Let's Party with Dinosaurs!

My oldest son is newly engaged, and they intend to tie the knot in June 2023 if everything goes according to plan.  Through this union, I have acquired what would be a great granddaughter.  She will be  three years old on her birthday in a few weeks...the same age range as are my three natural granddaughters, which is 2-1/2 to 5 years.  Her Mom and grandmother (who is my son's fiancé) planned a dinosaur-themed birthday party.  So, needless to say, I needed a birthday card and wanted to try my hand at the dinosaur theme.

I found a darling little cartoon line-art baby dinosaur, who had just hatched from his uniquely designed egg.  I thought this would be a good place to start.  Next, I found some pink, white, and green digital dinosaur  paper to add to the plan.  My next task was to search out some Splitcoaststamper challenges to fit this card into my "challenge catch-up" goal.  With all these thoughts in mind, I came with up my card design, which started with the Standing Pop-Up card fold technique. 

 

The face of Amara's card got so heavy, the card wouldn't stand up, so I invented a little paper fold "hinge" to insert into the hollow box-like rectangular front platform that allows the card to fold down flat to insert it into an envelope for mailing and also to pop-up and open to allow the card to stand on a flat surface.(1)  My "hinge" isn't a terribly difficult addition if you can do it before you form the box and while the cardbase is still flat, but it becomes much more tedious  to insert the "hinge" with the attachment flat covered in glue after the box is formed! 

With all that was said above, take a look below at Amara's finished baby dinosaur Standing Pop-Up card when finished.  I think she will love it, as well as Mommy and her grandmother!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Papers--Garden Green, Basic White cardstocks, Subtles & Brights Patterned DSP Stacks (Garden Green + Wild Washi--pattern years unknown);  Stamps/Dies--Dino Days(4), Little Letters Framelit dies; Cloudy Day EF--retired(5); Ink--Smoky Slate, Garden Green; Other: White Metallic Shimmer cs (Amazon), Digital paper(2): Cute Baby Dinosaur Dinosaurs s & Confetti Rain-Pink(2) (source unknown--computer stash); Dies--Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven (retired); Lawn Fawn Grassy Hillsides; Copic Markers; Fussy-cutting; Verse--Chatterbox design(6); Card Size--4-3/4" x 6".

Construction Notes:  1)See "hinge" note for Standing Pop-up fold in dialogue above.  2)Digital papers printed on Amazon White Metallic Shimmer cardstock .  3) Confetti Rain-Pink die-cut letters Copic colored to change to a Rose color.  4)Palm trees from Dino Days stamp/dies; leaves die-cut from SU DSP Patterned Stacks listed & then overstamped with palm stamp.  5)Embossed Clouds: inked raised or positive side of folder to give clouds a gray outline for a typical northwest cloudy day.  Added additional very light brushed ink blending to add more grey to background and edges as well.  6 )Inside "verse" with computer = Chatterbox design (that's me);

A Ballerina for Amara's Birthday, Too!

My oldest son's fiance has two adult children. Her daughter has a daughter who was born between my granddaughter #2 and granddaughter #3.  She is a wee little thing, and my granddaughter #3, who is five months younger, is at least three inches taller!  We consider Amara our adopted granddaughter #4, and she needed a birthday card for her second birthday in early June.  Needless to say, she needed a ballerina birthday card as well!

To decide what colors her ballerina would feature, I asked what colors of clothing Amara looked the very best in...the answer was turquoise (aqua) and yellow.  So, a two-tone card Amara would get.  I used an SU retired Tempting Turquoise cs and Crushed Curry.  patterned paper I chose was a little pale, so I sponged Daffodil Delight ink over the surface.  Since I made the last ballerina card for Evie, I purchased the body parts that I spoke of in the first ballerina card made (see it here: A Ballerina Birthday for Callie!); therefore, this little girl has real arms and a real torso, and legs, which are hidden below her clothing!  Other than these added body-shaped parts, there is very little difference in construction.  Take a peek below at Ballerina card #4 in light turquoise and yellow:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise (ret.), Whisper White.  Patterned Paper--All Abloom dsp stack (2014-15).  Ink: Daffodil Delight (sponging).  Pearls-mini--Copic colored.  Other:  DCWV Glitter stack--Turquoise-oval frame/ Yellow-skirt.  American Crafts POW--Marine Glitter paper (bodice/ balloon).  Dies--Alina Crafts--Ballerina, Doll Body Set; Spellbinders--Floral Ovals, Petite Ovals Large; Lawn Fawn--Party Balloons; MemoryBox--Varsity Numbers; Autone dies (Amazon): Balloon Message Strings (happy birthday sentiment). EK punch--Victorian Corners (inside).  Ribbon--Offray 1/2" Turquoise Organza (lengthwise 1/2 cut).  Copic Markers.  Wink of Stella: Black   Stash--Balloon strings--Lyon Sparkly Mini Yarn; Glitter Tulle--turquoise/ yellow.  Chatterbox Verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6-1/4".

But, Of Course, Evie Gets a Ballerina too!

Evie celebrated her first birthday in November, 2020.  Not to be outdone by her cousins, Evie did not receive a birthday card in 2020 for her first birthday from Grandma either.  Mama and Evie were busy moving into their new home, and Grandma was busy helping Mama move storage unit boxes, babysit, and unpack many boxes as well.  Grandma also masked up, brought hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, etc. and timidly ventured out with Mama and Evie, while eyeballing my six-foot minimum distancing as we bought furniture, carpeting, closet doors, window coverings, paint, lumber, and hardware for all of Mama's myriad of projects she wanted to complete before officially moving in.  With everything freshly painted, renewed or replaced, Mama and Evie moved into their new home with three weeks to spare!  Grandma's house became very quiet...we surely missed Mama and Evie, but not to fret...it was only a 12-minute drive to their new doorstep!

Evie's Zoom Unicorn Birthday Party day arrived after many hours spent decorating with streamers, a birthday banner, balloons, and unicorn tidbits everywhere.  Unicorn cupcakes were made and party favors delivered to each party participant's porch the night before, and Mama made and decorating a beautiful unicorn cake with whip cream frosting and a beautiful pink, turquoise, and purple mane.  Grandma had her gift all wrap with a note that said, "Evie's birthday card is 'under creative construction.'  Hopefully, it will arrived completed soon!"

I am happy to say Evie's birthday card and my third ballerina card is complete!  I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy making these gems for my lovely girls!  Evie gets a turquoise ballerina with a dab of pink.  She has light brown hair to match Evie's very short locks, but the little ballerina doesn't show off the reddish glints in the sunlight that we see sparkling off little Miss Evie's head!  Take a peek at Evie's card below:

If you are interested in the Ballerina construction check out this link: A Ballerina Birthday for Callie!

Ingredients:   SU cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Whisper White.  ColorBok Glitter Paper: Glacier Springs/ White.  Patterned Paper: Raspberry Road Design by Susan Darter--Mini Roses/ Stripes.  Recollections: Turquoise Foil.  Cote'dinations Sparkle cardstock: Fashionista.  Bubbley White Shimmer Paper.  Spellbinders dies: Floral Ovals, Petite Ovals Large.  Lawn Fawn die: Party Balloons.  MemoryBox die: Varsity Numbers.  Autone dies (Amazon): Balloon Message Strings (happy birthday cutout/ sentiment).  Turquoise Glitter tulle (stash).  Wink of Stella/ Clear.  Offray ribbon: Turquoise Organdy.  SU: Pearl minis.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6-1/4".

A Little Pink Ballerina for Sienna!

 I've now finished my second ballerina card, and this one is for my second granddaughter.  They get to be granddaughter #1, #2, and #3, by their age.  Callie, who was just 4, is granddaughter #1.  Sienna, who was just 2, is granddaughter #2, and Evie, who is 16 mos., is granddaughter #3.  I love them all dearly, and I'm sure you know, their number has nothing to do with how much I dearly love them!  All clever, cute, and darling girls for sure!

So, I missed making Sienna's first birthday card, as I was just returning from several trips to California, just in time to attend her birthday party, but not get a card done!  Within 5 days of her birthday party,  Covid arrived in Washington...the first state with a Covid case, then schools closed, gatherings closed, restaurants closed, and life became anything but normal!   It seems everything stopped, even my creative mojo and ability to get myself to my crafting table stopped!  I think we were all in shock, and my husband and I were certainly in the age range where every precaution was needed!  I am happy to say...a year later, both my husband and I have received the vaccine, and we are looking forward to an end of the pandemic!  At least we can now socialize with our family members who are vaccinated...we are almost to 75% of our immediate family at this point.

I am also happy to say that I have finally made little Sienna her card for Birthday #1 to save in her memory box...a homemade card from Grandma in honor of her first birthday!  Sienna dressed in a darling little frilly pink birthday dress, so it was only right that her card should be pink...and with her very blonde hair, her ballerina surely must have yellow hair.  I followed the construction instructions provided on Callie's purple ballerina card, and here is that link:  A Ballerina for Callie! if you are interested in the ballerina's construction.  Take a peak below at Sienna's sweet little pink ballerina:

Ingredients:   SU cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White.  ColorBok Glitter Paper: Glacier Springs/ White.  Little Yellow Bicycle Patterned Paper: Baby Safari Girl--Pink Floral/ Girl Small Squares.  Bazzill: Hot Pink Foil.  Gemstone Shimmer Cardstock: Rose Quartz. Alina dies--Ballerina. Spellbinders dies: Floral Ovals, Petite Ovals Large.  Lawn Fawn die: Party Balloons.  MemoryBox die: Varsity Numbers.  Savvy die:  Happy Birthday cursive.  Rose Glitter tulle (stash).  Offray ribbon: Hot Pink Organdy.  SU: Pearl minis.  Wink of Stella: Clear (hair sheen).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6-1/4".

Christmas Flowers Bring Joy (Paper Pumpkin October 2020 - Joy to the World Alternative)

I think I mentioned several months ago that I finally signed up for Stampin' Up's Paper Pumpkin subscription hoping that would motivate my lost cardmaking mojo.  It helped a little, but not as much as I'd hoped.  I still didn't get started on Christmas cards until just a few days before Christmas...YIKES!  I did fall in love with the October 2020 "Joy to the World" Paper Pumpkin kit, and it did finally spark me to try some alternative designs of my own rather than just make the couple of designs provided in the kit. 
 
I received a cute little penguin card from Ann Otto, the hostess of the Splitcoaststampers' Christmas Card Challenge...one I have participated in many times in past years.  I loved Ann's simple layout design with its left side triangle so much that it immediately gave me the idea to use the bones of her layout and incorporate it into the Stampin' Up October 2020 "Joy to the World" Paper Pumpkin kit elements to create my own card.

My deviations to Ann's layout were to add several layers to the card background, enlarge the left-side triangle and add layers and embossing to it as well.  Instead of a cute little alcohol inked penguin, I positioned two layers of kit's Christmas rose flowers on the triangle to which I did a bit of fussy-cutting and coloring.  I also added gold sequins to the flower centers and added green to the leaves.  I wanted the leaves to show off more and wanted to add depth and texture with the layers, sequins and dry embossing.

The kit came with gold metallic "Joy" die-cuts, but I decided to use my own "Joy" die, cutting it in two colors and setting them in an off-set,  layered placement.  The kit provided two vertical Crumb Cake card bases with a gold-etched vertical patterned, but I wanted to make multiple numbers of my card design to build up my Christmas stash, so I found a background stamp that I thought would work really well.  I stamped and heat embossed the pattern in gold onto plain Crumb Cake cardstock to create eight more card fronts.  I also added ribbon and more sequins that were also not part of the kit.  (Unfortunately, the other seven pre-cut and prepared card pieces are still waiting for me to finish putting them together!)  

Take a peak below at my first alternative card design using the Paper Pumpkin kit supplies, plus some added items and supplies not provided by the kit.  I have included the card ingredients below for your information:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper Pumpkin October 2020 "Joy to the World" kit elements.  Cardstock--Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Call Me Clover.  Gold Embossing Powder; Versamark Watermark Ink.  Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon.  Other:  My Favorite Things background stamp: Balloon Strings.  Alina Craft die: "joy."  Hot Off the Press:  Diamond Dots EF.  Pretty Pink Posh sequins.  Colorbox Ink: Chestnut Roan (edge distressing).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Christmas Wrapped in Holiday Spirit!

I'm onto my third Totally Lovin' Christmas modification...a cute little present snowman.  This one was a bit too plain for me, and the Soft Sea Foam green didn't do much for me with the blue.  I put my re-designing thinking cap on, and my soft green became a pinked white glitter paper center panel, my little snowman got a lot of fussy-cutting, and he changed his hat color too.   I decided he needed a navy cardbase with a silver foil mat layer between the Seaside Spray front panel, which surely need a bit of snowflake embossing to bring out some lovely texture.  My sentiment needed a pick-me up with a navy matting to coordinate with the new cardbase color.

I kept the layout with modifications, added new papers, dry emboss texturing, some glitter, foil, and a popped up fussy-cut snowman...it's done, and I am pleased.  This card surely must go to my snowman-loving friend! 

Meanwhile, when I saw the "square" snowman, I was thinking about a Splitcoaststamper challenge I was sure I'd seen requiring using things with squares.  My geometric snowman would surely fit!  Take a peek at the finished card below, both inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Silver Foil, Whisper White.  Stamp: Lots of Cheer (snowman/ sentiment).  Dies: Finishing Touches Edger (pinked).  Embossing Folder: Snow Burst (2011 Holiday).  1/4" Metallic Seaside Spray ribbon (2019 Holiday).  Other:  Colorbox Glitter paper--Fresh Snow.  Inks--Memento Tuxedo Black.   Colorbox Charcoal Cat Eye (ink distressing).  Punch--EK Victorian Corners.  Copic markers--Snowman/ B000, B21, B32, O; Hat/ B91, B95, B97; Ribbon/ R00, RV23, R83.  Scarf/ YG13.  Carrot/ YR18.  Wink of Stella-Clear (ribbons).  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.   (Thanks to Liz Thayer for original design idea that I took the liberty of modifying).

Let's Celebrate in Epic Style!

My oldest son is having a birthday this week, and I needed to get a birthday card completed.  This will be my third card in a month because of my left hand surgery, and it is a slow and methodical process!  I am still in a cast that covers my left thumb and extends 3/4 of the way to my elbow.  This Friday is removal day, and I can't even express how glad I am!  I digress...back to my son's birthday card.

As is my usual process, I checked Splitcoaststamper challenges to get some inspiration on where to start.  None of the current challenges spurred any masculine card thoughts, so I branched out to play challenge catch-up, and I found some ideas that sparked my creative mojo!  An old December  inspiration challenge that I was not able to play in when introduced had me deciding on using a guitar for my card.  I did some collage grunge stamping to replicate the look of the guitar poster as seen on this website:  Watercolor Guitar Abstract.  I am pretty happy with my results and I think David will be as well!  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Papers~ Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Pattern:  Pick A Pattern dsp (stripe); Wood Textures Paper Stack.  Stamp--Epic Celebrations (2018 SAB); Timeless Textures (2019).  Ink--Crushed Curry; Smoky Slate.  Washi Tape--Myths & Magic/ silver glittery (Copics Gold colored)(2018 Occ).  Embellishments--Hearts & Stars Wood Elements (star-Copic colored center); Metallic Enamel Shapes (stars-silver/ Copic Goldcolored)(2018 ret). Other:  Paper--Recollections Gold Frosted Shimmer.  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Dies--CraftsSuppliesForU/ Vertical Happy Birthday.  Punch--WRMK Stub Corners.  Wink of Stella/ Clear (black circle mat, HB sentiment die-cut, edge of Gold Shimmer paper to add more sheen.).  Copic Markers--Guitar coloring. Stars and glimmer star washi (silver to gold) + Wood star center to dark brown.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" X 6".

Bright Green, Navy, & Lemon Lime for a Birthday!

A friend has a birthday just a few days before Valentine's Day.  I found I can do a bit of cardmaking after my hand surgery...one-handed as long as I take it slow since it isn't my predominate hand.  I can hold things still with the weight of the cast as long as I do not put any pressure on it and keep it in a relaxed state.  So, I may get a few cards done if I'm lucky without causing undo pain.

I've had this pretty patterned Stampin' Up paper called Naturally Eclectic for about a year, and I thought I'd use it along with the companion stamp set.  I focused on the two-step stamped flower and double stamped it twice, and then fussy-cutting one to pop and layer over the other on its small rectangular flower panel.  To finish it, I mat-framed it with a postage stamp edged die, and I used its larger size to mat-frame my patterned background paper.  The card fell together fairly easily, except for the modification I had to make for my smaller postage mat-frame to fit the size I wanted my stamped flower panel to be.

I designed the inside to match elements found on the card front and composed a little birthday verse for my friend.  Take a peek below at the finished design.

Ingredients:  SU Products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Night of Navy, Emerald Envy.  Pattern--Naturally Eclectic.  Stamps--Oh So Eclectic; Sweet Cupcake (sentiment).  Ink--Lemon Lime; Emerald Envy.  Punch--Classic Label.  Ribbon--1/2" Finely Woven-Lemon Lime.  Die--Avery Elle Postage Stamp Rectangles (smaller modified).  Darice Pearl Stickers--4 cm + seedlings.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6".

A Birthday Journey!

It's my husband's birthday this coming week-end, and I needed to get his card made this past week.  I was anxious to begin, because I had a new Tim Holtz die...the Globe, and ideas were beginning to come fast and furious, especially after I reviewed possible Splitcoaststamper challenges to catch up on.  This will be my last card for a while, as my hand surgery is scheduled for Monday, and it will be about a six-week recovery.

One challenge needed some shine, another die-cut word(s), another some spritzing and/or splattering, another to use up something set aside to maybe use later, another to be inspired by color, and then there was the one that needed something natural and not man-made...what could be more natural than Mother Earth...a planet!  

I had printed a vintage map, which didn't print quite right and ended up with some purple splotches, but I loved the vintage look of it and decided to keep it to see if it would fit somewhere...somehow.  I decided to re-color the map with my Copics to enrich its color and cover up the wonky purple areas.  Then, I added some metallic antique copper spritzing and splattering for even more eye-appeal and/or cover-up!  Since my Globe die has longitude and latitude lines, it will work for the Alphabet challenge, letter L.  To add depth, I die-cut four globes and four Happy Birthday die-cut sentiments so they would pop up off the card front.  I also spritzed the top gold matte foil layers of both with antique copper spritzing and splattering to add even more interest.  I had some little tiny metallic gold stars in a cup on my craft tape since early December and decided to scatter those randomly on the card front as well.  I was really please with how they looked, so I painstakingly glued each down.

My last step was to decorate the card inside to coordinate with the front design and to compose a birthday verse.  I am really pleased with how my husband's birthday card turned out.  I love the vintage flair, and I think he will be please.  He decided he only wanted one card for his birthday and that was mine, because the store-bought cards are a waste of money he says.  He added that he would rather have a candy bar for a card, and it would be okay if the children need to add a happy birthday paper taped to the bar.  I told him perhaps a handwritten tag tied with a string would work!  I promised I would pass the word to the klds!  I also let them know he was doing his "baa-hum-bug" birthday dance, which he does each year!  

Here is his one and only birthday card below with the inside design pictured as well!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Cardstocks--SU Early Espresso, Darice Timeless Pack (tan), Vintage North America Map (printed from Pinterest); DCWV Solid Golds Stack/ Matte Foil.  Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations: Globe; Dee's Distinctively Dies: Happy Birthday, Small.  Punch: EK-Victorian Corner.  Homemade Sprtizer: Folk Art Metallic Antique Copper diluted w/ water.  Copic Markers (map coloring).  Recollection: Large Copper Rhinestones.  Stash: bitty gold metallic stars.  Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Showering Sienna's Coming!

Sorry that I have been AWOL from my blog due to a flair-up in my arthritic and tendon-deteriorated hands, which prevents me from crafting.  My hands had already been earmarked for surgery for several years prior to my knee replacements, but the knees took precedence.  Since my stop-gap cortisone shot wore off in October, I needed to make a hand specialist appointment to determine a surgery schedule, but I procrastinated with the holidays.  By mid-December, I could feel the handwriting on the wall.  I really hoped to put surgery off until late April or May because of a list of personal commitments and obligations that I felt needed to come first, but that really has become almost impossible.  A doctor appointment in a few week's will determine the plan.  Meanwhile, cardmaking has been almost impossible without severe pain, but despite this, I did get one done in the past few days.

My youngest daughter is expecting her first child in March. . .a second grandchild for my husband and me.  We are very excited for Sienna Rose to make her permanent home in our family.  As traditionally happens, the mother-to-be and baby were to be feted with a shower; therefore, I really needed and wanted to make a card!

I mulled over possibilities, letting some Splitcoaststamper challenges influence my final decision.  I decided on a vintage style after browsing through my baby papers and chose an old paper that I have loved for years and never had the occasion to use it...now was the time!  Because the paper was very pale, I colored the dress ruffles, collar, and cuffs to brighten it up.  I even colored the little fussy cut flowers that I used on the card face and inside decoration.  I was pleased with the results and Jackie was too!  See the finished card, inside and out, below:

Ingredients:  SU Papers: Cardstock, Gingham Gala (2019 Occ./ balmy blue).  Other: Patterned Paper.  Dies:  MFT Stitched Scalloped Edges; Eyelet Oval; Hero Arts: Thank You Messages Frame Cuts.  Punch: WRMK Corner: Deco.  Copic Coloring (paper dresses, flowers, gems).  Ribbon: 5/8" seam binding.  Pearl Gems (natural & colored).  Chatterbox verse.  Fussy-cutting.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6."

A Baby's Coming in the New Year?

My oldest son's girl friend asked me to make her a baby shower card for her son's first child and her first grandchild. . .a little baby girl!  She had some specifics for me to work with, in that she wanted lavender to be the predominate color, it to be very feminine, and to have a baby elephant for the focal image.  She also wanted the inside verse to contain the baby's name.  Other than those specifics, I could let my creative juices flow!

Of course, my first thought was to check out current challenges at Splitcoasterstampers and then older challenges that I missed to work on my personal "challenge catch-up" goal.  I wanted to finish more of the current Alphabet Challenges for Round 10, so decided to focus on Letter E for elephant/ theme: animals.  I also used some older challenges for layout and inspiration.  Here is my finished card and inside verse using the baby's name:

Ingredients:   Papers~  Cardstock: Recollections Essentials (Violet); SU Whisper White.  Patterns~ Recollections: Purple Ditsy Floral; K&Co.-Watercolor Bouquet-Purple.  Stamps~ Wild Rose Studio/ Bella (retired).  Ink~ Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies:~Lifestyles Lacey Squares (retired); Sizzix/ SU: Layering Squares; Lifestyles Lacey Circles (retired); Spellbinders Classic Circles LG.  Punches~ SU: Curvy Corners (retired); Martha Stewart: Double Loops Edger; QuicKutz Scallop Photo Corners (retired).  Ribbon~ Offray 5/8" Sheer Violet.  Copic Marker coloring.  Chatterbox sentiment tag/ inside verse.  Card Size:  4-3/4 x 6-inches.

An Angelic Heavenly Host Comes to Visit!

I wanted to finished the third and final Pre-Virtual Stamp Night Mini, which required a Christmas card made with the traditional colors of red and green, because these are the colors that Dr. Seuss' Grinch dislikes intensely.  I also wanted to play my personal "catch-up challenges" some more as well!  So, I went in search of what else I could put on my card beside red and green that would meet other challenges.  I found that winged things worked, and if it was a winged angel, formally called a heavenly host, my card would fulfill even more.

Last year while attempting to make my Christmas cards, I printed a darling pre-colored vintage digital image of a sweet little angel and two wee birds singing together, but it did not get used.  I was stoked...my winged creatures from my pre-made stash works for the VSN with no time against me!  I had three glittery frames in white, green, and red that I also made for last Christmas and did not get used when my Christmas crafting was cut short with my hand strain issues.  I found if I framed my image, another challenge could be met, and on it went.  I found some inspiration from the current Inspiration challenge, which is what prompted me to use the angel image.   Now, my mojo was really simmering!

An older Featured Stamper and Sketch challenge both helped with decisions regarding the layout.  Now that I had a basic layout idea in mind, it was time to gather all my materials and tools that I might possibly need.  My first step was to find the perfect paper that would work with one of my pre-made glittery frames, plus embellishments, ribbon, dies, punches, etc.  I find I always gather more than I end up using, but at least it is at my fingertips if I do need it as time is of essence in the Virtual Stamp Night challenges.

I set my timer for one hour, and let the fun begin!  I started to get nervous when I had used 40 minutes to cut my paper layers, complete the ink distressing, adhere the layers, add my ribbon band, cut my die-cuts, punch snowflakes, make my bow, and prepare my framed image and pop it up.  I still needed to make a computer sentiment layer to fit my red tag die-cut.  Fortunately, I had another sentiment saved in my computer that fit a one-inch circle punch.  I copy/ pasted it, changed the words and ink color, and it was good to go!  Thank heavens my printer did not give me fits as it can do from time to time!  

That was a close one...I used 55 minutes!  I used my extra five minutes to add some Wink of Stella glimmer to my pre-colored image angel and birds, which does not show up too well in the picture.  Take a peek at my finished card. . .I think I'm pretty happy with it.

I didn't like how much time it took to make the sentiment tag using the computer; it cut the deadline time too close for comfort.  Since I do like to use sentiment tags, I've decided to make a bunch in different colors and sentiments and pre-punched them for my stash.  They just might come in handy for the VSN main event in December.  If not, I am sure they will get used eventually.  

In addition, I plan to download, size, and print more pre-colored Christmas images that might come in handy, plus die-cut some additional frame styles using different types of paper and colors.  I punched more bitty snowflake in more colors.  I had white ones pre-punched, as well as silver, lime green and aqua, but no Emerald Green or Red...can you believe that!  Not sure why I had lime-green. . .that was interesting!

Ingredients:  Papers~  Stampin' Up cs--Chocolate Chip (retired); Recollections Glitter Paper--Cherry, Evergreen, Snow;  Stripe--Recollections Signature Sugar Plums Pad.  SU Ink: Soft Suede (edge ink distressing).  Dies~ Spellbinders: Triple Floral Squares (frame), Delightful Circles (tag back).  Punches~ EK--1-inch Circle; Recollections--5/8" Snowflake.  Ribbon Stash:  5/8" Emerald Sheer.  Pre-made Stash: Angel & Birds pre-colored digital image (3 in.), Green Glitter Frame.  Wink of Stella--Clear & Gold.  Stash: Acrylic Sheet (stablizing framed image).  Chatterbox verse/ sentiment.  Size 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

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.

Circa 1860's Vintage Christmas Tree!

I'm working on the Splitcoaststampers' Virtual Stamp Night Mini Challenge #2, whose theme is "Little Women."  The requirement is to make a vintage card in keeping with what their era of Christmas might look like.  I also went to several other SCS challenges for the layout and embellishment inspiration.

I started by looking through my stash of patterned papers for something with a vintage flair.  I found two perfect pieces that I was pretty excited about.  I checked my layout inspirations and with the paper in hand, my mojo began to simmer.  I jotted down a quick sketch of changes and additions I might want to add to the layout, so that I could gather all my tools and materials before I started the timer to begin making my actual card.

I opened up my stash of Christmas embellishments and re-acquainted myself with what I had, looking for something that would work with my chosen papers.  Right off, I spotted the lovely dimensional tree that I ended up using, but it certainly needed some background framing, which led me to the lovely, vintage-looking oval frame.  Of course, vintage means lace, pearls, ribbon, etc. to me, so I searched through my stash of these types of items for ones that might go well with my papers and my layout ideas.  I had to "build" my own lace panel as what I had was either too large or too small.  I cut out and cut down the center of the wider piece and added new edge lace to make it the perfect width.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.  All in all,  I am pretty happy with how my card evolved so quickly and how well it turned out.  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up cardstock--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler; American Crafts/ The Color of Memories--Vintage Christmas #320369/ Musical Score #341340.  Die: Cottage Cuts--Oval Doily.  Punch: EK--Scalloped Scallops border; Stampin' Up--Curvy Corners (retired).  Dimensional Chipboard:  K&Company/ EB Versions of Christmas Grand Adhesives--Christmas tree; Recollections Chipboard Accents--Christmas sentiment.  Lion Bonbons Jingle Bells (Christmas colors plain/ metallic).  Recollections--mini pearls.  Stash: Two laces/ modified; Fun Foam (pop up layering).  Size: 4-3/4x6 inches.

(This card became my daughter, Michele's Christmas card).

Three Trees & Two Colors in a Christmas Forest!

I thought I might dabble in the Virtual Stamp Night Challenge on Splitcoasterstampers.  They started a pre-mini challenge in early November. . .the actual event takes place December 2 & December 3.  The first pre-challenge was all about trees, even scraggly ones like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree!

I decided to use my Sizzix tree dies that I bought last year and did not get to use due to some hand issues that cut my crafting time down to zip!  I checked out the Christmas Central website for the Inspiration challenge to see if it could give some ideas of what to do with a tree or trees.  I spotted some pretty black and white items, which got my creative mojo going, and I decided a night scene with snowy forest trees would be really pretty.

I had to be clever about this as the Virtual Stamp Night requires you to spend only one hour putting your card together.  Your planning, designing, gather papers, and tools don't count against you, plus you may have pre-fold card bases available, and even some mat layers stashed.  It took me 35 minutes to die-cut and assemble my card parts.  I used a timer, and was able to pause and "punch out" when  my brain went into a re-designing mode with changes to my original thoughts, which required more tool gathering time.  I "punched" back in and went to work with more die-cutting and assembling.  I am pretty happy with the end result; take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Paper:  Stampin' Up--Whisper White (cardbase); Recollections Signature Glitter Paper/ white; Core'dinations--Black Tie; DCWV--Silver Stag Star dsp.  Dies:  Spellbinders--Tear Drop Circles; My Favorite Things--Stitched Circle STAX, Stitched Snow Drifts; Sizzix TH-Alternations--Woodlands; Cottage Cutz Expressions--Merry Christmas.  Stampin' Up: Metallic Stars (retired).  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Halloween Peeking Out All Over!

As mentioned in my previous post, it's that time of year when I get to make Halloween cards...ones I truly enjoy so I can let my imagination run away!  My next card is for DD#2, my youngest daughter, and her husband.  Since there is a man involved, I had to stay away from anything too feminine!

My son-in-law is a Halloween and theme park enthusiast!  The two of them just returned from a five-day Halloween adventure vacation to the Los Angeles area, visiting Halloween horror events and Halloween themed parks and thrill rides.  Warner Bros. Halloween Horror Nights was their primary attraction visited.

I actually started their card well over a month ago after I checking out several Splitcoaststamper challenges before I finally settled on the card layout I wanted to use, but I was unhappy with where it was going so I stopped and only recently got back to it.  I revisited the SCS challenges and finally felt like I knew where I was headed!  I incorporated four common Halloween images usually seen on the Day of the Dead and ones that I was fairly sure they saw in many different versions while on their vacation.  I ended up pretty happy with the results and was pretty sure they would enjoy it as well.  Take a peek below at the finished card:

I found a verse that was perfect for the card, with a few modification, but ended up having to hand-write it because my printer was on the fritz!

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up cs--Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla; Bazzill cs--Yam; American Crafts POW Glitter Paper--Caramel; Best Creations Glitter paper--Lime; Pattern Paper--Doodlebug Designs/Ghost & Ghouls--Spookie Sprinkles (confetti), Host of Ghosts (stripe).  Dies:  Impression Obsession: Halloween Cutout Circles; Stampin' Up--Layering Circles; Little B--Halloween Phrases.  Punches: Martha Stewart edger--Cathedral Lace; Stampin' Up--Curvy Corners (inside-retired).  Embellishments: Offray Sheer Stripe--Yellow-Green; Recollections--purple mini rhinestones.  Verse/ modified by Chatterbox.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches. 

Cute Skeleton Bones for Halloween

It's that time of year where I get to make Halloween cards.  I just really enjoy putting together interesting and offbeat cards, and my four adult children and their spouses enjoy receiving them.  For my DD#1 (darling daughter), I found two challenges at Splitcoasters that spurred along my imagination and my creative mojo began to rumble!

I wanted to use skeleton bones on my card, and I pulled out an old 2015 Stampin' Up set that I had not ever inked up.  Being that this card would be for my oldest daughter, I thought a few feminine touches might be nice, so my skeleton ends up being a wee girl skeleton but not so terribly scary.  I am really happy with the results that morphed as I put it together.  I completed the inside with my very own Chatterbox verse and added some embellishments to coordinate with the card front.  Take a peek below. . .I think DD#1 will be delight!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Shimmer White, Whisper White, Happy Haunting dsp (stars); Darice Core'dinations Glitter Silk--Silver Mist. Stamp/Die set: Howl-O-Ween Treat/ Boo To You dies (2015 Holiday).  Dies:  Pierced Scallop Background.  SU Punch:  Ornate Tag Topper.  SU: Lucky Stars EF.  SU Embellishments:  3/8" Glitter Ribbon-White, Metallic Thread-Silver, Iced Rhinestone.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (handwritten/ computer printed).  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

A Roller Coaster Birthday!

My son-in-law has a mid-October birthday.  Since my daughter and her husband will be taking a mini-vacation to southern California to visit the theme parks in all their Halloween glory as his birthday gift, I wanted to use a Halloween theme park with scary rides as the subject of his card.  I found the perfect roller coaster die made by Simon Says.

With the help of peeking at some Splitcoasterstamper challenges, I decided on a late evening sunset sky with the roller coaster and other card elements in a subtle black glimmer paper in silhouette fashion.  I watercolored my sunset sky with Stampin' Up inks starting at the bottom in this order:  Daffodil Yellow, Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist, and Night of Navy, and then reapplied different colors where I thought certain colors were needed.  I applied the inks with water-wetted brush and misted over with water spritzing.  I moved the colors around with a paint brush until I was happy with the color combination.  I blew it dry with my heat tool (back and front).  I lightly spritzed my homemade White Pearlized Mist (made from water and Folk Art Metallic White Pearl acrylic paint) to give it a sheen and starry look.  I sponged a separate small piece of watercolor paper with yellow, orange and a bit of rose-red and finished by pearl spritzing to make my 3/4" punched circle for my moon.  I ink distressed its edges lightly with Crumb Cake ink.

I am super pleased with my results!  I think it is the perfect card for Josh. . .the family, theme park enthusiast!  Take a peek below at my finished outside and inside coordinating designs with my Chatterbox verse.

Ingredients:  Watercolor paper.  Stampin' Up cardstock:  Basic Black, Hello Honey.  Gold Glimmer?, Black Glimmer?  Stampin' Up Inks:  Daffodil Yellow, Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Wisteria Wonder, Marine Mist, Night of Navy.  Homemade White Pearlized Spritz (water/ Folk Art Metallic White Pearl Acrylic paint).  Dies:  Simon Says--Rockin' Roller Coaster; Impression Obsession--DIE096-D/ Grass; Memory Box--Stitched Halloween Circle Frame (just bats).  EK Punches:  Hole punch (people heads); 3/4" Circle; Victorian Corners (inside).  Background: Watercolor Sky.  Chatterbox verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Congrats! to Your Happy News!

We are looking forward to welcoming a new bundle of joy into the family. . .our second grandchild!  She is due to arrive in mid-March next year!  This will be my youngest daughter's first child.  She is so excited as are my husband and me.  Our daughter announced that they were expecting a girl by texting a picture of hubby giving her a big hug as she displayed a lovely pink satin bow tied around the middle of her white shirt as she held fluffy pink teddy bear in the crook of her arm.  It gave me a great idea for a congratulations card!

First, I prepared two pink watercolor papers. . .one for the card face and one for the inside verse area.  I dried them with my heat embossing tool, making sure not to curl or warp the paper (by applying heat to both sides of the paper).  I spritzed both with water to get a water droplet effect and re-dried both.  Then, I flecked darker rose watercolor paint flecks onto their surfaces with a paint brush.  Next, I stamped and fussy-cut my little bear and colored and shaded him very lightly with several pink Copics.  I shimmered the bee's wings with Wink of Stella/ Clear.

It was time to prepare my quilt.  I cut my quilt twice with the quilt die:  once in white cardstock and a second time in the tiny white hearts on pink paper.  I assembled the die-cut quilt pattern pieces that I chose to use to make up the quilt pattern from the die-cut pieces and glued them onto a square of plain white cardstock, starting with the pink patterned frame.  When assembly and gluing was complete, I embossed it with the Quilt Top embossing folder and glued it to my Lifestyles Eyelet Squares die-cut.  

I die-cut "Congrats" four times in plain white cardstock and stacked and glued them on top of one another to give dimension.  I added Wink of Stella/ Clear shimmer to the eyelet square edging and the "Congrats" die-cut.  Unfortunately, this does not show up in the photograph.  I popped my quilt square and little bear off the watercolor wash background with foam dimension pieces cut to fit just inside their outside edges.  I finished the card with the velvet rose ribbon and knot (which looks darker than in RIL) and with a yarn tuff in the quilt center.

Take a peek below at my finished baby congratulations card for my youngest daughter!

Ingredients:  Papers:  Stampin' Up Whisper White cardstock, My Favorite Things Tiny Hearts Brights (pink), Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper.  Stamps: Stampin' Up A Little Wild.  Dies: Stampin Up Quilt Builder, WRMK Lifestyles: Nesting Eyelet Squares (may be discontinued), Impression Obsession: Congrats.  Stampin' Up Embossing Folder: Quilt Top.  Wink of Stella: Clear (eyelet square/ congrats).

Another Sister-in-Law to Celebrate!

Another of my husband's sisters is having a birthday, and a card needs to be sent sooner rather than later.  I checked out Splitcoaststamper's challenges and got some great ideas to work with.  One of these challenges inspired an exact color that I needed to use, a second inspired the use of lots of colors, another inspired the layout (with a few changes), and yet another inspired the paper designs that I chose.  

With the paper choices I decided to use and my layout inspiration, I remembered a card class I attended and a card design by Luci Kirschenbaum that used the same papers.  Luci's card used a similar layout to the SCS layout inspiration; therefore, I decided to CASE Luci's card with some of my own changes.   I added two more color layers, one of which was a new cardbase color and an inbetween layer using the lime green color that I needed.  I also added a lime eyelet die-cut mat underneath my sentiment circle so that it was not quite so plain, and I added sequins and Wink of Stella liquid sparkle to the candle flame. 

I was really please with my finished card and the changes I made.  It turned out to be a very colorful and cheerful birthday card, and I think hubby's sister will enjoy it.  Take a peak below for the final card designs both inside and out.

Inside Under Construction

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Whisper 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.  Chatterbox verse/ computer.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6". Note: html color: Key Lime = #e8f48c.