Hugs for a Friend!

One of my good friends is always so good about making sure she touches base, lends an ear, and brings cheer when I need a little "pick-me up."  She did just that when my brother had his heart attach while I was away visiting my Mom.  I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her and her thoughtful ways, so I made her a little friendship hugs card.

The original design for this card was from Darla Watson's October Stampin' Up card kit.  I loved the basic color design, the country-style flowers in a can stamp, and the puff paint, but I wanted larger, with more layers and colors, plus some personal touches to make the card fit my occasion and reflect more of my style and design.  I added an Early Espresso cardbase with a Crushed Curry mat layers beneath the original Granny Apple Green cardbase/ front, creating a three layer base rather than one and add more bright colors as well.  I corner punched the curry and green with two different styles of corner punch designs.  I cut down the size of the flower can white background to eliminate some white space and allow for a sentiment to be added, and  I rounded and design punched the corners to add interest.  I incorporated the puff paint idea from the original card, and I colored my flowers and the can to incorporate the bright colors of the added cardstock layers, plus shadow-colored the blooms with a  pale yellow-green. 

 

The original card did not have a sentiment, but I added an Early Espresso, rectangle mat-layer beneath my water can with my "hugs & kisses" sentiment...just the right message for my friend.

Prior to starting my card and design changes, I have reviewed some Splitcoaststamper challenges to see where this card might fit.  I will be posting later to my Splitcoaststamper gallery and to challenges.  Take a peek below at my finished inside and outside design.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green, Whisper White.  Stamps--Country Home, Good Greetings (sentiment- Oct. 2014).  Ink--Soft Suede.  Punch--Curvy Corners (retired).  Snowfall Accents Puff Paint (2019 Holiday).   Other:  WRMK--Deco Corner punch.  Zutter Corner Rounder punch.  Copic Markers.  Colorbox Ink--Chestnut Roan Edge Distressing.  Inside--Douglas Pagels verse.  Size--4-3/4 x 6 inches.

XOXO Valentine!

I recently purchased the Bloomin' Hearts die from the Stampin' Up 2016 Occasions mini catalog, and I was determined I was going to make a card with it this year.  It seems I usually buy new products during a holiday time, and I don't end up using it until the next year (or even after)!  I was also determined I would use it with a black, white and red color scheme. . .but read on. . .it didn't turn out to be black, white and red!

Making the Card---

While going through my stash of Valentine papers to use for my two friendly cards, which you will see posted at some point in February, I came across what I thought was patterned paper that matched my color idea with white and black mini checks and red hearts on alternate checks.  So, I pulled it out of the stash box and set it aside to make later, because I needed to finish any cards I had to mail, or like my two friendly card that I would be seeing the recipients soon.  

Today, I was all excited, because this was the day I got to use my Bloomin' Hearts die and my black, white, and red color scheme.  All this while the checked paper had been patiently waiting, and my subconscious creative mojo had been stewing over this paper.  Before I even started, I had decided who would receive this card and the style and design I would use.  I was going to make a gatefold card using a black cardstock base and red glimmer paper for its middle layer and for the die-cut heart with a doily underneath my heart.  Lo and behold, this paper was NOT black, white and red, but dark brown, white and red!  "OMGosh, what to do now!"  I had the card layout all visualized, all I had to do was plan the cutting sizes and get to work cutting!  Not to fear, I easily decided an Early Espresso, red and white card would be just as pleasing. . .problem solved.

The paper is double-sided and had a red foil heart border on the back pattern.  I thought this would be kind of cute to add instead of having only the checked pattern, so I planned accordingly.  After I glued the delicate filigree heart die-cut onto my doily, I still felt it was a little flimsy to be the piece you grabbed to open the card, so I thought a large, red cardstock scalloped heart cut with my Scalloped Circle dies would add to its sturdiness and look nice on the backside when the card was opened as well.  This idea worked very well.  

Next, because I decided the white in my paper pattern was actually more of a pale cream and the border was definitely a darker cream, I made my popped flowers on my red filigree heart of a pale cream glitter paper that I had in my stash.  NOTE:  the filigree heart die comes with two little flower dies, one larger than the other, to add where the filigreed heart has these flower shapes in the its pattern.  I finished adding these, the other embellishments, and the sentiment, and satisfied with its look, I proclaimed it done.

For those of you who have viewed and read my blog before, you know what comes next. . .creating and finishing an inside design and verse that compliments my card's, hopefully, creative front.  

Recipe:  Papers:  Cardstock-Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Red Glimmer; DCWV-Glitter Cardstock Stack; Pattern-TPC Studio--The Reasons I Love You/ Little Lovin'.  Stampin' Up Stamps: Bloomin' Love.  Stampin' Up Ink: Cherry Cobbler.  Stampin' Up Thinlit die: Bloomin' Heart.  Spellbinders: Scallop Circles.  Stampin' Up punch: Word Window (shortened).  Wilton 4" Doily (Michaels).  Queen & Co. Twinkle Goosebumps-Red.  Size:  5-1/2" x 6".

A Little Birthday Card for Cousin Junie!

My cousin, Junie, has a birthday in July.  I decided to make her a summery birthday card from a Stampin' Up card class designed and taught by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.mylilscrapcorn.blogspot.com).  I just love this Summer Smooch paper from Stampin' Up, which recently retired.  The whole card brings a smile to your face.  I composed a little verse and decorated the inside to match the papers used on the front.  I hope Junie likes it.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products - Papers: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Island Indigo cs; Summer Smooch dsp. Stamps: Bright Blossoms, A Word for You. Inks: Red Riding Hood, Lucky Limeade. Punches: Oval Scallop, Oval, Itty Bitty Punch Pack. Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon; Rich Razzleberry flower button; pearls; Linen thread. Other:  EK corner punch. 1/2" corner rounder 3D foam tape.

2011 Aunt's Birthday #90!

When my 96-year-old mother-in-law heard what was planned for Aunt Joanie's 90th birthday. . .a birthday card shower, she asked me if I would make a second card and mail it from her.  I was only too delighted to do this for her.  As I had already accumulated lots of ideas from her son about her hobbies and favorite things throughout her lifetime, I was intrigued by the fact the Aunt Joanie loved root beer floats, and was tickled to be treated with one even to this very day.  I thought this would be a fun idea for her second card from Alice.

Again, I went online search for a vintage photo involving root beer floats.  I saw numerous ones, but really like this old ad for a soda fountain shop encouraging you to come in for a delicious, creamy, and cool float!  From the image, I chose the colors of my paper.  I had the black and gold ribbon in my stash and thought it would be great to use, and I was off and running from there.  Here is the card that came together as my vintage creation.

This is the little verse that I composed all about root beer floats and the temptation to have one.  By the time I finished I think my mouth was watering. . .LOL!