The Last Birthday Card of Year 2014!

It's time to celebrate the birthday of a wonderful lady that I worked with for over ten years and that I'm happy to say remains a good friend as well.  As I mentioned in my blog for her birthday last year, I have a difficult getting her birthday card to her on time because her birthday falls right after Christmas.  I blame it all on the busyness of the holiday preparations and the lack of mail delivery, because I really need to mail it by Christmas Eve in order for it to arrive on time!  I must say I did much better last year!  I am fortunate that she lives fairly close by, because this year I plan to hand-deliver it in order for it to be on time!

I was thinking of a telescoping snowman birthday card originally, because her birthday falls during the winter season, but instead I focused on spring!  Now that's was quite a switch!  To be truthful, the telescoping snowmen cards are very intricate with lots of small parts to be cut and shaped.  I made four of them for Christmas for my four children (see blog postings for December 21, 22, and 23).   Then, once again, with the Christmas holidays, I just ran out of enough time to make one more with birthday papers.  

This spring card is made using one of my favorite Authentique paper collections and one of my favorite set of dies and stamps from Papertrey Ink.  I re-created it from a card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog), which has always been a favorite of mine and led me to purchase the Papertrey dies and stamps for my own cardmaking.   It focuses on those who have a green thumb when it comes to gardening, which fits my friend, Karen perfectly as her yard always so nice and full of flowers she plants each spring.   I hope she enjoys her springy birthday card!

Recipe: SU cardstock: Whisper White (base), Authentique-Renew: Flourish (floral)/ Blossom (stripe)/ Transform (dots).  SU Ink:  Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit.  Memento: Tuxedo Black.  Spellbinders: Bitty Blossom (small).  Papertrey dies/stamps:  Garden Variety.  Papertrey dies: Seed Packet Frame, Leaf Prints.  Hug Snug Seam Binding:  Gabardine Green.  Stash: Olive felt; bird seed.

Totally Loving Christmas!

I attended a Stampin' Up card extravaganza given by my upline, Liz Thayer, in October.  We made ten different Christmas cards, and the designs were all wonderful.  Some of them, I absolutely loved and re-created several of them for family and friends.  I did take some liberties with the design by adding more background layering to increase the size as I like cards larger than the standard A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2")  that are usually presented at most Stampin' Up events.  Following are the cards that I cased from this event and enlarged with additional background layers, though the remainder of the card remains true to the original designs by Liz Thayer.

On Card #1, I added the bottom Night of Navy cardbase and the next layer of solid Silver foil.  Not only did this increase the size the the card, but I really like the additional framing it provided as a background to the original card.

On Card #2,  the original done at the TLC event used a color scheme of Blushing Bride pink.  I already published my pink version on my blog on December 6, 2014.  In the blog report, I mentioned that I added the two layers of the Smokey Slate cardbase and the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper layer.  The original was done on a white cardbase with no glimmer.  I also made my aqua panel a bit wider and added the Scallop Oval layer under the sentiment.

On Card #3, I added the bottom Cherry Cobbler cardbase and the Diagonal Stripe DSP.  I also decided to center my Baker's twines over my Santa tag instead of typing it to the left of the tag.   I thought the stamp set was darling when I saw it in the Holiday catalog, and after seeing it made up, it did not disappoint!

Card #4 is like the navy Card #1; I simply added two more layers under what was the Very Vanilla cardbase.  My re-creation then had a Blackberry Bliss cardbase topped with a Gold Foil layer and then was finally topped with the card as it originally looked.  I like the added layers as I think it Makes the gold foil JOY and little metallic gold ribbon bow stand out more.  Though this picture doesn't show it well, the Blackberry Bliss top layer is embossed with the Filigree Frame embossing folder from the 2014 Holiday catalog.

To this Card #5, I just added the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper between the Cherry Cobbler cardbase and the Crumb Cake layer.  I did have to cut a new and larger carbase to accommodate the added layer, but the rest of the card is true to Liz's original design.

To Card #6, I added two layers in between the white cardbase and the Soft Sky top pinecone layer:  Lost Lagoon and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer cardstocks.  I also decided to move the vertical Lost Lagoon and 1/8" Silver ribbons and layer them horizontally across the card and under the sentiment banner.  I also decided to use a larger double bow on the left of the sentiment rather than the much smaller single bows on the original card.  In addition, I shortened my sentiment banner to show off the ribbon added underneath and give the double bow a place to sit.

On Card #7, I added patterned paper between the cardbase and the black layer.  I also enlarged the black layer to better accommodate the enlarged Very Vanilla stamped layer.  This allowed most of the entire tree limb of the bird stamp to show rather than quite a bit of the tip to be cut off.  I moved the burlap ribbon a tad to the right and shortened and centered my sentiment fishtail banner.  I like the balance I achieved by doing these small touches.  Once again, the original design had Argyle embossing on the black layer, but it doesn't display well in the picture.  I colored my bird with Blendabilities and some Copics rather than the Stampin' Up markers.

Card #8 was another of my favorite designs presented at the TLC Extravaganza.  Again, I added two layers between the bottom Whisper White cardbase and the very top Real Red layer on which the dotted dsp and the tag rests.  I needed to enlarge my white cardbase because of the increased size to the card with the added layers of Real Red and the Diagonal Striped DSP.  Other than adding those two in-between layers, the card remains true to Liz's original design.

Thanks Liz for the wonderful Totally Lovin' Christmas Extravaganza and the wonderful card designs.  In re-creating my own cards, I totally cased your cards, but added a bit of my own touches.

Recipes:
Card #1 -   Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstocks--Night of Navy, Whisper White;  Vellum--Fancy Foil Vellum-Silver.  DCWV Foil Stack: Silver.  Stampin' Up stamps:  Lovely As A Tree (Annual), Making Spirits Brights (sentiment-2014 Holiday), Holiday Home (stars-2014 Holiday).  Stampin' Up Ink: White Craft, Night of Navy.  Stampin' Up Punch: Modern Labels.  Stampin' Up Ribbon: 5/8” White Satin.  Other: Mini silver brads, Mini Rhinestones.  Size:  5-1/4” x 6-1/4”.

Telescoping Snowman #4 - Folk Art Colors!

I finally finished my fourth telescoping snowman card for my fourth offspring.  Now, I do have to decided who gets which one, but I think I already have a pretty good idea.  I did decide to do #4 with folk art colors, and I found a piece of  Kaisercraft Christmas paper that had small squares of all the papers in the St. Nicholas collection.  It was perfect for this project.  I paired it with Stampin' Up's Old Olive for my cardbase and a mat layer of Red Glimmer to place my squares on.  My hardest job was finding a pattern I like for the middle body circle.  Don't why that was so difficult, but I had my heart set on the Peace, LOVE, and Joy label from the same Kaisercraft St. Nicholas collection, and I needed something to contrast but look like it belonged together.  I finally selected a Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium ivy paper.  I am actually happier with the final design than I thought I would be, and now it's time to share with you!

Recipe:  SU cardstocks:  Old Olive; Red Glimmer.  Kaisercraft St. Nicholas collection - Babbo Natale/ Papa Noel/ Mr. Claus.  Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium - Ivy.  SU DSP:  Be of Good Cheer (scarf).  DCWV Black Glitter paper (hat).  Paper Squares: SU 1-3/8" square punch.  Body part dies:  Spellbinders:  4-1/4 " Beaded Circles (bottom base); 3-1/4" Circles LG-#6 (bottom inset); 2-7-8" Scallop Circles SM-#4(middle base); 2-1/8" Scallop Circles LG-#2 (head base).  Body Part punches:  2-1/2" Circle (middle inset); 1-3/4" Circle (head inset).  SU Hat punches:  Decorative Labels (1/2); Word Window (brim);  Pinking Hearts border (band); Martha Stewart Aspen Corner punch (snowflakes).  Face punches:  Eyes-Martha Stewart 7-Heart punch (largest cut in half/ shaped); Nose-SU Small Heart punch (little less than 1/2), Highlights-Chalk Marker; Cheeks-Owl-Builder heart, Copic marker for blush.  Mouth: Ex. Large ZigZag Border (SU/Sizzix) used as template; Sharpie Fine-Tip: Lashes/ Mouth.  Scarf: 1-3/4" Circle punch shaping 3/8" deep curve; 2 Bitty Banner punch tapered.  Arms:  SU Snowflake punch: 2 using entire diameter/ cut off end only. (Card size: 5-3/16" square).

More Loving Those Telescoping Snowmen!

After making my first telescoping snowman card, I decided I would make three others and give each one of my four offspring one of their very own little snowman friend for Christmas.  My goal is to design each with a different color scheme and patterned papers.  I have now completed three of them, so I thought I would also share the last two I just finished.  I haven't decided who will get each yet, but when I finished with number four, I will work on that dilemma.

I am refining just a few things as I go.  I went back and put a hat on the back side of each snowman's head so that when you turn him over when opened, he has a black hat too and not just a blank white thing!  I've also decided I like his rosy cheek rouge (colored with Copic Marker R30) better when colored around the heart shaping it like a heart rather than just a circle.  I tried this on the third version, which is the turquoise card below.  The light blue one's cheek rouge remains just a circle.  What do you think?  And now for the finished cards..........drum roll..........here they are:

Snowman #1

Snowman #2

Recipe:  Snowman #1: SU cardstocks - Baja Breeze, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer.  DCWV/ Black Glitter paper (hat).  Patterned papers -  Heidi Grace/ Shimmer Flocked; Imaginations/ Studio Basics 101; Paper Pizazz/ Let It Snow.  Stampin' Up punch: Pinking Hearts Border (hat band)

Recipe:  Snowman #2: SU cardstocks - Whisper White, Red Glimmer (#2).  Recollections/ Black Prince Glitter paper (hat - has navy sparkles).  Patterned papers - Jillibean/ Winter Tortellini & Sprinach Soup-Stewed Tomatoes; Stampin' Up/ Winter Frost; DCWV/ 2011 Christmas Stack.  Stampin' Up punch: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (hat band).

Shared Items: Paper Squares: SU 1-3/8" square punch.  Body part dies:  Spellbinders:  4-1/4 " Beaded Circles (bottom base); 3-1/4" Circles LG-#6 (bottom inset); 2-7-8" Scallop Circles SM-#4(middle base); 2-1/8" Scallop Circles LG-#2 (head base).  Body Part punches:  2-1/2" Circle (middle inset); 1-3/4" Circle (head inset).  Hat punches:  Decorative Labels (1/2); Word Window (brim);  Martha Stewart Aspen Corner punch (snowflakes).  Face punches:  Eyes-Martha Stewart 7-Heart punch (largest cut in half/ shaped); Nose-SU Small Heart punch (little less than 1/2), Highlights-Chalk Marker; Cheeks-Owl-Builder heart, Copic marker R30 (blush).  Mouth: Ex. Large ZigZag Border (SU/Sizzix) used as template; Sharpie Fine-Tip: Lashes/ Mouth.  Scarf: 1-3/4" Circle punch shaping 3/8" deep curve; 2 Bitty Banner punch tapered.  Arms:  SU Snowflake punch: 2 using entire diameter/ cut off end only.  (Card size: 5-3/16" square).

Love That Telescoping Snowman Card!

Earlier this month, I made two telescoping snowman cards following a sample I had seen early last spring (see BLOG dated 12/8/14).  After making these, my mind began to think what if. . .  Some of my what ifs were:  

• what if, I attached him to a card base so he was on the front of an actual card; 

• what if, I attached his body parts closer together so he looked plumper instead of so tall and gangly; 

• what if, he had a scarf; 

• what if, he had buttons and hands.

• what if, he had rosy cheeks 

• And then I saw a non-telescoping punch art snowman on Pinterest, using hearts on his cheeks, and that became another what if!

I added another interesting feature for my paper background as well:  1-1/2" squares on Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper.  I think this really added to my card with all that bling peeking out between each square.  Here is my little snowman telescoping card, which incorporated all my what ifs and then some other features as well.

Telescoping Snowman - Closed.

 Telescoping Snowman - Open.

Recipe:  Bazzill cs: Stonewashed.  SU Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer.  DCWV Winter Magic Stack.  DCWV Black Glitter paper (hat).  Paper Squares: SU 1-3/8" square punch.  Body part dies:  Spellbinders:  4-1/4 " Beaded Circles (bottom base); 3-1/4" Circles LG-#6 (bottom inset); 2-7-8" Scallop Circles SM-#4(middle base); 2-1/8" Scallop Circles LG-#2 (head base).  Body Part punches:  2-1/2" Circle (middle inset); 1-3/4" Circle (head inset).  Hat punches:  Decorative Labels (1/2); Word Window (brim); Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (band); Martha Stewart Aspen Corner punch (snowflakes).  Face punches:  Eyes-Martha Stewart 7-Heart punch (largest cut in half/ shaped); Nose-SU Small Heart punch (little less than 1/2), Highlights-Chalk Marker; Cheeks-Owl-Builder heart, Copic marker for blush.  Mouth: Ex. Large ZigZag Border (SU/Sizzix) used as template; Sharpie Fine-Tip: Lashes/ Mouth.  Scarf: 1-3/4" Circle punch shaping 3/8" deep curve; 2 Bitty Banner punch tapered.  Arms:  SU Snowflake punch: 2 using entire diameter/ cut off end only. (Card size: 5-3/16" square).

Christmas Cards for Cardmaking Friends!

I've been busy making cards for the three ladies with whom I so enjoy spending time making cards, having lunch, shopping for cardmaking supplies, and much more.  I really wanted to use the Merry Stampin' Up die thinlit that came out last year and to try my hand at making my own poinsettias with a Spellbinder die that I have had for several years and never used.  So, to my paper stash I went looking for just the right patterned paper to use with the design I had in mind.  I love the Sentiments paper by Teresa Collins in her Christmas Cottage collection that I immediately decided to use this paper.  Then, I found an Echo Park paper collection named Traditions and fell in love with the Be Jolly paper.  It had a little Scotty dog that I thought would be just right for my dog-loving friend, Liz.  I figured I'd get started with these two papers and decided on a third later.

Making the poinsettias turned out to be a challenge because I wanted some sparkly netting layered in the different poinsettia layers, and I have to tell you the Spellbinder dies just didn't want to cut it properly.  I finally managed to get the three layers for each of the three flowers by shimming my Big Shot magnetic cutting base with two thin cardboard layers.  Even so, I still had to snip a little here and there to get them to release from the netting, with the challenge being not to cut off a petal while trying to snip a little part still attached.  The rest was easy peasy.  I stacked and glued each layer using the Beacon 3 in 1 glue, which worked very well.  I finished the flowers off with three little gold sequins to represent their stamens.  I'm pretty please with the way my flowers turned out.  Below is a sample of each card, using the two different patterned papers that I chose.

This one is using the Echo Park Christmas collection: Traditions/ Be Jolly.  I loved the little Scotty dog, but unfortunately, my "M" from Merry covered him up a bit.  Don't you like how my lovely poinsettia turned out?  I'm stoked!

This one is using the Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage collection:  Sentiments pattern.  Somehow, I just love all the wonderful Christmas words with the red Merry sparkly die-cut.  I liked it so well, I made two of these for two of my cardmaking buddies.  I hope they like their card and my lovely poinsettia as well.

Recipe:  Papers - SU cardstock/ Cherry Cobbler, Red Glimmer; Bazzill Bling/ Diamond; AdornIt/ Christmas Pointsettia; Teresa Collins/ Christmas Cottage-Sentiments; Echo Park/ Tis the Season-Be Jolly; Fancy Pants/ Diagonal Stripe.  SU Thinlit die: Words-Merry.  WRMK Corner Chomper-Deco.  Zutter Corner Rounder.  Fabrics - Wool Felt: Maroon Mottled, Christmas Red, Grass Green; Red Sparkle Netting.  Darice Red gems.  Stash: Felt ZigZag trim; Gold sequins.

Christmas Joy!

While visiting in California a few years ago, I attended a Stampin' Up cardmaking class given by my sister, who was then a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  She had several Christmas card ideas that we could choose to make.  The one I chose is a case from a card made back in November, 2011 by Loll Thompson for Splitcoast Stampers Sketch #359.

My first decision was to make my card larger than the standard A2 sizing.  My card is 4-3/4" x 5-3/4."  I used the Watercolor Winter stamp set for my pinecones and branches and the Broadstreet Alphabet instead of the stamps that Loll used:  Autumn Days (for the pinecones) and Season of Joy (for the letters).  I changed up from a green glitter paper to Stampin' Up's Red Glimmer, and I used the Postage Stamp punch to make red Glimmer framing squares for my JOY lettering.  My final touch was to add a little twine and a dark brown button embellishments.  I decided that this card would cross the country to my cousin who lives in New Jersey.  I hope she likes my crafty little Christmas card that looks like it was made with her in mind.  Hmm...perhaps that's why I chose it just for her!

Following is the inside design that I made to compliment the outside creation.  I composed the verse on my computer and printed to Whisper White cardstock in a Cherry Cobbler shade of ink.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks:  Early Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive, Red Glimmer.  SU stamps:  Watercolor Winter (pines/cones), Broadstreet Alphabet, Four Seasons (snowflake).  SU Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive.  SU punch: Postage Stamp square, 1" Square.  May Arts Hemp twine.  SU Naturals button.  Recollections red rhinestones.  Spellbinders: Scalloped Labels One (inside).  Other: Pinking shears.

Christmas Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy!

This Christmas card is a simple one, using some of my oldest Christmas paper stash, and basically just making several layers to add more color and to liven it up.  I used several patterned papers from a complimentary paper line and cut some of the Christmas trees from the background paper to form the tree embellishments popped off the sentiment block.  This was a very easy card to make, but I think it turned out nice.  I should try to make "simple" more often, especially when I'm under a time crunch!

Following is a look at my card's interior, which was created to compliment the front design.  I composed my verse, using my computer.  I chose the Amatic font for the verse, and Chopin for Merry Christmas.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer.  BoBunny Double Dot: Kiwi, Frost Dot.  Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon.  Martha Stewart Aspen Corner punch (snowflakes). EK Scallop Corner punch. Recollection Bitty rhinestones.  Colorbox Chestnut Roam distress ink.

A Knot of Christmas Trees!

The 2014 Holiday Stampin' Up catalog has a new set of Christmas trees to make using the Festival of Trees stamps and the new Tree Punch, but I decided to resort to an old Stampin' Up stamp set, Pennant Parade, that I had never used and its coordinating Pennant Builder punch.  I gathered various green papers that would blend with Garden Green cardstock, which would be one of my layers. 

Notice the groupings of trees with the same paper.  I like to think each paper color represents a stand of the same species of tree, like Douglas firs, Scotch Pines, etc. as we often see in the forest.  My center tree represents the one that is to go home for the Christmas holiday!  I added a little sparkle to this tree with rhinestone ornaments and a little star to perch at its tip.  Then, of course, I needed to compliment this sparkle with a layer of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper.  I also added an off-center ribbon knot at the top of my card to give it more color.  I had seen this ribbon idea used at a card class given by my Stampin' Up upline, Liz Thayer.  I liked the look of it and thought I would lift the idea to use on my card.  (Thanks, Liz).  

I chose the beautiful calligraphy sentiment Merry Christmas from the Stampin' Up Greetings of the Season stamp set (retired) and stamped it with Cherry Cobbler ink.  This card is probably the closest I'll ever get to clean and simple. . .LOL. . . as I'm just not a clean and simple gal, but I loved the look of it when I was all done.

I made a complimentary inside to fit the exterior design, and I decided this one would go to my husband's sister and her husband in Kansas.  I hope they enjoy their card as much as I enjoyed making it.

 Recipe:  SU Paper - Cherry Cobbler cs, Garden Green cs, Whisper White cs, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer.  Trees - SU Papers: Wild Wasabi cs, Polka Dot Parade dsp, Twitterpated dsp, Burthday Basics dsp, SU Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, SU Petite Pennant Builder punch, SU Pennant Parade stamp (retired).  SU Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso.  SU sentiment: Greetings of the Season (2012 Holiday).  SU 1” Stitched-Edge Cherry Cobbler Grosgrain Ribbon.

A Wee Christmas Greeting!

I have had the stamp set Greeting Card Kids by Stampin' Up forever and never used it.  This year was the year I set a goal to use some of those Christmas stamps, tools, and embellishments that have been gathering dust from lack of use!  I made this little vintage card using this dusty stamp set and the sweet little girl pulling her mini Christmas tree in her mini sled.  I colored her with Copic markers, and I put glitter on all of her clothing green trims using my brand new Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush.  I love the way this pen-style tool with its nylon brush applicator glides so smoothly.  It's easy to apply in tiny areas, dries quickly, and feels like silk!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Whisper White, Real Red, Gumball Green. Authentique Festive/ Joyful Stripe. BoBunny Double Dot Clover. Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Polar Party (sentiment) (Both are SU-retired).  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Pinking Hearts Border punch (SU-retired), aka EK Arrow Border punch. SU Modern Label punch. Zutter Corner Rounder.  Offray 1/2" white grosgrain ribbon, 3/8" Grosgrain Multi-Dot.  Recollection: Lrg. Pearl brad, Bitty pearls.  Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush.

Joy to the World!

I wanted to use some of my Christmas stash that I have not had a chance to use much or at all.  I chose the round ornament from the Stampin' Up Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and stamped it Versamark Ink.  I embossed it with white embossing powder and die-cutting it with the coordinating Holiday Ornaments framelits from the 2012 Holiday catalog.  Using the music paper from the Natural Composition Speciality paper (retired SU dsp from the 2013-14 Annual catalog), I die-cut a window out using the third largest Deco Labels framelit and backed it with a layer of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  My embossed ornament would hang from within this window.  My sentiment Joy to the World is also retired from the 2013 Holiday catalog.  All in all, I felt I got great use of products that had been collecting dust in my Christmas cardmaking stash of goodies.

Following is a picture of the card's completed inside that I created to coordinate with the front design.  I made use of my computer to compose the Christmas verse using the CAC Champagne font.

Recipe:  SU papers:  Early Espresso cs, Cherry Cobbler cs, Crumb Cake cs, Very Vanilla cs, Natural Composition Speciality dsp.  Recollections Glitter Stack.  SU stamps:  Joy to the World (2013 Holiday), Ornament Keepsakes (2012 Holiday).  SU Ink:  Chocolate Chip.  SU framelits:  Holiday Ornaments (2012 Holiday), Deco Labels.  Recollections punches:  Snowflake Mini, Snowflake Small.  Other: Offray ribbon; White Embossing Powder.

Time for Snowmen!

At a cardmaking event that I attended earlier this year, one of the attendees brought a sample of a telescoping Mr. Snowman card that she had made at a card class she attended in her home town over 150 miles south of us.  We were all oohing and aahing over her very cute card, so our hostess held another card buffet making class with her version of Mr. Snowman for the participants to make.  Unfortunately, I missed this class due to traveling, but one of my cardmaking buddies made a picture of her completed card for me to see.  

I decided to try my hand at my version of Mr. Telescoping Snowman. The first sample I saw was done in pink, and the second in blue.  I decided to do my first attempt at the card in blue, as this color always makes me think of snow and cold when making Christmas cards.  My second version is done with purple as it makes me think snow and cold as well.  (Don't your hands turn those colors when cold?)  I decided my little hat and its brim would be embossed with an Argyle embossing folder, though it doesn't show up very well in the picture.  I also scalloped all my snowman's body parts, and I made a Christmas verse to fit inside his body balls.  

First I stamped around the verses with snowflakes, using the stamp-off technique.  Next, I completely finished the entire snowman's head with hat attached.  My third step was to attached the completed head to the white only of middle body ball and followed by adhering the blue scallop behind the middle ball, which embedded the brad's pointy ends in between the layers.  In step four, I inserted the bottom brad through the completed middle body ball and the white only of bottom body ball in the same manner as the head to the middle.  The last step was to adhere the bottom blue scallop ball to the back of white bottom ball.  When completed, all snowman circles will twist to stack on top of each other and telescope out to open.

Below are the completed blue and purple versions.  Next, I think I am going to make a pink girl version with a hat made using the Stampin' Up Large Tab punch that has retired.  It will be a cloche-style hat aka flapper hat.  She should be really cute!

    

Mr. Snowman in blue - Telescoped Open

Mr. Snowman in blue - Closed

Mr. Snowman in purple - Telescoped Open

Mr. Snowman in purple - Closed

Recipe:  SU carstock:  Marine Mist, Whisper White, Basic Black, Perfect Plum.  SU stamps: Snow Day (snowflakes), Stylin' Snowfolk (nose), Holiday Invitations (holly-2014 Holiday).  Stampin' Up Ink: Marine Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive.  Spellbinders dies: Circles LG, Scallop Circles LG.  Stampin' Up punches: Decorative Label (hat), Word Window (brim).  Stampin' Up Embossing Folder: Argyle.  Stampin' Up 1/8" Silver ribbon (2014-15 Annual).  Other: rhinestone.  Circle sizes: 4-1/8"/ 3-1/8"/ 2-3/8".

Christmas Snowflake Wishes

This snowflake Christmas Wishes card was inspired by one made at Liz Thayer's 2014 Totally Lovin' Christmas camp.  I decided to make my version of one of the very feminine cards, and I had my mother in mind as I worked.  Mine would be larger than the original, though I stayed with the pink theme as I loved the look of it.  Following are the changes and tweaks I made to the original design.  

The pink snowflake section of my card is a bit wider, but I kept the cursive writing section the same as the original.  I also added more underlying layers with a Basic Gray cardbase added and additional layers in Natural Ivory and Silver Glimmer cardstocks.  In addition, I added a Basic Gray scalloped layer to my Christmas sentiment, dropping it and the bow a bit lower on my card.   

I thank Liz for her idea and hope she would approve of my "tweaked" version of her design that retains the look and flavor of the original.

Below is the view of my interior of this card, which I created to compliment the front design, topping it off with my little Christmas verse completed on the computer.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks:  Basic Gray, Natural Ivory, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer.  Stampin' Up stamps: Endless Wishes (2014 Holiday), Background Builders (2013-14 Annual).  Stampin' Up Ink: Basic Gray.  Stampin' Up Accessories: Frosted Sequins (2014 Holiday), 5/8" Satin Ribbon-cream/ Venetian Crochet trim (2014-15 Annual).  Spellbinder dies: Ovals, Scalloped Ovals SM.  EK Scallop Corner punch (inside).  Sentiment-Computer-made (CAC Champagne font).

Snowflake Theme!

I think I'm into snowflakes this year so far.  On my second Christmas card, I'm using the Festive Flurry framelits that were introduced in last year's Stampin' Up 2013 Holiday catalog.  I made a more simple purple snowflake card at a Liz Thayer Totally Lovin' Christmas camp last year, which I really liked.  I decided to make my own purple version, which turned out to have more snowflake embellishment and some pretty white and silver organdy simmery ribbon as well.  

This card starts out by using the Stampin' Up Northern Flurries embossing folder on white cardstock to which some Dazzlikng Details silver adhesive glitter is applied and spread a bit on the embossed snowflakes to dry.  I used the Festive Flurries framelits to create my large purple and silver snowflakes and the Frosted Finishes silver star embellishment, also found in that catalog.  I have several small snowflake punches by Recollections, and I used these for my silver glimmer and Perfect Plum layered snowflakes.  My card certainly has bling . . . no doubt about it!

I've decided this one will go to mt daughter's in-laws. . .a very nice couple indeed. We hope they have a wonderful Christmas season.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer.  SU stamps: More Merry Messages (2013 Holiday).  SU Ink: Perfect Plum.  SU framelits: Festive Flurry.  SU Embossing Folder: Northern Flurry.  Punches:  SU 1" Circle; Recollections: Snowflake Mini/ 5/8" Snowflake. SU Other:  Dazzling Details-Silver; Frosted Finishes embellishment (silver star); Rhinestones. Ribbon:  Ribbon: Offray- Silver/Sheer Organdy.

Christmas is Coming! #1

Wow! It is certainly time to publish a few Christmas cards that have been in the making.  My first card is a remake of some pieces I had on hand that ended up being a really cute card.  I have never made a pink card before, but as the pieces were in pink. . .a pink card it must be.  There is no patterned papers with this card; it's all cardstocks and stamps.  

I have seen lots of papers made using stamps, and on this card, I used the Holiday 2013 Festive Flurry snowflake stamp to make my own dsp with Blushing Bride ink and to make the silver glimmer snowflake.  The Boho Blossom punch was used to create the little pink snowflake.   I was actually pretty please with my re-creation of pieces in my stash.  Below is my card design for the inside with my verse completed using my computer.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, Brushed Silver, Silver Glimmer.  SU Stamps: Sassy Salutations, Festive Flurry.  SU Ink: Basic Gray.  SU Framelits: Festive Flurry.  SU Punch: Boho Blossoms.  SU Pearls.  Computer-made verse.

A Long-time Friend's Birthday!

A friend of some 50 years is having a November birthhday!  I wanted to make and send her a card that wished her a very happy birthday with lots of wonderful memory-making times.  I bought this birthday Stampin' Up stamp from last year's spring catalog and wanted to use it.  I was packing for a work-party trip with my daughter to their Oregon beach house, so as seems to be usual in my craft room, my time was very limited, especially with all the Halloween cards I had been busy making.

I decided to use my stamp and case a wonderful card by my SU mentor, Liz Thayer, that used this very stamp.  In addition, she used a pop-up interior that was a Sizzix die for sale in last year's annual catalog.  Since I did not have this die, I used a Pinterest tutorial on how to make your own pop-up using shaped dies to accomplish the same idea.  In this case, I used the Stampin' Up Deco Framelit #2 and some circle punches.  In addition, I used my WRMK Scallop Corner Chomper to create the corners instead of leaving them square.  I was very pleased with the way it turned out, plus the verse I composed and printer from my computer.  Isn't this a lovely design?  Thanks, Liz!

Following is a picture of the inside pop-up and verse. I apologize for the picture; I used a photo scanner instead of a camera so it is a bit distorted, but gives you the idea.

Recipe:  Paper:  SU cardstock - Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, So Saffron.  SU Retro Fresh dsp.  SU stamp: Another Big Birthday .  SU Ink: Crumb Cake.  SU Thick Baker's Twine - Crisp Cantaloupe.  SU Essentials Wooden Elements.  SU markers.  SU Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  SU Emboss Folder: Arrows.  Inside Pop-Up:  SU Deco Label Framelits #2.  SU punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle.  WRMK Scallop Corner Chomper.

Card Pressies & Sharing Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish everyone a very HAPPY THANKGIVING!  I hope you are able to enjoy a wonderful day with family and friends, feasting on delicious Thanksgiving fare, and maybe even enjoying a football game or other games with your loved ones!  My family will certainly be glued to the television, as members of the Seattle Seahawk 12th Man, while we watch our favorite team battle the San Francisco 49ers!

Next, I want to share a couple of cards that we received from my cardmaking buddies and friends, as well as family!  This first card was made and sent by my Mom to wish all of us a great day with the family. . .such a warm and cute little house amongst the fall leaves. It looks so welcoming, like it invites us to go right in and share a meal with those inside.  Thank you, Mom. . .love your card!

My next card is from my cardmaking buddy, Sandy.  It is the cutest fuzzy bear peeking out from behind a huge pumpkin.  He is just darling!  This wonderful card is filled with gorgeous colors as Sandy shows off her newly established coloring skills using Stampin' Up's Blendabilities!  Way to go, Sandy!  To top it all off, the multi-colored fall leaves have lots of glittery bling.  Unfortunately, the picture does not due it justice.  I just love Sandy's card, and I'm so glad it is gracing my mantel, along with Mom's little house!

The final card I'm going to share is from my Stampin' Up cardmaking mentor, Liz Thayer.  She has done it again; the card is a stunner!  Liz used the Bigz die, Autumn Accents, with the lovely fall dsp from the SU 2014 Holiday catalog: Color Me Autumn.  Of course, it is a Liz card, so it must some glitter bling added to the leaves and acorn.  I am so thankful for your card Liz!

My Husband's Good Friend Has A Birthday!

We wanted to send my husband's good friend, Gene, a birthday card, so a new creation needed to be completed.  My creative juices are flagging a bit right now, so I began browse some of my favorite blogs to see what was out there.  There is a little scrapbook shop in Chico, CA, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, that I dearly love to visit while traveling and visiting my mother and sister in northern California.  I found this wonderful layered card on their blog made several years ago that I fell in love with and decided I wanted to try my hand at it.

I gathered my materials, finding that I had many of the papers that the original card was made from, which was no surprise to me since I SHOP at PSB at least twice a year and attend crops when able to.  I did change up a few things, like adding an additional color layer that became the new base, now in black.  I decided I wanted my black ribbon to overlay the chevron flag and that it would have a feathered and frayed ribbon tie with a button rather than a bow as my card was for a man.  When the outside was finished, I used my computer to type up my little birthday verse and finished the corner to coordinate with one of the front papers.  This is such a great card, and I thank Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for their design that I was able to re-create and modify just a bit to suit my needs.

Happy Birthday, Gene! 

Nephew-in-law #2 Also Has An October Birthday!

This was my final masculine birthday card in October, and it is for another nephew-in-law.  Jared's birthday falls almost at the very end of the month!  I didn't have time to get it posted in October, so I thought I'd throw it in November! 

I had a card in my stash that I made about a year ago, and I have always liked it, but its sentiment was Happy Thanksgiving.  That is one occasion that I have not added to my To Do Cardmaking List (thank goodness)!  I would probably enjoy making them, because it would give me another excuse to make fall cards, but with all my October birthdays, I don't think I need an excuse for more . . . do you?

After eye-balling the card, I realized I could change the sentiment as I had already been doing on some of the cards I borrowed someone else's layout and their card was for Thanksgiving, Gratitude, or Thanks, and then it could be used for a birthday.  It does have a bit of a floral background . . . taking away from the masculine these and the mason jar lid had a companion floral print.  I decided to change up the lid paper to a geometric design, which was a bit more masculine and then to also pink the bottom of the die, rather than leave the curves, because the curves leaned toward a ruffled look.  (I did not want a ruffle appearance.)  I also added a fuzzy knot on my twine.  With these changes, so you think it will suit a macho Army guy.  I think so . . . he's a Dad to three lovely daughter, and he seems to have a soft heart!

Recipe:

Paper:  SU cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Midnight Muse, Naturals White;  Pattern dsp: Comfort Cafe.  Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved; Day of Gratitude  Ink:  Early Espresso, More Mustard.  Dies:  SU Framelit - The Cannery.  Punches:  SU Modern Labels; Word Window.  (Inside: EK Medium Scallop Corner).  Other:  SU: 1/2" Scallop Dot ribbon/ More Mustard.  May Arts Twine. Computer-made sentiment.

Fall Birthday for Another Niece!

This card was made for my niece on my husband's side of the family, and it was actually my final birthday card to make for the month of October . . . Yippee Skippee!  I barely had time to get it done and mailed on time, because I had to get Halloween cards made and mailed too.  I definitely could not get it posted, so I decided it would have to wait for November, as well, to be put into my blog when my blog and I were less busy!   As long as it gets there, all is good, right?!  But, of course, the card was mailed timely so my wishes would not be late!

I thank my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) for the original inspiration for this card and the card kit pieces, to which I added.  My card kind of took on a life of its own.  I decided it needed an Early Espresso cardstock base and a border strips under the ribbon embellishment in the dark brown as well.  The sentiment was changed from Gratitude to one fitting for a birthday, and rhinestones were needed to give it a little bling.  I am pretty pleased with my modifications and the changes in the card, which I feel did not take away from its original design, but rather enhanced it.  I hope my niece, Sarah, likes it too!

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Early Espresso cs (base).  BoBunny DoubleDot Frost Dot.  Echo Park Fall Fever-Stripes.  Dies: Spellbinders Labels 18.  Punches: SU Open Scallop Border; (Inside: EK Medium Scallop Corner).  Stamps:  Papertrey Pumpkins.  Other:  May Arts Twine.  Offray 3/8" Satin ribbon.  Darice Rhinestones.  Computer-made sentiment.

Nephew-in-law Birthday #1 in October!

Both of my nieces have husbands with birthdays in October!!!  Sooooo, another post for November!  The first nephew-in-law is married to my very first niece...my sister's first daughter.  Jesse is a nice young man and a great father.  I wanted to take time out to make him a card to let him know much I enjoy seeing him and his family when I visit northern California.  Though the card was timely, my post is not.  When I found I hadn't yet posted his card, I got right to work and completed this post.

I was still into loving making fall cards. . . so I thought another card depicting our dinner-plate-sized leaves would be fun.  Early in the month, when I made the first late large-leaf card, I mentioned that, with our late fall, the leaves had barely begun to drop.  Not so by late October!  Of course, they waited until my husband had his foot surgery and would not be able to rake!  Thank you leaves!

With these falling leaves in mind, I was inspired by a card made by Misty Bradley several years ago.  I used the layout of her card, but added and rearranged mine to suit my cardmaking style.  My card is square with lots of colored layers.  I added a wooden button with dark brown twine, a scalloped/ straight edging to my vertical striped pattern, and placed my leaves in a different layout with brown distressed leaf veins just like the ones on our Maple trees.  My sentiment is for a birthday rather than Thanksgiving, so I used a Spellbinder oval die set rather than the paper line's chipboard stickers.  

My final step was to design an interior that coordinated with the card front and to add a verse that fits the occasion.  I hope Jesse enjoys his fall leaves card as much as I enjoyed making it!  Don't you just love those fall colors!

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Natural Ivory (base), Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Pool Party; Echo Park Fall Fever- Stripe (sides #1/ #2).  Dies: SU Autumn Accents Bigz; Spellbinders Petite Ovals/ Petite Scallop Ovals.  Punches: Open-Scallop Edge Border; (Inside: Martha Stewart Mini Leaf).  Other: May Arts Twine.  SU Cotton Twill/ Pumpkin Pie.  Stash:  Wooden button / Dk. Brown Embroidery Floss.  Computer sentiment.

Sharing Halloween Cards from Friends!

I was away over the Halloween holiday and into the second week in November helping my daughter with a room renovation on her beach house in Seaside, Oregon.  I was pleasantly surprised to find two wonderful Halloween cards from two of my favorite cardmaking buddies had arrived in my absence.  I so love making Halloween cards, and I was delighted to receive some that I had not made.  These two ladies and I had lunch and went cardmaking shopping at a little shop in Tukwila, WA called Impress Stamps.  We made many wonderful purchases between the three of us.  Most of our purchases were going to be used for Halloween cardmaking, and the cards I received from them were using some of their new stamps and dies.  I want to share their cards with you.

This card was made by my friend, Sandy.  It depicts our neck-of-the-woods with the Seattle skyline stamp and the Space Needle die cut all from Impress Stamps in Tukwila, WA.  The picture doesn't do the card justice in that the little witch is flying across a glitter covered moon (made with adhesive spray and glitter).  Love, love the gigantic spider trying to make a home on top the Needle!  Thanks, Sandy, so enjoyed getting your card to let me know you were thinking of me this Halloween season!

My next card received was from my friend, Charlene.  She used two stamps from Impress Stamps as well, and applied the chalkboard technique.  She used white embossing powder to achieve this look.  Mr. Skeleton wears a little pirate hat embellishment and a martini glass, which I understanding she garnered from online.  See the cute little Googlie eye in the other stamped martini glass.  Love those eyeball olives!  Thank you, Charlene, for the wonderful chalkboard skeleton card!

A Cardmaking Buddy Birthday!

One of my cardmaking buddies had a birthday in the busy month of October...bless her heart!  With so many pasts due in October, I decided to publish her card in November.  In making her card, I decided to finished off the last card from the Magnolia stamp card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (Lil' Scrap Corner blog) several years ago.  

Once again, I added some changes to suit my cardmaking style and make the card more me.  I used the Bazzill Lakeshore blue cardstock intended as a mat layer to add another scallop layer under the scalloped flower strip upon which the little Tilda stamp sits in her circle frame.  As I have the Basic Grey Pyrus papers from which this kit was made, I decided to add the striped pattern as my mat layer and add a chocolate chip cardbase instead of white.  I also made my card a more compact rectangle, 6-1/4" x 5" instead of the long narrow rectangle in the original design.  My sentiment also changed from a thanks card to a birthday card.

With my card design set, I colored my little stamped image using the woodless-colored pencil technique with mineral spirits, drawing from the colors in the Pyrus papers.  I then fussy-cut her so she could sit on her circular frame.  I was rewarded by my paper changes with a card full of rich colors. . .very much a fall birthday card to a tee.  I think Charlene will enjoy her birthday wishes brought to her by little Tilda in her patched jeans, head scarf, and little jacket.

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Chocolate Chip (base); Bazzill Lakeshore cs; Basic Grey Pyrus--Bradford/ Plymouth; BoBunny Double Dot--Chocolate Dot/ Rust Dot.  Dies/ Punches: Spellbinders Scallop Circles/ Circles.  Papertrey Ink: Small Scallop Border.  SU Modern Labels / Word Window punches.  Other:  Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils (Michaels).  Mineral spirits (WalMart).  Papertrey buttons.  May Arts: Hemp Twine.  Computer sentiment.