Let's Have Cattail Weather for a January Birthday!

My husband's brother has an early, early January birthday, and I wanted to make a card for him this year since I've missed several birthdays during Covid!  Masculine cards are more difficult for me, so I need lots of inspiration to get my creative mojo brewing, and I'm already running out of time in order to beat the lengthy out-of-state mailing time. 

The weather here and in northern California has been really cold for the last several weeks, and I know the family has all been talking about...let's bring on the warmth!  Ultimately, I decided to case a card I made over two years ago so that I could use its wonderful cattail scenery dies again and speed up my finishing time with the idea of let's bring on that warm cattail weather and a lovely sunset sky!  We sure need some gold rays and are already getting tired of winter!

My husband has decided to send his brother an email picture of his card inside and out on his birthday just in case it does not arrive on time!  Now that's being proactive!  Take a peek below at the repeat version of my own old card and the inside design with my BIL's birthday verse!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstocks--Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Naturals-Ivory (retired).  Inks--Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Real Red (sky sponging/ stamping).  Stamps--Friend Like You (sentiment/ dragonflies).  Dies--Friendly Silhouettes (cattails/ dragonflies).  Punch: Tailored Tag.  Marker: Early Espresso (pussywillows).  Mini Pearls (Copic colored).  Other:  EK Victorian corner punch (inside).  Chatterbox Verse--computer made.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6". 

You Can NEVER Have Too Much Happy!

My friend and former co-worker's birthday falls right after Christmas, and here is another example of missing birthday cards due to my loss of creative mojo during Covid!  I was determined to make a card for her this year as I've finally gotten myself been back to my craft table after an 18 mos. hit & miss hiatus!  It was definitely time to get out of my funk!

My friend and I worked together as a team for 13 years as elementary school office staff.  One of our major functions each year was school start-up in my role as the elementary school office manager and she as the student registrar.  A favorite fun thing we looked forward to each year was welcoming our new little kindergarteners with their smiling, happy little faces and cute antics.

With this in mind, I thought she would really enjoy a kindergarten art easel shape for her birthday card.  I remembered an easel template that I've had in my stash for several years, but it was smaller than I wanted as I prefer cards that are 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  Before getting started, I enlarged the template dimensions.  I am really please with my finished easel card.  Take a look below at my finished card with its inside design and my verse completed on the computer! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstock--Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Sky.  Stamps--Yippee Skippee (sentiment), Hardwood BG. Dies--Floral Fusion Sizzilit. Ink--Baked Brown Sugar, Staz-On White. Patterned Paper--scraps. Punch--Banner. Linen Thread. Basic Pearl--minis. Other: EK punch--Victorian Corners 

Being Strong!

My brother recently lost his wife quite suddenly and unexpectedly!  It was a shock to all of us.  I wanted to send him a Thinking of You card to let him know I'm keeping him in my prayers and thought each and everyday!

This is a CASE of a card designed by Liz Thayer for her class that I attended way back in the fall of 2013.  It has been lurking in my "To Do" stash of partially completed cards needing to be finished.  I made some of my own modifications and changes to enlarge the card, add a bit of sparkle, and change the sentiment as well.  I added a new Natural Ivory card base plus a dark brown glitter mat layer to the already existing Crumb Cake mat layer and my card became a thinking of you card rather than a thank you card.  I also decorated the inside and added my own computer-made verse.

I'm really pleased with the added layers and glitter paper.  It really dressed up the card a lot.  I think my brother will be pleased with his card and really like the inside verse, as it fits the occasion perfectly.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue. Ink--Crumb Cake, Early Espresso. Stamps--Truly Grateful stamps (circle bg, acorns-2013 Holiday). Dies--Window Framelits Collection ((2013-14 Annual). Embossing Folder--Stylish Stripes. Festive Paper Piercing Pack. 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon. Linen Thread. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Other:  Recollections Signature 12" Assorted Glitter Pad (dark brown). EK punch: Victorian Corner.

You Are Looking A Little Green! (VSN#1)

 I needed a get well card for my daughter's long-time friend, who will have eye surgery in a few days.  It was like a stroke of perfectg serendipity, because I also needed a get well card to fulfill one of the three VSN mini challenges!  Other than Christmas cards, I really like to know who is going to receive my card when making and designing it as it helps me decided what I want to do when I can think about who is getting the card when finished.

My daughter's friend must remain immobile and face down for up to two weeks after surgery.  My daughter plans take meals when she visits, along with this funny get well card, which will go along to cheer her up.  More of the card's story continues below the card images.  Take a peek at the finished card inside and out below:

Ingredients:  Papers:  Cardstock--SU-Cherry Cobbler, Basic White; Darice Kraft. Patterned Paper--Cosmo Cricket/Earth Love-rethink; Fancy Pants/ Rusted Sun-Umbrella; October Afternoon/ Cakewalk-Hula Hoop; Jillibean/ Macho Nacho Soup-4 Parts Hero. Image: ClipArtMax-Funny Frog Cartoon Animal.  SU Border Punch--Scalloped Scallops. Colorbox--Chestnut Roan ink distressing. Maya Arts--Jute Twine. Copic Marker--G40. Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (computer-generated). Size--4-3/4" x 6".

CARD STORY & HISTORY

As mentioned above, needing this get well card tied in nicely with my yen to participate in the Virtual Stamp Night Challenge (VSN), which is December 17 & 18 with a total of approximately 18 challenge all due by December 29.  The December theme is a fun one...Let TV Be Your Guide!  All challenges will focus on something to do with TV shows (no movies) in the past or present. 

VSN has already had its 3-card VSN Mini Challenge in mid-November to get you excited and interested to participate.  In the past, I've started with the Minis, but something always comes up that prevents me from participating in the entire main event.  I hope this time it will be different.

  

The first VSN Mini Challenge presented by one of the three VSN coordinators who recently had hip replacement surgery and is actually still in recovery.  Her hospital stay exposed her to many medical professionals...some cheerful and friendly and some business-focused only.  She felt better with more cheer than glum, which encouraged, uplifted, and helped her to recover in body and spirit.  This experience led to her challenge to make a humorous get well card, based on the old 1972 TV show, M*A*S*H, which was about Army doctors who treated Korean War casualties and other personnel in the battlefield surgical center.  Strangely enough, it had a lot of comedic humor, helping them be better doctors and helping patients and others as well.

I used a time-saving, pre-colored image adding Copic-coloring in soft green to the BG and sentiment to stay within the one-hour cardmaking time limit.  I used patterned paper scraps, a pre-cut cardbase and a pre-cut Kraft layer.  The sentiment is a Chatterbox creation printed with the computer.

It's A Night Sky for Christmas! (VSN#3)

Splitcoaststamper's Virtual Stamp Night sprang onto the scene, leaving me with the exclamation, "How did I miss that VSN was coming up?!!"  I think I first noticed it when they did a call for Hostesses several weeks back, but it completely slipped my mind with unexpected family happenings!  Bottom line, all of a sudden there it was, and I was spurred me to action.  

I have always wanted to fully participate, but I never seem to accomplished more than the Pre-MINI challenges and just a few of those during the main event.  This theme sounds really fun, "Let TV Be Your Guide!"  I really wanted to play!!   So, I am already playing catch up! 

Since LuvLee's MINI3 will be easy for me as I have a kit card I'm going to use, I'm going to undertake that one next!  It will meet the galaxy night sky requirement.   My goal is to complete the last of the three MINIs within the next few days since they have now been posted for slightly over a week!  

With this card completed, I have two down and one to go.  Then, I'll be ready when the main event starts on December  17th.  After the card image below, I will follow with "The Story" of my changes making this card into a bit of an Alternative rendition rather than just like the kit version.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Kit--Christmas Whimsy--papers, stamps, die-cut, and embellishments.  Cardstock--Blueberry Bushel, Red Foil.  Ink--Night of Navy. Glitter--Dazzling Diamonds (retired). Wink of Stella/Clear. Basic Rhinestones. Other: Gelly Roll-White/fine.

THE CONSTRUCTION STORY

To start, I cut the fronts off all of the kits pre-folded card bases.  I wanted to add more color layers, and I also wanted my cards to end up as a 4-3/4 x 6-inches, as I prefer this size to the traditional A2 size of 4-1/4 x 5-1/2-inches.

I cut my new cardbase from Blueberry Bushel and then the added a Red Foil layer which will be underneath the card front itself.  Working with the kit's card front scene, I stamped an array of galaxy stars with Night of Navy ink and added metallic star and snowflake gems scattered about.  To the evergreen trees and using a fine white Gelly Roll pen, I added white lines to depict a sparse layer snow.  To the snow shadows, I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I also added Wink of Stella/Clear to all the red parts in the scene: packages, elf hats, and elf shoes.  I adhered the card front to the Red Foil layer.  Next, I popped up my elves, package, and sled onto the card front and finished by adding clear rhinestones to the elf hats.  I thought all these additions dressed up the fun snow scene quite nicely and added lots of pizzazz to the original kit design!

Santa's Sleigh Christmas Tag Card! (VSN#2)

 

At the end of September, I went to a card class hosted my Stampin' Up demonstrator duo and friends,  Dar Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum.  It was their annual holiday card event and it was so nice to see friends of old!  I'm always looking for more Christmas cards, so I was only too happy to attend!  

As always when presented with a finished card sample, my creative edit mode kicks in with ideas that I might like to change or include that would make the card more me.  This never means that I do not like the original design, it just means that I can not curb myself to just make the card as is...my bad??!!  Therefore, I often complete cards at home after leaving the class, keeping in mind while at class where I might want to make changes.  I got this card's die-cutting, embossing, etc. complete at class and brought the pieces home, along with a picture, but I just finished putting it together last night because it was so perfect for one of the  Splitcoaststampers' VSN mini challenges (more about that later).

This card's original design is by Dar Peterson.  She used Stampin' Up's new holiday die, Giving Gifts, using the Santa Sleigh, plus the Tailor Made Tags dies from the Annual catalog.  Though I contempted adding a red foil layer instead of the regular Real Red cardstock, I loved this sweet Christmas card pretty much just as it was.  I ended up deciding to only add red rhinestones to give a little sparkle. . . three to the upper left and two to snowflakes.  Take a peak at the finished card, which is almost ready to mail after I add my verse and inside design: 

NOTE:  I just found another card on Pinterest by Cindy Brumbaugh that is very similar to this with a few tweaks.  It was made about 5 weeks before Dar's; Dar's uses a different sentiment and ribbons; but I suspect they should each be given credit for this card design, thus I am doing so.  My  rhinestone additions were a different twist not on either card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Papers:  Cardstock--Sahara Sand, Real Red, Basic White. Pattern Paper--Tidings of Christmas dsp.  Stamps--Peaceful Deer (sentiment).  Dies--Giving Gifts; Tailor Made Tags, So Many Snowflakes.  Ink--Real Red.  Embossing Folder: Wintry 3D.  Red Rhinestones.  Ribbon--Playful Pets (red); White Cotton twine.  Chatterbox inside verse.  Size:4-1/4 x 5-1/2-inches.

Triangle Christmas Trees!

This is a Christmas card design by Luci Kirschbaum from a Stampin' Up card class I attended at the end of September. I brought it home to think about what it needed, if anything, before I felt it was finished.  It has been sitting in my unfinished Christmas cards for well over a month!  It was time revisit it and make up my mind what I wanted to do. . .leave it as is or add something more.

 

The design is geometric, not normally my style especially in a Christmas card, but somehow I found this card very appealing.  I decided I liked it, but maybe it needed a little sparkle and be a bit larger to fit the card size I generally prefer.   I added some rhinestone tree toppers for sparkle and a new Always Artichoke card base, enlarging its size to 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  I do like the sparkle, extra color, and layering that I added to tweak just a little.  See my finished card below:

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Evening Evergreen, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke. SU 2021 July-Dec Mini: Peaceful Place Specialty DSP & Sweet Little Stockings stamps. SU Dies--Stitched Triangles. SU Ink--Evening Evergreen. SU Embossing Folder--Evergreen Forest 3D. SU Basic Rhinestones. Colorbox Charcoal ink distressing (trees). Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

A Happy Day Birthday! (Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--"Here's to You" Alternative #3)

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products--Cardstocks/ Papers: Old Olvie, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Copper Foil; Paper Pumpkin March 2021--Here's To You (scenes, die-cuts, dsp=envelope inserts, fussy-cut scene pieces). Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays. Die: Stitched Nested Labels. Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty Peacock, Old Olive, Seaside Spray. Embossing Folder: Subtle Dynamic Textured. Sequins: Artistry Blooms.  Other-- Colorbox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (inked edge distressing); Maya Arts Hemp Twine; Copic Markers (sky, water enhancement); Chatterbox verse (inside); Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

CARD STORY & CONSTRUCTION NOTES

My friend's birthday was yesterday while I am away at a crafting get-away with my long-time group of crafting buddies.  This hobby event has been a long time coming as the last was pre-COVID (over two years ago)!  Now that we've all been vaccinated, we've been anxiously awaiting getting together again! So, while I am here, my primary project was to make this needed birthday card.  I wanted to keep my crafting supplies to a minimum, so I've decided to take Paper Pumpkin kits that either were not finished or ones not started, along with their coordinating papers, inks, extra sentiment stamps, ribbon, and other embellishments that I might need.

For this first project, I decided to use a kit I had already made two alternative cards from...the Paper Pumpkin--March 2021 - Here's To You. It, of course, is Alternative Card #3.  I used the cloud-meadow scene that I have not yet used.  Like I did previously, I fussy-cut scenery parts to double layer these areas in the scene in order to add more depth, texture, and color. For this Alternative #3 card, I focused on the clouds, lake shadows, green trees, and meadow with flowers leading to the lake.  

Onto the fussy-cut pieces, I sponged on more ink for color depth, plus I ink-distressed the edges with the Colorbox Chestnut Roan ink that I loved to use when I want ink edge distressed this effect.  Notice that I sponged Pretty Peacock on several of the cloud formations and Old Olive onto the green trees before double layering them onto the scene.  I Copic-colored the fussy-cut lake shadows as I did not have an appropriate ink color to use and double layered them as well.  

Next, I embossed the card base front and the copper foil layer with the SU Subtle 3D embossing folder.  I really like the copper foil with this particular kit as it enriches and brightens the entire look of the completed card.  To finish, I added my trio of twines and adhered all layers including the card front together.  I stamped the sentiment, added the copper die-cut layer pieces, attached the sentiment layering, and finished with sequin embellishments.

It's A Shaving Cream Birthday!

Another October birthday, and I'm running late (but what is new with me)!  This crafting friend's birthday happens to fall on my anniversary as well.  My hope is to finished and at least to take it with me to our early November crafting retreat, which I was able to do, but I was late posting it here (and even later posting it to my Splitcoaststampers gallery)!

I found a shaving cream technique YouTube by Darla Watson...Scrap Happens with Darla!  She is my Mom's Stampin' Up demonstrator and mentor and I've had the pleasure of crafting with her and her group when visiting Mom, though that has not happened now in several years because of Covid!   I love Darla's color combination and card design, so I thought I'd follow along with the video and make my own changes to make the final card more me.  

For my shaving cream BG, I chose to use watercolor paper (video showed regular cardstock).  I adjusted the layout and placement of the elements.  I raising my horizontal strip and lowered my circle of flowers so it sat more right centered than almost above the horizontal strip.  I added several more background layers...Gold Foil and an additional Lovely Lipstick.  

Additional additions are, ink-distressed edging, a Gold Foil Starburst BG layer beneath the Stitched Circle flowers, gold metallic Gilded Gems for flower centers, and a Gold Foil strip to the top edge of the horizontal decorative heart border.  I chose to use 4 strands of Linen Twine and center my 4-strand bow in the left negative space rather than right next to the flower circle.  I love my shaving cream background, and really like my changed layout, layering, and bling additions.  I think my crafting friend will like it as well...take a peak below at the finished results:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Lovely Lipstick, Very Vanilla. Other Paper--Watercolor, Gold Foil. Stamps--Parcels & Petals. Dies--Delicate Lace; Stitched Shapes-circles; Starburst Framelits. Inks--Mango Melody, Flirty Flamingo, Lovely Lipstick, Mossy Meadow. Linen Thread. Gold Metallic Gems. Other: Colorbox Chestnut Roan (ink edge distressing). Technique: Shaving Cream BG--2 drops ea. ink (no Mossy Meadow). Chatterbox inside computer verse. Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

October Birthday with Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--Here's to You Alternative #2!

 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products-- Cardstock/ Papers: Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Paper Pumpkin March 2021 - Here's to You--envelope inserts used as dsp. Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays. Ink: Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso. Other-- Punch: EK Medium Victorian Corners. Chatterbox verse (computer). Technique: Front Flap Fold. Size: 4-3/4x6-1/4-inches.

THE CONSTRUCTION STORY

This will be my second alternative card for the Paper Pumpkin March 2021 kit, Here's To You.  You might remember that alternative cards are my goal and personal challenge when making up my Paper Pumpkin kits.

Once again, I fussy-cut, layered, and sponged to get more depth, color, shadowing, texture and definition from the flat scenic papers provided in the kit.  I used the sunset scene again and coordinating cardstock colors in greens, blues, and blue-green to give my card a more masculine look.  This card will be for my son-in-law's October birthday.  Instructions for building your card follow.

1. I planned a Front Side Overlay Flap Fold (aka Front Flap Fold) design with a square flap and three layers, using the mountain sunrise scene from the kit. (Note: Use the finished card picture as your guide throughout the construction process).

2. Here are the cutting dimensions for my card paper, which is for a 4-3/4 x 6-inches finished size:

--Cardbase = Old Olive = 9-1/2" x 4-3/4".  Score at 3-1/2" to form the Front Fold, which leaves a 6" Inside base.

--Inside Middle Layer/ Middle Fold Layer = Pretty Peacock:.  Inside Middle:  Cut to 5-3/4" x 4-1/2".  Front Middle Fold: Cut to 3-1/4" x 4-1/2".

--DSP Layers--Inside /  DSP Front Top Fold:  DSP Inside: Cut to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  DSP Front Top Fold: Cut to 3" x 4-14".

--Overlay Flap Square Layers:  Bottom Overlay Flap = Old Olive: Cut to 3-1/2" x 3-1/2".

--Middle Overlay Flap (layer) = Pretty Peacock: : 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square. 

 

--Top Overlay Flap (mountain-sunrise scene in this card):  Cut two to a 3" x 3" square, removing all the the Petal Pink cardstock framing from arount the scene.

3.  From one mountain-sunrise scene, fussy-cut the sun and its background to remove the lower half of the scene at the mountains.  With Pretty Peakcock ink, ink-distress and sponge lightly along the top edges of the mountains.  This gives the mountains more color, shadowing, and depth.  Set aside.

4. From the second mountain-sunrise scene that is still untouched, carefully fussy-cut off the Old Olive trees from the bottom of the scene.  Working with the Old Olive fussy-cut treets, ink-distress the edges and sponge the surfaces with Old Olive ink.  Set the remaining scene, from which you removed these trees, and the fussy-cut trees.

5. Glue the fussy-cut mountains, created in #3 above, onto the mountain-sunrise scene, created in #4 above, so the top mountains are slightly lower than the bottom layer of mountains. This will give the mountains more texture and definition.  When the gluing is complete, you will have one mountain-sunrise scene unit.

6. Glue the Old Olive fussy-cut trees, created and sponged in #4 above, to the scene completed in #5 above.  (Note: This completed unit will be used for form the 3-1/2" square Front Overlay Flap.)

7. From the kit, sponged one set of die-cut evergreen trees and their land base with Pretty Peacock ink to add texture and depth.  Glue them, starting at the left side, across the bottom of the scene.  They will overlay part of the Olive Green trees (see card picture).  Finally, with Early Espresso ink, stamp a set birds flying near the mountains.

Just an FYI, here is the kit design version using this sunrise-mountain scene:

A Lovable Birthday Zebra for Evie!

Ingredients:  Stampin'Up: Cardstock--Lucky Limeaide, Pacific Point Blue, So Saffron; Patterned Papers--2013-14 Subtles Dsp Stack-Pool Party, 2016-17 Subtles Dsp Stack-Wild Wasabi, 2012-13 Subtles Dsp Stack-Certainly Celery; Ribbon--Gold Metallic Cord; Gems--Gold Metallic.  Other--Dies:

Marianne Collectables--Zebra-Donkey; Cottage Cutz Sun & Clouds; My Favorite Things--Frightful Fence; Lawn Fawn Party Balloons; IO Dies--Small Grass die, Insect Set (butterflies); Lawn Fawn--Grassy Hillside; Memory Box--Varsity Numbers; Poppystamp--Happy Birthday Banner Flags (Letters); Glitter--Impress Sparkle;  Wink of Stella/ Clear. Chatterbox verse--computer. Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

CARD STORY & CONSTRUCTION NOTES

My youngest granddaughter will be turning two in mid-November, and I wanted to get her card finished early so I would be absolutely sure to have it on time!  Her birthday party theme this year will be butterflies.  

I had been fiddling around with my Marianne cute little zebra die many months ago when I was making last year's granddaughter birthday cards.  At that time, I die-cut the parts for several  zebras and though this little zebra girl turned out just as cute as I thought she would, I decided to go for 3D ballerina girls instead!  I got side-tracked and never quite decided what I was going to do with the little zebra, so she's been lurking around my craft for all this long while!  

I recently came upon a challenge that basically said to use up those items in your stash (or laying around) that were finished or partially finished or just throw them out.  I spotted the little zebra, and I knew I did not want to throw her out; therefore I was motivated to find her a home! 

 

Though a zebra did not exactly fit the butterfly theme, I thought I'd be able to fix that if I incorporated some butterflies flitting around a zebra card scene.  I even recycled a rainbow foil birthday party hat that this same birthday granddaughter had previously worn at a party.  Though it was torn a little, I'd been saving it as the perfect recycle paper to somehow use on a card for her.  The balloons and flitting butterflies I planned were the perfect thing!  Take a look at Evie's finished card below.  I'm pretty pleased with the results and think she will LOVE it!

Sweet Belated Birthday Wishes!

Several of my crafting friends have birthdays in October, and I needed to get to my crafting table.  With so many cards to do, time was of the essence, I decided to CASE one of my own cards that I ran across recently while browsing my own blog.  I found my gumdrop card from 2018 that made me smile then and again when I revisited it now after three years!

Even though I got my friend's card started early enough, I did not quite get the sentiment attached and the inside finished so still missed her birthday.  I was unhappy that I couldn't get her card done in time, but unfortunately, my youngest granddaughter decided to pass me her nasty cold and flu on to me after one day of taking care of her.  I was down and out for over 10 days!  I even got a Covid test to be sure I wasn't even sicker than I thought, but fortunately, that was negative!  

When I was better, I was up against organizing and packing things I needed for a crafting event with nine of my super-close crafting friends.  We have all been looking forward to this fun time after a two-year hiatus due to Covid!  We have waited until we were all vaccinated and able to make reservations and be able meet King/ Snohomish County Covid restrictions/ requirements!  I really wanted to get the gumdrop card finished so I could at least take it with me as a belated offering!

When finally finished, I was super pleased with it even though it was the second time around.  It is such a cute, super happy card... so colorful and festive!  Here is a look at the repeat rendition of this card that I hope my friend will enjoy as much as I did when I spot it in my picture gallery once again and while making it a second time around!

Ingredients: Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock-Crushed Curry, Lemon-Lime Twist, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White; 2011-2012 DSP Stack (Bashful Blue Dots).  Stamps: Goody Goody Gumdrops.  Spellbinders Dies: Venise Lace Rectangles; Octagon Classic Nestabilities; Octagon Scallop Nestabilities.  Copic Markers.  Stash: Gold Iridescent Glitter; Gold Rhinestones; 3/8" Offray Plaid Stitched ribbon; Horizon Friendship Thread (Harlequin).  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 6" x 4-3/4". 

An Abstract Whimsy Christmas!

Here is a Christmas card for those who like a bold, abstract geometric flair with lots of bright and vibrant colors!  I like the design style, but usually not for Christmas cards, especially in such a non-traditional color combination!  (But, it actually grew on me as I worked with it!)

Ingredients:  All Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Polished Pink, Mossy Meadow. DSP--Whimsy Wonder Specialty. Vellum--2021-23 In-Color Shimmer Vellum.  Dies--Layering Circles, Whimsical Trees, Christmas Trees. Ink--Polished Pink.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Chatterbox computer verse (inside).  Size 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

 CONSTRUCTION NOTES WITH A STORY!

This is the first of four cards to be completed from a Christmas card class I attended this month.  Its original design was by one of our hostesses, Luci Kirschbaum.   Abstract Christmas cards are really out of my comfort zone, so it took time working with it before I began to appreciate its bold, totally non-traditional colors and abstract geometric design!  I loved the elements and dies Luci used in her composition, and I really like the changes that I made.

I started by switching the striped paper from a left vertical strip to an angled quasi-banner and built my card from there.  It was handy that I brought my mini-paper cutter with me to class!  The positioning of other elements are somewhat the same as Luci's, though I moved my tree a bit to the left and threw on a few more stars.  In addition, I added a new and larger framing card base in Blueberry Bushel.  I really liked this color addition as I was able to achieve my love of a larger card, plus the blue softened the bold colors and brought out the blue in the dsp stripes, which I liked.

October Birthday with Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--Here's to You Alternative #1!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products--  Cardstock/ Papers: Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Copper Foil, Paper Pumpkin March 2021 - Here's to You--envelope inserts used as dsp.  Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays.  Dies:  Layering Circles Framelits (circles/ scallops).  Ink: Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso.   Embossing Folder: Coastal Weave 3D.   Other--  Trim: Maya Arts Hemp Twine.  Punch: EK Medium Scallop Corners.  Chatterbox verse (computer).  Size: 4-3/4x6-1/4-inches.

THE CARD STORY WITH CONSTRUCTION NOTES!

I have many October birthdays and time has marched along at quite a steady pace, so I must get started before I'm late!  My plan is to make a series of Alternative Paper Pumpkin cards, based on the March 2021 kit, Here's To You.  Early on when I subscribed to Paper Pumpkin, my purpose and focus was to get myself back into my craft room by challenging myself to make alternative designs rather than those provided in the kit instructions. 

Though I was not enamored with this kit when it first came, it grew on me as ideas began to percolate.  I was gifted refill kit, which would help with those ideas.  I've fussy-cutting parts of kits in the past to add layering and depth and I've loved the look it gave.  I realized that with kits, what was missing for me was that depth which many kits to not give because flat pictures that are many times part of kit designs.  

I decided that this particular kit's mountain-sunrise scene could make a nice masculine card, but without the Petal Pink edging!  Ugh!  As I wrestled with design thoughts, I pulled cardstocks of the prescribed companion colors.  I really loved the greens, blues, and blue-greens with both scenes provided in the kit.  I also found Copper foil looked absolute marvelous with these color combinations and the kit elements.  I would definitely include them all!  Here is what I did:

1.  Use two mountain-sunrise scenes to accomplish the layering I used.  On both mountain-sunrise scenes, I chopped off the Petal Pink cardstock surrounding the scenes in order to work with just the scenes alone.

2.  On one scene, I fussy-cut and removed the sunrise from the mountains, preserving the mountains and below as the top layer of scene.  I ink distressed and sponged these mountains lightly with Pretty Peacock near the top and edges only.  This brought more color, shadowing, and depth, plus when I used to offset layering for the mountains, it would give the whole scene more texture, depth, and definition.  We'll call these "#2 mountains" when referring to them below.

3.  With the second trimmed mountain-sunrise scene, stamped a set of birds from the kit stamp set with Early Espresso ink.  Let dry!!  Using a sponging brush, add a little color to the edge of the mountains with the Pretty Peacock ink.  (This can be difficult on a flat surface.)  Let dry!! 

4.  Now, it is time to glue your "#2 mountains" onto this new scene by positioning the "#2 mountains" about 1/16" below the ones on the newly sponged scene.  Whoa is me, and then I made a mistake!  When trying to glue the mountain layering, I accidentally ink-smudged the sun!  I had to use a new bottom scene, and once again, position my mountain layering.  Be sure to let all inks dry before working with the piece.

5.  Die-cut the double layer scene, created in #4 above, with a 2-7/8" circle die making sure to position the die so the sunrise and rays are preserved at the top.  Remember it is thicker than one piece of cardstock so you may have to work with your die-cutting sandwich if you cannot just use your regular 2 cutting plates.

6.  Take one of the evergreen tree die-cuts provided in the kit and fussy-cut off the three trees removing them from their land base.  Sponge Pretty Peacock ink onto the tree edges and surfaces (again for texture and depth).  Let the ink dry.

7.  Glue the trees to the left of the sunrise circle and trimmed their bottoms to fit the circle curve.  With Early Espresso ink, stamp a set birds flying near the mountains using the kit's stamp set. 

8.   Die-cut a 3-1/16" scalloped circle from copper foil to use as a border layer underneath.  Attached the copper scalloped circle underneath.  I was stoked with the results!  I really loved the look the foil gave!

9.  For your cardstock layers, cut an Old Olive card base, plus Pretty Peacock and Copper Foil pieces for added background layers.  My card base is 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  The other two layers are cut according to the amount of edge you want to shown between each layer.

10. For your patterned paper (dsp) card front layer, my card uses the kit's multi-colored rectangles envelope inserts.  

11. Next, cut a 1-1/4-inch wide Pretty Peacock band (length will be determined by your card front horizontal width).  Emboss with the Coastal Weave 3D embossing folder.  Adhere it to the card front dsp (see card picture for positioning). 

12. String three strands of hemp twine across Coastal Weave approximately 1/4-inch apart (see card picture for positioning).  Tie in the middle with a piece of twine to create the criss-cross configuration and then add more tied twine to make a thick knot for visual appeal. 

13.  Adhere all your layers on top of each other in this order:  layer 1 = Old Olive card base; layer 2 = Pretty Peacock; layer 3 = Copper foil; layer 4 = Dsp card front.

14.  With Pretty Peacock ink, stamp sentiment; let dry!  Add to a Pretty Peacock under layer. 

15. Finish the card by positioning and popping up the mountain-sunrise circle and the layered sentiment.  

 

I was super enthusiastic about my son's finished card made from a kit that I was originally super unenthusiastic about when I first received it in the mail!!  My son was super pleased with his card, but I wasn't super pleased that it ended up a little late!

Just an FYI, below is the kit's design version, using what I call the sunrise-mountain scene:

Something to Brighten Your Day!

I missed my Mom's birthday...shame on me!  I decided to send a little “I love you” card,  day brighter, belated birthday card, thinking of you card, and thank you card all rolled into one!  I also enclosed a little shopping money, hoping she might visit her favorite boutique and pick up a few pieces of jewelry, (she loves to add to her stash), or even some cardmaking supplies from Stampin' Up.  My Mom is a 96-year old youngster and still going strong.  She has always been able to shop the socks off of me that is for sure.

I made her card from the last pieces I had left from the June 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit.  This was the first kit I purchased, and I loved its bright and cheerful papers and sentiments.   Of course, I can never make the cards as they are suggested in the kit, and this one is no exceptions, though since it was my first kit, I did not make any extravagant additions.

Here is what I did to add more color and pizazz to my card.  I enlarged my card to 4-3/4 x 6-inches by adding a new black card base and Poppy Parade color layer underneath the simulated alcohol-ink background paper provided.  I added some ink-distressing to the paper edges and sequins to add sparkle.  I finished off an inside design and verse to suit the occasion.  I was happy with the additions as it really made my cards POP!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  June 2020 PP Box of Sunshine--AI-style dsp, black & white dot dsp, sentiment stamp/ die-cut shape, and lemon die-cuts.  Cardstock--Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, and Gold Foil.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; ColorBox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (edge distressing).  SU: Artistry in Bloom Sequins.  EK Corner Punch--Victorian Medium.  Chatterbox Computer verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6-1/4". 

Warm Up with Christmas Mittens!

I needed more Christmas cards for my stash.  I decided to check out my Christmas scraps to see if there were any pieces that I could use for another card.  I found the sentiment stamped vanilla strip, the stamped/die-cut mittens, and the scalloped cherry cobbler circle.  I had written Gumball Green on the back of the mitten die-cuts, so I would know what color of ink they were stamped with, which helped me locate an old 2012 Christmas dsp that I thought would look great with my pieces.  This gave me some building blocks for card design ideas.  

Next, I visited my list of old Challenge Catch-ups for inspiration on just what I might need to do to meet some challenges and lots of ideas began to percolate!  Take a look at my finished card...I was happy with the finished design and salvaging and cleaning out some old scraps that either needed to be used or tossed!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, and Silver Foil.  Patterned dsp--Be of Good Cheer.  Stamp--Make A Mitten... Punch--Mitten Builder, 2-3/8" Scallop. Embossing Folder--Snowburst (scallop-punched border). Rhinestones. 

A Sea Life Birthday to You!

 My daughter-in-law's birthday is in a few days, so I needed to get busy with a card.  My son built her a fish pond in their backyard a few years ago, so I thought a card using the new Stampin' Up Seascape stamps and Sea Life dies, which includes a koi-style fish, would make a great card!  I saw two cards that gave me great ideas for using this stamp and die set.

I borrowed some of the colors and card design from Luci Kirschbaum's Sea Life card from a card class from several months ago, plus from SCS Featured Stamper ksenzak1/ Karen Ksenzakovic's Sparkly Fish Birthday card.  Here is a link to my card with a link in challenge #7 to Karen's card: (under construction).

I used the school of fish stamp, bubbles, and the small fish and sparkly goldfish dies from idea cards.  My card changed up the fish and bubble layout, plus I added a gold foil die-cut mat, and  grassy overlays for more texture and dimension.  I wanted depth and texture in my card without using the diorama dies, so I added a wonky stitching gold foil mat layer and two-layer sea grass to the card front.  I accomplished the grass overlays by stamping the first layer onto the card front with a very light stamp-off technique.   I also stamped my fish schools and water bubbles at this point as well.  Then, I  stamped a second set of sea grass onto scrap cardstock and fussy-cut each blade overlaying with a slight offset onto those already stamped on the card front.  Now I was ready to add the die-cut fish, my goldfish, the bubble gems and the happy birthday sentiment.  Take a peak below at the finished card plus the inside design and verse.  I think Ginger will be pleased with her pond-life card!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Mint Macaron, Just Jade, Bumblebee, Gold Foil, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Seascape, Peaceful Moments (sentiment).  Dies--Sea Life, Stitched So Sweetly (sentiment).  Ink--Mint Macaron (fish/ bubbles), Tranquil Tide (grasses--stamped off, sentiment).  Genial Gems--mint macaron, pale papaya.  Other:  EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Reverse Confetti--All Framed Up Confetti Dies.

Non-Traditional Christmas Dove!

More Christmas cards to do!!  This card's original design idea came from my Stampin' Up hostess duo's 2020 Covid Christmas Card Make-It @ Home Kits, by Dar Peterson.  It was time to get the last card finished and posted.  I tweaked the card to fit the ideas circulating in my head: enlarged the card, tweaked the dove placement, added more gems, more silver foil, and changed-up color layers...  explanations below:

I scrapped the white cardbase, changing to the dove's Roccoco Rose and enlarging the card to 4-3/4" x 6", which I prefer.  I enlarged my border layers to 1/4" on the bottom two color layers.  I added a silver foil sentiment backing to coordinate with the silver olive branch in the dove's beak.  I added three vertical rhinestones to the upper left corner, coordinating with those in the sentiment.

As I "tweaked and built" this card, its color scheme grew on me.  At first, I wasn't sure I even like it, though I loved the card design.  Now, several months later, I actually really liked it!  Thanks Dar for the original card design and always encouraging us to change-up, tweak, and "build" our cards to fit our own creativity!  See my finished card below: 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Roccoco Rose, Gray Granite, Whisper White.  Ink--Gray Granite.  Patterned Paper--In Good Taste dsp.  Stamps/ Dies--Dove of Hope (sentiment)/ Detailed Dove, Wreath Builder, Ornate Frames (sentiment shape).  Basic Rhinestones.  Recycle: Silver Foil (from package backing).

A Glitzy Joy to the World!

"Christmas in July" is a common cardmaking theme during the month of July.  If we haven't already started our Christmas stash by July, many of us feel July is a "must do" month to start making Christmas cards in order to have enough finished without frenzy setting in later in the fall because time has run away from us and we'll never get it all done!  Since I saw numerous challenges involving Christmas cards throughout July, I became curious what inspired the theme "Christmas in July."  Lo and behold, there really are people who celebrate Christmas in July and there really is a tradition!

It turns out the very first Christmas in July was celebrated 88 years ago at an all-girls' summer camp at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina.  This first July Christmas happened in the summer of 1933 and was celebrated with carolers, a Christmas tree, fake cotton snow, a gift exchange, and even a surprise visit from Santa Claus!  As "Christmas in July" took place each year thereafter, a movie was  actually made in 1940 with that title.  Throughout the years, the tradition is becoming more and more popular each year in various places throughout the world, and a strong tradition is firmly in place. 

Australia has a British and European heritage, so there is a strong attachment to celebrating Christmas in cold weather.  "Christmas in July" is known as Yulefest or Yuletide in Australia, and it is celebrated on July 25th.  It is also celebrated in the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, and even parts of the U.S.   I even noticed some sales in my area this year in July entitled "Christmas in July!"  Heaven help us...another reason for a sale...another reason to shop!

I wanted to make a "Christmas in July" card, and I had an idea for it.  I decided to use a design from an October 2020 card by Luci Kirschbaum, which was included in a Covid Christmas Card kit that she and her Stampin' Up partner, Dar Peterson, made available to purchase by their Stampin' Up friends.  As many of you know, my "edit mode" switches on whenever I'm completing a card from someone else's design, and this card was no exception as lots of ideas percolated in my brain as I made her original kit card.

I wanted to kick in my "Challenge Catch-up" cardmaking as well, so I research old and new challenges at Splitcoaststampers that I had not participate in and came up with a number of changes I could make to fit the challenges, plus add my own percolated thoughts for changes/ additions to Luci's design.  Thus, I've adapted and jazzed up Luci's original design and posted my changes below. 

For more color, I added two card layers below Luci's red cardbase in Garden Green and Copper foil.  I made my red panel edges smaller than those on the original card.  I added a white designer punched border to the left of the patterned paper panel and a horizontal ribbon band.  I dropped my cascading snowflakes down about 1/2-inch, starting below the ribbon band.  I also added a copper and white layered fishtail panel with a snowflake embellishment for my sentiment.  I was really please with the details added, which made the card more interesting, colorful, and eye-appealing in my humble opinion.  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin Up products: Cardstock--Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Copper Foil.  Patterned paper--Brightly Gleaming Specialty dsp. Stamps--Itty Bitty Christmas. Dies--Christmas Layers. Ink--Mossy Meadow. Punch--Pinking Hearts Border (ret.). Ribbon--3/8" Red Double-Stitched Satin.  Other: Recollection Bitty Snowflake punch.

A Little Happy Birthday to Sister-in-Law #3

 This is my Sister-in-Law #3 birthday card needed in early July. This was a series of alternative card designs I made from the SU 2019 Made to Bloom card kit.  For this card, I used patterned paper, floral pieces, ink, and the sentiment stamp from the kit.  

I added a Poppy Parade cardbase and a gold foil layer.  I also die-cut a gold foil frame from two different die sets and combined them for a new look.  One is a stitched inverted scallop framing die and the other a stitched oval that I encased around the stitched-scalloped frame, making it double stitched.  I love stretching my materials to make something new!  I also fussy cut the two oval floral wreaths removing the two smaller bouquets to place around my gold framing.  I added some Acrylic Glitter Glaze to the floral centers for some added sparkle, plus some scattered gold gem dots.  I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Next, I worked on the inside, making up a computer verse and printing it in a purple shade to match the Blackberry Bliss ink on the front sentiment.  I added a matching patterned paper used on the front, the verse, and some gold foil punched corners with little floral rhinestones.  Take a peek below at the finished inside and out:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Poppy Parade. Made in Bloom kit (2019)--pattern paper, floral pieces sentiment stamp.  Ink--Blackberry Bliss. Gilded Gems--gold.  Other: Recollections Gold Foil. MFT dies--Stitched Oval Scalloped Frame, Stitched Ovals. Sargent Art Acrylic Glitter Glaze.  Inside: EK--Victorian Corner punch. Busy Kids Camp--Floral Rhinestones. Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Magical Birthday Wishes!

My oldest daughter's birthday is at the end of June, but we delayed her family birthday celebration until mid-July as my husband (her father) had knee replacement on her birthday, and a week later, he ended up returning to the hospital for another week with gastric complications.  By mid-July, we were ready to host a barbecue to celebrate Michele and her Dad's continued recovery.  Needless to say, I needed to finish her birthday card!

I have written several times about our little unicorn, Michele's 20-month old, little daughter, so dubbed during her stay in the NICU after her birth.  Because her veins were so small, her care team inserted her intravenous application into a vein in her head, which stuck up almost straight up, giving her the look of a unicorn with its cute little horn.  My inspiration for Michele's card came from this scenario.  I have acquired a multitude of stamps and dies with a unicorn theme because of this story that became part of our lives, and I thought it time the mother of our unicorn received her very own  unicorn card!  Take a look at Michele's finished card both inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  apers--Bermuda Bay cs, White Glimmer, Vellum. Stamps (2019-21)--Leave a Little Sparkle, New Wonders. Dies--Stitched Shapes--sm. circle. Embossing Powder--White. Ink--Smokey Slate. Ribbon--1/4" Snowflake Splendor (2020 Holiday). Wink of Stella-Clear. Glitter--Iridescent (ret.)  Other: Paper--Recollections 12x12--Mom's Diner/ Salt. Copic Markers. EK punch--Victorian Corners. Chatterbox Computer Verse. Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #3

My third Father's Day card needed is for my husband!  Guess what!  It will be Alternative #3 card using the May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up!  As you have all probably realized by now, an Alternative card using any kit is one that you make your own design using either all kit elements or part kit elements and part other elements.  It is not a reproduction of the card designs provided in the kit itself, although it could possibly be a you CASE one of the original kit designs.  I see a lot of cardmakers like myself who are obviously challenged to make their own designs rather than use those provided.

My Batter Up! cards have all used additional cardstocks and patterned papers, because we live fairly close to Seattle, Washington where the Seattle Mariners play, and their team colors are not at all similar to the colors provided in the kit, except luckily the die-cut sentiments are in a sponged gray background with blue-inked sentiments.  Both of these colors are part of the Mariners colors, but the reds, yellow-golds, and kraft colors also in the kit do not fit so well.  

One die-cut was a replica of a trading card with yellow-gold framing and the word League in red.  I wanted to use this for my husband's card, so I used a black Sharpie to very carefully re-color League.  Success!  I did NOT color outside the lines!  I fussy-cut off the yellow-gold frame and re-mounted it onto a two-layered panel set in navy blue and a Mariners green patterned paper.  I stamped "DAD" from the Hats Off stamp set in the current SU annual catalog and popped it on my newly framed trading card,  The baseball hat was stamped with the kit stamp set onto navy blue cardstock and outlined in a Black Journal pen.  I was able to use one of the patterned card front panels provide in the kit...a blue and light gray mottled white pin stripes., plus added some cardstock layers below.  Take a peek at my finished card...inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Smokey Slate (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2019-20). Stamps--Hats Off (stamp-DAD). Ink--Tranquil Tide, Balmy Blue (hat stamping). Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--pin-striped paper, stamps (hat), Baseball Card die-cut (modified).  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored Dk. Blue). Journal Pen-Black (hat markings).  Other: Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners. Colorbox Ink--Charcoal (ink distressing).  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.