A Lucky Birthday Card!

One of my good friends and cardmaking buddies has a birthday in February. I needed to put on my thinking cap very quickly, there was no time to waste! I was going to be leaving for a four-generation get-together with my youngest granddaughter and my daughter to visit my mother in northern California. We really need to get some four-generation pictures taken while there.

In looking through my stash, I found a BINGO card in soft aqua, vanilla, and black. I love BINGO cards, so I decided with its colors, it would make a pretty feminine card. I also love to make a card style that I call vintage simple. I've named it this, because for me, it is a vintage card, but without an excess amount of extra fussy feminine this and thats that are often added. It was definitely time to breakout some fun, vintagey papers and embellishments and make a card using this style! I was excited to get started.

Between taking a peek at the Splitcoaststamper Ways to Use It challenge for the week...Button It Up, and finding our old DYMO Labelmaker about a month ago, my creative juices were beginning to flow! The challenge made it an absolute must to include buttons, as they would make perfect BINGO markers, and I decided to make the sentiment using the labelmaker and 3/8" black tape with white embossed lettering in a fishtail cut design. I have always loved that look! With the BINGO card, my color scheme would be Pool Party, Black and Very Vanilla cardstocks, along with several coordinating patterned papers.

I could not find just the right aqua flat buttons for my BINGO markers, so I decided to use clear buttons and adhere them to one of the patterned papers to jazz them up. With a dark aqua Copic marker, I drew dark aqua circles on my chosen patterned paper. I fussy-cut the paper circles and adhered the buttons in the center of the circles. Finally, I distress-frayed the edges with the sharp edge of a scissor blade. The rest of the card design fell into place quite easily, and I was really pleased with the results.

Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out. I love that perky triple-looped bow and the labelmaker tape sentiment! Don't you think my friend will be happy with her lucky birthday card?!

Ingredients: SU cardstock--Basic Black, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, SU Color Collection dsp (2014/2015/2016 - Pool Party Dots), Patterned paper scraps (3/ 3/4" x 4-1/4"). EK Victorian Corner punch. Colorbox Charcoal pigment ink (edge distressing). Pool Party seam binding ribbon. Black & White Baker's Twine. Dynamo Labelmaker/ 3/8" black tape. Stash button/ clear. Black/rhinestone trim (cut apart). Dimensional Foam tape (sentiment). Copic marker outlining (Bingo button markers). Chatterbox verse. Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Thank You for the Delightful Gift!

I received a fairly unique gift quite unexpectedly...a cedar, chainsaw-made Christmas tree.  We had a family gathering a few weeks ago to celebrate two birthdays, and my son-in-law's mother was in attendance.  She is a collector of chainsaw wood art, and she brought a gift for me and my two daughters plus my daughter-in-law.  They were "carved" Christmas trees using a chainsaw to cut and form them from cedar logs.  The tree's branches were painted green with a bit of white snow gracing their tips and the trunks were the natural bark from the small cedar logs from which they was cut.  She had decorated each with miniature Christmas lights that could be all white or multi-colored by changing the remote settings.  What delightful gifts!

I needed a thank you card desperately and immediately.  I scoured some of the Splitcoaststamper challenges to find some ideas.  I used the Inspiration Challenge for an autumn color inspiration and found a Featured Stamper Challenge with a pretty autumn leaf card.  My mind was made up to do an autumn leaf card of my own.  I found some other challenges that would fit as well, and if I added green, I could finish Color Letter Z in the Round 9 Alphabet challenge.  

At this point, I remember a card by Liz Thayer that also had a leaf design, so I "borrowed" elements from her card to add to my card as well.  This is my finished card, a bit of a modified Liz design than from the Featured Stamper with two more added layers.  I finished the card off with an interior design to fit the outside and added a Chatterbox verse printed by my computer.

Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.  I think my friend will enjoy her thank you card and also know just how appreciative I am of her lovely gift!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Papers:  Cardstocks--Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Gold Foil, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, So Saffron;  Patterned--Color Me Autumn (2014 Holiday), Typeset (2014-5 Annual).  Stamps: Holiday Cheer, Project Life (sentiment/ 2014 Holiday).  Dies:  Autumn Accents BigZ.  SU Embossing Folder: Hardwood.  SU Other:  Gold Basic Metal buttons; Washi Tape (names unknown); Dazzling Diamonds Gold Glitz.  Ink: Soft Suede ink distressing.  Size: 4-3/4x6-inches.

Birthday Wishes for a DIL Who Brings Sunshine!

My daughter-in-law celebrates her birthday in mid-August, but we will be celebrating her a little bit late this year during our family camping trip coming next week.  Actually, we will be celebrating three birthdays in one celebration while camping:  my daughter-in-law, my youngest daughter's mother-in-law, and my own.  The menu includes barbecued baby back ribs, barbecued chicken, honey baked beans, corn on the cob, and strawberries and cheesecake.  Boy does that sound like a gourmet meal or what?

Well back to the card.  I decided to do a bit of coloring and fussy-cutting on this card, and since it's summertime, a little Magnolia Tilda stamp in a summer sundress and bare feet seemed the perfect image to choose.  Of course, I had to color her hair milk chocolate brown because that is my daughter-in-law's hair color, and that, plus adding some other "M" colors, makes the card a perfect fit for the Splitcoaststampers Alphabet Challenge, Letter M!  Tilda's sundress dress will be pink tones, and I will also add a double layered background frame and a bit of lace, all things that will fit other challenges in keeping with my challenge keep-up and catch-up goals!

After compiling all my thoughts from five different challenges and my mojo going full steam ahead, I finished the birthday card, and also created the perfect inside design and verse to fit the fact that we'll be celebrating her day just a little bit late.  Composing the birthday verse brought to mind the perfect sentiment for the card front as well!  Take a peek below at my finished card for my daughter-in-law who brings sunshine to our lives!

INSIDE VIEW
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ingredients:  Paper products:  SU Cardstock--Whisper White, Pool Party.  Papertrey Ink: Bitty Dots/ Brown.  Pattern:  Unknown/ stash.  Stamps: Magnolia/ Sundress Tilda.  Copic coloring.  Dies: Spellbinders Labels 9 Nestabilities.  Punch: EK-Victorian Photo Corners Medium (inside).  Colorbox Chestnut Roan: Edge distressing.  Stash: 3/8" Cotton Lace; Rose Pink button; Embroidery string.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-3/4' x 6".  

Getting Ready for October Birthdays!

My good friend Carla is hosting her first Dare to Get Dirty challenge this month, and though I am sorry to say, I do not have any time to really get into the nitty gritty of trying to get all these challenges completed, I thought I'd at least try Carla's challenge.

These Dare to Get Dirty Challenges are created for fan club members to participate in, and we are not allowed to divulge the nuts and bolts of the challenge requirements, but I also checked out some of the other SCS challenges currently running to see if they would tweak my creative mojo.  

An Inspiration Challenge orange t-shirt with leaves reminded me that I have a whole slew of October family birthdays that include sons, nephews, sister-in-laws, children and SCS friends.  I thought I'd make a card with a fall theme that would help my huge October card needs.  A fall theme will also work for the Alphabet Challenge, Letter P = Persimmon Orange and Pumpkin Orange.

My card idea will work for one of my sister-in-law cards or one of my female friends, but I think I might just earmark it for one of my good friends.  I thought I would take a walk down nostalgia lane and color the little girl image I chose with woodless-colored pencils.  The image is a CC Designs fall digital image of a little girl pulling a wagon filled with a delightful fall pumpkin.  I've had this digital image in my stash for a number of years.

My finished little girl with her rosy cheeks is ready to deliver her little red wagon loaded with her happy birthday pumpkin to my dear friend.  Now, I can put a check mark by my friend's name to show that her card is finished.  Take a peek at her finished birthday card inside and out.

Recipe:  SU cardstock:  Whisper White, Tangelo Twist, Chocolate Chip.  DSP: Joann's Open Stock.  CC Designs digital image: Pumpkin Emma.  Die:  Papertrey Ink-Large ZigZag.  Coloring: Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless-Colored Wax Pencils (Michaels).  Mineral Spirits (WalMart).  Stash:  Orange Felt, button, cream crochet thread.  Punch:  EK Scallop Photo Corners LG.  Chatterbox sentiment/verse (computer).  Size:  5-1/4" square.

Sister-in-Law #3 Has a "Freedom" Birthday!

I have mentioned in the past that I have eight (8) sister-in-laws!  With my knee surgery, I missed getting a card made for the first two in 2018.  My third sister-in-law has a birthday just a few days after the 4th of July.

After looking at possible SCS challenges to enter, I decided to do a whole different thing with her birthday and make a patriotic card all about freedom.  In her case, the birthday verse gives her the "freedom" to choose to be "29 again" this year; therefore, I used "FREEDOM for Your Birthday!" as the card front sentiment.

I've been chuckling as I've been making her card and thoroughly enjoying myself.  I do hope she likes her card as well as I think she will.  Take a peek below at the card front and my inside verse and design.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Midnight Muse (ret.), Real Red, Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory.  Punch: 3-Corner Curvy (inside-ret.).  Baker's Twine: Real Red/ White.  Patterned papers: Authentique Pride Collection:  Dignity (bg), Unified (Inchie-Dots), Assemble (Inchie-Stripe), Amend (Inchie-Plaid).  Hugs Seam Binding Ribbon: Union Blue.  Spellbinder Dies:  Stars Nestabilities, Postage Stamp Nestabilities (Inchies).  Queen & Co. Twinkle Goosebumps: Red (inside).  Button: stash.  Fishtail Flags--hand-cut.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (Fonts: Lobster 1.4 = sentiment/16--verse/15. Cut Above the Rest = setniment (freedom).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Mother's Day for Grandbaby's Mom!

My daughter-in-law is celebrating her second mother's day, with grandbaby, Callie being 14 months old.  I, of course, wanted to make her a card, and after waiting for my mojo to kick in, I finally had a great idea.  

Ginger loves ice cream and Cold Stone Creamery, so I planned to give her a Cold Stone gift card, and a greeting card with ice cream cones would be perfect.  I thought of a Stampin' Up DSP collection called Tasty Treats, and I found the perfect piece.  See the story below on how my mojo began to jell so that I arrived at my great idea!

After finishing the card front, my next step was to design an inside that continued the card front's theme.  I composed and typed an inside verse appropriate for a Mother's Day card and finished the verse off with a bit of embellishing.    I'm pretty happy with my stash scraps added to make Ginger's card and color ideas borrowed from several SCS challenges, and I think she will be pleased. Take a peek below at the finishing inside and out!  If you are interested in "The Mojo Development and Construction Story," it is located at the bottom, below the Ingredients list.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.), Whisper White; Paper--Best Ever dsp (2015 SAB); Tasty Treats dsp (2015 Occ); Stamps--Crazy About You; Ink--Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.); Punch--1-3/4" Scallop Circle, Banner Triple, Scallop border (ret.); Dies--Hello You Thinlits; Solid Twine--Crisp Cantaloupe (ret.).  Punches: Zutter Corner Rounder, EK Med. Scallop Photo Corners, WRMK Corner Chomper: Scallop. Wink of Stella-Clear; Copic marker.  Chatterbox verse (computer printed).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

"The MOJO Development and Construction Story"

I have bits and pieces in my stash of cards I started and didn't finish or from cards designs from classes that I attended that I wasn't totally sold on the original design and took the pieces home to add to it to make it more fitting to my card style.  Last week, I was browsing and found a scalloped punched flower, a button, a two-layer square mat with "CELEBRATING" already stamped and a cursive "you" die-cut.  I had several birthdays coming up and another Mother's Day card needed, so I set these pieces aside, thinking I might be able to do something with them.

Meanwhile, I had been browsing SCS challenges to see if anything inspired me, and I saw a card by Jennifer (aka picard76), the current Featured Stamper, that I really liked, including the lovely colors.  Here was possibly another idea for my next card.  

Another day or so went by, and I revisited my pieces thinking I definitely might use them for my daughter-in-law's Mother's Day card, because the "celebrating" her would fit in.  Now, I had already purchased a Cold Stone Creamery gift card, because she loves ice cream and Cold Stone.  

My mojo began to work and thoughts began to jell as the colors in Jennifer's card brought to mind the Stampin' Up Tasty Treats DSP paper collection from several years ago that featured these same colors in the form of ice cream sundaes and cones.  An "aha moment" arrived, and I knew just what I wanted to do!

I wanted the flat stamped and punch flower to have more dimension as it was just too flat.  I though of stamping more flowers and layering them, but then I decided to cut the individual petals so that I could lift them and thus give the card more depth and dimension.  I also rounded two of the square corner on the layered square where the flower would rest.  The "you" sentiment die-cut was already cut out from Crisp cantaloupe cardstock, and I colored it with Copic markers to the color of the Calypso Coral cardstock as I decided to use both shades in my layers.  I threaded my button flower center with a criss-cross solid cantaloupe cord, and I tied a knot and frayed the ends.  I decided to make the fishtail banner shorter and centered it under the flower's square, but keep its tails loose.  This allowed the "you" die-cut space to reside on the ice cream dsp close just a teeny bit under loose banner ends. 

On the inside design, I punched a little scallop edging at top and bottom of the verse cardstock, and I added double-layered, scalloped photo corners around the verse.   I also added a pocket on the right flap of Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock covered with a smaller panel of the ice cream patterned paper.  I added a scalloped edge at the top of the pocket to dress it up a bit.  The pocket was now ready to have the Cold Stone gift card inserted.

Fall Flowers for a Birthday!

GOOD NEWS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - OCTOBER 14, 2017!!

One of my cardmaking buddies celebrates her birthday in October, and several of her friends are taking her out to lunch and shower her with birthday cards!  At first I thought I might give her my "A Peek at Fall" card, but then I got a bee in my bonnet and decided I wanted to make her a fall garden card as she is quite the gardener.

I love using elements on my card other than paper, and I haven't done that much lately.   Since I wanted to enter my card into the Splitcoaststampers (SCS) Alphabet Challenge, and I thought I would add some cork flowers to my friends garden, so I chose to complete Letter C.  The optional double letter challenge is X for X-acto. . .I'd worry about how to use that tool in making my card later after I came up with the design.  

Other SCS challenges I checked were the Inspiration Challenge, which requires you to find inspiration by using the website chosen for the weekly challenge.  I found color inspiration at this site.  Another challenge I will use is the Featured Stamper, using the card gallery by beechwood for inspiration.  Beechwood's "A Sunflower Pop-Up Book Card" uses similar colors that I found in the Inspiration Challenge, but it also gave me some design element ideas of using fishtail banners, flowers, and plain and scalloped circle layers.

All this inspiration brought to mind a card that my sister, Heidi Gonzales, designed several years ago, and I pulled up my picture of the card and used her design as inspiration as well.  With all this inspiration, I knew I needed cork, felt, buttons, and some patterned paper.  I sorted through my numerous stashes of patterned papers looking those that had more fall tones, rather than spring.  I actually found some of the papers my sister used, which were by My Minds Eye so I really give her lots of credit for design and color inspiration as well.

To meet the X-acto challenge for the Alphabet Challenge above, I ended up cutting my fishtail banners with an X-acto blade, which I thought would be easiest as it was a straight line!  I'm not so good with the X-acto knife, so I fussy-cut my fishtails with scissors.  I also cut the edges of my felt leaves with my pinking shears for a more jagged look.

Take a peek below at my friends card, which I think she will enjoy for her birthday:

Ingredients:  Papers:  Stampin' Up--Natural's cs (retired), Old Olive, Soft Sky.  Patterned paper: MME-MIss Caroline--Dilly Dally, Dolled Up, Fiddlesticks plus miscellaneous scraps.  Dies:  Spellbinders--Big Scalloped Circles LG #3--2-inch; Nested Leaves (traced/ cut w-pinking shears)   Punches: Stampin' Up--Circles--1-inch, 1-1/4-inch, 1-3/4-inch, Curvy Corner Trio (retired), Word Window (retired), Scallop Edge Border; EK Scalloped--1-1/4-inch; Zutter--Corner Rounder.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan (ink distress).  Stash: Felt (leaves, Cork (flower layers), Buttons, Embroidery Floss, Sequins.  Computer sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-7/8".

Birthday Jazz for Youngest Son!

SMILES ABOUND!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 16, 2017!!

When making birthday cards for people I know well, I try to choose a theme for the card that relates to that person in some way.  For my youngest son, and the youngest of my four children, I thought I would make a card focusing on his talent as a musician.

During his youth, in elementary school and as a teenager, he was very much into music.  He first learned how to play the clarinet and was promoted the next year to a saxophone.  He was really very good and became a member of the jazz band and concert orchestra starting in his junior high years.  With the jazz band, his focus was on his alto sax, but for concert orchestra, you could see him on his sax, playing the oboe, or any of a variety of other reed instruments in which the orchestra might be short of instruments for a particular piece of music.  Mark was a quick study and able to pick up many other reed instruments very rapidly.

I wanted to enter Mark's card into several challenges at Splitcoaststampers, so I did a little research before beginning.  The result was a Nu-Jazz style focus, using black, white, cream, tans, and reds.  "The Story" follows below if you are interested in more tidbits about the whys and wherefores of this birthday card.  Meanwhile, take a peek just below at the musical, jazz card that I ended up making for Mark's birthday...I think he will really like it!

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler cardstocks; Recollections--Antique Parchment stack.  Patterned paper: Graphic 45--Fashionista Collection/ Debutante (stripe); A Proper Gentleman (paisley).  Googled digital images.  Ink: Colorbox Chestnut Roam (age distressing).  Dies: Reverse Confetti--Edge Essential (black square edges); My Favorite Things--First Place Ribbon (fishtail).  Darice Foam Sheets.  Pink Posh: sequins.  Stash: black/ gold metallic baker's twine.  Knit fabric covered button.  Computer-made sentiment (Font: Budmo Jiggler/ 32).  Stampin'Up Marker: Cherry Cobbler (sentiment circles colored...very difficult to see).  Size:  5" x 6-1/4".

"The Story"

Because I wanted this to be a birthday card for son, Mark, about his musical talent, but I also wanted to enter it into SCS challenges, I did a little research on the challenges available before beginning my card.  For the Alphabet Challenge - Round 7, I needed a card using some element that starts with the Letter N, with the double challenge that it be "not feminine."  Well, that one was easy...a card for Mark would not be feminine and because his jazz band played a great variety of types of jazz, including the Nu-Jazz style, my card would focus on that style of jazz.

The second challenge I wanted to enter is the Inspiration Challenge, using inspiration from the website Design Seeds and their color palettes.  From their coffee hues, I decided to make my card, black, white, creams, tans, and reds.

The third challenge that would work well is the Mix-Ability Challenge, which requires the card to focus on Black, White, and "Read" All Over...a challenge all about colors as well.

The fourth and final challenge is the Featured Stamper, who is Rachel (stampinrachel).  The goal is to visit the Featured Stamper's gallery and find a card for inspiration in making your own card.  I chose a card from Rachel's gallery that used the inchie-style for the layout.  It was the inspiration to use that style in my card as well...check out Rachel's card with this link: Winter Thank You by stampinrachel.

Feel Better Soon!

A good friend is under the weather and needs a little card to perk her up.  I decided to pull an old, but very well liked paper collection to use: Stella Rose by My Mind's Eye.  I like the blues and yellows, which makes it just the right combination for this time of year in the Northwest.  Sometimes, its a bit gloomy and rainy and sometimes the sun is shining with a 75-degree day.  Each day tells a new weather story, and I'm sure, from past history, there's still some wintery weather left for Mother Nature to bring, but today we'll throw in a little spring to remind us of what's coming!

I decided to case a little card made several years ago by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, (My Lil' Scrap Corner), but change it up a bit by enlarging it and adding a navy mat layer for a bit more color.  Enlarging the card allowed the card elements to be spaced apart more, becoming more visible.  I also wanted to make sure my flowered paper layer presented lots of the yellow flowers to coordinate with the golden-yellow polka dot paper.  My handmade paper flower is a bit different, as I added blue-green felt as an under layer, making the blues in my hand-dyed crochet lace pop.  (The lace was colored with Copic markers).

A number of Stampin' Up demonstrators and cardmakers are going on a little Girls' Get-Away Cardmaking retreat, and my friend (and my Stampin' Up upline) is busy preparing all kinds of yummy foods and crafting ideas for us to take part in, but is also feeling a bit under the weather.  I chose a Here For You sentiment to let my friend know that if she needs any help preparing before we go, or whatever, I am ready to pitch in, as we want her to spend time recuperating and not wearing herself out.  I think she will enjoy her little card from me.

Below is the finished inside of the card, designed to coordinate with the outside, with a little feel better soon verse made from me.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up (SU) cardstocks: Very Vanilla (base), Night of Navy.  Patterned: My Mind's Eye: Stella Rose - Hattie Boy Tapestry, Hattie Happy Bouquet, Hattie Buddies Argyle Dots.  SU stamps: And Many More (sentiment).  My Favorite Things dies: Poinsettia (blue-green felt), Photo Corners (inside).  Papertrey Ink die: Delightful Dahlia (leaf).  SU die: Flower Fold BigZ (newsprint - 2 sizes), Windows Frames (modified).  SU punch: 7/8" Scallop punch (flower center).  SU ribbon: Very Vanilla seam binding.  May Arts: twine.  Stash: 3/4" Crochet lace (Copic-colored), buttons.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" square.

Valentine Love You!

The last of my children's cards I made was for my son and his wife.  Again, I decided to use the Echo Park "Be Mine" paper and Stampin' Up stamps.  I also decided to make a gatefold card for them, which I was really happy with.  When I was finished, it did crossed my mind that it would have been a great card fashioned as a flip-flop aka double-swing card.  Maybe next year!

Recipe:  Paper:  Georgia Pacific white cs base; Bazzill-Blossom, Vintage Pink; Echo Park-Be Mine.  Stampin' Up stamps: P.S. I Love You.  Stampin' Up Ink: Primrose Petals.  EK punches: 1-3/4" scallop circle, 1-1/2" circle, 1-3/8" circle. QuicKutz: Bullseye.  Stash: flower buttons, embroidery floss.

A Washington HELLO!

One of our girls has been transplanted to West Virginia for going on one-and one-half years, where her husband is assigned by the Coast Guard.  For one reason or another, we have not been able to get away to visit them.  We were able to see her briefly when she came to California twice to visit her grandmas.  We are missing Michele and her husband everyday, and they are missing "home."  We have enjoyed Skyping with them during family holidays and for other "spur of the moment"  reasons.

Let me tell you a humorous and odd, all rolled into one, story, which makes me smile every time I think about it.  Being from Washington state, we are all extremely excited about our football team, the Seahawks, and their winning ways.  So far, NFC Divisional Champions...and hopefully, all the way to the Super Bowl...Go HAWKS!  Well, because of my daughter's location in West Virginia, obviously they did not get to watch the Seahawks games unless they were playing a team from the northern part of the East Coast.  So, to solve their problem, we came up with Skyping the last two regular season games for them.  We put my husband's laptop in front of the big screen in the exercise room, and though they did have to suffer through commercials, they got to enjoy the entire game.  They were STOKED!  Unfortunately, we could not watch in the same room as the laptop had to be place directly in the viewing area of the television screen for them to see, so we watched our DVR recorded version in the living room.  We were excited to be able to provide them with this opportunity.  Aren't electronics and computers wonderful!

So back to the original reason for this post...a card.  To keep in touch, I was inspired to make this card from a design by my friend Sandy Stroble, and I thank her for the idea.  She gave me the information of where I might find the Washington stamps needed, which I ordered from a company online.  My version of Sandy's card is a bit larger than the original and features scallop mats backing the 2-inch x 2-1/2-inch rectangles.  I have also added a bit of ribbon, a knotted tie, buttons, and two more color layers.  I hope Don and Michele enjoy our little HELLO to them from their "home" in the Northwest!

Recipe:  Paper: The Paper Company-Primary-Emerald Green cs, Seaside-Lt. Green cs; Georgia Pacific-White cs.  Stamps: Wood Cellar-Wasghinton; Impress-Seattle, Space Needle.  Stampin' Up Ink: Garden Green, Pistachio Pudding.  Spellbinder die: Scalloped Recantgles SM. Impress Stamps heart brad. Stash: 5/8" Emerald Green Satin/ 3/8" green ginham ribbons; Buttons; Thread. 

Mr. Moustache Birthday Card!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

WEEK ENDING - DECEMBER 29, 2013

Two of my husband's brothers celebrate their birthdays on the same day...January 5th!  I had been wanting to make a masculine card featuring a moustache, and as brother, Joe, has had a moustache regularly for going on ten or more years, his birthday was the perfect excuse!  I had seen several cards over the last few years featuring Stampin' Up's Mocha Morning designer paper using postage stamp squares (the inchie style) and loved the look of it.  I wanted a larger card (big surprise) than an A2 size that is usually used by most SU designers.  I also like more layering than is typically used with most inchie cards, so came up with the idea of combining inchies and banners together.  Here is the result of inchies, banners, and Mr. Moustache!  I hope Joe enjoys his card.

Below is the inside of the Mr. Moustache card showing the design to coordinate with the style of the card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Early Espresso cs, Crumb Cake cs, Very Vanilla cs, Basic Black cs, Pink Pirouette cs, Regal Rose cs (ret.), Mocha Morning dsp; Punches: Postage Stamp square, 1" square, Bird Building (moustache), 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle, small oval, Ex. lrg. oval, Decorative Label; Framelit: Banners (modified). MayArts twine. Stash: buttons. Computer-made sentiment. (Mr. Moustache and sentiment are popped).  Inside: EK Fancy Corner punch. SU Mocha Morning dsp.  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: December 29, 2013/ #52).

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

I want to wish all those who take a peak at my blog a wonderfully warm and 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

I hope each and every one of you have a delightful day, enjoying good food and pleasing company!

My card was inspired by one originally designed by Misty Bradley over a year ago, and I thank her for that inspiration.  As you may know by now, I really like square cards, so my card had to be square, and I decided it needed a few more color layers.  I veined my leaves by folding at just the right angles and sponging these folds with Colorbox's Chestnut Roan to simulate the dinner-plate-sized maple leaves that fall in our front and back yards every year.  I also tweaked the papers used, adjusted the layout a bit, and added embellishments.  I just love the little wooden button and twine and decided it was just the right finishing touch.  I think my card turned out to be really warm, thankful, and encouraging, and I hope you enjoy it on this special Thanksgiving Day!

Inspired by Misty Bradley 2012 original.  Recipe:  Papers: Bazzill Dotted Swiss-Honey; Bazzill-Burning Ember/ Aqua; Stampin' Up Naturals Ivory (base), Early Espresso cs; Echo Park-Fall Fever: Trees & Stripe. Stampin' Up Punch: Open Scallop Border. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (sponging and distressing). Wrights Orange Citrus Twill. May Arts brown twine. Stash: wood button.

A Raven Visits West Virginia!

I attended a craftmaking affair last year, on my annual fall visit to my mothers, at the Rock, Paper, Scissors store in Redding, CA, which has now, unfortunately, closed since that visit.  We made several Fall/ Halloween items: two card, a paper sack gift card holder, a framed papercraft project, and a Harvest mini block.  Each was taught by a different store design team member or local craft artist.  The framed papercraft project was taught by Sara Moreno, and I loved its design, but as I do not generally decorate my walls for Halloween, I decided to turn my project into a card.

My card retains the flavor of the original project using the same papers and center design embellishments; but, I made the following changes.  I re-sized the orange word mat layer to a 5-1/2" card size and placed it on a black cardbase.  I moved the dripping ooze border and the black bow to the top of the card.  I added a ribbon strip over the ooze edge, silver sparkle to the rosette spines, offset the button in the center design area, and gave the raven a little back bead for its eye.  I was very happy with my card and decided it was perfect for a visit on Halloween to my daughter and her husband in West Virginia.  I hope they like my raven card, and it makes their Halloween more fun knowing they are remember and loved!

Recipe:  SU Basic Black (base), Authentique Enchanted-Haunted, DCWV Fall & Halloween stack (2012), SU Whisper White.  Spellbinder die: Fleur de Lis Squares. Martha Stewart punches: Icicle, Spider Web corner.  SU Dazzling Delights Silver.  Rosette (handmade). Black seam binding ribbon crinkled.  Colorbox Charcoal (sponging/ distressing).  Stash: Orange button, Black twine.

Sister-in Law Birthday #3!

I warned you that there were many!  Back in May you saw the first for 2013, and now comes a steady roll of them each month through October!  This one is  my "oldest" of the "in-law" sister-in-laws.  

You see we are categorized.  First, there's the sister-in-laws that are actually my husband's sisters, the "sister-in-laws."  Second, there are the sister-in-laws who are the wives of my husband's brothers and my brother, or truly the "in-laws."   I even have one sister-in-law that belongs to the "out-laws," and I am part of that too!  Don't even ask me to explain that one!

So, this sister-in-law belongs to the "in-laws" group.  I say she is my "oldest" of the "in-laws," because she and one of my husband's brothers married next after John and I, John being the first of the four brothers to marry.  (I guess that really makes me the "oldest!"  Yikes!)  But, I call her my "oldest" "in-law" sister-in-law because she was my first "in-law" sister-in-law.  So, on that note, she gets a vintage card for her birthday!  

Okay, with all that gibberish, now the card!  This card was originally designed as part of a card kit by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).   But, wanting a larger card, I added a "Pool Party" cardbase, but the rest of the papers were used in the original card.  I re-cut the "word" trim, the eyelet dot trim, and the "graph" paper wider.  I was then able to spread the paper elements out more for a larger card.  I re-positioned the ribbon and added pearls to coordinate with the hat pin.  I do hope Dianne likes her card!  (Not so sure she will like the "oldest" bit though!)

Recipe:  Papers:  SU Pool Party cs, My Mind's Eye-Stella Rose (misc.).  Papertrey stamps: Button Boutique. Ink: Memento Cocoa Brown. Dies: Papertrey Beautiful Blooms II; Spellbinders Scallop Circles.  Seam binding ribbon/ blue dye.  Wood button/ gold glitter, Half pearls (stash).  Brown/White Baker's twine. Distressing: Colorbox Chestnut Roan. 

Fun Hospitality!

During my stay in California, I traveled south, making two separate visits to my sister-in-law, who lives in Carmichael.  She graciously provides a comfortable place to stay while there, and I must tell you, she is an excellent cook!  Because she is always so welcoming, I want to let her know how much I enjoy her company, and I always look forward to seeing her.  A little side attraction is that I get to spend time with her grandsons who are often in her company.  As I have no grandchildren of my own but worked around young elementary-age children until I retired, I find them delightful and full of fun.  Each has their own personality and sense of humor, bringing laughter and smiles to me.  I hope she enjoys this card I made for her:

It is fitting that I give my sister, Heidi Gonzales, credit (www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com), as I lifted her idea from a card class she taught back in January 2011.  I used the same papers plus an additional pattern, enlarged my card, and made it square.  I added sewing stitches to several layers, and also popped on a bright turquoise pearlized button to liven up the flower.  I think it turned out very appealing!

More Get Well Wishes!!!

My long-time friend, Marlene, is still fighting her battle with her back and recovery from numerous surgeries.  I wanted to send her a fresh batch of get well wishes, so out came my stash of kits to complete the card below.  As most of you know by now, I always love my sister's cards and wonderful creative ideas (Heidi Gonzales - www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  This kit was one I got from her over two years ago.  My only change to the original design was to enlarge it a bit and change the sentiment to fit a get well card.  And, I, of course, composed and poem and decorated the inside. 

 Get well soon, Marlene!

A Masculine Birthday

Today is my oldest son's birthday.  He has always been a computer gamester, so I went in search of an idea that would fit that theme and came up with My Favorite Things Masculine Graphic Tee die & stamp set combo.  As it turned out, I did not use the stamps.  Instead, I used a sticker from the paper line that I modified to fit the front of the T-shirt to become its logo.  Here is the t-shirt I made just for David's birthday!

Next, I needed to add a little sentiment to the inside, and this is what I came up with as time got away from me and dinner reservations were looming...(doesn't it always, LOL)!

Recipe: 

Paper:  Bazzill cardstock (black card base, sage t-shirt, smoke blue star); Patterns:  DCWV - The Generation Tech Stack.  Sentiment: computer-generated w/Word - Algerian 18 font/ charcoal printer ink.  Edge sponging: Cat Eye Charcoal.  Dies:  Spellbinders - Pinking Circles LG, Lacy Pennants (flags), Stars Five; My Favorite Things: Masculine Graphic Tee.  Stampin' Up button. Extras: black twine, pinking shears, back fine marker (faux stitching), Scotch 1/4" tape gun and foam tape.

My Kansas sister-in-law has a Birthday in 2012!

As you might expect, I have a sister-in-law with a birthday in August.  With eight sister-in-laws, there's got to be one almost every month of the year, though I do think I miss a few.  But, if I start making cards for brother-in-laws, I know I will certainly hit every month for sure!  I am trying to get better at sending birthday cards since I am now retired...my work has become cardmaking, LOL!  Do you ever think, "This is crazy, I'm stressing myself out because I have too many cards to make!  It's supposed to be fun...not work."  I find it kind of funny at times!  So, here is Joanie's card adapted and inspired by a card design by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner).

Happy Birthday Joanie...have a great one!

Sister-in Laws with July Birthdays...

I have two sister-in-laws with birthdays in July--what can I say, my husband is the oldest of eight, plus my own family--makes for a lot of sister-in-laws!!

Dianne's birthday is TODAY, and the wise owl sends birthday thoughts her way!  I just love using owls in my cardmaking!  (Again, this card was taught by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner)...it was fun to put together and use all of the Stampin' Up tools and the Smooch paper line.)

Happy Birthday, Dianne!

All the way in Colorado, another sister-in-law celebrates her birthday later in July.  Again, the card I chose for Jeanie was made as part of a class taught by my sister, Heidi, using the Stampin' Up Smooch papers.  I changed the front sentiment using the computer with Razzleberry-colored ink and the Fling LET font.  The card I chose for Jeanie follows:

Happy Birthday, Jeanie!

Recipe: SU cardstocks, Smooch paper, SU button, SU stamp: Aviary, SU ribbon, Daffodil seam binding ribbon.