A Birthday for a Dear Friend!

One of the ladies that I worked with for over ten years has a birthday right after Christmas. It is my bad that I never seem to be able to get a card mailed to her for her special day. I know it is the busyness of the holiday season that hinders me every year with the all the shopping, wrapping, church events, family visiting, etc., but still that is just no darned excuse and I feel bad every year.  I was determined that this would not happen this year, so while visiting my mother in California during October, I made it a point to get Karen's card finished except for this inside decorations and verse, which I just finished the other day. 

I chose this card to make that came from a kit designed by Becca Feeken and had been saving for a very special person. And though it is not one of my own designs, I just love Becca Feeken's wonderful card designs, especially this cards message on front and its soft colors.  I hope Karen enjoys her birthday and likes my card, made especially for her.

I decorated the inside of the card to coordinate with the paper patterns on the front, and  I prepared a little verse in celebration of Karen's birthday as well. It commemorates our special friendship that started so many years ago. 

Recipe: Becca Feeken Amazing Grace Kit: October 2012.  Recipe:  Cardstocks: Neenah Cream (base), American Crafts-Kraft, Geyser. Kaisercraft-Magnolia 6x6 pad (Damask/ Rose Scallop Border). Stamps: JustRite It's Sew Vintage. SU Ink: Rose-Red. Spellbinders Exclusive Becca Feeken dies. Hug Snug Siam Pink seam binding ribbon. Vintage button. Double-head pearl hat pin.

MERRY CHRISTMAS: For the Birds!

Merry, Merry Christmas to all!  

Hope your day is delightful!

Here is another card that evolved from one I started at Liz Thayer's Totally Loving Christmas in August.  The card center was Liz's design with a smidgen of layout changes.  With my seeming need to layer and enlarge everything I seem to put my hand to, I trimmed the green embossed layer to an almost-square.  I then added three more layers beneath it, starting from a new Real Red cardbase, an Early Espresso mat layer, and then some patterned dotted paper from my stash. Again, with this card, I think the pattern made the little bird pop off the card more and added a bit of interest as well.  I loved the two different types of embossing that Liz planned for the mat behind the bird's circle and the Old Olive layer.  Wonderful touches on this card!

Recipe: SU products: Stamps-For the Birds. Cardstock-Real Red base, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Whisper White. Silver Glimmer. Embossing folders: Fancy Fan, Northern Flurry. Punch: 2-1/2” Circle punch. Deco Labels framelit. Markers: Rose-Red, Midnight Muse, Old Olive. Rhinestones. SU Early Espresso 1/8” Taffeta ribbon.  Recollections Christmas Stack (pattern). StazOn Black Ink.

Santa's New Suit!

I went to a cardmaking event this past August and made over 12 Christmas cards for the coming Christmas.  One card was depicting Santa's bright red suit with belt buckle.  After completing the card, I decided it would be just right for my oldest son, David, but it just need something more added.  

I went to work remaking the idea of the card with just a bit more flair.  My Santa suit would have the white fir edged in scallops to create the idea of a furry white trim.  Straight sides just didn't suggest fir to me.  I decided rather than a "belly band" belt, it should be a real belt, so I trimmed the overlap in a "V" shape to represent the end of the belt and attached it directly the the card so that it was no longer a slip off/ slip on "belly band." Then, I dropped my belt and its buckle lower as one would usually sees on a fat man, because the belt just won't quite fit around his jolly fat middle.  I felt the coat buttons were too small and too plain, so I chose larger black faceted buttons with a silver rim, and I spaced them further apart.  Now, it was looking like I thought it should! I know David will really like his Santa's festive red suit.

Here is a peek below at the inside design and the computer verse that I composed to suit the card's exterior design.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks - Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray.  Punch - Decorative Label.  Embossing Folder -  Petals A Plenty.  Dazzling Details - Silver Sparkle (glitter glue).  Candy Dots w/silver brads).  Brads - mini black.  EK punches: Scalloped Scallop Edger; CardCreators - Interlaced Corner.  Computer verse.

Sassy Little Penguin!

I went to a Christmas cardmaking event at the Rock, Paper, Scissors store in Redding, CA when visiting my mother about a year ago.  We were given 18 card kits to make at the event (and, unfortunately, it has since gone out of business).  I was not able to stay to finish all of the card, so took several home with me unfinished.  I pulled some of the bagged kits out to finish this year, but found that somehow I did not have the instructions, but only pieces of papers and embellishments in the bags.  Enclosed in one of the kit bags was a little penguin that I would say may have been cut using a Cricuit, but I'm not sure as I'm not familiar with the Cricuit myself.   I was not sure exactly how he was to go together and there really seemed to be too many pieces for the front of the card, so I thought I would just focus on the penguin and his possible parts. I decided to put on my creative mojo cap and see what I could some up with.

First, there was not enough papers to create a card with any layering, so out came my Christmas paper stash.  I was on the hunt to look for papers that would go with the olive/white dotted paper provided and a red and yellow penguin!  I decided to leave the cardbase white, though I had to enlarge it because of adding layers.  I also decided to add a layer of red, a stripe with compatible coloring, and a doily.  The sentiment in the bag did not seem to fit the size of the papers, so I found a new "Merry Christmas" sentiment that would fit the width, deciding to layer it in red with fishtail ends. He also needed eyes...little black eyes to be sure and some holly berries for his hat.  Now, I was ready to begin, and here is how my penguin ended up in its finished product.

Recipe:  Georgia Pacific White cs. Bazzill Classic Red/ Bling cs. Bella Blvd.: Christmas Wishes/ North Pole-dots. Fancy Pants: Traditions-Christmas Morning/stripe. Stampin’ Up stamp: Greetings of the Season. Stampin’ Up Ink: Early Espresso. Wilton 4” Doily. Cricuit penguin cutout. Stampin’ Up 2” Oval punch.  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Cherry Red MultiCraft Gumdrop Glitter Gems.

A Little Copic Coloring at Christmas!

During this past year, I have done very little Copic coloring, and I have so many cute little stamps from Stampin' Up that just need a bit of coloring to make the card just right!  In looking over my Christmas stamp stash, I found a cute little set that I had not yet used:  Polar Party.   Without really knowing how I wanted this card to look when finished, I colored my trees and decided it needed a bit of new-fallen snow on the ground below the trees, using Stampin' Up Iridescent Dazzling Delights over the ground that I had lightly colored in pale mint green.  I set my image off to the side to dry while I search for the perfect papers to compliment it.  Even though this stamp set doesn't jump right out as a vintage style stamp, somehow, I managed to choose papers that allowed it to be turned into my vintage simple style.  

After the papers where chose, I decided my trees needed red, gold, and white rhinestone and pearl ornaments and tree-toppers.  I decided to cut my image with a circle die and used Spellbinder Dahlia as a back frame.  From there the red sparkle netting seemed to fit just right.  I love using netting, but the card has to be just right for it to be the right touch!  I hope you like my little tree card...I think it turned out very festive.

Recipe:  Bazzill Classic Red cs. DCWV Christmas stack (2011).  Authentique: Festive-Joyful stripe.  Stampin’ Up stamp: Polar Party.  Stampin’ Up Ink: Basic Black.  Copic Markers.  Recollections: pearls & rhinestones.  Stampin’ Up Dazzling Details: Iridescent.  EK Punch: Grateful Hearts.  Spellbinders die: Dahlia + Classic Circles LG.  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  JoAnns: Red Sparkle Netting (fabric). 

Snowflakes Glisten!

My Christmas paper stash is brimming!  In thumbing through, I found a perfect group of papers from Echo Park named Winter Park.  These papers are all in beautiful winter blues, grays, white, and silvers that jump right out and say:  "snowflakes in winter wonderland at Christmas."  I have several lovely snowflake punches, dies, and border punches and thought that was where I should start.  My card would also need some Glittery paper as well to enhance the Winter Park paper for sure.  Here is what happened when all these paper and tools came out to play!

Recipe:  Papers: Georgia Pacific-White cs.  Stampin’ Up-Not Quite Navy cs.  Echo Park-Winter Park stripe.  Recollection-Silver Gray Glitter.  Stampin’ Up stamp: Christmas Punch (ret).  Stampin’ Up Ink: Soft Suede,  Stampin’ Up Snowflake Punch.  Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch (2 sizes). Spellbinder dies: Classic Ovals + Classic Scallop Ovals.  Stampin’ Up Scallop border punch. Martha Stewart Snowflake border punch.  Zutter Corner Rounder.  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Recollections Silver Adhesive Large Brad.

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. 

A Reindeer Bottle Cap!

I bought some bottle caps last year in two different sizes and have never used them.  Of course, it was time to try making an embellishment to use on a card for sure.  I also purchased some one-inch stickers that could be used with bottle caps, and I remembered that one of the images in particular was a favorite.  He was a little Christmas reindeer and he came to mind as I've been busy making my Christmas cards to be mailed during this festive season.  I got out all the necessary pieces: bottle cap, reindeer sticker, and an acrylic bubble.  I looked up some directions on bottle caps and found that running it through the Big Shot in a sandwich would smash down the edges and make it a perfect frame for my reindeer to fit right inside.  In checking out the acrylic bubble, I realized that it was adhesive on the flat side and just glued right down on top of the sticker and into the bottle cap...no muss no fuss!  WOW...I was thinking it was going to be so much more complicated than that!  

Now the search was on for the perfect papers and embellishments to fit my little reindeer bauble with snowflakes glistening.  I found this lovely snowflake paper, but it didn't have quite enough of the Pool Party aqua on the snowflakes that would show around the edges of my matting.  My answer was to color them by sponging these snowflakes with Pool Party stamping ink where needed.  Below is the finished product that developed.

Recipe:  Stampin’ Up Papers: Early Espresso cs, Pool Party cs, Silver Glimmer. MME: Signature Christmas 6x6 pad (brown snowflake). Stampin’ Up stamp: Christmas Punch (ret.). Stampin’ Up Ink:  Pool Party.  Stampin’ Up EF: Snowflake (ret.). EK punch: Vintage Corner Medium. Spellbinder die: Classic Ovals + Scallop Ovals.  The Bottle Co.: 1” bottle cap, 1”Epoxy Dot, Santa Baby Bottle Cap Images (reindeer).  Offray 5/8” White Satin ribbon. Recollections Chocolate Pearls.  

A Vintage Santa!

One of the style of cards that I dearly love is vintage simple.  This is a name I give to vintage cards that are not too over the top with too many frou-frou embellishments and details.  At Christmas, vintage Santas are one of my favorite images.  I have been collecting them in a file on my computer, but have never used one.  I decided this was the year that I had to try my hand at a card featuring a vintage Santa.  I love to frame vintage pictures, and I decided that would be what I would do with my lovely old guy!  Here is how my vintage Santa card evolved.

Recipe: Georgia Pacific White cs. Bazzill Blush Red Medium cs.  DCWV Christmas Stack (2011): green snowflakes. Authentique: Festive-Joyful stripe. DCWV Glitter paper: lime. Graphic Fairy: Old St. Nick color image. Wilton 6” Doily (modified). Colorbox Chestnut Roan distressing. Stampin’ Up Scallop Border punch. Spellbinders: Scallop Ovals LG, Ovals SM, Scallop Squares LG.  Petalloo Poinsettias. Recollections Rhinestones.

A New R.N. in the Family!

Congratulations are in order for my youngest daughter, Jackie!  Today, our family and Jackie's long-time friends gathered to watch and celebrate her R.N. pinning ceremony upon completion of her final quarter in her associate R.N. nursing degree.  She has worked so very hard putting aside many things in her singular effort to become a registered nurse.  We are very proud of all her hard work and her 4.0 grade point average.

So, of course, I had to make a card for Jackie for this special occasion. I made her card while on my vacation in California from an original design by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot).   As I was creating it, I thought it would be perfect for this occasion with the grandfather clock denoting it was time to celebrate something very special.  After completing the outside and deciding on the right sentiment for the front of the card, I began to formulate my inside verse to celebrate Jackie.  I hope she likes the card and the special words meant just for her.

Recipe:  Papertrey Ink designer paper and cardstocks. SU Punches: Modern Label, Word Window. EK Fancy Corners. Papertrey Mehndi Medallion Impression Plate. Sizzix Tags. Wilton 4-inch Doily. Hug Snug Melon seambinding ribbon. MFT Felt: Jellybean Green. Prima flower. Stash: Lace & Fringe.

It has been an interesting voyage watching this young lady grow from a gawky teenager to a beautiful young lady.  She began her college career thinking she wanted to be a professional photographer.  Her first college degree at the local community college was an Associated of Arts degree.  She went from there to the Seattle Art Institute and received a photography degree...her specialty fashion photography!   After several years of working in photography, she came to the conclusion that to be really successful in her preferred line of photography, she would have to move from the northwest, and she had no desire to do that.

During these years and somewhere along the way, she became interested in nursing as a possible change for her life's career.  This isn't too strange because both of her grandmothers were nurses, and she has numerous aunts and cousins who are nurses.  To be sure that was her calling, she volunteered at Harborview Medical Center and went back to college to get her Certified Nursing Assistant license.  She was able to get her first CNA job at Harborview and was elated.  After a year of working at Harborview, she was sure she wanted to be a nurse. 

Her attempt to achieve this goal is a little slower than some, as she basically had to start college all over again changing from arts to science!  So, back to college she went while still working part-time at Harborview to acquire the prerequisites needed to even be able to even apply for a nursing program.  It was a long and arduous trek, taking biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, psychology, and numerous other classes, but she was finally ready to find a school.  Trying to get her nursing degree in an economical manner, she chose the L.P.N. to R.N. bridging route at our local community college, which would mean four full-time quarters, and then apply and test for her L.P.N. nursing license.  Working for a year after passing the L.P.N., she bridged to an associate part-time R.N. program while still working part-time in private pediatric care. 

Today, she finished the next step in the ladder to her final goal, getting her B.S.N.  She has already formulated her plan to work as an R.N. for a year, and then apply to the University of Washington's Bachelors of Science R.N. part-time bridge program.  Personally, I think the Bachelor's degree may not end up being the final step, but we'll see as time unfolds.  Her entire family, of course, wishes her the very best and will continue to love and support her!  Though this story became rather lengthy, I hope I did not rattle on too long...can you tell I'm a proud parent!

Using Stampin' Ups New "Merry" Expressions Thinlit #2!

I was so excited when the man in brown delivered by Stampin' Up order to me while vacationing in California.  During a weekend crop at my Mom's, I just had to try out my "Merry" Thinlit on a card of my own.  I love this Teresa Collins Cottage Christmas paper that I purchased last year and didn't get a chance to use.  It is so very festive and perfect for my new cursive die!  I'm big on layers, so I didn't seemed to be satisfied until I had added a minimum of eight layers, including embellishments.  But, surprisingly, even with all those layers, the card remains fairly simplistic in look.  I hope you enjoy my "Merry" little card.

Recipe:  Stampin’ Up Papers: Cherry Cobbler cs (base); Red Glimmer. Recollections: White Glimmer.  Teresa Collins-Christmas Cottage: Sentiments/ Tiny Flowers Stripe. SU Expressions Thinlits. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Zutter Corner Rounder. Petaloo Poinsettia. SU Rhinestones (Copic colored).  Ribbon stash: 5/8” white ruffed sheer; Felt rick rack.

Using Stampin' Ups New "MERRY" Expressions Thinlit #1!

I just purchased Stampin' Up's new Expressions Thinlits a few weeks ago.  The first time I saw this new die and also got to use it was at a Christmas Cardmaking Event hosted by my friend, Liz Thayer.  First, I am including the very first "MERRY" card I made designed by Liz for her cardmaking event.  I did tweak the card a bit with my own ideas by adding a white cardbase below the red to give it another layer and fishtailed my ribbon instead of burying it edges beneath a layer.  This card is just too darn cute and I know whomever I decide to give it to will be delighted!  In my next post, I will show my own card that I designed using this new "MERRY" die.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper-Whisper White cardbase, Real Red cs, Red Glimmer, Season of Style dsp.  Stamp: Happy Hour. Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green. Dies: Expressions Thinlits-Merry. 5/8" Satin-Sheer.

Christmas Glitter Window #3!

Here is my third and final use this year of the Glitter Window technique using Stampin' Up Ornament Keepsake dies.  As you can see the same effect can be accomplished with dies and not just punches.  I've had this red and white spiral paper in my stash for a few years and decided I either needed to throw it out or try to make something with it.  I thought a Glitter Window in the center of its spiral might be interesting.  I found some peppermint candy paper with an aqua background to use as the ornaments decoration.  I ended up fussy cutting one of the peppermints out of the paper and using Pool Party cardstock behind in order to isolate a single peppermint.  I have certainly confirmed that I love the effect of the Glitter Window.

Recipe: Stampin' Up products: Whisper White (base), Real Red, Pool Party cardstocks. Die: Ornament Keepsakes. Clear button. Recollections 180 Christmas Stack. Queen&Co. Red Crystal-coated pearls. Darice fine white glitter. Scotch 3M 2-inch Clear Packing tape. Lyon mini yarn (JoAnns). Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss: Red. Stash: 5/8" white satin-sheer ribbon; 3/8" seafoam satin ribbon; Lyon white/silver mini yarn.