Family Scrapping Retreat #2

If you follow my blog, you know that I make two long trips to California to visit my mother and my sister in Redding, California.  Of course since I am a "wuss" when it comes to hot weather (over 80 degrees), I try to make my trips in the early spring and fall each year!  My purpose is not only to catch up and have fun doing "girl" stuff, but to spend time making papercrafts with my two favorite ladies.  

I think that we have established a family tradition, in that we like to take a trip away together to do all of the above.  With that in mind, we decided the Mt. Shasta area would be our destination and picked "Cold Creek Cabin" for our lodging.  Everything about the house was perfect, except I would have like to be out a little further out in the "country," as we only 4 blocks from the downtown area.  The woodsy pictures were a bit deceiving with its little creek in the backyard.  I included a few pictures of our little house, which I'd like to pick up and move to the actual woods a mile or so outside Mt. Shasta City (a little town of about 3,400 people).

But, we did have a week full of fun cropping, staying up all hours, sleeping in, shopping at local boutiques, going to the movies, playing Mexican Train, laughing, and just plain gabbing!  We even enjoyed some eventful weather with heavy winds stirring the old-growth cedars surrounding the house and a day or two of light snow that didn't really have a chance to stick with the sun peeping in and out!

For My Wonderful Daughter!

My lovely daughter, who is diligently studying to be an R.N.,  celebrates her birthday in April.  She has wonderful style and absolutely loves umbrellas and goulashes.  I made up this little card for her birthday, taking special care as I won't be there to celebrate with her and will miss having time with her on her special day!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Whisper White cardstock, BoBunny Double Dot Cool Mint, Bazzill Swiss Dot Cornmeal, Doodlebug Flower Box (woodgrain/ flowers), Core'dinations White Glove Glitter, DCWV Shimmer pad (sun). Dies/ stamps:  MFT-Sunshine, Papertrey-Scattered Showers. EK Scalloped Scallop punch. SU stamp: Bootiful Occasions. SU-Chocolate Chip ink, 5/8" satin ribbon. Technique: Paper piecing. 

My Last Easter "Must Do" Card!

I think this will be my final card this year with an Easter theme.  I have made all the necessary ones and gotten those off in the mailed or sealed and ready for delivery on Easter Sunday.  I actually got a few extras done and sent to old friends just to touch base and say "Hi!"  And, I still have more ideas roaming around in my mind as I look over my stash.  But, I must move on to birthday cards needed that will be coming up in April.  Cardmaking is a great hobby, there's always another occasion and a need for one more card! 

I've really enjoyed making my Easter cards this year and still being able to stick to my goal to use everything I already had on-hand.  A good feeling indeed

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Gumball Green, Real Red Core'dinations.  Patterns:  Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker Eggs and Stripe. Stamps: Wacky Wishes. Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy. Papertrey die: Picket Fence. EK punch: 1" Scallop Circle and Standard hole punch.  Creatology Felt bunny and foam leaves (Michael's). Bazzill .75 Bachelor Flower. Jolee Yellow Verbena.  Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss. Ribbon from stash. Signature multi-hue thread/ teals to green (Joann's). 

Easter Peeps!

More using up my stash!  The four little chicks on this cards were pretty plain as they came in the package.  I gave them each a cracked shells so just their heads were peeping up and out!  Then, I joined them up with the chick paper from my stash. . .added a little trim, a little ribbon and a sentiment and voila. . .not a bad looking card.  I think it turned out kind of cute.  I have somebody in mind for this one, hope they like it!

Recipe:  Cardstock: Stampin'Up Baja Breeze, Whisper White, JoAnn's Multi-pack blues. Pattern: Moxie Easter Doodle, DCWV Carte Postale pad (egg shells). Sentiment: Computer-generated.  Dies: Spellbinders Petite Scallop Ovals/ Petite Ovals, Grand Scallop Ovals (inside).  Punches: EK 1-1/4" square, Stampin'Up Scallop Square, EK 3/8" Ribbon Slot Edger, Stampin'Up Scallop Trim. Recollections chicks. JoAnn's 1/4" loop ribbon.

Easter Pastels

I've had this Easter paper in my stash for several years.  It is all aqua and white, metallic and glittery Easter eggs in a variety of designs, but the paper won't lay flat and curls...very strangely.  I had an idea of making a monochromatic card cutting out the eggs and filling a basket with them.  I ran across this card the other day on Pinterest by Heather Klump of a woven basket full of colored eggs...it was just what I'd been thinking of, but was struggling with how to make a basket large enough to hold my eggs.  I'd seen several other basket ideas, but this one fit my mind's eye to a tee.  I thank Heather and hope she doesn't mind that I cased her idea, and elaborated upon it.  Here is what I came up with.

Recipe: Cardstocks: White/blue Coredinations; Stampin' Up Whisper White, Baja Breeze. Pattern: Reiminisce Happy Easter Egg Art. Stamp: SU Delightful Dozen. Ink: SU Baja Breeze. Extras:  SU Clouds Emboss Folder. SU Modern Label punch.  Lt. safe burlap (JoAnns). Ribbon from stash. Becca's Bow Maker. Scotch 1/4" Tape Glider. Redline tape, mini Glue Dots. Scrapbook Scotch tape. 

Easter Cards Are on the Home Stretch!

As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to design my Easter cards this year around using up stickers and dimensionals that have been hanging around in my stash for several years now.  This card is really all about that!  I used parts from several different packages and put them together in an Easter scene.  I loved the bunny painting the egg that is the main feature of the card.  I used my Copic markers to re-color several things.  Since this card is for my oldest son, Mr. Rabbit got a new color on his coat (previously pink) and darker buttons.  I wanted to bring in some brown, so I used that on his collar.  One of the grass-hidden eggs was light pink, so it became magenta, etc.  I think he will like his card.

Recipe:  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up); Pattern: Pinecone Press Plaid, Cloudy Sky (unknown/ Joann's). Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up). Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves. Stampin' Up Pearls (colored with Copics. Stampin' Up Certainly Celery 5/8" satin ribbon, Brown grosgrain stitched ribbon (Michal's).  Jolee's stickers:  Picket Fence, Painting Rabbit, plus various others. Tools: Stampin' Up Clouds Embossing Folder. Dies: Die-namics Grass border. Stampin' Up Modern Label punch. SU Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Sizzilit). Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Easter Cards. . .Reaching the Halfway Point!

My goal yesterday was to finish my mother's Easter card, because it is my last card that needs to be mailed, and I did it!  Yah!  Now, I have four left!  I actually finished four cards in three days, except for the inside verse and embellishments, though the two I had to mail are totally done and off in the mail!  But the most time-consuming part is done.

My fourth card, I made with my son and his wife in mind. I had an idea in my head that I wanted to do a card using a chocolate Easter bunny, but I didn't have one.  If you know me at all, you know that won't stop me. . .so looking in my embellishment stash. . .  I found glittery foam bunnies in different sitting configurations, but they were all bright turquoise, dark lavender, or hot pink.  Of course, that wouldn't do, but an idea sprang to mind.  What if. . .I colored the lavender one, which was sitting in a chocolate Easter bunny stance, making him dark brown.  First I tried my Early Expresso stamp pad, daubing him, but it didn't cover sufficiently.  Next, with fear in my heart, I tried a dark brown Copic marker, using the broad tip, which I never use to color.  The brown that match Early Expresso was really too dark, so he turned out darker than I envisioned, but he was no longer purple! ( I'm actually not sure anything lighter would have covered the purple.)  The bunnies were originally glittery, and he remained that way, but for some reason now the glitter had a greenish cast to it.  I found some paper that went very well with his new color, and here is their card.  I hope they likes it. . .it's kind of dark for traditional Easter colors, but I think they are very rich.  From a purple rabbit to this. . .I'm very satisfied!

Recipe:  Cardstock: So Saffron,  Basic Black (Stampin' Up); Fern (Cordeinations). Patterns: Origins (Basic Grey). Extras: Ribbon: 5/8" satin + 3/8" green/gold metallic (Michaels), Chestnut Road Cat Eye,  Glitter Foam Rabbits ($ Store), Prima roses, Glue Dots, 3-D Foam tape, Redline tape, Scotch tape glider.  Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Labels One, Labels LG, Labels SM. Leaves: Bird punch (Stampin' Up).

Mom's Easter Card is Hatched!

I finished my Mom's card, and I must say, I really liked making this card.  I started with wanting to use up my little furry chick from my stash.  The idea of the chick hatching came from a card I saw on Stampin' Connections last year by Carolyn Beam.  I borrowed the idea, and embellished from there.  Thank you Carolyn.

I used lots of "gotta' make it work ideas" that I had never done before, though I'm sure cardmakers with many years of experience probably have and know a better way to do it.  Following is a list of some of new things tried.

I don't have an egg-shaped die, so I tried using ovals, and though more symmetrical than some eggs, I think it worked.   I used two embossing folders on the same paper: one for the sky and one at the bottom so it wouldn't be so plain.  Finally, the ribbon wasn't the way I wanted it, so I colored in the white parts with Copic markers to match the Midnight Muse cardstock on the trim.  After all that, following is my Mom's card!

Recipe:  Cardstock:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up); Patterns: Prima Madeline Collection, Webster's Pages Your Life, My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Hazel, Kaisercraft Bonjour Collection.  Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up).  Ink: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Pool Party .  Recollection aqua petite pearls.  Stampin' Up Midnight Muse Satin Stitched ribbon.  Chestnut Roan Cat Eye.  Tools: Spellbinders Ovals SM; Lifestyles Pinked Squares.  Stampin' Up Embossing Folders: Clouds, Perfect Polka Dots.  EK Double Crochet Lace punch.  Stampin' Up Modern Label punch.  SU Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit (Sizzilit).  Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Easter's Coming!

It's well past time to begin my Easter cards!  I've been telling myself that I'm getting my creative juices flowing organizing my Pinterest board. . .LOL!  That can certainly be an addiction.  At least, I did try to focus on Easter, so I have to pat myself on my back for at least squashing my desire to do other things that I wanted to do on Pinterest. 

 

This past Thursday was finally the day!  I pulled out my stash of Easter papers and embellishments and opened the Art Bin box.  After looking them over, I decided I really needed to use the stickers and dimensionals I've been collecting for several years rather than work with my stamps or digital images.  I actually finished my first card Thursday, and I'm putting it in the mail today!  It will be traveling across the United States to my daughter in West Virginia.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up  Cardstock: Whisper White, Marine Mist, Summer Starfruit. Michaels: Stripe.  SU stamp: Delightful Dozen.  Ink: Memento Coca Brown.  Recollection pearls, SU Gumball Green Stitched Satin ribbon, Recollections Puffy Chicks, Chestnut Road Cat Eye.  Tools: Lace Circles, Lace Rectangles (Lifestyles). Scallop Trim Border punch (SU). 

My second card was made with my second daughter in mind.  She is very appreciative of my cards, and has purchased two shadow-box picture frames that she uses to change-out the cards to match the holiday or season we are currently in.  The only catch is: I must make the cards 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" to fit the matting in the box.  With that in mind, here is the card I made for Jackie!

Recipe:  Stamp: Everybunny (Stampin' Up) colored w-Copic markers.  Papers: Echo Park Style Essentials Dk. Teal Flourish, Recollections Aqua Dot.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Recollection pearls, BoBunny Dot ribbon.  Tools: EK Lattice Chain LG punch. Lifestyles Lace Rectangles die (used inside).

I think I'm on a roll now!  I have a total of five more "must make" cards, therefore, I have to keep my nose to the grindstone everyday!  My next card will be for my Mom since it also has to be mailed, but at least not across the country!

More Get Well Wishes!!!

My long-time friend, Marlene, is still fighting her battle with her back and recovery from numerous surgeries.  I wanted to send her a fresh batch of get well wishes, so out came my stash of kits to complete the card below.  As most of you know by now, I always love my sister's cards and wonderful creative ideas (Heidi Gonzales - www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  This kit was one I got from her over two years ago.  My only change to the original design was to enlarge it a bit and change the sentiment to fit a get well card.  And, I, of course, composed and poem and decorated the inside. 

 Get well soon, Marlene!

A Good Friends Birthday!

It is a long-time friend and past co-workers birthday today.  I completed the card below several months ago from a kit furnished by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  My only addition to the card was the. . . Just a Note banner and the inside greeting and decorations.  I absolutely LOVE the vintagey look of this card with its quill pen.  I'm hoping Carla will like it as well!

Get Well to a Long-Time Friend

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

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

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

A Masculine Birthday

Today is my oldest son's birthday.  He has always been a computer gamester, so I went in search of an idea that would fit that theme and came up with My Favorite Things Masculine Graphic Tee die & stamp set combo.  As it turned out, I did not use the stamps.  Instead, I used a sticker from the paper line that I modified to fit the front of the T-shirt to become its logo.  Here is the t-shirt I made just for David's birthday!

Next, I needed to add a little sentiment to the inside, and this is what I came up with as time got away from me and dinner reservations were looming...(doesn't it always, LOL)!

Recipe: 

Paper:  Bazzill cardstock (black card base, sage t-shirt, smoke blue star); Patterns:  DCWV - The Generation Tech Stack.  Sentiment: computer-generated w/Word - Algerian 18 font/ charcoal printer ink.  Edge sponging: Cat Eye Charcoal.  Dies:  Spellbinders - Pinking Circles LG, Lacy Pennants (flags), Stars Five; My Favorite Things: Masculine Graphic Tee.  Stampin' Up button. Extras: black twine, pinking shears, back fine marker (faux stitching), Scotch 1/4" tape gun and foam tape.

With Sadness. . .

My husband and I recently received news that the wife of a good friend, with whom my husband worked for many years before retirement, lost her battle with cancer.  In Mary Ann's memory, I made this card to send to her husband, Gary.

The inside is composed with some lovely words that we recently received on a sympathy card in memory of my husband's mother's death.  I hope Gary finds them equally comforting.

Though sympathy cards are not always easy to make because of their subject matter and their need, I have often found that during the process I am able to thoughtfully think of the person that has left us for a better place.  In some strange way, those memories bring healing and comfort.

A 2012 Valentine for My Daughter!

I made this card at a card class given by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  It uses a Mo Manning digital images and Copic markers.  I earmarked this card for my daughter, Jackie.  The little girl is so cute peeking out from behind the Valentine.

Following is my design for the inside of Jackie's card and poem a little poem I composed.  I know Jackie will like her card!