Birthday Wishes for a DIL Who Brings Sunshine!

My daughter-in-law celebrates her birthday in mid-August, but we will be celebrating her a little bit late this year during our family camping trip coming next week.  Actually, we will be celebrating three birthdays in one celebration while camping:  my daughter-in-law, my youngest daughter's mother-in-law, and my own.  The menu includes barbecued baby back ribs, barbecued chicken, honey baked beans, corn on the cob, and strawberries and cheesecake.  Boy does that sound like a gourmet meal or what?

Well back to the card.  I decided to do a bit of coloring and fussy-cutting on this card, and since it's summertime, a little Magnolia Tilda stamp in a summer sundress and bare feet seemed the perfect image to choose.  Of course, I had to color her hair milk chocolate brown because that is my daughter-in-law's hair color, and that, plus adding some other "M" colors, makes the card a perfect fit for the Splitcoaststampers Alphabet Challenge, Letter M!  Tilda's sundress dress will be pink tones, and I will also add a double layered background frame and a bit of lace, all things that will fit other challenges in keeping with my challenge keep-up and catch-up goals!

After compiling all my thoughts from five different challenges and my mojo going full steam ahead, I finished the birthday card, and also created the perfect inside design and verse to fit the fact that we'll be celebrating her day just a little bit late.  Composing the birthday verse brought to mind the perfect sentiment for the card front as well!  Take a peek below at my finished card for my daughter-in-law who brings sunshine to our lives!

INSIDE VIEW
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ingredients:  Paper products:  SU Cardstock--Whisper White, Pool Party.  Papertrey Ink: Bitty Dots/ Brown.  Pattern:  Unknown/ stash.  Stamps: Magnolia/ Sundress Tilda.  Copic coloring.  Dies: Spellbinders Labels 9 Nestabilities.  Punch: EK-Victorian Photo Corners Medium (inside).  Colorbox Chestnut Roan: Edge distressing.  Stash: 3/8" Cotton Lace; Rose Pink button; Embroidery string.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-3/4' x 6".  

Little Reese Turns One!

One of my little nephew's is turning one-year old this month.  Reese has an older nine-year old brother, for whom I have always made birthday cards, so Reese gets to become one of my permanent birthday card recipients as well.  See the finished card I chose for him below:

Ingredients:  Cardstocks: Bazzill--Tapioca (yellow), Aruba (aqua).  Stampin' Up--Very Vanilla.  Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye--Be Loved/ Fond Flowers.  Magnolia stamp: Edwin the Bug Catcher.  Spellbinders: Labels Eight.  Punches: Zutter Corner Rounder; EK Scallop-LG Corner (modifed to rounded corners).  Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils with mineral spirits.  Recollections: Gold rhinestones.  Ribbon: 5/8" Offray Chocolate Double Satin.  Distressing: Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Computer-made sentiment.  Size: 5" x 7".

Story + Tidbits

Reese's card is one that I actually made during a 2010 card tutorial class on woodless pencil coloring and cardmaking skills!  The class and card designs were created by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, who owned a scrapbook store at the time.  Take a look at the wonder coloring textures that she taught us in coloring his shirt.  

Yikes, I just realized this card is way older than its recipient by over five years!  Now, don't think I have never given this card away because I hate the card, but rather, the reason is that I loved this Magnolia stamped little Edwin the Bug Catcher so much that I hated to part with him.  He also represents the last card I have of my first attempts to color using the woodless colored pencils and Gamsol for blending and setting the colors, a coloring technique I used before I jumped to Copic marker coloring.

Another reason I still had it in my possession was because I really considered it a "little boy card," and I waited so long to give it up that eventually all my nephew's grew too old for it.  With the birth of Reese last year, I decided this was the time to part with it, and to Reese it would belong even though he still a bit young for bug catching.  But, you will note that the verse ties in bug catching that will surely be in his future.

When making my card, I tweaked the design just a bit by making it larger, from a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" size to 5" x 7" size.  In addition, I used a different and larger die set behind Edwin and added a few more rhinestones to the front ribbon.  The inside is completely my own creation from paper to verse. 

A Little 5-Year Old Birthday Girl!

My daughter called tonight and said she needed a birthday card for her little God-daughter, who is turning four in a few days, and could I make a card for Alexis, or did I have something already made that might work?"  She knows how I love to make cards for children. . .they are just so darn fun!  But, unfortunately, I really didn't have time to create from scratch, because I have so many other birthdays coming up in the next few days.  So, to my card stash I went, because I knew I had a little card that might just work.  This was a card I had made five years ago, believe it or not, but because all my little girl birthdays did not fall in the summer months, it has just never been right for the occasion.

Here was my problem: I needed my little girl to have darker skin and her hair to be black, because then it could be Alexis sitting on the piling in the sand near the sea.  Michele said, "Can you change it?"  I bravely replied, I don't know, but I can try. . .it will either work or NOT!"  After hanging up, I, very nervously, got to work.  Why nervous?  First, I had only colored one other dark-skinned person for a card, and that was when I was in a class over five years ago, with the instructor right there to help with any questions, and it was a step-by-step tutorial.  Second, I was not very familiar with coloring black hair either.  I have done it, but only a few times several years ago.  Third, to further complicate matters, I was coloring over a little girl with pinkish-light tan skin and auburn brown hair coloring.  Does it sound like I bit off more than I was going to be able to chew??

I started with the hair, because I thought it might be the easiest to over-color, but it began by looking green in the highlighted areas, and my fear grew!  I finally got it to a point where it was black, though not the best coloring job in my opinion.  Next, I tackled the skin, which really made me nervous for sure.  I was finally able to get her somewhat blended out, but it, also, does not look like my best coloring job.  All in all, I think she turned out pretty well considering what I was trying to do with my limited talents. 

 I then decided to sponge the image background to add a subtle hint that she was sitting near the sea.  I also thought it looked a little bald and stark white, but keep in mind, I made this card when I first started making cards, and I certainly wasn't sponging in those days.  (Note: the lighter sponging in the top half of the circle doesn't show up in the picture.)  I added some green shading to the wood piling to offset her skin a bit, because I thought there were too many brown tones side-by-side.  I finished it off with some pearls to add a bit more bling, and done it was.  I think Alexis will be pleased with her little girl sitting on the seaside piling.

Next, I worked on the inside design and a birthday verse for a little girl turning four.  I got it composed to my liking and then created the interior design to coordinate with the outside.  I was glad I was able to come up with something I think Michele will be able to use.

Recipe:  Georgia Pacific White cardstock.  Bazzill cardstock.  Stampin' Up cardstock:  Soft Sky (inside).  BoBunny Double Dot: Mint Dot.  Echo Park: Sweet Summer Time/ Blue Sky.  DCWV Stack: Stripes & Plaids.  Magnolia stamp: Tilda Ready for Beach.  Copic Markrs.  Spellbinders dies: Circles; Scalloped Circles.  EK punch: Deco Scallop Corner (inside).  BoBunny Grosgrain ribbon: Mint Dot.  Recollection pearls (Copic colored).  Karen Foster: Scrapper's Floss.  Stickles: Iridescent Glittler Glue (Copic colored).  Square doily (trimmed).  Computer verse.  Size: 5-1/2" square.

Birthday Belatedly!

I've been under the weather a bit with mouth and sinus surgery, and my time management skills have flown out the window.  Had I been able to be more organized, I would have this birthday card made and off in the mail before this birthday arrived, as my surgery was actually on the date of the birthday.  Time seemed to get away from me prior to the surgery getting things done (or not), so here I am sending this card off very late.  

With time a limitation, I used a card kit developed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog).  I did manage to almost finish the card front the day before my friends birthday.  I ran out of time to complete the inside decorations and verse, having no idea I was going to be feeling under the weather for as long as I have, thus making the card sent so very late.  I am posting Fran's card on her birthday even though I know she doesn't look at card blogs.  (You get to see it on time, but she does not. . . is that fair?)

Added post: So now that I am feeling better, the debate began, will this be really strange to send a card this late.  I want our friend to know she was thought of before her birthday, during her birthday,  and then after, as her card sat unfinished on my crafting table.  I decided to finish it, send it, and give her that message.  I hope she enjoys her card.  I did check to make sure there was no mold growing on it!

And here is the completed inside with the message of a belated birthday apology and a dash of Iffy humor thrown in, I hope!

Recipe:  Paper:  Stampin' Up-Whisper White cs (card base), Night of Navy cs, Cherry Cobbler cs.  Pinkpaislee-Starlight/ Glow (back).  Paper Loft-Old Towne Tavern/ Franklin (stars).  Magnolia stamp: Tilda Sailor Girl.  Spellbinders dies:  Circles; Scalloped Circles.  Sentiment: handmade.  Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils with mineral spirits.  Stash: 5/8" Grograin ribbon, red button, blue netting, twine.  (Size: 5-1/2" square). 

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.

#8 is My LAST Sister-in-Law Birthday for 2014!

The last of my sister-in-law birthdays is in October and is also a sister of my husband!  As I said on the previous post these two cards would be arriving a tad bit belated due to all our family activities and celebrations the last few weeks of September and the first week of October!  For this last card, I decided to use another kit from my Magnolia Tilda card set designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner), and with a few changes to suit my use of the card and sentiment placement.  Once again, I revisited using woodless-coloring pencils set with Mineral Spirits.  This plump little Tilda is called Swirling Leaf Tilda, and she is adorable with her windswept braids, swirling leaves, and what look like stylish Doc Martin boots---once again perfect with fall colors.

This card will travel to Utah to wish Judy a very happy belated birthday, and let her know we were thinking about her on her actual birthday.  Though her card was made before her birthday, it could not possibly arrive with snail mail until a few days later.  Happy Birthday Judy!  Enjoy your little Tilda card.

Next, I created the interior design to compliment the front and composed a little story verse for a belated birthday card.

Recipe:

Paper:  Georgia-Pacific White cs; Bazzill: Tangelo/ Lagoon. Basic Grey: Pyrus-Perry 2.  Stamps:  Magnolia Swirling Leaf Tilda.  Dies:  Spellbinders Circles/ Scallop Circles.  Punches: EK Medium Scallop Corners (inside).  Other:  Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils (Michaels).  Mineral spirits (WalMart).  3/8" Two-tone double-sided satin (Offray). Twine (May Arts). Computer sentiment. Stash: buttons.

Sister-in-Law Birthday Celebrations!

October is a BIG cardmaking month for me with numerous family and friend birthdays and my anniversary card to my husband!  With two birthday cards under my belt, I now turn to my last two sister-in-law birthdays this month only one day apart.  My first card is for my husband's youngest of four sisters.  I had a little card kit designed by my sister, Heidi, Gonzales (My Lil' Stamp Corner), and decided to put it together with just a few changes to suit my needs.  I revisited  the use of woodless colored pencils on the Patch Tilda stamp by Magnolia.  She is fussy-cut and popped up off her Spellbinders Labels 9 frame.  Isn't she a cutie in her patched coveralls---perfect for a fall-colored card.  

I am pretty happy with the way my coloring job turned out after not using this technique for over three years after converting to Copic markers as my coloring tool of choice.  I even remember how to use the Mineral Spirits to set the color between shades.  I think June will like her card, though it will be a few days late due to so many activities and celebrations within our own immediate family in the early days of October.

I finished off the inside of the card to coordinate with the outside design and made up a little verse to fit with belated birthday greetings.

Recipe:

Paper:  Georgia-Pacific White cs; Bazzill: Tangelo/ Simon. Basic Grey: Pyrus-Pyrinae/ Pirum.; BoBunny Shiitake DoubleDot.  Stamps:  Magnolia Sitting Patch Tilda.  Dies:  Spellbinders Labels 9.  Punches: EK Medium Scallop Corners (inside).  Other:  Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils (Michaels).  Mineral spirits (WalMart).  Twine (May Arts). Computer sentiment. Stash: Crochet lace, buttons.

A Good Friend's Birthday!

One of my long-time friends, a friendship that started way back in the early 1990's, is having her birthday.  We worked together for over six years and then she transferred to another school.  We try to keep in touch, along with a few other ladies, with at least a quarterly "girls' night out," which we are presently behind on with each of our many family obligations.  But, for sure on her birthday, I want to wish her the very best day and the very best in the coming year until her next birthday, when I will renew my birthday wishes again!

I made this card several years ago from a card kit my sister designed when she owned her scrapbooking store.  It was done with Progresso Koh-I-Noor woodless-colored pencils, set with mineral spirits; those were the days before I learned how to use Copic markers.  It's fun to look back on those colored images.  I am amazed with the coloring job you achieve with just 24 different colors by coloring lightly, adding more pressure, and adding shadings and shadows.  Even looking at it now, it was a pretty good coloring job, if I don't say so myself!  I thought this little bundled up Magnolia stamp Tilda would be just right for a birthday during our cold, rainy winter months in the Seattle area.  I think Carla will like her card.

Recipe:  Bazzill cardstocks: Tangelo, Saguaro.  Basic Gray: Pyrus.  Spellbinder dies: Scallop Squares LG, Long Scallop Rectangles LG, Labels Four.  Magnolia stamp.  Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils.  WalMart Mineral spirits.  May Arts Twine.  Computer-made sentiment.

Valentine Girl!

My third Valentine friendship card that I made was also for a cardmaking buddy!  I decided to use another card kit provided by my sister Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner (blogspot.com).  Fortunately, I had the patterned paper used on this card because I really wanted to make it a 5-1/2" square card from its original A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2").  To do this, I had to make a new cardbase, so I decided to switch it to brown and add a mat layer in Flamingo pink BoBunny Double Dot.  I had to add another piece of the patterned paper below the brown cardstock belly band.  I got out my Copic markers to color the little Magnolia stamp.  I thought my card turned out well, and I really like the change in cardbase color and the added Double Dot.  They seemed to bring out the colors in the background pattern my little colored image popped better.  I hope my friend, Charlene, liked her little Valentine Magnolia card.

Recipe:  Stampin Up Chocolate Chip cs (base), BoBunny: Flamingo Double Dot, My Minds Eye pattern.  Magnolia stamp.  Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black.  Michaels' Celebrate ribbon.  Recollections pearls.  Copic markers.

Ladybug Tilda Visits for a Niece's Birthday

Another of my niece's has an October birthday. . .this time late in the month.  Sara has bought her first home and has a lovely garden every year.  My guess is she probably has some very large pumpkins in her garden right now.  Last year she should have entered the Guiness Book of Records because I think she would have won for the strangest looking and strangest shaped pumpkin grown.  She managed a hybrid between a green squash and a pumpkin somehow without even trying!  With this in mind, I thought a visit from Ladybug Tilda would be just right.  Tilda brings a large ladybug with her, which I have heard are good for gardens!

This card features a Magnolia stamp on its front and was one of the cards I made when I first started cardmaking back in 2010.  I look back on it and think, "you know that wasn't too bad."  I had never done any coloring before, and this class I took from my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) taught woodless-colored pencil coloring using mineral spirits to set the color.  It was a fun way to color images for cards, but I have to say, I do prefer my Copic markers today!  I hope Sara enjoys her Tilda with her Ladybug birthday card.

Recipe:  Magnolia stamp: Ladybug Tilda. Woodless Coloring Pencils (available at Michaels). Papers: cream cs, Bazzill-Paprika & Sour Lemon cs, MME-Be Loved. SU Punches: Modern Label, Word Window. Offray 3/8" Mint satin ribbon. Red-Orange dew drops.

A BIG Thank You!

I went to a lovely, fun day of Stampin' & Sharing with Liz Thayer, a 14-year Stampin' Up veteran demonstrator.  Liz is a font of cardmaking knowledge, especially using Stampin' Up products, and when attending any of her classes or special events, it is always stupendous learning experience and a jolly good time!  As expected, Liz did not disappoint!  She just returned from convention, and it was a day full of sharing new ideas and tips to make cardmaking easier and a how-to discussion of the Faux Patina technique.  This is a technique that I am familiar with and have tried once on a card about a year ago, but still feel basically an amateur!  I loved Liz' color combination to achieve her rich patina.  We also got to make three cards using products in the new catalog.  

At the close of the day, when I went to pay for the class, what did find. . . I came with an empty wallet, and I never carry my checkbook!  But, blessings to Liz, who glossed over my mistake with her warm and fun-loving personality, making me feel less of an idiot.  As Liz did not allow this wonderful day to be ruined for me in embarrassment, I wanted to send her a card and a refreshing Starbucks gift card in thanks (along with her payment, of course)!  It was time to get out my cardmaking tools and get busy.  I decided to color the Magnolia stamp, "Traveling Tilda," and send her on her way with trunk loads full of thanks.  Here is my finished card, I hope Liz likes little Tilda's visit!  (Credit is given to my sister, Heidi Gonzales---my lil' scrap corner---for her original card design). 

Recipe: Magnolia stamp: Traveling Tilda, Stacked Luggage. Copic markers.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Chocolate Chip. MFT "At the Movies" Ticket stamp/die. Computer-made Sentiment. Papers: MME So Sophie-Charming; Bazzill-Intense Teal; Paper Arts Kraft. Ribbon: stash.

A Little Niece's Birthday!

I had a yen to make a child's card and Audrey's six-year birthday provided me with an excuse to satisfy that whim.  I pulled out my "To Do Stash" and decided I really wanted to do a little coloring with my Copics as I had not done this in quite some time!  In my stash, I found a card kit with an uncolored Magnolia stamped image provided, which were designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com), and I thought it would be perfect.  I did change the original card a little as I wanted it to be a bit larger and square, but loving the little ribbon embellishment, I kept it just like it was.  I took the papers provided and re-arranged their layout, added the orange below the argyle and added a kraft matting layer behind.  I also used Copic markers instead of the original woodless-color pencil technique provided in the card instructions.  I was pleased to find my coloring technique return and began to feel more comfortable again as I worked.  I think my little jumping rope Tilda turned out really cute. I hope Audrey likes her.

Get Well to a Long-Time Friend

Just a few years ago, we re-located some old friends from our early twenties that had been missing from our lives for over 40 years while we were busy being transferred many times by my husband's employer, only to find that they have been having some fairly serious health problems.  To cheer up Marlene, who is having some severe back problems with surgeries, infections, and the list goes on, I remodeled a card from a stash of kits I had on hand.  The original card was designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.lilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  I thank her for the inspiration and the original kit.

I composed a little verse and decorated the inside of the card before sending it on its way.  I hope Marlene enjoys the card!

We are certainly hoping her pain and infections diminish and for further good news on her recovery!

A 2012 Valentine for Sibling #3 and #4!

Now to the final two of my four children.  My third-born child is Jackie, so I started thinking about a card for her and decided another of my sister's Valentine kits would be perfect for Jackie, so I dug it out.  (Credit to my sister: Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner).  

Again, I decided it needed to be larger and square, so I cut a new cardbase and found a pretty red flowered print as the next mat layer.  I Copic colored little Tilda and fussy-cut her out.  The original card had a Spellbinder Label die behind the little stamped Magnolia Tilda, but I thought a heart would be more to my liking and make it much more Valentine oriented.  I was really happy with the paper and die changes I made, yet it the card retains the original flavor of the card design.  I know Jackie will like her.

My last 2012 Valentine card will be for child #4, Mark, and his wife Ginger.  I had purchased a card kit while visiting California at my favorite vintage scrapbook store, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in Chico, CA.  For some reason, though it has a little boy on it, its hearts reminded me of love birds, which then made me think of Mark and Ginger as they have three Cockatiel, which look like "love birds" to me.  So, I decided to buy the kit and use it for them for an anniversary card, but it also seems like a good match for Valentine's Day.  I sent to my vintage image stash on my computer and found the little love birds I used on the card, and matted them with two mat layers and zigzag stitched around the bird image.  I was pretty please with the outcome and think Mark and Ginger will like it as well.

A 2012 Valentine for Siblings #1 & #2

Now, I turn my creative thoughts to cards for my children.  My first two will be for the first and second born.  First, is David, which this means a card with a masculine orientation.  I had a Valentine card kit that I got from my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner).  Thanks Heidi for allowing me to do my own tweaking to make your card designs have a little of "me" in them.

I wanted to be able to use the kit parts, but I also wanted to enlarged the original card a bit.  I cut a new cardbase, brown mat layer, and found a new patterned paper.  I then Copic colored the little Mo Manning image and assembled the card, which retains the flavor of the original design!

Michele, my second-born, and her husband will get a card from an original design by Heidi also.  I made this card at a card class given by my sister.  I thought it would be just right for them because Don is in the Coast Guard, so this Magnolia stamp of Edwin the Sailor is perfect.  I changed out the ticket to a sentiment that fit Valentine's Day and added the red heart border at the bottom.  I actually think this little border enhances the original card design.

September 2011: A Birthday Follows Mine

It was time to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law whose birthday follows mine by just one day.  And yes, again, she would get a Copic-colored card.  I found this little Magnolia stamp that looked like Tilda was lounging back, low-key on a summer afternoon.  June lives in California territory where the sun still shines warmly and brightly in early September, so I thought she was perfect.  I colored Tilda's clothes to match the My Mind's Eye belly band that my little image looked like she was sitting on.  Love those corals, browns, tans, and greens.  I was pretty sure June would like her card very much.

(Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner design: enlarged, modified and add-on to make it more me.)

2011 Daughter-in-Law Copic Birthday Card

By July and August, I was really getting into this now Copic coloring.  Ginger, my daughter-in-law, was going to get a little Magnolia stamped card colored in Copics just as everyone seemed to be getting.  This little girl was sitting on a humongous cupcake with fluffy white frosting made with Flower Soft.  You are going to love her little yellow boots with cherries printed all over.  I also thought I would try something a little more difficult and use black for her hair.  It was not perfect, but for my first attempt at this difficult blending job. . .not too bad.  (I was getting braver after attempting my sister's little pinafore girls in purples. . .another difficult color to blend.)  My little cupcake girl was all done and was ready to be delivered to Ginger's door with her birthday gift.

July 2011. . .A Sister-in-Law Birthday!

I have a sister-in-law who married into my husband's family about a year after I did, and she and I are very close in age.  We started a friendship many years ago as our husband's (the brothers) were employed by the same company and we both moved to the California Bay Area.  In those early years of our marriage before moving around the country separated us by many states, we had lots of fun and laughs.  

I wanted to send her a little birthday card showing off my new Copic marker coloring talent.  As she is a shipmate by marriage as well as our husband's sharing the same company employment, I thought this little Magnolia stamp of a sailor girl was appropriate.

A 2011 Birthday for the Cupcake Maker

Jackie loves to make cupcakes and decorate them to fit just any hold occasion from birthdays, to Christmas, to Halloween, to Easter, to Valentine's Day, and the list goes on!  While I was on my spring visit to my Mom's in 2011, I found that my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner.blogspot.com) had taught a Copic-coloring class in her store before I came using a Magnolia stamp image that was perfect for Jackie.  So of course, I had to talk my sister into teaching me how to color with Copics so I could make this card for Jackie.  Surely, I was ready to move onto Copic coloring?  She let me use her pens to try it out and see if I like it, and unfortunately, I met that slippery slope head on.  I think I've accumulated over 200 pens by now.  Here is the finished birthday card, that I mailed to arrive on Jackie's birthday!  I knew she would like it.

Moving on to Copic Coloring. . .the Slippery Slope. . .

Using woodless-colored pencils was a great way to learn coloring (shading, sun angle, etc.) and not very expensive.  But now, I wanted to learn to use Copics because I wanted to make a birthday card for my daughter Jackie using these markers, so I asked Heidi to teach me how.  So, I took classes with the help of my talented sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner).

Oh my...sigh...my pocketbook (or my husband's) will never be the same!  I have since moved on to use Copics exclusively, and it was good-bye to pencils...probably forever!  LOL  (You've, no doubt, heard of the slippery slope as an issue if you start using Copic markers. . .well, I met that slope head on!)  Here are some coloring card kits designed by my sister, Heidi, that I that we used to begin my learning curve with Copics!  Now, I was ready to do Jackie's card!

CC Designs digital image crafted/ colored by me (a Heidi Gonzales design)

Mo Manning digital image crafted/ colored by me  (Heidi Gonzales design)

Magnolia stamp crafted/ colored by me (Heidi Gonzales design)

Magnolia stamp crafted/ colored by me (Heidi Gonzales design)