A Shen Yun Celebration!

I've been intrigued by the wonderful cards being posted on Splitcoaststampers for the Alphabet Challenge, Letter "J" for JUNK.  Some fabulous creations can be seen from collages of pieces of "junk" possibly ready to be thrown out, to magazine pictures, junk mail, old envelopes, package wrapping, etc.  There are "junk" backgrounds, "junk" collage cards and mini-albums, elements made from "junk" throw-aways, etc.  I have been saving a beautiful picture and advertisement about the upcoming Shen Yun ballet to be performed in the Seattle area in April that I received several months ago for just for this kind of challenge "junk" challenge.  

It would be my dream to attend with my "girls," which includes my two daughters, my daughter-in-law and myself.  I was hoping I might feel comfortable enough to attend and buy tickets for all of us to celebrate our birthdays past that we have missed due to Covid.  I remember several such festive occasions to the ballet, to musical plays, etc. in years past!  So, here is my card depicting my dream night out made into a birthday celebration card, which would be perfect with those tickets enclosed as a birthday gift:

Ingredients:  SU Cardstocks--Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo. Recollections Glitter Paper (Copic colored). Celebrate die. SU Curvy Corner Trio punch. Recollections Colored Pearls.  Shen Yun Advertisement Picture. Colorbox Chestnut Roan Ink (ink edge distressing).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Happiest of Birthdays for an SCS Friend!

One of the ladies on Splitcoaststampers has a birthday in January, and she has kindly sent me a few cards over the years.  I seems to always be behind the eight ball and never have enough cards finished to send timely.  Even though that was still the case, I made up my mind that I would send her a card in January this year even if it was late.  It is on the way!

Take a peek at the cheerful little card sprinkled with lots of color and sequins that I made for her.  I'm hoping the Post Office is speedy in their delivery since she lives out of state from me and it's already late.  

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight.  Pattern Paper--Bubbles & Fizz (2018 SAB).  Ink--Bermuda Bay, Lemon Lime Twist, Daffodil Yellow.  Stamps--Picture Perfect Birthday sentiment + confetti).   Dies--2-3/8" Stitched Circles.  Ribbon--1/8" Satin Bermuda Bay (2018 SAB Shimmer ribbon pack).  Other products:  Dies--Lifestyles Eyelet Circles.  Pretty Pink Posh--sequins.  EK Victorian Corner punch. Chatterbox computer verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Under the Weather?

My youngest son has been quite sick for going on his second week.  I thought I'd make a fun card to get a little smile and give some encouragement to get well.  I've been wanting to finish off some OLD Alphabet Challenge Rounds using the letter Z for Zany, so I purposeful sought out a zany, quirky digital image to color with my Copics.  I think I found the perfect image to make a fun card and to fulfill zany all rolled into one!  Take a look below at the finished card inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstock--Real Red. DSP--2012-2014 In-Color Stack (Midnight Muse Stripe, Summer Starfruit Dots). Dies: Reverse Confetti Lacy Scallop Frame; Lawn Fawn--Grassy Hillside.  Digital image: source unknown.  Copic Markers.  Journal Black Pen.  White Gel pen. 

An Anniversary for January!

This card is for my youngest daughter and her husband in celebration their fifth anniversary.  I wanted to send them a card to mark this half-decade event, and I decided on a little bit of fall to mark the season in the year that we all spent so much time together getting the wedding and reception all arranged.  They married in a large barn, and my son-in-law was instrumental in using CAD software to arrange the layout for the wedding area and the reception.  One-third of the barn was used for the wedding "stage" with garden arbor and seating, and the other two-thirds was set up for the reception.  I distinctly remember one blustery fall evening when we drove to the barn for measurements to see if his drawings worked...being an engineer, I never doubted him!

Take a look at their finished anniversary card.  I may have to explain the fall design to them, but I'm sure they will enjoy their card made by one of their Moms!

Ingredients:  BoBunny Double Dot--Rust; Echo Park patterned dsp; Papertrey Ink: Autumn Acorns stamps/ dies. Spellbinders: Labels 16 Nested dies (sentiment frame); 3/8" stash ribbon; Computer-made sentiment.

So Sweet Thank You!

 My Mom has been my go-to-person for getting my stamps, dies, and "must have" Stampin' Up items since I resigned as a Stampin' Up demonstrator back in August.  If they would just stop inventing new stuff that I just can't live without, it would help.  I wanted to send her a little thank you card just to let her know how much I appreciate all her work...I do know what a big job it is to get things entered and on order in a timely manner in order to take advantage of sales that pop up every now and then!

I decided to check out my “To Dos” stash and finish a card I started back in early 2016.  This little chick was an SAB freebie, and I started coloring her when I was away from home, and didn't have my Copic markers with me.  I was not super happy with how she turned out.  I don't find I'm very skillful using water-base markers in getting any blending or shading.  I did try to go back and "fix her up" with my Copic markers later, but I'm not sure I improved upon her at all!  I did add a little ground shading so she was not floating in the air!

  
Originally, I was trying out a honeycomb paper balloon embellishment, but I found they don't store well and are flimsy and pull apart easily, so I tore off the honeycomb and added a glitter balloon made from a Duck Tape Rainbow Glitter roll that I bought about three years ago, but never opened the package to try it out.  It really is quite pretty and I think it works quite well with my color scheme.

I shipped off a check to pay Mom for my order along with this little So Sweet thank you card.  I think Mom will enjoy the thoughtfulness even if it was just a quick and speedy card!  Take a peek below at my inside and outside finished card for Mom!

Ingredients:  Ingredients: SU Products: Cardstock--Basic Black, Basic White. DSP: Perfectly Artistic (2016 SAB) Stamps: Honeycomb Happiness (2016 SAB). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Punch: 1-1/2" Circle. Stamp-Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie. Copic Markers. Ribbon: stash. Inside: Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride. Scalloped Scallops punch.  Other: Savvy Dies: Thank You Cursive. Duck Tape: Rainbow Glitter. Size-4-3/4" x 6".