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.

Revisiting "A Peek at Fall"

I originally made this card and posted it to my blog on September 20, 2017.  Click here to see the cards original posting: A Peek at Fall).  I intended to use it as one of my fall birthday cards for 2017, but somehow I missed doing that.  Therefore, I am now going to use it for my youngest son's October birthday this year.  I have composed a little birthday verse inside to suit the theme of the card.  Check out the finished card inside and out below! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer.  Stamps--Hardwood, Happy Scenes (retired).  Inks--Crumb Cake, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler.  Dies--Leaflets Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.  Embossing Folder: Woodgrain.  Linen Thread.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Glitter Enamel Dots (inside & out: colored).  Other products:  Inks--Encore Gold Metallic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Copic markers.  Offray Burlap Weave.  Techniques:  Stamping, Sponging, Coloring.  Inside: EK Punch: Victorian Med. Corner.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  (Woodgrain stamped bg  and the chairs are also Woodgrain embossed to add texture.  Chairs are popped up).

A Peek at Fall!

GOOD NEWS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 23, 2017!!

I have been mulling over creative ideas in order to use my Adirondack chairs, which is part of the new die set in Stampin' Up's annual catalog named, "Seasonal Layers."  It a great set with many different dies besides the chair, and it coordinates with the "Colorful Seasons" stamp set.  I went to a card class in June and made several cards using both items, but I have not cracked the seal on my own set, and I was anxious to do so.

I had an idea for an anniversary card, which was my focus when I started this card, with the sentiment inside..."Life is better when there are two," thus the reason for using two Airdondack chairs, but I am undecided, and may use it for one of the many October birthdays on my "To Do" list.

I also wanted to enter the card in several Splitcoaststamper challenges, which helped me come up with my color scheme and making it a fall card.  Take a peek to see how my Adirondack chair card turned out.  Unfortunately, the colors are a bit washed out.  They are much more vibrant in RIL!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer.  Stamps--Hardwood, Happy Scenes (retired).  Inks--Crumb Cake, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler.  Dies--Leaflets Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.  Embossing Folder: Woodgrain.  Linen Thread.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Glitter Enamel Dots (colored).  Other products:  Inks--Encore Gold Metallic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Copic markers.  Offray Burlap Weave.  Techniques:  Stamping, Sponging, Coloring.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  (Woodgrain stamped bg  and the chairs are also Woodgrain embossed to add texture.  Chairs are popped up).

An Anniversary Twosome Sail With the Breeze!

I'M SMILING AGAIN!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - AUGUST 6, 2017!!

We are celebrating our youngest's eleventh anniversary this year!  WOW! is it difficult to realize it has been that many years since this lovely couple married.  But, these two also celebrated the birth of their first child just a few months ago, so now it is easier to recognize that they've been married a few more years than five or so!  I wanted to make them a special card celebrating their first anniversary with Miss Callie Page in attendance as well.  Take a peek below at the finished card front and inside with my composed verse via the computer: 

THE BACK STORY!

I recently purchased this whimsical die-cut from Spellbinder, named Dandylion, which depicts the dandelion's seed head after flowering.  I thought I'd use it as an anniversary card with the two little seedlings sailing off in the breeze as a couple to begin their own family.  I dare say my imagination is a bit whimsical today!

My background is made with Stampin' Up re-inkers in Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delights, and a touch of Lemon-Lime Twist, and the Danylion die-cut is made using black glitter paper.  I made the sentiment using my computer and printing directly onto my finished watercolor background.  I decided to add a perky little sheer ribbon and bow, and pop the watercolor front and its black mat up off the Tempting Turquoise cardbase.  I'm pretty happy with my watercolored background since I have not used this technique much, and I'm not totally comfortable with it yet.

Splitcoaststamper's is also hosting their annual Dare to Get Dirty Challenges for their members who are SCS Fan Clubbers.  Since we are not supposed to mentioned what the basis of the challenge is, I will just say this one is for the very first challenge initiated by *Understanding  Blue (*the hostess' SCS nickname).  There is a color challenge going on as well, which requires the use of the three colors I chose for my card, so it will be entered that challenge as well.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstock--Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Watercolor paper; Inks--Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Lemon-Lime Twist.  Darice core'dinations Glitter Silk-black.  Die: Spellbinders Dandylion.  Ribbon: Stash-3/8" Offray.  Computer sentiment.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  Inside: EK Medium Scallop Photo Corner punch; SU: Daffodil Delight cs; Computer verse.  Technique: Watercolor...Let It Run.

An 11-Year Anniversary Celebration!

My oldest daughter is celebrating her 11th anniversary in the first half of September, and I wanted to make her a very feminine card this year.  Usually, I try for a middle-of-the-road card that sort of suits a man as well without being too masculine, but their cards have had fish, crossword puzzles, camping, two candied apples in a jar, and more...not really a girlie card; whereas, suitable for a man.  I decided this year Michele deserved one that was made with just her in mind.  Take a peek below at my finished card, which though made with Michele in mind, is for her husband as well!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up papers:  Shimmery White card base, Gold Foil, Gold Glimmer, Fancy Foil Vellum (hearts).  Bazzill Platinum Shimmer Vellum.  Cottage Cutz Expressions dies.  EK Scallop Scalloped punch.  Stampin' Up Curvy Corner punch (retired).  Offray 3/4" Gold Glitter ribbon.  Stampin' Up Gold/White Metallic Twine.  Stash:  Mini pearls, Shimmery sheer flower, Gold leaves.  Size:  5-1/4" x 6".  

Two Celebrate Their 10th Anniversary!

My youngest son and his wife celebrated their tenth anniversary in late July. . .it's difficult to believe ten whole years have gone by.  It was time to make them a special card to note their special day.  This year I decided on what I call a slightly vintage card style.  I love the vintagey look as long as it isn't way over the top, so my vintage-like cards tend to be low key.  Take a look at what I came up with below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Pool Party, Basic Black.  Pattern paper: stash.  Cottage Cutz Expressions word dies.  Bird Silhouette: Silhouette Graphics (PaintShop Pro modified).  Wilton 4-inch Doily.  Prima flower.  Hug Snug: seam binding ribbon (hand bleach/ crumpled).  Computer-made verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

The Story & Other Tidbits

Following is an explanation on the making of this card as I do not think the picture makes it totally clear.  Just a note to start: each of the layers are approximately 3/8" smaller than the layer below it both in width and height, and I sized and cut all layers prior to assembly.

To start, I cut my aqua cardbase to 4-3/4" x 6" and adhered the smaller black mat layer to it.  Next, I cut the chevron block patterned paper along its zigzag pattern so that it would be shorter than the aqua damask patterned paper that I planned to use as a layer below it.  I adhered these two patterns together so that 1/3 of the damask was exposed above the chevron blocks and 2/3 of the damask would show below.  I then positioned my half doily on the left of this patterned set, folding over a bit of the raw edge to the underside of the papers, and adhered the doily to the patterned set.  I was now ready to pop-up this set of patterned papers onto the black mat layer.  Once all four layers are adhered and popped-up adding the final touches to finish the card can begin! 

I positioned and adhered my black cardstock, happy anniversary die-cut toward the bottom right as shown.  I tied two pieces of the pink crinkled seam binding ribbon into a bow and adhered with a bit of hot glue.  Next, I attached my leaves with mini glue dots, and affixed my rose with a bit of hot glue.  

The final piece for my card front was to make my black silhouette bird family.  I cropped my family from a Googled jpeg-image filled with numerous silhouetted bird types, choosing exactly which birds I wanted to use.  I dropped my cropped image into PaintShop Pro and modified my bird family a bit.  There were two babies in the nest, and I decided I only wanted one, so using the software's tools, I erased one baby and made the nest smaller.  Next, I moved the Mama and Daddy birds closer to the baby's nest and shorten the branches on both side, eliminating a few leaves.  My last step was to save my new jpeg-image and then copy/paste it into a Word document to re-size for my card.  I printed it on white cardstock and fussy-cut it out to adhere to my card front.  

My last step as is traditional in my cardmaking was to finish the inside so that it complimented my card front.  I found the John Keats quote on line, which I love.  I also decided to incorporate my bird family to the inside as well.  I copy/pasted the verse into a Word document, sizing it to fit, and I found the perfect fonts to add the closing happy anniversary sentiment along with my son and daughter-in-law's names.  My bird family was also copy/pasted several inches below the verse.   Once I printed my Word document, I cut it to fit inside the card, distressed the edges, and adhered it inside the card.  I fussy-cut more of the chevron block patterned paper to decorate my verse at the top and bottom.  I think Mark and Ginger will really like their handmade card from Mom along with a dinner certificate for a night out.

An Anniversary to Celebrate!

My brother and his wife, Diane, are celebrating their ten-year anniversary in the early days of May.  They married in a country-style wedding in the historic Silver Queen Hotel Wedding Chapel in historic Virginia City, Nevada.  I remember the day fondly, as family and friends celebrated the wedding, which was followed by a reception also in the hotel.  The wedding festivities were followed by a bit of rebel-rousing at the Red Dog Saloon.

I really love visiting historical place and learning a bit about it, so I have add a little history lesson to this post.  Virginia City was founded as a boomtown in 1859 with the discovery of large silver deposits known as the Comstock Lode.  The Comstock Lode was the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States.  The population in Virginia City peaked in the mid-1870's at 25,000 people.  The present-day population is 855!  At the time of this silver discovery, silver was considered as valuable as gold.

I wanted to remind them that I was thinking of them and the celebration of their wedding with a homemade card just for them.  I decided to use the Graphic 45 Curtain Call/ All That Jazz paper collection, because it has a vintage feel to it depicting events of yesteryears, which reminded me of the feel of Mike & Diane's wedding.  My completed card posted below for you to have a look-see.

After completing my card, it was time to concentrate on finishing the inside with a design to compliment the front and adding a verse to suit the occasion.  Take a look at the finished interior below:

Recipe:  SU: Whisper White cs, Basic Black cs, Real Red cs. DSP: Graphic 45-Curtain Call/ All That Jazz. EK Fancy Photo Corner punch; SU Modern Labels punch; SU Word Window punch; SU Scallop Trim Border punch. Computer-made sentiment. Stash Ribbon: 1/8” black + red satin; 5/8” red satin edge lace; 3/8” black scallop trim; Queen&Co. black rhinestones-nightfall.  Size: 5-1/2" square.

Most Happy Anniversary!

My youngest son and his wife are celebrating their ninth anniversary. . .how time flies, . . .and of course, I wanted to make them a special handmade card.  BUT. . .where have you heard this before. . .here it was the very day of their anniversary and I hadn't even started a card.  Where, oh where, has my time gone.  It seems there is just not enough of it.  So, I ask you, dear blog reader, are you getting tired of my constant lament, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, etc., etc., etc.  Well, if you aren't getting tired of hearing it, I'm sure getting tired of feeling it and being it!  Somehow, I really need to manage my time better.  I think I've gotten just a bit too retired!

Much to my delight, I found a group of pictures I had downloaded to my computer that were taken at one of the cropping events I went to that was hosted by my Stampin' Up upline.  One of the pictures featured a cute card using an old hydrangea stamp that I knew had, and I loved the color combination of black, cherry cobbler, and vanilla.  There was lots about this card that I like, so I thought I'd use it to possibly CASE or maybe I'd go off and change it up and do my own thing.  I'd see where my creative juices took me.

I liked the little dog-eared layer beneath the hydrangea, so I decided to keep that idea.  I also loved the color scheme, and I liked the hounds-tooth black and cream Stampin' Up dsp paper that I knew I had in my paper stash.  So, away I went.  I added two more base mat layers in vanilla and cherry cobbler, and I used a Lifestyles die to cut a piece of cherry cobbler to layer behind my matted and stamped flower to add more color pizzazz.  I thought I'd throw in a few sparkly clear sequins to dress it up even a bid more.  I was pleased with my CASED, but not exactly totally copied, anniversary card for my son and his wife.

Now, I needed to focus on an inside verse and a design complimentary to the card's front.  Now that it's all finished, it is time to allow a little peek at the finished inside product.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler; DSP - Modern Medley (2014 retired).  Stampin' Up stamps: Because I Care (hydrangea) (2011 retired), Loving Thoughts (2014 retired).  Stampin' Up Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke.  Lifestyles dies: Nesting Frames 3.  Stampin' Up: Dazzling Details (iridescent).  Pink Posh: Medium Sparkling Clear sequins. MFT dies: Photo Corners (modified smaller).  Computer verse: Andalus 16 bold; Edwardian Script 22 bold (first letters).  Size: 4-7/8" x 6".  

An Anniversary to Celebrate!

My brother and his wife are soon to start their annual marathon of birthdays and an anniversary in the early days of May.  You might ask why I say their annual marathon?  This would be because within seven days they celebrate all three events.  First comes my brother's birthday, then their anniversary, and then my sister-in-law's birthday.  I guess that's one way to get it all over with at once!  Just a thought as well, if you put all your presents together as one or two big ones, it keeps the shopping down to a minimum, but allows you to have a really BIG gift that you've always been wanting.  So, I can see where there could be some great benefits to this great idea.  I should have advised my children to look for a spouse with a birthday within a week of theirs and then get married in the middle between them.  Hmmm. . .what was I thinking!

So, did I mentioned that I had lots to do and so little time to do it all?  Indeed, I'm sure I did.  So, I am looking for ways to economize my time.  I remembered a card that my Stampin' Up upline, Liz Thayer, showed us at one of her events, and I thought my good friend might have taken a picture of it to share.  With a little searching around, I found it.  I remembered that I really liked it for its design, as well as its soft colors.  After finding and reviewing it, my memory was spot on.  I decided to CASE Liz's card, though I tweaked it just a tiny bit with a change in the sentiment and a fishtail divider-band with pearls instead of a plain narrow rectangle.  Voila, it has become a super pretty anniversary card just made for my brother and his wife!

With the inside design completed to compliment the outside creation and the anniversary verse composed the card is finished and ready to package for mailing.  I think I'm seeing the end of the road for the early May rush!

(Thanks Liz for the inspiration).

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks:  Soft Suede (card base), Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette + Very Vanilla; Inks: Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette; Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder; Mosaic Madness Stamp set; Mosaic punch; 3/8" Soft Suede Taffeta ribbon; Linen thread; Pearls.  EK CardCreators Interlaced Corner punch. (Size: 4-5/8" x 5-3/4").

An Anniversary. . .Celebrating 50 Years!

What can I say. . .I was a child bride!  It is our anniversary this month, and I made a little anniversary card for my husband.  The original card was a designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) a few years ago.  I just had to steal it, because it fit the occasion so well, and the colors fit the fall season so perfectly.  

I did enlarge my card, making it square and added the ribbon embellishment for a bit more flair!  I hope my sometimes nutty husband enjoys it!  I made a little verse, which I thought fit my husband to a "tee" at least most of the time! LOL

Recipe: Cream cardbase, BoBunny Double dot cs; Echo Park pattern dsp. Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled ribbon (retired). MayArts twine.  EK Punch: Fancy Photo Corner.

Special Anniversary Celebrations...It's Year #10!!

It is Don and Michele's 10th anniversary this year in the month of September, and I wanted to make them a special card celebrating them as a twosome!  A few years ago, my sister designed a card using Papertrey Ink's mason jar stamp and die set and the Autumn jar fillers.  She chose candied apples for her jar, and I absolutely loved this card with the Crystal Effects glazed apples.  

My re-created card would depict Don and Michele as a twosome in marriage; therefore, my sister's original sentiment, "Autumn Wishes," made it a fall card, but my card needed something different.  I chose new anniversary sentiment that would be a "play on words" referring to the two candied applies. . ."So Sweet Together."

My next creative addition to the card was an interior design that complimented the card front, and my final step was to compose a little anniversary verse celebrating their 10-year marriage.  I am really happy with the way my candied apple anniversary card turned out, and I think Don & Michele will enjoy it, along with their gift certificate for dinner out.  Happy Anniversary you two!  You are on my special people in my life list!

Recipe:  Paper - Cardbase: SU Crumb Cake.  DSP: Graphic 45 French Country; Papertrey Ink: Bitty Box Basic 2008-lime.  Stamp/die set - Papertrey Ink: Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Fall Autumn Fillers, Jar & Lids.  Other dies - Papertrey Ink: XL Rickrack Border, Fillable Frames #10.  Spellbinders Labels Five.  Punches - Zutter 1/2" Corner Rounder. SU Scallop Edge Border (inside).  Extras - SU Crystal Effects.  MayArts twine. Hug Snug Black seam binding ribbon. Stash - Crochet Lace.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan Ink. Coloring: Copic Markers.  Size - 5-1/2" square.  Inspiration: Heidi Gonzales/ My Lil' Scrap Corner blog.

July 2014 Anniversary #8!

My youngest son, and youngest child, is having his eighth wedding anniversary in the month of July.  It is difficult to believe that eight years have gone since this wonderful occasion.  His bride was as lovely at the wedding as she is a person, and we are all so happy to have her as part of the family!

For their anniversary, I wanted to convey this note of happiness, so I chose a card from a kit designed by my sister/ card mentor, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner @ blogspot), and completed it with my own tweaks and changes to make it more me.  To do this, I added two more layers of colored cardstock that accomplish three things:  it added more color to the card (which originally only had a vanilla base); it added more layering; and it enlarged the card size from the standard A2 size.  I also added a little twine bow to the front embellishments and rounded the corners of the vanilla layer.  I decided to add decorative corner cutouts to my new blue layer, to add more detail, and then after trimming the vanilla sides a sliver, I attached the top vanilla unit to my blue layer.  I finished by popping this entire unit off the base card.  I think the additional colored cardstock layers enhanced the front banners and made them pop more.  I also think the whole card is even more eye-appealing than it already was in its original lovely design.  I think Mark and Ginger will be please with their So Happy for You anniversary card.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Crushed Curry (base), Island Indigo, Very Vanilla.  Pattern Papers: DCWV: Adhesive Cork; MME--Miss Caroline-Dilly Dally/ Dolled Up/ Fiddlesticks.  Papertrey: Stamps-Mini Blooms (sentiment); Dies-Delightful Dahlia (leaves).  MFT dies: Fishtail Flags.  SU punches: 5-Petal Flower (ret.), Boho Blossoms, 1" Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Scallop Border (inside).   Spellbinders: Labels 1.  WRMK Corner Chomper: Scallop.  American Crafts: Corner Rounder (small).  Queen & Co. Goosebumps (some colored w/ Copics).  May Arts Hemp Twine.  Stash: Sage felt.  (Size: 4-3/4" x 6").

A May Anniversary!

My brother and his wife celebrate their anniversary during the month of May.  I went to a cardmaking event hosted by my friend, Liz Thayer, where several cards she had designed were available for us to make with papers and embellishments provided.  When I go to these fun-filled events, my cardmaking mojo is always working, so many times I have to tweak the offerings and make them more my own.  That is how this card evolved, which I have chosen to use for my brother's anniversary card.

I added a Naturals Ivory cardbase and an Early Espresso mat layer.  I also chose to use the embossed Calypso Coral layer as a mat as well, dropping the Crumb Cake torn-paper half-layer down so the Calypso Coral peaked out around the top and sides.  I also added a Scalloped Early Espresso Oval die-cut as an under mat to the "sweet, sweet moments" Crumb Cake sentiment oval.  I elected to place my petite coral flower on top my ribbon knot instead of off-setting as the original design suggested.  Though I really liked the original card design and my card retains the original design flavor, I was even more pleased with it after my added changes.  All the while I was making this card, I thought it could make a great anniversary card with the right inside verse, so I hope my brother and his wife like their card as well.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up papers:  Natural Ivory cs (cardbase), Early Espresso cs, Calypso Coral cs, Crumb Cake cs.  SU stamp:  Layered Labels, Happy Day.  SU Ink: Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Soft Suede (distressing).  SU Fancy Fan Embossisng Folder.  Spellbinders Petite Scallop Oval dies.  SU 7/8" Scallop punch.  SU 3/8" Neutrals brads.   SU Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon.  EK Scallop Corner punch (inside).

September's Anniversary!

My daughter, Michele, and her husband celebrate their ninth anniversary this year.  Their tradition has been to take a vacation during the week in which their anniversary falls, journeying with their 5th-wheel camping trailer to see new and far away vistas.  This year, as they are living on the East Coast for the first time, they will be taking a trip through Pennyslvania, New York and up to Bar Harbor, Maine, visiting historic and camping destinations along the way.  Thus, I decided a card depicting this camping journey would be just right for them.  

I had an idea in my head, so I began searching online to look for a camping trailer stamp or die, but all the samples I found were on cards made several years ago and the stamps had been discontinued.  I decided to venture another direction, and I found a little online vintage trailer graphic, which I thought would be just right.  Its coloring was a little too dark, so I lightened the teal in PaintShop Pro.  The BINGO card in my stash was bright orange, so I scanned it to a jpeg and then re-colored it as well.  I also made it smaller to fit my card better.  The computer can be wonderful to find things just right for cards if you don't own a stamp or die that will do the trick!  I was able to find several camping graphics and even bought a few on Digi Web Studio, but I didn't end of using those this time around.

I do hope Don and Michele enjoy their anniversary vacation and my take on depicting that journey via this card and the little camping verse made for inside.

Recipe:  SU Always Artichoke cardbase; Recollections-Great Outdoors (stripe); GCD Studios-The Great Outdoors pad (tree scene). Free images: Vintage Camper/sign, Camping digis. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Seam binding ribbons: Hug Snug-Serbin Brown (olive); SU: Island Indigo. May Arts twine. Stash: BINGO card (re-sized/recolored); Map (re-sized); buttons, pinking shears.

Anniversary Card for My Daughter's Good Friend

My daughter was checking out my "card's I like" file the other day when she realized her good friend's anniversary had come and gone.  She was very unhappy with herself!  She came across a card picture I had saved from my very first "favorite" scrapbook store, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in Chico, CA.  She was oohing and aahing over this card, so I told her I would make one similar to it if she wanted to send it off to her friend in Colorado.  She was thrilled, and even offered to pay me for it, which of course, I said, "NO...it just gives me an excuse to make another card"!   I had also admired this very same card while visiting the store on one of my trips south where it was on display; therefore, during my shopping spree, I purchased many of the same embellishments for my own stash.

Here is my take on PSB's card, which is very similar to their original design, except I enlarged it from its original size and changed its shape to almost a square.  I also added a few more mat layers than the original.  My daughter was very happy with the results, plus the "Belated Anniversary Wishes" and embellishments on the inside.

Recipe: SU stamp (ret.). SU Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black. Pattern: Recollections Black & White Stack. Sizzix Sizzilit Label die. PSB Embellishments: Prima Flower, Black seam binding ribbon, Rhinestone flower trim. 

It's a Seventh Anniversary!

My son, Mark, and his lovely wife, Ginger, celebrated their seventh anniversary on July 22nd.  It is truly surprising that seven years have passed since that happy event!  After thinking about what kind of a card I wanted to make for them, I remembered a card I made while at our Mom/daughter Mt. Shasta crop/ retreat this spring that seemed perfect for them.  

This card is another of the "make-it-yourself" card kits designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com) from a few years ago.  She re-designed it a bit from the original just for me because she knows I like cards larger than the A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2").  I re-positioned a few of the embellishments a bit to please my own creative eye with the larger size, but essentially it is most definitely similar to the original.  I then designed the inside and put in a verse to coordinate with the outside sentiment about love growing in a happy home.  I hope Mark and Ginger like their anniversary card!

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Marina Mist, VeryVanilla. Soft Suede; PTI: Fall Prints Plaid, Holiday Flourishes & Swirls Dots (red); Stash: Green dots. SU Ink:  Marina Mist, Old Olive. PTI dies: Celebrations Frame, Fillable Frames #11, Love Lives Here die/stamp set (sentiment, house, hearts).  SU Perfect Polka Dots EF. Hug Snug Gabardine Green seam binding ribbon (really-it's actually more of a blue!). Clear heart button, hemp twine.

Memories...September 2012 Brings Their 8th Anniversary!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

WEEK ENDING - AUGUST 19, 2012

Wow!  It is absolutely difficult to believe this is my daughter's 8th anniversary  (and her husband, too)...LOL!  She was such a beautiful bride, making new memories for September 11th!!  It is good to have this date represent something good and wonderful and not just a memory of planes colliding into the Twin Towers in New York!  For their anniversary, I traditionally purchase a dinner gift card, but as they have just moved to West Virginia, I'll have to do some research on what restaurants are available in their little town!  (I'll figure something out of that I'm sure.)   In the meantime, I hope they enjoyed the card I made just for them, which uses a digi image with Copic coloring and a little stencil sponge daubing.

Happy Anniversary Don & Michele!

Papers: old DCVW pad/ Bazzill cardstock; Tiffany Doodles digi: dogwood; Copic markers; SU Framelits/ Spellbinder Oval;  Inks: Momento Tangelo; SU Choc. Chip; Joann's ribbons/ lace; THoltz: button; Recollections rhinestones.  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: August 19, 2012/ #58).

An Anniversary in the family!

A wonderful couple, my son, Mark, and his beautiful wife, Ginger, celebrate their sixth anniversary on July 22!  Wow, how time flies.  Today is a cool gray day in the Seattle area, but remembering back to their outdoor wedding, brings the vivid memory of an unheard of 95 degree day, full of blistering heat and lots of sunshine!  For their anniversary, I had to make a card meant just for them, and as they have three birds, a birdcage seemed just the thing!   For these two special people in my life, and in my usual cardmaking fashion, I decorated the inside with matching papers and a unique verse!  And, here is their card: 

A very Happy Anniversary, Mark & Ginger.  We love you!

I was asked to see the inside decoration/ verses.  Very easy, using front papers, computer for verse, and Spellbinders die...so here it is:

Anniversary #7 in September 2011

September brought Don & Michele's anniversary...this was #7!  I think since I could not spend a lot of time on Mark & Ginger's card in July, my psyche told me to go overboard for Don & Michele. . .LOL!

I was definitely thinking vintage as well.  I made the crossword puzzle in Microsoft Word, using a table with many tiny squares colored and not.  The word sheet behind the crossword is actually all the questions by number that relate to the actual crossword, which I made up and printed in Word as well.  I also placed the crossword, questions, and answer key (upside down) on a sheet of cream paper and enclosed in an envelope attached inside the card for them to complete on their anniversary...a tad easier than trying to figure anything out on the card front's crossword!  I found the vintage circus tickets online; they happened to be for a Sunday, their actual anniversary day ~ I was stoked!  But, they were the wrong color for my card color scheme...so I put them in PaintShop Pro and changed the color to peach!  Lots of computer challenges...but lots of fun to do!  I love combining computer skills with cardmaking though I don't like make digital cards!  Somehow they don't have enough 3-dimensional layers to them.  I use the computer for the sentiments most of the time instead of stamps, for typing my poems and verses for the inside the cards, and for making my own script paper, things like the crossword, papers with words, etc.

(original inspiration from a card in a cardmaking magazine.  I should have written the information down at the time I thought I might make something like it to give the original author credit. . .I apologize for that lapse.)

An Anniversary in July 2011...

My son and his wife celebrated their fourth anniversary in 2011.  It was hard to believe that amount of time had already gone by.  I wanted to make them a card, but had a very limited time as my husband and I planned to do some motorhome traveling to the coasts of Oregon and Washington.  I barely got this little card off by the skin of my teeth, as that old saying goes, before we left.  It was one of the simplest cards I ever made up to that point in my cardmaking journey. . . and definitely meets the clean and simple card style.  Even so, I'm sure Mark and Ginger appreciated my efforts on their behalf.

July brought Mark & Ginger's anniversary...love you both!