Watercolor Wings for a Beautiful Insect!

A good friend and Splitcoaststamper (SCS) teammate had a birthday right before Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, I had thumb basal joint surgery at the beginning of February, and my left hand is still in a cast almost to the elbow to allow healing where The basal thumb bone was removed and replace with tendon plaiting to act as my future thumb cushion.

Four days after surgery, I managed to finish a card for another friend with an earlier birthday.  It was already designed with its pieces already stamped and the selected  patterned paper cut to size.  I just needed to select my cardstock colors, do a little mat layer die-cutting, fussy-cutting, and gluing to finish.  But I did find it stressed my hand and caused some added pain.  It was a message to me I was doing too much too soon as I had previously been relatively pain free!  I needed to wait a few weeks longer before trying it again.  This week-end was the time so my birthday card would not be any later.

Per my usual mode of operation, I caught my SCS challenge list up to date, and then I browsed for ideas and inspiration.  I really liked the pattern paper collection used on my previous card, because I love the blues and greens color combination.  It seemed I was destined to stick with them, because one of the first things I spotted in the SCS Inspiration challenge was a canvas in very similar hues with butterflies!  I'm really tired of winter, so building my card design around a beautiful spring insect, the butterfly, was perfect!   You may wonder the focus on an insect?  One of the challenges I wanted to enter this card into is the SCS Alphabet Challenge for Letter "I".

I decided to used the same paper collection, Naturally Eclectic, though different paper patterns, plus I focused on a light blue and green instead of navy and green.  Take a peek below at the finished inside and outside designs...not bad totally one-handed!

Ingredients:  SU Products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Bashful Blue (ret.), Emerald Envy.  Patterns--Naturally Eclectic/ 2018; DSP Stack-Subtles 2012-2013/ Bashful Blue Dots.   Stamps (ret. 2018)--Watercolor Wings; Sweet Cupcake (sentiment).  Ink--Lemon Lime; Emerald Envy.  Punch--SU-Banner Triple; M. Stewart-Butterfly Trio.  Die--Leafy Eyelet Scallop.  SU Basic Pearls (Copic colored).  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6".

A Birthday Journey!

It's my husband's birthday this coming week-end, and I needed to get his card made this past week.  I was anxious to begin, because I had a new Tim Holtz die...the Globe, and ideas were beginning to come fast and furious, especially after I reviewed possible Splitcoaststamper challenges to catch up on.  This will be my last card for a while, as my hand surgery is scheduled for Monday, and it will be about a six-week recovery.

One challenge needed some shine, another die-cut word(s), another some spritzing and/or splattering, another to use up something set aside to maybe use later, another to be inspired by color, and then there was the one that needed something natural and not man-made...what could be more natural than Mother Earth...a planet!  

I had printed a vintage map, which didn't print quite right and ended up with some purple splotches, but I loved the vintage look of it and decided to keep it to see if it would fit somewhere...somehow.  I decided to re-color the map with my Copics to enrich its color and cover up the wonky purple areas.  Then, I added some metallic antique copper spritzing and splattering for even more eye-appeal and/or cover-up!  Since my Globe die has longitude and latitude lines, it will work for the Alphabet challenge, letter L.  To add depth, I die-cut four globes and four Happy Birthday die-cut sentiments so they would pop up off the card front.  I also spritzed the top gold matte foil layers of both with antique copper spritzing and splattering to add even more interest.  I had some little tiny metallic gold stars in a cup on my craft tape since early December and decided to scatter those randomly on the card front as well.  I was really please with how they looked, so I painstakingly glued each down.

My last step was to decorate the card inside to coordinate with the front design and to compose a birthday verse.  I am really pleased with how my husband's birthday card turned out.  I love the vintage flair, and I think he will be please.  He decided he only wanted one card for his birthday and that was mine, because the store-bought cards are a waste of money he says.  He added that he would rather have a candy bar for a card, and it would be okay if the children need to add a happy birthday paper taped to the bar.  I told him perhaps a handwritten tag tied with a string would work!  I promised I would pass the word to the klds!  I also let them know he was doing his "baa-hum-bug" birthday dance, which he does each year!  

Here is his one and only birthday card below with the inside design pictured as well!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Cardstocks--SU Early Espresso, Darice Timeless Pack (tan), Vintage North America Map (printed from Pinterest); DCWV Solid Golds Stack/ Matte Foil.  Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations: Globe; Dee's Distinctively Dies: Happy Birthday, Small.  Punch: EK-Victorian Corner.  Homemade Sprtizer: Folk Art Metallic Antique Copper diluted w/ water.  Copic Markers (map coloring).  Recollection: Large Copper Rhinestones.  Stash: bitty gold metallic stars.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Thinking You Much Better Real Soon!

One of my lady friends that I met at my September Girls' Get-Away has had a set back in her health.  I wanted to send her a card to let her know I've been saying some prayers and having positive thoughts to wish her much better real soon!  I had a few Splitcoaststamper challenges to get done in my on-going challenge catch-up goal, and with a few of those in mind, I set about to design and make a card for my friend.

I needed to use a shade of yellow called Xanthic in order to finish the Alphabet Challenge in Round 9, and with this in mind, I search for a dress on the Inspiration Challenge website with at least some yellow that could inspire me for the rest of my card.  I found the perfect floral dress. Now, I knew my card had to have flowers.  My layout idea and focal point were inspired by the Featured Stamper challenge, plus I had several old challenges to complete that required a stamped frame, plus an old technique.  I had some good ideas. . .my mojo getting juicy, so it was time to find some papers and get started.  Take a peek at my finished card below, I think she will enjoy the card, and I know I will enjoy crossing off some more completed challenges on my list!

Ingredients:  Papers:  SU cardstock--Basic Black, Gumball Green, Daffodil Yellow; SU Vellum; Patterned Paper--Basic Grey/ Origins.  Stamps:  SU--Serene Silhouettes (white flower stems), Lovely Wishes (frame flower); Our Daily Bread Designs--All Mother's (sentiment).  Inks: Memento--Tuxedo Black; SU White Craft Ink; Versamark.  Dies: Sizzix Labels Collection (frame).  Punches:  SU--Curvey Corner Trio (retired), Bitty Butterfly (retired).  SU Black Embossing Powder.  SU 2mm pearls.  SU Simply Clay:  Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Mold (2013-14 both retired).  Stash: Bitty flower brad.  Copic markers: coloring for clay + brad.  Chatterbox verse.  Size:  5-3/8 x 6-1/8 inches.

A Baby's Coming in the New Year?

My oldest son's girl friend asked me to make her a baby shower card for her son's first child and her first grandchild. . .a little baby girl!  She had some specifics for me to work with, in that she wanted lavender to be the predominate color, it to be very feminine, and to have a baby elephant for the focal image.  She also wanted the inside verse to contain the baby's name.  Other than those specifics, I could let my creative juices flow!

Of course, my first thought was to check out current challenges at Splitcoasterstampers and then older challenges that I missed to work on my personal "challenge catch-up" goal.  I wanted to finish more of the current Alphabet Challenges for Round 10, so decided to focus on Letter E for elephant/ theme: animals.  I also used some older challenges for layout and inspiration.  Here is my finished card and inside verse using the baby's name:

Ingredients:   Papers~  Cardstock: Recollections Essentials (Violet); SU Whisper White.  Patterns~ Recollections: Purple Ditsy Floral; K&Co.-Watercolor Bouquet-Purple.  Stamps~ Wild Rose Studio/ Bella (retired).  Ink~ Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies:~Lifestyles Lacey Squares (retired); Sizzix/ SU: Layering Squares; Lifestyles Lacey Circles (retired); Spellbinders Classic Circles LG.  Punches~ SU: Curvy Corners (retired); Martha Stewart: Double Loops Edger; QuicKutz Scallop Photo Corners (retired).  Ribbon~ Offray 5/8" Sheer Violet.  Copic Marker coloring.  Chatterbox sentiment tag/ inside verse.  Card Size:  4-3/4 x 6-inches.

An Angelic Heavenly Host Comes to Visit!

I wanted to finished the third and final Pre-Virtual Stamp Night Mini, which required a Christmas card made with the traditional colors of red and green, because these are the colors that Dr. Seuss' Grinch dislikes intensely.  I also wanted to play my personal "catch-up challenges" some more as well!  So, I went in search of what else I could put on my card beside red and green that would meet other challenges.  I found that winged things worked, and if it was a winged angel, formally called a heavenly host, my card would fulfill even more.

Last year while attempting to make my Christmas cards, I printed a darling pre-colored vintage digital image of a sweet little angel and two wee birds singing together, but it did not get used.  I was stoked...my winged creatures from my pre-made stash works for the VSN with no time against me!  I had three glittery frames in white, green, and red that I also made for last Christmas and did not get used when my Christmas crafting was cut short with my hand strain issues.  I found if I framed my image, another challenge could be met, and on it went.  I found some inspiration from the current Inspiration challenge, which is what prompted me to use the angel image.   Now, my mojo was really simmering!

An older Featured Stamper and Sketch challenge both helped with decisions regarding the layout.  Now that I had a basic layout idea in mind, it was time to gather all my materials and tools that I might possibly need.  My first step was to find the perfect paper that would work with one of my pre-made glittery frames, plus embellishments, ribbon, dies, punches, etc.  I find I always gather more than I end up using, but at least it is at my fingertips if I do need it as time is of essence in the Virtual Stamp Night challenges.

I set my timer for one hour, and let the fun begin!  I started to get nervous when I had used 40 minutes to cut my paper layers, complete the ink distressing, adhere the layers, add my ribbon band, cut my die-cuts, punch snowflakes, make my bow, and prepare my framed image and pop it up.  I still needed to make a computer sentiment layer to fit my red tag die-cut.  Fortunately, I had another sentiment saved in my computer that fit a one-inch circle punch.  I copy/ pasted it, changed the words and ink color, and it was good to go!  Thank heavens my printer did not give me fits as it can do from time to time!  

That was a close one...I used 55 minutes!  I used my extra five minutes to add some Wink of Stella glimmer to my pre-colored image angel and birds, which does not show up too well in the picture.  Take a peek at my finished card. . .I think I'm pretty happy with it.

I didn't like how much time it took to make the sentiment tag using the computer; it cut the deadline time too close for comfort.  Since I do like to use sentiment tags, I've decided to make a bunch in different colors and sentiments and pre-punched them for my stash.  They just might come in handy for the VSN main event in December.  If not, I am sure they will get used eventually.  

In addition, I plan to download, size, and print more pre-colored Christmas images that might come in handy, plus die-cut some additional frame styles using different types of paper and colors.  I punched more bitty snowflake in more colors.  I had white ones pre-punched, as well as silver, lime green and aqua, but no Emerald Green or Red...can you believe that!  Not sure why I had lime-green. . .that was interesting!

Ingredients:  Papers~  Stampin' Up cs--Chocolate Chip (retired); Recollections Glitter Paper--Cherry, Evergreen, Snow;  Stripe--Recollections Signature Sugar Plums Pad.  SU Ink: Soft Suede (edge ink distressing).  Dies~ Spellbinders: Triple Floral Squares (frame), Delightful Circles (tag back).  Punches~ EK--1-inch Circle; Recollections--5/8" Snowflake.  Ribbon Stash:  5/8" Emerald Sheer.  Pre-made Stash: Angel & Birds pre-colored digital image (3 in.), Green Glitter Frame.  Wink of Stella--Clear & Gold.  Stash: Acrylic Sheet (stablizing framed image).  Chatterbox verse/ sentiment.  Size 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Circa 1860's Vintage Christmas Tree!

I'm working on the Splitcoaststampers' Virtual Stamp Night Mini Challenge #2, whose theme is "Little Women."  The requirement is to make a vintage card in keeping with what their era of Christmas might look like.  I also went to several other SCS challenges for the layout and embellishment inspiration.

I started by looking through my stash of patterned papers for something with a vintage flair.  I found two perfect pieces that I was pretty excited about.  I checked my layout inspirations and with the paper in hand, my mojo began to simmer.  I jotted down a quick sketch of changes and additions I might want to add to the layout, so that I could gather all my tools and materials before I started the timer to begin making my actual card.

I opened up my stash of Christmas embellishments and re-acquainted myself with what I had, looking for something that would work with my chosen papers.  Right off, I spotted the lovely dimensional tree that I ended up using, but it certainly needed some background framing, which led me to the lovely, vintage-looking oval frame.  Of course, vintage means lace, pearls, ribbon, etc. to me, so I searched through my stash of these types of items for ones that might go well with my papers and my layout ideas.  I had to "build" my own lace panel as what I had was either too large or too small.  I cut out and cut down the center of the wider piece and added new edge lace to make it the perfect width.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.  All in all,  I am pretty happy with how my card evolved so quickly and how well it turned out.  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up cardstock--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler; American Crafts/ The Color of Memories--Vintage Christmas #320369/ Musical Score #341340.  Die: Cottage Cuts--Oval Doily.  Punch: EK--Scalloped Scallops border; Stampin' Up--Curvy Corners (retired).  Dimensional Chipboard:  K&Company/ EB Versions of Christmas Grand Adhesives--Christmas tree; Recollections Chipboard Accents--Christmas sentiment.  Lion Bonbons Jingle Bells (Christmas colors plain/ metallic).  Recollections--mini pearls.  Stash: Two laces/ modified; Fun Foam (pop up layering).  Size: 4-3/4x6 inches.

(This card became my daughter, Michele's Christmas card).

Halloween Peeking Out All Over!

As mentioned in my previous post, it's that time of year when I get to make Halloween cards...ones I truly enjoy so I can let my imagination run away!  My next card is for DD#2, my youngest daughter, and her husband.  Since there is a man involved, I had to stay away from anything too feminine!

My son-in-law is a Halloween and theme park enthusiast!  The two of them just returned from a five-day Halloween adventure vacation to the Los Angeles area, visiting Halloween horror events and Halloween themed parks and thrill rides.  Warner Bros. Halloween Horror Nights was their primary attraction visited.

I actually started their card well over a month ago after I checking out several Splitcoaststamper challenges before I finally settled on the card layout I wanted to use, but I was unhappy with where it was going so I stopped and only recently got back to it.  I revisited the SCS challenges and finally felt like I knew where I was headed!  I incorporated four common Halloween images usually seen on the Day of the Dead and ones that I was fairly sure they saw in many different versions while on their vacation.  I ended up pretty happy with the results and was pretty sure they would enjoy it as well.  Take a peek below at the finished card:

I found a verse that was perfect for the card, with a few modification, but ended up having to hand-write it because my printer was on the fritz!

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up cs--Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla; Bazzill cs--Yam; American Crafts POW Glitter Paper--Caramel; Best Creations Glitter paper--Lime; Pattern Paper--Doodlebug Designs/Ghost & Ghouls--Spookie Sprinkles (confetti), Host of Ghosts (stripe).  Dies:  Impression Obsession: Halloween Cutout Circles; Stampin' Up--Layering Circles; Little B--Halloween Phrases.  Punches: Martha Stewart edger--Cathedral Lace; Stampin' Up--Curvy Corners (inside-retired).  Embellishments: Offray Sheer Stripe--Yellow-Green; Recollections--purple mini rhinestones.  Verse/ modified by Chatterbox.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches. 

Cute Skeleton Bones for Halloween

It's that time of year where I get to make Halloween cards.  I just really enjoy putting together interesting and offbeat cards, and my four adult children and their spouses enjoy receiving them.  For my DD#1 (darling daughter), I found two challenges at Splitcoasters that spurred along my imagination and my creative mojo began to rumble!

I wanted to use skeleton bones on my card, and I pulled out an old 2015 Stampin' Up set that I had not ever inked up.  Being that this card would be for my oldest daughter, I thought a few feminine touches might be nice, so my skeleton ends up being a wee girl skeleton but not so terribly scary.  I am really happy with the results that morphed as I put it together.  I completed the inside with my very own Chatterbox verse and added some embellishments to coordinate with the card front.  Take a peek below. . .I think DD#1 will be delight!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Shimmer White, Whisper White, Happy Haunting dsp (stars); Darice Core'dinations Glitter Silk--Silver Mist. Stamp/Die set: Howl-O-Ween Treat/ Boo To You dies (2015 Holiday).  Dies:  Pierced Scallop Background.  SU Punch:  Ornate Tag Topper.  SU: Lucky Stars EF.  SU Embellishments:  3/8" Glitter Ribbon-White, Metallic Thread-Silver, Iced Rhinestone.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (handwritten/ computer printed).  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Revisiting "A Peek at Fall"

I originally made this card and posted it to my blog on September 20, 2017.  Click here to see the cards original posting: A Peek at Fall).  I intended to use it as one of my fall birthday cards for 2017, but somehow I missed doing that.  Therefore, I am now going to use it for my youngest son's October birthday this year.  I have composed a little birthday verse inside to suit the theme of the card.  Check out the finished card inside and out below! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer.  Stamps--Hardwood, Happy Scenes (retired).  Inks--Crumb Cake, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler.  Dies--Leaflets Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.  Embossing Folder: Woodgrain.  Linen Thread.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Glitter Enamel Dots (inside & out: colored).  Other products:  Inks--Encore Gold Metallic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Copic markers.  Offray Burlap Weave.  Techniques:  Stamping, Sponging, Coloring.  Inside: EK Punch: Victorian Med. Corner.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  (Woodgrain stamped bg  and the chairs are also Woodgrain embossed to add texture.  Chairs are popped up).

Zinnia Hugs for a Daughter!

My lovely daughter, Jackie, had a birthday right after my knee surgery last spring.  I was unable to make cards for several months for many reasons, but primarily because I couldn't climb stairs to my craft room or sit and stand with my leg down for any extended period of time.  I have to confess I was so out of it, being under the influence of pain medications, that I totally forgot that I hadn't given her a card or her annual birthday check!  These forgotten items finally occurred to me several months after I was off prescription medication.

She never mentioned it, but I did after several months along with an apology.  She, of course, totally understood.  My goal was always to make her a belated card (now really belated) with a nice little check for a fun shopping trip and presented at a dinner out.  I even bought a new Marianne Zebra die to use for her card, because Zebras and their black and white pattern is one of Jackie favorites.  Well, long story...it still hasn't been done with all of life's interruptions, along with trying to keep somewhat timely with my present day card requirements as well.

About a month ago, I saw that cirque du soleil, Volta, was coming our way.  Daughter Michele and I made a week-long vacation trip to Las Vegas about two years ago, and one of the shows we saw was cirque du soleil, O...my what a marvelous production!  Jackie has never been to a cirque show, so I thought what a wonderful surprise to buy tickets for her and my daughter-in-law as part of their birthday presents.  Daughter Michele and several of her friends are coming along as well for a fun and festive girl's night out with a meal tucked in too!

My daughter-in-law's birthday fell during our recent family camping trip, and she received her birthday card there with her Volta ticket enclosed.  I needed to give Jackie her ticket as well, and I didn't have time to make my planned zebra birthday card, because it would take too much time while shopping and packing for our camp trip. 

 

A quick card was needed, and I really wanted to make it fit for my last letter to complete the Splitcoaststamper Alphabet Challenge, Round 8. . . Letter Z (which her zebra card would have been perfect).   I looked up things that start with "Z," and I found zinnia flowers start with "Z". . .duh!  I hadn't even thought about that because I had been so focused on Z for zebra!  

I looked up zinnia images and found they come in a myriad of colors even white!  There are many varieties of white with several reminding me of a daisy.  Ah, light-bulb time!  I remembered a card design that I made at a Dar Peterson card class that had a big white daisy punch on it, which looked a lot like those white zinnia, except zinnia are fuller with more petals.  I thought to myself, this might be doable with just a little bit of tweaking!   You have to forgive me. . .my work career required quite a lot of document editing, and my mind runs in that mode on automatic!  See several white zinnia pictures I incorporated just below.

I pulled out the the unfinished card kit designed by Dar, and decided it could be modified easily to fit my "Z" requirements AND a card for daughter too!  My modifications started by adding two more layers of petals to fashion the daisy into a zinnia.  I also changed the word-die sentiment  to "hugs" and added another care layer with a white base.  My next step was to design an inside that complimented the front and compose a short little verse to fit the occasion.  Take a peek below and see the final version of my daughter's card inside and out with all changes complete. 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Night of Navy, Daffodil Yellow.  Patterned DSP--Delightful Daisy.  Dies--Lovely Words Thinlits (modified).  Embossing Folder--Petal Burst.  Punches--Daisy (three petal layers); 1/2" Circle.  Ribbon: 1/4" Double-Stitched/ Daffodil Yellow.  3/8" Facet Gem.  Other:  EK Punch--Victorian Medium Photo Corners.  Chatterbox verse (computer).  Size:      4-1/2" x 5-3/4".  (Thanks to Dar Peterson for the base card design idea).

A Wedding Story Weaves a Fabulous Quilt!

My husband's youngest sister's son is getting married in a few weeks, and a wedding card is needed.  I bought the Stampin' Up Quilt Builder stamps and dies last fall, but have not had a chance to use them.  I've had several ideas from Christmas to baby cards, but after thinking about it, I decided it might make up into a pretty wedding card.  This would also fit right in to help finish one of my last two stragglers in the Splitcoaststamper Alphabet Challenge, Round 8.  One of the stragglers is for letter Q, and using the quilt die would be perfect!  My mind was already working on thoughts for the card's wedding verse inside. . .something involving marriage, the fabric of two lives woven together to make a fabulous quilt!

The newest Splitcoaststamper Inspiration Challenge is to visit the OPI nail polish website, and I saw some pretty nail art while browsing using cream and gold metallic nail art, which reminded me I could probably meet the Letter Q bonus challenge of Joss paper, which is a gold foil paper used in Chinese ancestral worship ceremonies.

After checking out several other Splitcoaststamper challenges, I had some great ideas and inspiration, and I was more than ready to begin.  I thought a white or cream card using gold metallic papers in the quilt would make a really pretty wedding card and my possible verse running around in my head would pull it all together.  Check out my finished card below, showing the outside and inside creations.  I'm pretty happy with the results!

Recipe:  SU Papers: Shimmery White cs; Bundle of Love Specialty dsp (2018 Occ).  Recollections Shimmer Gold cs.  SU Dies: Quilt Builder Framelits; Layering Squares Framelits; Layering Ovals Framelits.  SU Stamps: Rose Wonder (sentiment).  SU Embossing Folder: Quilt Top.  SU Embossing Powder: Gold.  Recollections Embossing Powder: Gold Tinsel.  SU Ribbon: 3/8" Metallic Gold (2017 Holiday).  Stash: Champagne Rhinestones.  EK Punch: Scallop Photo Corners Medium (inside).  Chatterbox verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".  

Belated Birthday Wishes - Sister-in-Law #2!

I am trying to play catch-up with a few of the birthdays that I missed.  This one's for sister-in-law #2 of 8, who celebrated her birthday at the end of June.

Checking out possible Splitcoaststampers (SCS) challenges, reminded me of some MME papers I used on a friend's card last fall, and a card design from my sister several years ago using this same paper.  This, in turn, led me to two challenge possibilities, involving using recycled products and distressing.  It was time to get started and see where all these thoughts led.

I used a sheet of recycled cork from an accessory pack I won at a stamp gathering several years ago now.   I didn't really care for the flowers and symbols already printed on one side of the cork, so decided I could turn over the sheet and use dies to cut my own designs for my flowers.  My distressing would involve ink distressing, so I liberally inked the edges of all my layers:  mats, sentiment die-cuts, banners, flowers. doily and even the felt leaves (which doesn't show up well on the picture).  

See the finished card below (inside and out).  I think my sister-in-law will be pleased, but I do wish it was not a belated birthday wish!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Stampin' Up Cardstock: Old Olive, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla.  Patterned Papers:  MME-Miss Caroline--Dilly Dally/ Dolled Up/ Fiddlesticks, plus miscellaneous scraps.  SU Punches: Stampin' Up--Circles--1-1/4-inch, Scallop Circles--1-3/4-inch, 7/8-inch, Boho Blossoms (ret.-cork flowers), Itty Bitty Shapes (smallest scallop); WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  Dies: Spellbinders--Nested Leaves (traced/ cut w-pinking shears); Sizzix Labels-Ornate #2 (sentiment).  Fishtail Flags: Hand-cut.  Wilton 3-1/2" Doily.  Ink Distressing: ColorBox: Chestnut Roan.  Pearls: Recollection (Copic RV-14 colored).  Stash: Dark Celery felt.  Recycle: Cork. Chatterbox sentiment/ inside verse.  Size: 4-1/2" x 5-5/8".  (Thank you Heidi Gonzales for your card design that I cased with some modification to the layering and sentiment.)

Losing a Loved One!

A dear lady friend and cardmaking buddy has just lost her Dad, and another sympathy card is needed.  I was in the mood to make a soft and feminine card with some sort of flowers.

Following my usual pattern, I checked the Splitcoaststamper (SCS) challenges that I had not participated in to find some ideas to focus on and get my mojo moving.  Several challenges dealt with the possibility of using flowers, but I needed to come up with a color scheme and a layout.  I  found my color scheme from the newest Inspiration Challenge using a lovely coral, soft brown, and cream top from the Serengeti Fashions website and refined it with the Alphabet Challenge, Color Letter I for Ivory.  I came up with an idea for my layout from the Featured Stamper Challenge that used a quatrefoil background with a flower, though I modified my layout a bit to make more mine by using a lattice three-layered die-cut with only partial background coverage.

As my card evolved, I added more blossoms and more sizes than I first planned, and I added pearls and glitter to the flowers and to the lattice to give the card some sparkle.  Take a peek at my friend's finished sympathy card below, both the outside and  inside designs, plus the computer-composed sentiment and verse.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Soft Suede, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Gorgeous Grunge (splatters); Flower Shop (large pansy); Petite Petals (small flower).  Ink--Soft Suede, Crisp Cantaloupe.  Die--Bigz Lattice (3 layers).  Punches--Pansy; Petite Petals.  Ribbon--3/4" Chevron Calypso Coral.  Glitter--Dazzling Diamonds.  Pearls.  Other products:  My Favorite Things Die--Interactive Oval Word Window.  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Hubby Celebrates Father's Day!

I had a second Father's Day to make, and this one would be for my husband, father of our four children!  I enjoyed trying out the Eclipse technique so much on my son's card, that I thought I should do another for my husband, though I wanted to use a different theme.

I checked out possible SCS challenges for a bit of inspiration on the theme, and I decided on the color navy blue in order to enter another Alphabet challenge, which would also work for a lovely Vera Bradley fabric found for this week's Inspiration Challenge.

After looking through my masculine paper stash, I found some navy, red, and tan paper with a nautical theme, which I thought would be perfect, as my husband has always enjoyed taking the boat out and tooling around the lake near our home.  The dark navy background, reminded me of a dark night on the water, night being the bonus challenge in the Alphabet challenge.  The addition of the red and tan in the nautical print remind me of the Vera Bradley fabric I found in the Inspiration challenge website.  I was stoked and ready to begin.

Take a peek below at my second Eclipse technique card for my hubby's Father's Day.  I have included my inside design and verse below the card front.  Both he and my son loved there Eclipse cards a great deal. . .so I'm grinning from ear to ear!

Ingredients:  ANW Crestwood cardstock: Deep Sea.  Basic Gray Adrift: Ahoy; Waves.  Authentique Pride: Amend (red/white dot).  Stampin' Up: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Real Red.  2013-2015 Background Stack: Crumb Cake pattern.  SU: Burnt Brown Sugar (ink distressing).  Dies: SU--Large Letters Framelits; Top Dog--Stitched Water Die.  Punch: EK Scallop Medium Photo Corners (inside).  Pinking Shears.  Chatterbox computer sentiment/ verse - Font: Shelley.  Size: 5" x 6".

My Son Celebrates His Second Father's Day!

Father's Day is right around the corner, and I'm going to have to really scurry to get two Father's Day cards made before Sunday!  My first card will be for my son, who is the father of our only grandchild, who is now a little over a year old!  So much fun, walking and talking already!

I did a quick look at the challenges on Splitcoaststamper to see if there were any ideas to use for Mark's card, and I found several.  I will be focusing on Quartz Gray for the Alphabet Challenge and I found a card on the Featured Stamper that utilizes the Eclipse Technique, which I decided to use.  In addition, I created an acrostic verse for this inside.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  SU Cardstocks: Basic Black, Whisper White.  Patterned Papers: Three Bugs in a Rub/ Tool Time; K&Co. stripe; DCWV/ Limoncello Stack (gray mosaic).  SU Dies:  Large Letters Framelits.  Punch: EK Victorian Medium Photo Corners (inside).  Technique: Eclipse.  Chatterbox Computer sentiment/ verse--Shelley font.  Pinking Shears.  Size: 5" x 6".

Thinking of You, Dear Friend!

The month of May has been filled with lots of not so happy news from illnesses to those who have gone to their final resting place.  I need another card for a dear friend, who had serious surgery within a few days of my niece, which I noted in my last post.  My friend will also be looking toward a lengthy recovery until she feels "normal" is a word she can use in her vocabulary again!

Besides flowers, I've been wanting to send her one of my handcrafted cards, which she always enjoys for her birthday!  While making my niece's card, I was keeping in mind card ideas for my dear friend using a modified card kit design as well.  Another thing I was keeping in mind was that I wanted to complete another SCS Alphabet Challenge, because I am so far behind (comes from being crafting AWOL with knee surgery!!).  Here is my second card kit re-design, using parts from one original design and parts from another.  Take a peek below...I think my friend will be pleased.

Ingredients:   Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Dapper Denim, Flirty Flamingo.  Stamps--Heartfelt Blooms (2018 SAB).  Ink--Dapper Denim, Baked Brown Sugar (ink distressing).  Dies--Lots of Labels framelits.  Embossing Folder: Fancy Dots (2016 AC).  Perennial Birthday Kit (2018 Occ):  materials from two different card designs:  floral disp + white/floral shaped tag + ribbon/ twine.  Other: Spellbinder die: Labels 10 (sentiment).  Punch:  EK Victorian Medium Photo Corner.  5/8" Gold Glitter Washi Tape.  Pretty Pink Posh sequins.  Chatterbox verse (Bob Marley quote modified).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

THE CARDMAKING STORY

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Kind Thoughts Sent Your Way!

Just a few weeks ago, we received the heart-wrenching news that my niece just had major surgery and is looking toward a long and tedious recovery.  She is just nine months younger than my oldest daughter, and they were great pals growing up, flying back and forth each summer to spend a few weeks with one another to keep in touch.

We, of course, sent flowers right away. alternating weeks sent so she would always have a fresh bouquet, but my daughter and I wanted to each send a special card, made from the heart, to remind her we are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers.  About two months ago, we bought card kits from Stampin' Up that would make four each of four different card designs, and this last week-end was the time to get it out and spend time making the cards we needed.  We, of course, did not want to follow the four design samples exactly, because we did not want four sets of four designs exactly the same.  With this in mind, we went to work finding our own design deviations and remodels.

I like to participate in Splitcoaststampers challenges, so I did a little research before getting started.  I decided to start with the Old Olive green card parts from the card kit from my research.  Take a peek below at my change-up, alternate-design for the "green card," which I think my niece will enjoy.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Dapper Denim, Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, So Saffron, Myths & Magic Glimmer paper.  Stamps--You're Inspiring.  Ink--Dapper Denim, Baked Brown Sugar (ink distressing).  Dies--Pretty Pines framelits.  Punches--Leaf, Boho Blossoms (ret.), Petite Petals (ret.); Heart Confetti Border (ret.).  Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored).  Blue Fishtail Curvy Banner: Hand-drawn/ Fussy-cut.  Perennial Birthday Kit: materials from two card designs: green bg + white diagonal die-cut + white curvy banner + ribbon/ twine).  Other: Punch: EK Victorian Medium Photo Corners. Wink of Stella/ Clear (flowers).  Chatterbox verse (Bob Marley quote modified).  Size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

THE CARD-MAKING STORY

The papers and patterned papers provided in the card kit coordinate with Dapper Denim, Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White, and Gold Foil colors. My first step with my kit was to cut the front and the back of the folded card base into two separate pieces, because I planned to add new cardbases and layers using one of the coordinating cardstock colors to supplement where needed.  This actually gave me the potential of 32 different cards instead of just 16, though I would probably use some of the solids for inside layers to host my verses, so ultimately, I will not create 32 different cards. 

I decide to start with the "green card" materials.  This card was supposed to have balloons layered onto of the white diagonal lattice.  I used the solid olive paper that came with the kit and added it to a white cardbase.  I added an olive glitter layer under my white diagonal lattice, and flowers below.  I borrowed the curvy double fishtail banner from another of the card design and hand traced and enlarged its curvy shape on Dapper Denim cardstock to add the under mat.  I finished with Dapper Denim photo corners to add more blue, seeking to eliminate quite so much olive.  I added a different sentiment from a another stamp set than that recommended for the kit cards.  

Thinking of You, Friend!

I have several Thinking of You cards that I need to make and get in the mail, yesterday!  One is for a friend who always have me over for tea when visiting in her seaside town.  I saw a challenge where we were to make a card around a song, and as soon as this, I thought about her and the song, I'm a Little Teapot, came to mind, and I couldn't get it out of my head.  With tea in mind, a search through my To Do box and brought forth pieces of an unfinished card that I started in a class about 4-1/2 years ago.  

Yes, I love to go to classes and socialize, and I usually don't get all the design samples completed.  To give me some credit (rolling my eyes), sometimes that is deliberate, because an idea comes to mind where I want to change something little or big about the card.  I don't complete the card at class in order to make the changes at home with my own supplies.  This one, I have kept near the original design, but made the original Melon Mambo card base into a layer.  I re-sized most pieces smaller, plus I added two more layers. . .a white cardbase and a die-cut decorative Old Olive layer.  I also popped up all the layers above the Old Olive layer from those first two added layers.  As a finishing touch, I ink distressed all my edges for a bit of a vintage flair, but I see this does show up well in my picture.

I think my friend will like her card, with its little teacup and happy colors, and be pleased to know I've been thinking about her.  Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Whisper White.  Patterned dsp:  Gingham Garden (2013 AC).  Stamps: Kind & Cozy (2013-14 AC).  Ink: Old Olive, Melon Mambo; Ink Distressed: Soft Suede.  Punches: 2-1/4" Scallop, 2-3/8" Circle. Scallop Trim Border (ret.).  Embossing Folder: Stripes (ret.).  Ribbon: 3/8" Old Olive Striped Organdy. Rhinestones.  EK Punch: Scallop Photo Corners.  Die:  Reverse Confetti Die: Lacy Scallop Frame.  Fussy-cut teacup.  Chatterbox verse.  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

Sorrow for Our Alpha Sister!

It is with sadness that I must make another sympathy card for a dear friend that I've gotten to know through Splitcoaststampers.  She is a fellow Alpha Challenge sister, Art Deco Diva, and after a long struggle, she has lost her mother to the battle.  We are all so saddened to hear this, but want our friend to know how much we are thinking of her and praying for her and her family.

The Splitcoaststampers Traveling Teapot Challenge, which chooses someone each week that we want to honor in some manner and for different reasons.  Unfortunately, some of those reasons involving losing someone near and dear to us.  Art Deco Diva's SCS galley is filled with lovely cards that can only be described as eclectic.  We are choosing to honor Art Deco Diva with cards that feature the shabby chic style and are challenge hostess wants us to include lots of detail.

I love shabby chic, one of my favorite styles, but I prefer it not to be too over the top, but for sure it must include ribbon, lace, flowers, and definitely be feminine.  I am using all of those things, plus some layering and dry embossing to add texture.  Of course, it has to have some sparkle, so I added a flower rhinestone medallion for the center of my flowers.  Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out.  I'm hoping it will bring solace to ADD's sorrowful heart and let her know that we are thinking of her and keeping her and her family in our prayers during this trying time.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Sahara Sand, Lost Lagoon, Very Vanilla.  Stamp--Petal Potpourri (2015 Occ).  Markers--Lost Lagoon, Sahara Sand.  Dies--Stitched Shape Framelits/ Ovals.  Punch--Flower Medallion (ret.).  Embellishment--Something Borrowed (Occ-2015).  Ribbon--3/8" Stitched Satin-Lost Lagoon (ret.).  Lace--7/8" Lace Trim-Sahara Sand (ret.).  Other:  Cuttlebug EF-Summer Set/ Floral.  Dies--Spellbinder Petite Scallop Oval SM.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (computer printed).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Mother's Day for Grandbaby's Mom!

My daughter-in-law is celebrating her second mother's day, with grandbaby, Callie being 14 months old.  I, of course, wanted to make her a card, and after waiting for my mojo to kick in, I finally had a great idea.  

Ginger loves ice cream and Cold Stone Creamery, so I planned to give her a Cold Stone gift card, and a greeting card with ice cream cones would be perfect.  I thought of a Stampin' Up DSP collection called Tasty Treats, and I found the perfect piece.  See the story below on how my mojo began to jell so that I arrived at my great idea!

After finishing the card front, my next step was to design an inside that continued the card front's theme.  I composed and typed an inside verse appropriate for a Mother's Day card and finished the verse off with a bit of embellishing.    I'm pretty happy with my stash scraps added to make Ginger's card and color ideas borrowed from several SCS challenges, and I think she will be pleased. Take a peek below at the finishing inside and out!  If you are interested in "The Mojo Development and Construction Story," it is located at the bottom, below the Ingredients list.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.), Whisper White; Paper--Best Ever dsp (2015 SAB); Tasty Treats dsp (2015 Occ); Stamps--Crazy About You; Ink--Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.); Punch--1-3/4" Scallop Circle, Banner Triple, Scallop border (ret.); Dies--Hello You Thinlits; Solid Twine--Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.).  Punches: Zutter Corner Rounder, EK Med. Scallop Photo Corners, WRMK Corner Chomper: Scallop. Wink of Stella-Clear; Copic marker.  Chatterbox verse (computer printed).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

"The MOJO Development and Construction Story"

I have bits and pieces in my stash of cards I started and didn't finish or from cards designs from classes that I attended that I wasn't totally sold on the original design and took the pieces home to add to it to make it more fitting to my card style.  Last week, I was browsing and found a scalloped punched flower, a button, a two-layer square mat with "CELEBRATING" already stamped and a cursive "you" die-cut.  I had several birthdays coming up and another Mother's Day card needed, so I set these pieces aside, thinking I might be able to do something with them.

Meanwhile, I had been browsing SCS challenges to see if anything inspired me, and I saw a card by Jennifer (aka picard76), the current Featured Stamper, that I really liked, including the lovely colors.  Here was possibly another idea for my next card.  

Another day or so went by, and I revisited my pieces thinking I definitely might use them for my daughter-in-law's Mother's Day card, because the "celebrating" her would fit in.  Now, I had already purchased a Cold Stone Creamery gift card, because she loves ice cream and Cold Stone.  

My mojo began to work and thoughts began to jell as the colors in Jennifer's card brought to mind the Stampin' Up Tasty Treats DSP paper collection from several years ago that featured these same colors in the form of ice cream sundaes and cones.  An "aha moment" arrived, and I knew just what I wanted to do!

I wanted the flat stamped and punch flower to have more dimension as it was just too flat.  I though of stamping more flowers and layering them, but then I decided to cut the individual petals so that I could lift them and thus give the card more depth and dimension.  I also rounded two of the square corner on the layered square where the flower would rest.  The "you" sentiment die-cut was already cut out from Crisp cantaloupe cardstock, and I colored it with Copic markers to the color of the Calypso Coral cardstock as I decided to use both shades in my layers.  I threaded my button flower center with a criss-cross solid cantaloupe cord, and I tied a knot and frayed the ends.  I decided to make the fishtail banner shorter and centered it under the flower's square, but keep its tails loose.  This allowed the "you" die-cut space to reside on the ice cream dsp close just a teeny bit under loose banner ends. 

On the inside design, I punched a little scallop edging at top and bottom of the verse cardstock, and I added double-layered, scalloped photo corners around the verse.   I also added a pocket on the right flap of Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock covered with a smaller panel of the ice cream patterned paper.  I added a scalloped edge at the top of the pocket to dress it up a bit.  The pocket was now ready to have the Cold Stone gift card inserted.