). Stampin' Up Glimmer Brads.  Spellbinders dies: Classic Ovals/ Scalloped Ovals. EK Large Scallop Corner Punch (inside). Copic Markers. Computer-made verse; Font: Homemade Apple/ size 11.  Card size: 5-1/2" square.