Splitcoaststamper's Best of 2016 Favorites!!!!!!!!!!

EXCITEMENT GALORE!!!!

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS BEST OF 2016 FAVORITES

I am over the moon!  I have just been notified that my vintage-style BETTY BOOP card that I made for my daughter Michele's birthday this year at the end of June and was a Splitcoaststampers' Weekly Favorites for the week ending July 3, 2016, has now been chosen as one of their Best of 2016 Favorites!!  I can not even tell you how surprised I am. . .I did not even know that they had this award.  I just assumed, "Okay, how marvelous, my card was a Splitcoaststampers Weekly Favorite."  Can I say again, I'm over the MOON!

So, I thought I would repost this little beauty to refresh your memory if you read my blog often or to bring it to your attention if you missed its original posting and are now reading this one. (See below.)  I am also posting a link CLICK HERE back to that post as there is a story why the title of the post is, HAPPY CELEBRATIONS FOR "BETTY!" when my daughter's name is actually Michele.

Ingredients:  SU cardstock: Blushing Bride.  DCWV Old World Stack (glitter applied).  Authentique: Promise collection/ Six (floral).  My Mind's Eye: The Sweetest Thing collection/ Honey "Love" Fond (check).  Dies: Spellbinder's-Heart Squares; MFT-Stitched Squares STAX.  SU punches: Modern Label; Word Window (both retired).  Recollections flowers.  Elmer's Craft Adhesive Spray.  Martha Stewart Glitter: Crystal Fine.  EK punch: Basketweave Corner.  Computer-made sentiment and verse.  Size: 5-1/2" square.  (Splitcoaster Thread: Weed Ending 7-3-16/ #142).

Merry Christmas Tag Card Travels to the East Coast!

I went to a Christmas tag-making event last year hosted by the Stampin' Up duo, Dar Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum, where we made ten different Christmas tags.  As I do not need Christmas tags for many package, I have developed a method to turn the tags into cards, and this was my plan for these tags.

Sometimes, because of size or dimension, the tags will need some sort of modification in order to make them into cards.  The merry Christmas tag designed by Luci was modified just a pinch before I designed a card for it.  First, I shortened its length to 4-1/2" long.  Next, the top corners of the tag were punched with the Curvy Corners punch, and I decided to add the same feature to the bottom two corners.  The remainder of the tag remains the same as the original design, and it is ready for my card.

I incorporated red foil, also used for the tag star, as straight border edges along my printed paper middle panel.  This middle panel is paper from the This Christmas Specialty dsp from the 2016 Holiday catalog.  I used an additional center strip of red foil bordered by scalloped edges, using one of the patterns in the three trees, which came from the Cherry on Top paper stack.

My tag card is finished and ready to send to my cousin who lives all the way across the United States on the East Coast.  I am sure she and her family will be pleased with their homemade card sent from Washington State.  Take a peek below at the finished front and inside designs.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Cucumber Crush, Real Red, Red Foil.  Patterned--Cherry on Top stack; 2016-2018 Brights Backgrounds stack/ Real Red diagonal stripe; This Christmas Specialty dsp.  Dies--Perfect Pines framelits; Christmas Greetings thinlits.  Punches--Itty Bitty Accents-Star; Curvy Corner Trio (retired); Scalloped Edge Border (retired); Top Note BigZ (retired).  Gold Metallic Cording.  (Thank you Luci Kirschbaum for the tag inspiration).

Nephew-in-Law #2 End-of-October Birthday!

Now it's time to post my last October birthday card, which is for nephew-in-law #2.  I had this lovely fall card partially finished that I started at a Liz Thwyer event for Fall and Thanksgiving cards last year.  It was meant to be for Thanksgiving, but I converted the peek-a-boo sentiment "Give Thanks" to "Happy Birthday" by adding a half-circle of the front pattern paper and a new birthday sentiment overlay.  I also added hemp twine in my button for a more finished look.  Somehow, it just seems to me that buttons always need to have some thread in them as they generally have when sewn on.  Otherwise, my card is true to Liz's original card design.

My finally steps are to design an interior that compliments the outside, and finally, to added a verse appropriate for the occasion.  (You can see my added patterned paper half-circle and birthday sentiment overlay that I mentioned above.)  Now that I'm all done, off into the mail it goes for Jared's birthday.  I'm thinking he will really enjoy his card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Early Espresso.  Gold Glimmer paper.  Patterned--Farmer's Market; Color Collection-Early Espresso.  Stamps--Lovely As A Tree; Sweet Cupcake  Punch--2" Circle.  Gold Basic Buttons. 1" Burlap Ribbon.  Maya Arts: Hemp Twine.  Copic Markers. 

End of October Birthday for a Niece!

One of my nieces on my husband's side of the family has a birthday at the end of October, and I wanted to send her a little birthday wish.  I chose this card that I made at a Darla Watson card stamping event while visiting in California this past spring.  I did add another cardbase layer to compliment the greens in the card.  In addition, I finished the inside with a little stamped verse from Papertrey Ink, some photo corner embellishments, and sequins.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks--Wild Wasabi, Pool Party, Whisper White.  Inks--Early Espresso, Wild Washabi, Pool Party, Soft Suede.  Stamps--Perpetual Calendar (backgrounds), Happy Home (2016 Occasions); Party Pants (inside HB).  Markers--Daffodil Yellow, Real Red. Crumb Cake.  Sequins.  Papertrey verse stamp: Tucked In: Birthday.  EK Punch:  Victorian Corners.  

A Nephew Celebrates His October Birthday!

I've just finished my last October birthday card that I am able to complete before my trip to Las Vegas.  I will have four more October birthday cards to complete upon my return. . .two of the feminine variety and two more of the masculine variety.  When I'm all done, I will have completed thirteen cards in all for this month, with seven of them being for men!  Now, that's a record for male cards in one month. . .and I have already finished five of those seven.  Surprisingly, my creative juices were flowing at full speed for these masculine cards, because normally, I find myself struggling to come up with designs without struggling a bit, especially when I'm under pressure.  I am pre-posting all these cards I have just completed so they will appear while I am away.  This way my blog does not look like I am neglecting it, when in truth I am until I return from my trip.

This final card that I created and am ready to post is for one of my nephew from my sister's side of the family.  I know Davis likes to hunt, but I am not sure that it is for pheasant, though he does do wild turkeys for sure.  But, I so wanted to use a Stampin' Up stamp set that I bought several years ago but have never used.  I think it is great for masculine cards, and it is named Walk in the Wild.  

In making this card, I decided to use a technique that I've always like, but not used for quite awhile---a form of edge distressing by fraying the edge of the paper with an open pair of scissors.  (There is also a fraying tool that can be purchased, but I find the scissors work just as well if not better.)  I followed this distressing with ink distressing on the frayed edges.  These two distressing techniques give cards that worn and vintage look that I think lends itself well to men's cards.

My next step was to decide on papers.  Since I decided this card would have a vintage feel to it, and because it was for a man, I decided browns and dark blues would be good.  At this point, the rest of the card design fell together quite rapidly, and I finished it in record time.  My final step, as is traditional in all my cards, was to create the inside to coordinate with my outside design and choose or make up a verse that befits the occasion.  Take a peak below at my finished card, inside and out.  I think Davis will enjoy his specially design card, just for him!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Early Espresso, Midnight Muse (retired), Soft Suede, Natural Ivory (inside/ retired).  Pattern:  Natural Composition Specialty dsp (retired).  Stamps: Walk in the Wild.  Ink: Burnt Brown Sugar (distressing).  Ribbon: 7/8" Cotton (retired).  Spellbinders dies:  Ovals SM; Big Scallop Ovals LG (modified).  Impression Obsession dies: Instant Photo Frames Corners (inside).  Computer sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

New Son-in-Law Has An October Birthday!

I jokingly told my youngest daughter when she became engaged that one of the criteria I should have demanded in her choosing a husband be that his birthday did NOT fall in October. . .but, wouldn't you know. . .another October birthday!!  Now, I needed to figure out what kind of a card would be best for my new son-in-law.  He has a number of activities and hobbies that he enjoys, which include car racing, riding ATV quads in the sand and dirt, dirt bike riding, hiking, and planning vacations.  These two just returned from a belated two-week honeymoon to Florida, where I am positive they went to every amusement park and tourist attraction in that State!

After giving it some thought, I decided I would do a racing car card, because Josh has a 1979 baby blue Chevy Camaro race car.  He and his father have been involved in short-course racing since Josh was a young boy.  Though he has not raced his baby blue Camaro for a few years now, I am sure that at some time in the future, he will pick up this life-long hobby again.  Since I could not find a 1979 Chevy Camaro image to color, I decided on a 1969 RGX Camaro, which according to what I read is a much desired car.  Personally, I did not see a lot of difference between the two cars when I looked a photographs of actual cards, especially with the digital image that I found online of the 1969.  Take a look at Josh's finished card inside and out. . .I think he will be very pleased with one of his mother-in-law's homemade birthday cards made with only him in mind.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Night of Navy, Old Olive, Vintage Natural.  Darice Core-dinations Glitter Paper: Ball Gown. My Mind's Eye pattern: Lost & Found Two/ Breeze Boyish Plaid.   Graphic 45: Happy Haunting (black/cream check).  Spellbinders: Deckled Ovals LG, Nested Ovals SM.  Sizzix BigDie: Weathered Clock.  EK Punch: Scalloped Corners-LG.  WRMK Punch: Deco Corner.  Heidi Swapp Metallic Accents.  Stampin' Up Glitter Brad.  Google Online: 1969 Chevy Camaro digital image.  Copic Markers.  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size:  5-3/8" x 6".  

Fall Flowers for June's Birthday!

Onto my first sister-in-law birthday card. . .her special day is also on October 8th!   She will get a card from my stash that I started at a cardmaking event this past May while visiting my mother in Redding, CA.  This event was hosted by Darla Watson, a Stampin' Up demonstrator who comes to my Mom's area once a month to host card classes and events.  If you get a chance, take a look at Darla's blog, Scrap Happens Here, by clicking here. . .it is an enjoyable site to visit.

Darla's card design features fall colors and a big flower, which put me in mind of a sunflower with its center made from a patterned dsp and its petals from Stampin' Up's Floral Frames framelits.  For my card, I finished it up on my Mt. Shasta Girls' Getaway with my Mom and sister.  I changed up the sentiment message on the front fishtail flag, and added an Early Espresso card base that made four color mat layers.  With this many layers, I decided to adhere my top two layers and pop them up off the bottom two layers.  I think the dark brown cardbase really enhances the big flower's patterned center, and I like that with just a quick glance, the flower pops, and it really catches your eye.  

I really loved the look of this card.  I think the big patterned flower really did it for me, and with my few changes, it still retains its original lovely design.  I think my sister-in-law will really enjoy her fall flower card. . .take a look below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla (inside), Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, So Saffron, Old Olive.  Patterned: Botanical Gardens dsp (Occasions 2016).  Stamps: Sunburst Sayings (sentiment).  Dies: Floral Frames (retired), Botanical Builder, Punch: Curvy Corners (retired).  Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Candy Dots, Pearls.  Fishtail Flag (handmade).  Verse sentiment: unknown (borrowed).  Size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

Birthday Niece #2 is a BIG Two!

This is my second great niece with a late September birthday, and she will be a GREAT big two-years old.  I had the chance to spend a little time this spring getting acquainted with Addie, and she is a delight!  She has such a funny little personality, and she is just as cute as she can be with her big blue eyes and her gigantic smile.  

I just love making children's cards because they are so much fun, and it gives me a feeling of  joyfulness during the entire process.  It allows the years to slip away and brings back fun childhood memories.  While in this nostalgic mood, I reminisced about how my brother and I used to look forward to Saturday morning cartoons, where one of our favorites was Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their adventures.  

Thinking about Addie with her adventuresome personality, I thought it would be fun to make her a really cute, little, girly Minnie Mouse card, but I needed a little help getting my children's cardmaking  mojo going after being on a sympathy card binge of late.  I went on line to check out Minnie cards on Pinterest, but found there weren't a whole bunch to choose from.  A few used embossing folder texturing and I like that idea, as it reminded me of my "happy birthday" embossing folder that I had used earlier this year on my young boy "Minion" card.  With mojo arriving, I decided on a pink Minnie rather than the traditional red, adding to my desired girly look.  Take a look below at my finished Minnie card inside and out!  I think it will bring smiles and giggles of delight when viewed by its recipient.

Ingredients: Stampin' Up cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo.  Dies: MemoryBox Stitched Scalloped Circles; Spellbinders Classic Circles; Cottage Cutz Expressions-Birthday, Girl. EK Punches:  Circles-2-1/2," 1-3/4," 1," Victorian Corner (modified).  Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Embossing Folder.  Ribbon:  Stampin' Up 1/2" Scallop Dots-Melon Mambo (retired); 1/8" Taffeta-Melon Mambo; Offray 3/8" Black & White Dot.  Uni-ball White Gel Pen.  Stash: Button, Rose Embroidery Floss.  Size:  5-3/8" x 6".

Birthday Niece #1 Turns A BIG Four!

I have two great nieces who have birthdays in late September.  For niece #1, I decided to use a little punch art to make a cute little girly dress on her card for her special day.  Over the last several years, I have seen several little girl dresses on card on Pinterest, some  done with punch art and some with dies.  Needing to get my creative juices flowing, I decided to re-visit "little girl punch art dresses" on Pinterest to see what I could find.  I found one that looked like a little tutu made from pink vellum for the skirt, using Stampin' Up's Blossom Builder Punch, which is now retired, but, I am happy to say is part of my tool stash.  

Looking at this Pinterest card brought to mind several little girls I had seen shopping with their Moms wearing tutu-style dresses, as it seems to currently be a part of a lot little girls' wardrobes.  These dresses seem to come in all types of styles and fabrics from really frilly and fancy silky fabrics with ruffled tulle layers to a little more casual style with a knit top and gathered ruffles layered about three layers deep.  

Well, my juices were flowing. . .I would use my seldom used Blossom Builder punch to make my skirt and my Spellbinders Decorative Dress dies for the bodice.  I would not use tulle or vellum, but rather complimentary paper patterns.   My little tutu dress card is VERY girly and VERY pink, and I think my two-year old great niece will love her new little dress card.  Take a look below at the finished card, both inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Shimmery White.  Darice Core'dinations cardstock pack: Soft Side.  BoBunny Tutu Double Dot.  Recollection Glitter Iridescent White cardstock.  Recollections Itsy Bitsy Ditsy: Cherry Pie (floral).  Stampin' Up sentiment stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Stampin' Up Ink: Melon Mambo.  Stampin' Up Labels Framelits.  Stampin' Up Punches: Blossom Builder, Curvy Corners; Word Window (all retired).  Ribbon: Stampin' Up-Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta; Offray 3/4" pink check.  Size: 6-1/8" x 5-1/4".

Retirement Congratulationns Are in Order!

My friend and cousin-in-law has just retired after many years working for Koch Industries.  She will now join the ranks of us who enjoy everyday being Saturday and can go to bed at night and not have to set the alarm for tomorrow morning!  To commemorate this milestone in her life, I wanted to make and send her a congratulations retirement card.  I love black and yellow together so that is the color scheme I decided to use.  I hope she is careful to following the suggested things to do during retirement found in the card inside. . .one of which is to relax!  Take a look below at my finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin'Up cardstock: Daffodil Yellow, Basic Black.  MFT dies: Flutter of Butterflies.  Cottage Cutz Expressions dies: Congratulations (modified).  Sizzix Original die: Frame-Scallop Oval.  Stampin' Up punch: Curvy Corners (retired).  HugSnug: Goldenrod.  Darice Frosted Gems.  ColorBox: Chestnut Roan (distressing).  Patterned paper scraps.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Getting Better After Surgery. . .

A long-time friend has had surgery, and I am sure she is not feeling her best; therefore, I wanted to send her a little card to let her know that my husband and I are thinking about her and hoping for a speedy recovery.  I thought I would use a card that I made several years ago at a card class given by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, because I thought its sentiment was perfect....simply...."My Friend."  Inside I dressed it up with a little verse I composed and created a design that compliments the front.  It is made with such a bright and cheerful paper, I thought it would bring a smile to her face.

Ingredient:  Stampin Up products.  Cardstock:  Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Yellow.  Pattern:  Summer Smooches (retired).  Stamps: Perfect Punches (retired).  Ink: Rich Razzleberry.  Punches:  Curly Label (retired), 1/2" Circle; 1" Circle, Curvy Corners (inside/ retired).  Embossing Folder: Square Lattice (retired).  Regals Mini Brads (retired).  Technique: Embedded Embossing.  Size:  4-1/4" x 5-1/4"

An 11-Year Anniversary Celebration!

My oldest daughter is celebrating her 11th anniversary in the first half of September, and I wanted to make her a very feminine card this year.  Usually, I try for a middle-of-the-road card that sort of suits a man as well without being too masculine, but their cards have had fish, crossword puzzles, camping, two candied apples in a jar, and more...not really a girlie card; whereas, suitable for a man.  I decided this year Michele deserved one that was made with just her in mind.  Take a peek below at my finished card, which though made with Michele in mind, is for her husband as well!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up papers:  Shimmery White card base, Gold Foil, Gold Glimmer, Fancy Foil Vellum (hearts).  Bazzill Platinum Shimmer Vellum.  Cottage Cutz Expressions dies.  EK Scallop Scalloped punch.  Stampin' Up Curvy Corner punch (retired).  Offray 3/4" Gold Glitter ribbon.  Stampin' Up Gold/White Metallic Twine.  Stash:  Mini pearls, Shimmery sheer flower, Gold leaves.  Size:  5-1/4" x 6".  

Fun Birthday Splatters For A Niece!

One of my sister's girls has a birthday in my birthday month of August.  I thought I would like to try out the Splatter Technique that I was briefly introduced to just about a year ago in late August at a cardmaking/ teaching class given by the Stampin' Up duo. . .Dara Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum.  This first try was on a Christmas card, and it seemed a simple enough technique and quite effective so I thought I would try it again.  Take a look at my niece's finished card, which I cased using a card design by Darla Watson, a California Stampin' Up demonstrator that I visited during my trip south this past spring. 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Bermuda Bay, Whisper White.  Sponging Ink--Pear Pizzazz, Bermuda Bay.  Stamp--Sassy Salutations (retired).  Stamp Ink: Old Olive.  Sequins--Metallics.  Splattering: Bermuda Bay Ink.  White Emobssing Powder.  Papertrey Ink stamp--Inside & Out: Birthday I.  Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  (Thanks Darla Watson for your lovely original design).

The Story & Tidbits

Darla's card that I chose to case was definitely a clean and simple style, of which I am not generally a fan, but this particular card used one of my favorite color combination: teal and pear green; thus, it really caught my eye.  The original card had a less splatters on the front, as it was achieved by stamping the splatters with Stampin' Up's Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  For me, it didn't have enough splatters, thus the idea came to mind to use the Splatter Technique that I had learned and used that one time.  It achieves a similar look to spritzing as well, but I find it much more controllable and your splatters do not end up as large, which is what I wanted in this case. 

First, I heat-embossed my sentiment with white embossing ink.  Next, I sponged my ink colors onto the front area as shown on the card.  I sponged until I achieved the color depth I desired.  The final step is to add your splatters either by stamping with an appropriate stamp, such as Stampin' Up's Gorgeous Grunge, or by using the Splatter Technique, which I describe below.

The Splatter Technique is achieved by using a water brush, (in Stampin' Up lingo, it's called an Aqua Painter), which has its hollow barrel filled with water, stamping ink, and the flicking motion.  For your color, you can use a bottle of stamp re-inker by dropping a few droplets onto the inside lid of its matching stamp ink pad, or by squishing your stamping ink onto its box lid, or dropping your ink onto a large acrylic stamping block (because it cleans up easily).  There are other ideas out there as well.  For the flicking motion: gently squeeze the water brush barrel to load your brush tip with water, dip the wet water brush into the re-inker drops, lay the barrel of the water brush across your pointer finger about one inch below its bristles, and finally, flick (or snap) the brush barrel below the bristles with your other hand.  Reload your brush with water as needed and with ink, and repeat the flicking motion until you get enough splatters to suit.  The distance the brush is away from your paper will change the splatter effect.  So, practice with it, achieve the color intensity desired, you feel comfortable with the flicking motion, and you achieve the look you like.  

If you do not have a water brush, you can also use a regular paint brush (like one that comes in a children's paint set),  dip and wet its brush well into a small container of water and then into your ink drops and flick.  For the most intense color, you can use a regular paint brush, dampening it just to moisten, wipe off excess water on a paper towel, and dip directly into your ink drops and flick.  You can also mix your ink color and water prior to flicking.  The formula I was told to use for this method was approximately one tablespoon of water to one to three drops of re-inker, depending on how dark you want your ink splatters to be.

As you can see, there are a variety of Splatter Techniques and even more than I have mentioned.  Check it out on Pinterest or YouTube videos. . .enjoy Splattering!!!

A Special Card for Mom's Birthday!

As is true every year. . .I always want to make an extra special card just for Mom for her birthday.  It needs to be something pretty and feminine that she will love.  My gosh, it is difficult to believe, but Mom will be 91 this year!  I just returned from a long and wonderful visit during May and the first half of June, and I am happy to say that she is just as spry as she has always been.  She always was able to walk my legs off on any mall shopping trip.  

For her card, my creative juice have been fermenting for quite some time while I was busy making other cards.  I had definitely decided that somehow I was going to use flowers on her card by using my new Stampin' Up Botanical Builder framelits that I had purchased in the early spring and somehow had never gotten around to using them!  Shame on me!  Take a look at my finished card that I finally decided upon, as well as the finished inside to coordinate with my outside creative design.

Ingredients:  Bazzill Platinum Frost Vellum.  DCWV: Watercolors Stack.  Darice Glitter Silk: Opulent Opal (glitter paper).  SU products:  Pretty in Pink cardstock, Gold Foil, Pretty in Pink Ink, Botanical Builder framelits.  Digital image by 2 Cute Ink: Pretty Ostrich.  Copic Marker coloring.  MFT dies: Zigzag Stitched Ovals.  Spellbinder dies: Big Scallop Ovals SM (largest).  EK punch: Arrows.  Wink of Stella: Gold.  Technique: Cloud Sponging.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

The Story + Tidbits

Not only did I know I wanted to add flowers made with my Botanical Gardens thinlits, I also wanted to use a flamingo, which seems to be all the rage right now.  I found this darling flamingo paper in a DCWV stack called Watercolors.  It was shade in the ombre style in a light pink-violet shading into almost white at the bottom.  It was really just was I was looking for except I was looking for more of a real pink shade without the violet tinge.  My solution was to choose the perfect pink for my cardbase, which turned out to be Pretty in Pink (a retired Stampin' Up color).  I then sponged the flamingo paper with the Pretty in Pink stamp pad ink until I got the depth of color I desired.

In my mind's eye I had light pink vellum mixed with Pretty in Pink shaded petals and gold foil for the leaves and flower centers to match the gold foil flamingos.  I had some really pretty frosted platinum white vellum that looked pearlescent.  I sponged the back and the front of the flower petals with the Pretty in Pink stamp ink, which doesn't really show up in the picture.  Next, I chose Pirouette Pink cardstock for the base of the flowers and shaded them with the Pretty in Pink ink as well so it had different shadings of light and darker rather than a flat color by just using the color of the cardstock.  It made for a prettier more realistic flower, though I don't think the picture does it justice.

I colored my 2 Cute Ink digi image with Copic Markers to match my cardstock and patterned paper colors, choosing a darker shade for the head flower and body flowers on the little flamingo.  I also used Wink of Stella: Gold on the digi images flower centers.  Except for the larger head flower, I'm not sure this gold glittery effects shows up elsewhere.  Next came the background behind my flamingo digi.  I didn't think just a brushed light blue with my Copic markers would really look that good and I thought it needed clouds.  So, I used the cardstock template idea made with a scalloped die to get the look you see on the card picture.  I had seen several YouTube videos showing this technique, but never tried it myself.  I think it turned out okay, but feel I still need a bit more practice to feel totally comfortable.

Sending Prayers!

My oldest daughter's husband's father has been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis is not looking good.  My husband and I have liked Don's parents from the very first time we met them, so I very much wanted to make and send a special card to let them know they are both in our thoughts and prayers.  Take a peek at what I came up with below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Silver Foil.  Stamps--Grateful Bunch; Dot for Days (background - retired).  Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black.  Punches--Curvy Corners (retired); 1" Circle; 1-1/4" Scallop Circle; Blossom Bunch.  Embossing Powder--Silver.  1/8" Stitched Satin ribbon--Bermuda Bay.  Baker's Twine--Bermuda Bay (Copic Colored - retired).  Pearls (Copic colored).  Stash:  1" Organza Sage/White Check.  Die--QuicKutz Fancy Scallop Corner (retired).  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-1/2".

Happy Birthday Celebrations for "Betty"!

Happy Days!  My card has been chosen as a

SPLITCOASTERS FAVORITE OF THE WEEKENDING - JULY 3, 2016

A little vintage Betty Boop card for my daughter, Michele's birthday celebration!

Ingredients:  SU cardstock: Blushing Bride.  DCWV Old World Stack (glitter applied).  Authentique: Promise collection/ Six (floral).  My Mind's Eye: The Sweetest Thing collection/ Honey "Love" Fond (check).  Dies: Spellbinder's-Heart Squares; MFT-Stitched Squares STAX.  SU punches: Modern Label; Word Window (both retired).  Recollections flowers.  Elmer's Craft Adhesive Spray.  Martha Stewart Glitter: Crystal Fine.  EK punch: Basketweave Corner.  Computer-made sentiment and verse.  Size: 5-1/2" square.  (Splitcoaster Thread: Weed Ending 7-3-16/ #142).

The Card's Story & Other Tidbits

My daughters and I are planning  a "Girls' Night Out" date in celebration of the oldest one's birthday!  We are going to enjoy the magic of Teatro Zinzanni's Hotel L'Amour tonight and can't wait for it to start.  We will be all dressed up in colorful attire, with boas, masks, and funny little hats.  You may wonder, "What is Teatro ZinZanni's?"  The best description is:  a three-hour whirlwind of international cirque, comedy, burlesque and cabaret artists all served up with a scrumptious multi-course feast and elegant libations!

Since the family celebrated Michele with a short-notice, pre-birthday get-together last week-end, I had to have a card very quickly, so a pretty one came out of my finished stash.  I was very disappointed that I did not have time to complete my card idea that had been mulling around in my brain for the past several months while vacationing in California and without all my own cardmaking equipment.  Then I thought of a great idea, I would finish up her card this week and give it to her on our "Girls' Night Out."

My idea started with a bubble bath digital image of some sort to color and frame in a sassy, vintage-style card, because Michele loves bubble baths to de-stress after a busy day at work.  I ended up using a Betty Boop vintage, bubble bath image that was already colored rather than a black and white for my coloring.  There is, of course, a story explaining why this bubble bath Betty Boop image was perfect!

Michele's fun-time, nickname from her sister is Betty.  Don't ask me how that all got started, but somehow over five to eight years ago, when they were goofing around Michele became Betty and Jackie becames Roxy, each with a new personna and a new voice.  It can be pretty hilarious to watch them interact together or to listen to a telephone call between Betty and Roxy!  About a year or so ago, Ginger, their sister-in-law, joined in the group and became Felicity, our sister from another mother.  One time, in the not too distant past, when the girls were shopping for stylish sister "night out" garments, I laughingly said Michele fit the Betty Boop look with her dark hair and diva costume.  So, there's the explanation of why a bubble bath Betty Boop was perfect.  

To make my card, I needed the perfect papers to compliment my Betty Boop image.  I wanted a bit of glitter, especially on my image frame.  I decided to be a bit creative with an old piece of muted, mottled, pinkish DCWV Old World damask paper by applying spray adhesive and sprinkling on the glitter, letting it dry, and dusting it off.  Voila, I had created my very own glitter paper!  (Sorry the glitter does not show up well in the photo.)  I decided this would be my first mat layer applied on top of the Blushing Bride cardbase, and I would also use it for the image frame cut from Spellbinder's Nesting Heart Squares.  Once this paper decision was made, I searched for two more complimentary patterns to use with it, and away I went creating the design in my mind's eye.  In reviewing my card when finished, I wish I had used a corner decorator punch on the layers. . .maybe next time!  

My final step as is my tradition in cardmaking, is to create an inside that compliments the card front design, and to make up or find a verse that's just right for the occasion.  I think Michele will enjoy her card on our Teatro's night out when she and Jackie are all dolled up looking like Betty and Roxy, the divas.

A Day to Honor Fathers!

Our four children and spouses will arrive at our home on Father's Day bringing the goodies to make a magnificent barbecue dinner to celebrate my husband and myself.  You see...as I was traveling on Mother's Day to spend time with my 90-year old mother on her day, my day was planned to be celebrated with my husband on Father's Day.  We are willing to share our days with one another!

I wanted to make a special Father's Day card for my husband to not only celebrate him, but to thank him for allowing me a long vacation away to visit my family in California. ( I have to say, I was a busy gal, and enjoyed every minute of it!)  I have had the Stampin' Up Traveler stamp set for some time, and I have been itching to use it, but have never taken the opportunity.  I won a second copy of this very stamp set at a stamping event, which I brought down to share with my mother.  This was perfect. . .I'd use her set while visiting.

The stamp I wanted to use is the vintage locomotive, and I had in mind to emboss it to fit my black, white, and red card theme.  I used the Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set to form my background in Real Red and Smokey Slate. . . modifying it just a bit.  By using my MISTI stamping tool, I was able to wipe off half the red ink with a baby wipe and yet still be able to repeat-stamp to get a rich impression.  I was also able to re-position for the gray to enlarge that area.  I have to say, I just love my MISTI stamping tool.   Take a look at my finished train card below...it really is black, white and red in RIL...don't know why the picture picked up pink and charcoal)!  I think my husband will be very pleased with his Father's Day card.

I finished off my husband's Fathr's Day card by crafting an inside to coordinate ith the outside creation, and I fashioned a little verse fitting this special occasion.

Recipe:  Recollections cardstock: Black, Pewter.  Patterns: DCWV Bella Armoire Stack.  Stampin' Up products:  Red Glimmer Paper; Stamps--Traveler, Perpetual Birthday Calendar; Inks--Real Red, Smoky Slate; Embossing Powder--Black; Dies--Finishing Touches Edgelits-Pinked (retired).  Cottage Cutz dies: Expressions--Happy, Father's Day.  Recollections: Red Pearls.  EK punch: Scallop Corners-Medium (inside).

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.

Celebrating Birthday #93 and Counting!

Of 10 aunts and uncles from his father's side of the family and 11 from his mother's family, my husband's last surviving aunt is about to have her 93rd birthday!!!!  I, being from a small family, have always found the size of my husband's family mind-boggling!  Being the last of her generation in the family, I have been trying to be sure I make and send a birthday card to Aunt Joanie every year.  I even made two cards for her several years ago when the entire family "showered" her with cards for her 90th birthday. . .two because I made one for my husband's mother to send as well.  Aunt Joanie has an amazing sense of humor, and it is certainly easy to keep her in a special place in your heart.

I love tag card, so decided to borrow a card design made by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog) several years ago that I have always admired, and I thank her for the idea.  My card uses the same color tones and some of the same papers, but is 5-1/2" square instead of an A2 size.  I have also added another background layer, sewing machine stitching, pearls, and changed the sentiment and placement.  I hope Aunt Joanie likes her card, which will travel from Washington to Kansas for her birthday.

Recipe:  Paper: Georgia Pacific White cs (base); Recollections-Dots, Stripes & Plaids; MME-Everyday Tango (blue-green dot);  MME Fine & Dandy-Tickled Pink Delicate/ Engaging/ Delighted.  Papertrey Ink stamps/die:  Delightful Dahlia.  Copic Markers.  SU punch: Word Window/ Scallop Edger.  Zutter Corner Rounder (pocket).  Martha Stewart punch: Lace Floral Edger (inside).  Computer-made sentiment/ Xiorama font.  Stash:  Button, Baker's Twine, Pearls, Crochet Lace.  Sewing machine zig-zag/ straight stitch.

Serene Silhouettes Inspiration!

I made a little card designed by my friend, Liz Thayer, at her Totally Loving Christmas event back in August.  I had this stamp set in my stash, but had never used it or thought about it in terms of a Christmas stamp.  It was such a wonderful, serene Christmas scene that it inspired me to make another, using her fog technique and torn snow mounds.  As I like layering in my cards, I added a few more layers and patterned paper to the look, as well as enlarging my card.  I really liked how the pattern paper picked up and enhanced the bird coloring to make them pop.  Thanks Liz for the wonderfully pleasing effect of this card.  It makes you feel like you are looking out the window at a pristine snow-covered world that no one has dared to walk upon to mare its excellence!

Recipe:  SU stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Gorgeous Grunge (background illuminate), Petite Pars (sentiment). SU cardstock: Basic Black (base), Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry. Sycamore Street dsp. SU ink: Smoky Slate (stamping, sponging, distressing), Illuminate Glimmer. SU markers: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry. SU Dazzling Details-silver.