Ladybug Birthday Greetings!

 I have several birthdays in February that I like to make cards for...one is for a dear friend and cardmaking buddy.  To lift her spirits and mine during this glum COVID pandemic, I thought we might both be in the mood for something lighthearted and whimsical.  This Little Ladybug stamp/ die set should be perfect for Carla, who loves to garden.  These little friends can be placed in her garden to multiple and flourish to eat to their heart's content while keeping her garden free of aphids come spring when it is full production!

If you've been reading my blog of late,  you know that I've had no creative mojo for months upon months.  In the last six months, I have resorted to kits, both homemade and purchased, and using them to try and spark my interest.  Another thing you may know from reading me in long ago posts, with a card kit, I just can't make the cards as they are designed.  They always spark ideas that I think I might make the card even better or will change something to make it a more me card!  Once an idea is sparked, I just can't resist, and I just have to try it out!

I have an old card kit from the Stampin' Up 2020 Sale-A-Bration freebie catalog, that I've only made one card with, using my own alternative design with the aqua kerchief paper.  I have not yet touched the red kerchief paper, and I thought it would be perfect with the cute little ladybug stamps.  Of course, this will be my own total alternative card design rather than one that came with the kit itself, which all feature popped flower designs with the die-cuts provided.

With this card, I got in some Copic coloring while creating my own card design...haven't done image coloring in many a month!  Take a peek below at my finished Red Kerchief paper alternative card design, both front and inside:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  2020 SAB Kerchief Card Kit (red kerchief paper / stitched sentiment die-cut); Cardstock--Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, Garden Green, So Saffron (inside); Stamps--Little Ladybug;  Dies--Stitched Scalloped Rectangles;  Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black.  Other:  Copic Markers (ladybug coloring); MFT /die-namics--Fresh Cut Grass; EK Punch--Medium Scallop Corners.  Pretty Pink Posh--gold small sequins.  Size--4-3/4" x 6.

A Thank You Needed for a Wonderful Gesture!

In late August, my daughter and I wanted to go on a mini-vacation for my birthday.  A long-time friend offered her Long Beach, oceanside condo for our use, insisting we take it for the cost of the cleaning fees only.  I really tried to get her to let us contribute some or part of the rental fees she would ordinarily receive, but she firmly refused.  Right then and there, I decided I would make her a thank you card and enclosed a dining gift card to one of her favorite restaurants in the Long Beach area.

Though I purchased the gift certificate while in Long Beach, I was not able to get to that thank you card immediately, because I was still recuperating from my right hand surgery.  I attended a Stampin' Up card class in late September when I was able to start a little cardmaking, and with the help of a friend, I was able to get whatever embossing and die-cutting I needed done.  I planned to finish at home if my hand got too tired.  I was delighted that one of the card designs was a thank you card, which I very much needed to fulfill my plan to thank my good friend.

The thank you card sample had a basic good design and a pretty color palette, but my creative mojo came up with changes I wanted to make, which I completed at home later.  I also wanted to check out some Splitcoaststamper challenges, to see what I needed to meet some requirements, and I was delighted to see if I completed the card using the same basic design and colors, that it would work well with several.  Now, it was time I got to work.

To start, I enlarged the card to my favorite size 4-3/4 in. x 6 in. by adding a new white cardbase and Early Espresso mat layer beneath the top embossed layer.  Then, I applied my thoughts to make the card reflect my creative mojo.  I shifted the sentiment rectangle layers more to the center both to the top and left, as the original was placed very far to the right and to the bottom.  I added three more mini leaves in Pretty Peacock, Old Olive, and Early Espresso to fill in my desired leaf layers.  I added sparkle with Wink of Stella to the added espresso little leaf and the thanks die-cut.  I also added the sequins to add a bit more pizzazz.  I am pretty happy with my modifications and thank Dar Peterson for letting me elaborate upon her original design.

I hope my friend will love her card and thank you gift card.  I know she will enjoy the dinner for two and dessert upon her next visit to the coast. 

I designed an inside layout and composed a little verse to send along in my friend's thank you card.  Take a peek below.

Ingredients List:

Stampin' Up products... Cardstock:  Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Old Olive.  Patterned paper:  Come to Gather dsp (Holiday 2019).  Stamps: Colorful Seasons (leaf vein stamp).  Dies:  Seasonal Layers (leaves); Well Written (thanks).  Embossing Folder: Subtle 3D (background).  5/8" white flax ribbon (sponged w/ Pool Party ink).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".