October Birthday for Nephew-in-Law #1

I have two nephew-in-laws with birthdays in October....soooooooooooo many birthdays in October, AND many of them are masculine birthdays as well!  Why is it that it seems so much more difficult to create cards for men?  Since I generally create cards according to the interests and hobbies of the recipient, this makes it doubly difficult when the relative lives in another state, and I do not really know what their day-to-day interests are.

With this dilemma in mind, I chose a card that I purchased as a kit from a cardmaking event I was unable to attend, which was hosted by the dynamic duo, Dara Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum.  I believe this particular card's original designer was Luci.  Because my card was to be for a man, I re-modeled the card a bit while making it.  

The pre-dominate color in the original card was hot pink or Melon Mambo, which was very nice if for a woman, but as my finished card was to be for a man, I decided to pick up on other balloon colors in the designer patterned paper with a more masculine tone.  I added a black cardbase, and then a layer of Crushed Curry.  I switched out the Melon Mambo for Lost Lagoon, a greenish blue, to use as the circle mat under the sentiment and on the star embellishment.  I also added a piece of this color in a bordered pattern under the light tan, or Crumb Cake, patterned panel.  I am very pleased with the little bordered edge, as well as the color change and added color layers, as they bring out all the masculine shades in the balloon patterned paper, which was exactly my goal.

My final step was to complete the inside of my card with a verse and design created to compliment the card front.  As I didn't have a printer available to me in my travels, I had to hand-print my birthday verse.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Lost Lagoon.  Pattern--It's My Party dsp (2016 Occasions).  Stamps--Sky Is The Limit (2016 SAB).  Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black.  Basic Gray Edge-distressing.  Punches--Circles-2" and 1-3/4".  Dies--Star Framelit.  Enamel Dots--It's My Party (2016 Occasions).  (Thank you Luci Kirshbaum for original design).

New Son-in-Law Has An October Birthday!

I jokingly told my youngest daughter when she became engaged that one of the criteria I should have demanded in her choosing a husband be that his birthday did NOT fall in October. . .but, wouldn't you know. . .another October birthday!!  Now, I needed to figure out what kind of a card would be best for my new son-in-law.  He has a number of activities and hobbies that he enjoys, which include car racing, riding ATV quads in the sand and dirt, dirt bike riding, hiking, and planning vacations.  These two just returned from a belated two-week honeymoon to Florida, where I am positive they went to every amusement park and tourist attraction in that State!

After giving it some thought, I decided I would do a racing car card, because Josh has a 1979 baby blue Chevy Camaro race car.  He and his father have been involved in short-course racing since Josh was a young boy.  Though he has not raced his baby blue Camaro for a few years now, I am sure that at some time in the future, he will pick up this life-long hobby again.  Since I could not find a 1979 Chevy Camaro image to color, I decided on a 1969 RGX Camaro, which according to what I read is a much desired car.  Personally, I did not see a lot of difference between the two cars when I looked a photographs of actual cards, especially with the digital image that I found online of the 1969.  Take a look at Josh's finished card inside and out. . .I think he will be very pleased with one of his mother-in-law's homemade birthday cards made with only him in mind.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Night of Navy, Old Olive, Vintage Natural.  Darice Core-dinations Glitter Paper: Ball Gown. My Mind's Eye pattern: Lost & Found Two/ Breeze Boyish Plaid.   Graphic 45: Happy Haunting (black/cream check).  Spellbinders: Deckled Ovals LG, Nested Ovals SM.  Sizzix BigDie: Weathered Clock.  EK Punch: Scalloped Corners-LG.  WRMK Punch: Deco Corner.  Heidi Swapp Metallic Accents.  Stampin' Up Glitter Brad.  Google Online: 1969 Chevy Camaro digital image.  Copic Markers.  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size:  5-3/8" x 6".  

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!

I have another grand-niece, and her name is Farrah.  She is my sixth little niece and my sister's sixth granddaughter!  This little one belongs to my sister's youngest boy (of four children), and she is his second daughter!  Are you confused or what???

For this baby girl, I wanted to use my Cottage Cutz baby clothes dies, which I purchased at least two years ago and have never used them.  I cased a card by Jeannie Donnelly where she used the clothing dies in the "inchies" format, and I thought it was just too cute.  I really liked the inchies idea, but changed mine just a bit.  I used the bib from the Fancy Baby Border, scalloped squares for my inchies, and made them smaller in diameter.  I decided to simplify my sentiment frame, and not added  flowers, making my card less fussy.   

One thing I did find was that to accommodate the clothing dies, you had to use a square at least 1-3/4 inches in diameter, thus my card ended up 6-1/2 inches square.  Because of the amount of room around the clothing, I believe the card that I cased had to have been made with a 2-inch postage-edged square die, which would make that card a minimum of 7-1/2 inches square.  I decided that was just TOO big...my 6-1/2 inches is already pretty darn big!  

I am quite pleased with the outcome of my LARGE card, and I think little Farrah and her parents will like it as well.  Take a look below at the inside and outside of my little baby card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink.  Recollections: Glitter paper (iridescent). Patterns:  K&Co.-Susan Wright Spring Blossom Stack; DCWV Preppy Princess Stack;  Recollections-Southern Hospitality/ Southern Belle; Paper Pizazz/ Soft Tints Yellow/Pink Gingham; Recollections-Dots, Stripes & Plaids stack; Prima-Divine Collection/ Epigram; SU-Love Blossoms Stack (bib).  Stampin' Up Ink:  Pretty-in-Pink, Melon Mambo.  Dies: Spellbinders Nested Scallop Squares (1-3/4" dia.); Memory Box-Typewriter Upper Alphabet; Cottage Cutz-Baby Girls' Clothes/ Fancy Baby Border.  EK Punch: Scalloped Corners-Large.  Size: 6-1/2" square.  

Retirement Congratulationns Are in Order!

My friend and cousin-in-law has just retired after many years working for Koch Industries.  She will now join the ranks of us who enjoy everyday being Saturday and can go to bed at night and not have to set the alarm for tomorrow morning!  To commemorate this milestone in her life, I wanted to make and send her a congratulations retirement card.  I love black and yellow together so that is the color scheme I decided to use.  I hope she is careful to following the suggested things to do during retirement found in the card inside. . .one of which is to relax!  Take a look below at my finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin'Up cardstock: Daffodil Yellow, Basic Black.  MFT dies: Flutter of Butterflies.  Cottage Cutz Expressions dies: Congratulations (modified).  Sizzix Original die: Frame-Scallop Oval.  Stampin' Up punch: Curvy Corners (retired).  HugSnug: Goldenrod.  Darice Frosted Gems.  ColorBox: Chestnut Roan (distressing).  Patterned paper scraps.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Little Reese Turns One!

One of my little nephew's is turning one-year old this month.  Reese has an older nine-year old brother, for whom I have always made birthday cards, so Reese gets to become one of my permanent birthday card recipients as well.  See the finished card I chose for him below:

Ingredients:  Cardstocks: Bazzill--Tapioca (yellow), Aruba (aqua).  Stampin' Up--Very Vanilla.  Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye--Be Loved/ Fond Flowers.  Magnolia stamp: Edwin the Bug Catcher.  Spellbinders: Labels Eight.  Punches: Zutter Corner Rounder; EK Scallop-LG Corner (modifed to rounded corners).  Progresso Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colored pencils with mineral spirits.  Recollections: Gold rhinestones.  Ribbon: 5/8" Offray Chocolate Double Satin.  Distressing: Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  Computer-made sentiment.  Size: 5" x 7".

Story + Tidbits

Reese's card is one that I actually made during a 2010 card tutorial class on woodless pencil coloring and cardmaking skills!  The class and card designs were created by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, who owned a scrapbook store at the time.  Take a look at the wonder coloring textures that she taught us in coloring his shirt.  

Yikes, I just realized this card is way older than its recipient by over five years!  Now, don't think I have never given this card away because I hate the card, but rather, the reason is that I loved this Magnolia stamped little Edwin the Bug Catcher so much that I hated to part with him.  He also represents the last card I have of my first attempts to color using the woodless colored pencils and Gamsol for blending and setting the colors, a coloring technique I used before I jumped to Copic marker coloring.

Another reason I still had it in my possession was because I really considered it a "little boy card," and I waited so long to give it up that eventually all my nephew's grew too old for it.  With the birth of Reese last year, I decided this was the time to part with it, and to Reese it would belong even though he still a bit young for bug catching.  But, you will note that the verse ties in bug catching that will surely be in his future.

When making my card, I tweaked the design just a bit by making it larger, from a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" size to 5" x 7" size.  In addition, I used a different and larger die set behind Edwin and added a few more rhinestones to the front ribbon.  The inside is completely my own creation from paper to verse. 

Sympathy Cards Needed for Two Families!

My cousin-in-law, whom you just saw a birthday post a few days ago, lost her mother August 18th on her birthday.  How sad to always remember losing your mother on your birthday, but in this case, her daughter gave her Mom permission to find peace in heaven with her Dad, and that it would be the best birthday gift she could give her.  Very poignant. . .it brings tears to my eyes.

My other sympathy card goes to my son-in-law and my daughter in the loss of his father August 15th.  His illness has been going on for almost two years, and as the severity increased in the past two months, we have all been praying for God to ease his suffering and for him to find peace in heaven.  He passed away this past Sunday.  I'm hoping both families receive a little comfort from my handmade cards. . .take a look below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Bloom with Hope (ret. 2015), Hardwood (background), Mixed Bunch (large flower-ret.), Petite Petals, .  Ink--Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft (ret.).  Dies--Hexagon Hive (ret.), Sizzlits Little Leaves (ret.).  Punches: Modern Label (ret.), Blossom (ret.), 5/8" Chevron Ribbon (ret.).  Pearls.  Other: EK Punch: Scallop Corners, Medium.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" x 6".  (TY Liz Thayer for original design idea).

The Card Story & Other Tidbits

For these two families, I decided to use a design that I was introduced to over two years ago in March 2014 at a cardmaking event hosted by Liz Thayer, my Stampin' Up upline.  This was an event where we were to make two cards of six designs.  As I began preparing the parts for this particular card, as is usual for me, ideas began popping in my head of some things I wanted to change on the basic design and the embellishments.  I knew I wanted to added a little more color, some more mat layers, change the sentiment, and tweak the embellishments just a bit.  I completed the stamping, punching and die-cutting needed, and I decided to pack up my card pieces to finish these two duplicate cards at home.

Believe it or not, I have looked at these cards at least ten times in the past two years and have never actually finished them, but I did decided that they would make lovely sympathy cards rather than the original "get well" design.  Remembering this thought, I pulled out the pieces and finished both cards to give to the loved ones of those who have passed on to peace with the Lord. 

Besides changing them to sympathy cards, my other changes are that I added a navy blue cardbase and a Crumb Cake mat layer to coordinate with my ribbon flag, which enlarged the cards, making them more my style.  I turned over the chevron-patterned ribbon, deciding to use the solid color on the back.  I moved the ribbon flag and flowers higher on the cards to allow more room that I thought was needed for the sentiment.  I added an under mat to my sentiment and also added more leaves to the flowers, using a different die.  Though Liz's original design to very evident, I think my changes here and there really add to the lovely original design, and it suits my cardmaking style.  I finished off my cards by creating an inside design that coordinates with the card front and a sympathy verse to suit the occasion.

Getting Well After Surgery. . .

My son's girlfriend recently had surgery and spent a day in the hospital.  She's in that after-surgery rough patch where the pain becomes worse and nothing seems to be going the way you think it should.  I wanted to send some meals and a little homemade get-well card to cheer her up and to let her know that we are thinking about her and hoping she feels better real soon.

I'm still in my vintagey mood, so I put together what I call a simple vintage card, using soft-colored patterned papers, distressing, layering and embellishments to dress it up.  I love word dies and this lower-case "get well" word die that I recently purchased will be perfect for my style of card.  Take a look below at my finished card creation, showing both the front and the decorative inside with a little "get well" verse made up just for Katrina!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla.  Iralamija Music Notes digital paper.   Darice Opulent Opal Glitter paper.  Currugated paper: DCWV sask.  MFT dies: Corners (modified).  Paper Smooches die: Get Well.  Papertrey Ink die: Large Scallops.  Accu-Cut die: Bird.  Stampin' Up Pearls.   Hug Snug seam binding ribbon. Computer verse (Fonts: DaddyO 14/ Shelley 10.5).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".  

Oh Dear. . .Another Belated Birthday Card!

My niece had a birthday way back in April!!!  WOW...I am LATE!  But, I did want her to know I really did think about her on her birthday.  To save total face, I did send her a Facebook note with a birthday image on her day. . .but let's face it, that's not like getting a handmade card in the mail!  So, I am catching up.

I chose a card I started at a Stampin' Up cardmaking event hosted by the dynamic duo. . .Dara Peterson & Luci Kirschbaum.  This card was createded by Luci and uses a Splitcoast tutorial called the folded skirt as part of its design.  I re-created the card with a few modifications as follows:  I added a third layer for more color, using Melon Mambo, and I reversed my sentiment cut-out to the right side of the card and my flowers to the left.  Luci's design idea is really lovely. . .don't you just love that skirt design.  Since starting this card at the event, I have now seen other cards with the skirt design and some even have three pleats instead of just two.  You should try one. . .it's fun.

Below is my niece's finished card with my few modifications, and following the card is a picture of my interior design with its verse to compliment the occasion.  I think my niece will be pleased with her card even though it is a whole bunch LATE!

And the inside: 

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon.  Pattern:  It's My Party DSP Stack (2016 Occasions).  Stamps--Grateful Bunch.  Inks--Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Soft Suede.  Rhinestones.  Other products:  Papertrey stamps: Inside & Out: Birthday (sentiment/ verse).  Spellbinders: Labels 4 die.  Skirt Fold Technique (Splitcoast Stampers).

More Celebrations in My Brother's Household

My sister-in-law, Diane, celebrates her birthday in May, and I definitely needed to send her a card to let her know I am thinking about her and sending her happy wishes.  She has been under the weather a bit as well, so I wanted to be sure to get her birthday card off in time.  With my short timeline due to vacationing to visit my Mom in California, I chose to use a birthday card that I made in a January card class.  I loved this design just as it was presented, so I re-created my card just as shown in Liz Thayer's original design.

I just love balloon cards for birthdays, and I especially liked the glitter effect added to each of the tri-colored balloons.  It gave them a sensational look with the sentiment nestled amongst these balloons and featured center-front.  The two-layer die-cut shapes in black and white really set off the sentiment and made it pop!  Take a look below at my finished card:

Featured below is my completed card interior.  I chose to create a design using colors that coordinated with the card's front, and I also made up a little verse to fit the birthday occasion.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstocks:  Basic Black Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Marine Mist.  Stamp--Birthday Celebration.  Ink--Basic Blake, Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Marine Mist.  Punches--Baloon Bouquet, Curvy Corner, Petite Petals, Itty Bitty Accent/ Flower. Die--Lots of Labels Framelits.  Pearls.  Stash: Pink Rhinestone Flowers (inside).  Size:  4-1/4" x 5-1/2". 

The Force is With Him on His Birthday!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

 WEEK ENDING - MARCH 13, 2016

My oldest (son) has a March birthday, so it was time to put on my thinking cap to come up with the perfect card for this year's celebration.  As you know if you've read my blog a bit, I like to make cards that suit each person's personality, hobbies, favorite things to do, etc.  Over the last seven years, I have made him a Space Invaders card, a computer geek card, a movie mania  card, a Game On t-shirt card, a game controller card, and last year depicting one of his favorite foods. . . a pizza card.  What to do this year????

While browsing in Pinterest and on different blogs, I found a challenge blog where one of the cards had a Star Wars theme, using a Star War's character digital image from the challenge sponsor: Sassy Studio Designs.  Stars Wars...OMGosh, one of David's all-time favorite movies!  Like a magnet I was drawn to go to the Sassy Studio Design website, and lo and behold, their new monthly issue of digital images was based all around the Star Wars characters, from R2D2, to Chewy, to Yoda, to Princess Leia, and more. . .just waiting for me to bring them home . . .and home, I did bring!

My choice for my son's card was Yoda, so the search was on to learn Yoda's authentic color shades, which seemed to vary quite alot from gray green to green with tans, etc.  Even with these variations, finding Copic markers along the right hues was a bit of a challenge, because though I have over 300 marker colors, none were exactly along the right greenish to tan color lines that are depicted as Yoda's colors.  I had to select a variety of different shades and combine them to try to come out with the right greenish-tan for his face and hands.  For his robe, I decided it would be a bit more colorful than his regular robe for two reasons:  primarily, I didn't want my card to be totally drab, and I decided he would be dressed up in his best robe for a special occasion. . .David's birthday!  (Whatever works. . .right!)

After I got him all colored, then I went in search of the right cardstock colors and patterns to use for my card.  When I saw the black with gold star patterned paper, I knew I was on the right track.  I wanted some glittery stars, but decided to keep them subdue by using the Stampin' Up retired Brushed Gold for the stars, my planet, and the middle layer between the card front pattern and the cardbase.  Take a look at the crinkled planet surface.  I was able to achieve these crinkles by running my die-cut planet through on my Big Shot on the old crackled sandwich plate and adding a cardboard shim to make a really tight fit with lots of pressure as I rolled it through.  I put it through twice for good measure, and I thought it turned out pretty cool.

After putting my card pieces all together, and adding a touch of Wink of Stella-Clear to my planet, stars, and light-saber to give them a little more sparkle, I decided my card turned out better than I thought it might, and I know David will be thrilled with his Yoda card.  Take a peek below!

My finishing task was to design a creative interior with a birthday verse that coordinates with my card theme.  Take a peek at the finished interior design.

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up cardstock--Basic Black, Delightful Dijon, Pear Pizzazz (sponged), Very Vanilla (sponged), Brushed Gold (retired); DCWV pattern: Gold Stag Star.  Sassy Studio Designs digital image: Yoda Honey.  Dies:  Spellbinders--Small & Large Classic Circles; MFT--Sun, Moon & Stars, Stitched Snow Drifts; IO--Instant Photo Frame.  Punches:  Stampin' Up--Washi Tape, 1/2" Circle, Itty Bitty Accents/ Star, Itty Bitty Circle, 1/8" Circle.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  ColorBox: Chestnut Roan Ink (distressing/ sponging).  Copic Markers: Face--YG11, E81, Y11, E84; Eyes--YG11; Neck Cravet--E21, E95, E97; Robe Stripes--G99; Robe--E30, E53, E35; Saber--YG11, Y17, T7.  Size: 5-1/2" x 5-3/4".  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: March 13, 2016/ #11).

Hugs & Kisses for the Bride!

My youngest daughter, Jackie, is getting married, and the hostesses for her bridal shower party are my oldest daughter, Michele, and my son's wife, Ginger.  They have been very busy for the past month and a half planning the menu for the invitation design, the luncheon, the games and entertainment for the guests, and prizes to be won.  

Ginger came up with a vision of theme for the shower invitations, which she thought would be fun to craft ourselves.  This, or course, is where I entered into the planning as well!   From her ideas of having a gatefold card to use Jackie's wedding colors of black and red, she thought it would be elegant to add a black and white damask patterned paper and add ma wedding dress to the front of the card.  I thought a doily-fold wedding dress would be just right and the "sisters" agreed after they saw my completed dress.  I tweaked Ginger's other ideas here and there and came up with a suggested card design.  It took a lot of collaborating between the three of us before we settled its a final design.  We were all excited to see a sample card putting all our ideas together.

I shopped for supplies, meanwhile deciding to use a larger doily than most of the design instructions that I found on Pinterest, because it was to represented a long wedding gown.  When the sample card was completed and several changes made, we were excited to get together to make up our little beauties to send out to our guests.  I prepared and cut multiple card parts and we were ready for the next step to convene one Saturday morning over a month ago and "whip" out multiple replicas of our sample invitation card.  Michele has made a few cards with me in the past, so she had a good idea that this would not be a one- or two-hour job as Ginger thought.  Much to Ginger's surprise, Michele was very right. . .we needed about five hours to get them all done!

Michele and Ginger planned the luncheon menu and shopped together for ingredients, plus game prizes.  The main course was able to be assembled ahead and frozen until ready to bake.  They got together on another Saturday to complete these task and brainstorm the decorating ideas and games to be played. 

Michele and I have been working on the house and party decorations.  I was happy to lend my papercrafting and computer graphic skills, plus oodles of papercrafting tools to make her ideas become a reality.  It has been an exciting and fun time brainstorming ideas to come up with our finished products!  Once decisions were made on basic ideas, I went to work using my computer skills complete everything from signs for the Mimosa Bar, game instructions to game parts using papercrafting tools.  Once the parts and pieces were designed and printed, Michele and I worked together on at least four different occasions to assemble all the parts.

Last night, after coming home from another night of shower crafting and decorating, it dawned on me that the shower was the next day, and I had not had time to sit down and create a card to go with Jackie's shower gift.  Oh my!  I could see another late night looming!  

I got busy and whipped up this simple card below, which borrows the wedding colors and the bridal shower theme.  For a "short-timer" card.  This is what I call a card that is made with very little time. . .a just get it done card. . .create the design quickly, do it fast. . .no procrastinating allowed.  For the very little time that I had in the wee hours of the morning, I was pretty please with my results.  Also, when the card was finished, I realized it could make a good Valentine's Day card as well.  Jackie always loves almost every card I've ever made, so I'm pretty sure she will like this one too.

Below is a peak at the inside, using the outside theme to create the inside design.  I used my computer to whip up it's little verse.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Blake, Red Glimmer paper.  Recollections: Black Glitter.  Recollections: Hollywood  & Vine (damask).  MFT Die-namics: Layered Hearts; Photo Corners.  Cottage Cutz die: Hugs & Kisses.  Stash: Offray ribbon. Computer-made verse.  (Size: 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" square).

Birthday Celebrations the French Way!

A friend of an especially good friend is having a birthday later in September, and several ladies, including me, will be taking her to lunch.  I wanted to mark her birthday with a handmade card from me.  I have made at least three "Paris" cards in the last few year and added them to my card stash, probably because my daughter-in-law loves all things French.  The Eiffel Tower is one of her favorite tourist attractions, especially since she and my son made their trip to France and Italy a few years ago.  Probably because of this, I have felt the nudge to create "Paris" cards depicting The Eiffel Tower.  

The "Paris" card that I have chosen for my friend's upcoming birthday is made from several pieces of the Graphic 45 Tour de France paper collection.  Graphic 45 is one of my favorite paper companies, especially when making vintage style cards, though I don't think this card is truly of the vintage style.  I hope the birthday lady enjoys her French birthday card and her gift card for a cup of latte!

To turn this "Paris" card from just a generic card depicting The Eiffel Tower on its front and into a birthday card, I decided to use a little French in it's inside birthday verse.  Here's a peek at the inside design and my little French verse!

Recipe: SU Chocolate Chip cs, MME-Everyday Tango, MME-So Sophie/Celebrate, K&Co. Portabello stack, Graphic 45-TourdeFrance/ Eiffel Tower.  SU Calypso Coral (sponging); Colorbox Chestnut Roan (edge distress).  SU Early Espresso Scallop Tulle.  SU Buttons: Sweet Stitches, Regals Designer.  EK CardCreator Corner punch-Basketweave (modified/ inside).  Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss:Yellow.  Stash: Brown Lace; Rust/Gold Velvet ribbon.  Computer-made verse.

My Son-in -Law's Special Birthday Card!

My son-in-law, as I've mentioned in a few posts in past years, has a great love of fishing, but it seems there has not been time in his life lately to do much about that; therefore, I thought a fishing card with the BIG CATCH depicted would be appropriate this year!  And, need I tell you, there is a bit of humor attached by using Karen's Doodles digital image: Who Caught Who?

I decided to use the diagonal quarter-panel paper layout that I have used in the past and always enjoyed the end results.  Please note that I do not know the official name for this type of layout, and maybe there isn't any, but I think my name suits it just right.  I wanted my background behind my popped up digital colored image to be a nature scene that one would see while out fishing.  I wanted the top panel for the sky, the side panels for a patterned paper of trees, and the bottom panel for a dock.  I have to tell you, I just love my finished dock with its roped pilings on each side.  I have seen this embellishment technique on Pinterest, and one of my cardmaking buddies used it as well several months ago on a get well card for my husband after his knee surgery.  My dock is a diagonal view, so I decided there would be pilings on both sides of the dock for balance.  

Once I decided on my papers to use, I was able to begin the coloring of my chosen digital image with Copic Markers. . .the poor guy was so successful in landing the BIG CATCH, but unfortunately, his aim in reeling him in was to land him on his head rather than in the boat!  Though you can't see it in the photo, I used Wink of Stella: Clear on the fish to add a sheen to his scales.  (This is a brush-tip glitter pen.)  I know my son-in-law will get a kick out of the man with the fish head and will be intrigued by my clever little dock.

At the stage in the birth of one of my card, I turn to the inside to create a design that compliments the outside and to make a verse that goes with the theme of the card.  I have now finished this step and will share it.  I have to say I'm in love with my little acrostic verse, using the word FISHING. . .it's all about fishing bait.  I feel sure that my son-in-law will love his birthday card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Old Olive (card base); Night of Navy.  Bazzill Basics: Avalanche (sandable).  Reminisce: Dog Park/ Scentral Park.  Recollections Signature Especial Textured Cardstock: Tan (like SU/ Crumb Cake).  SU Embossing Folder: Clouds.  Karen's Doodles: Who Caught Who?  Wink of Stella: Clear (on fish).  SU Stamp: Hardwood; Guy Greetings (sentiment).  SU Ink: Chocolate Chip; Soft Sky (sponging image area).  Spellbinders dies: Labels Three #6/ #7.  Maya Arts Hemp Twine.  Distressed edges.  MFT dies: Photo Corners (inside).  Size = 5-1/2" x 5-7/8".

....WOW...BIRTHDAY 100!!

I have an aunt that turns 100 today, May 27th!  WOW...WOW...WOW!  It is definitely hard to believe...almost takes your breath away.  I wish I could claim to have her genes, but unfortunately she is an aunt-in-law (my mother's brother's wife).  I know she is French Canadian by birth and had 13 brothers and sisters, and somewhere, she has longevity in her DNA!!  I do know that she never smoked, liked her coffee and loved her wine.  (My uncle was kind of a wine snob.)  So, if any of those things helped, we had all better get to it!

Last year, I made her a fashion card, because she always, always looked like she had just left a couture designer shop...dressed to perfection.  This year, I thought I'd just make a very feminine card for my petite 4-foot 9-inch aunt.  So, I chose a card I made using a design from a Rebecca Feeken card kit I received while I was subscribed to her short-lived monthly card kit.  We received exclusive dies with each kit that were designed by her and made for her by Spellbinders Paper Arts and exclusive stamps made by JustRite Stamps.  It is a card with many, many layers, and elevations; therefore, it will definitely have to be mailed as a parcel...no getting a break in postage on this one!  But, I think she will love it!

My finished inside design to coordinate with the outside.  I just love to do those details and add my own verse sited to each card and person to whom it is to be delivered.

Recipe: Becca Feeken Amazing Grace Kit: October 2012.  Bazzill cardstocks: Classic White, Mulberry.  Kaisercraft 6x6 pad: Magnolia Grove.  JustRite stamps: It's Sew Vintage.  Stampin' Up ink: Rose Red.  Hug Snug White seam binding ribbon.  ColorBox ink: Chestnut Roan (distressing). Spellbinders Exclusive Becca Feeken Kit dies.  Velvet Rose (unknown vendor).

2015 Sister-in-Law Birthdays #1 - Brother's Wife

Every year, if you've read my blog, you know I have eight sister-in-laws whose birthdays fall between May and October.  So, as usual, be prepared to be deluged by sister-in-law birthday cards and blog posts.  My first sister-in-law birthday is my brother's wife, Diane.

Still in the what I call my fast mode to finish my must-do cards before my wonderful Get-Away Event and still have time leftover for snail mail, I needed to complete Diane's birthday card right away.  When I get into the fast mode, I find my "from scratch creative" flies out the window, and I want to resort to at least a starting point of  something I've made before. 

I remembered a card I made that was designed by Liz Thayer for her Stampin' Up Sale-A-Bration event, which featured stamps available for that sale event, such as the penny-farthing bicycle featured in this card.  I completed her bicycle card at that event, but added a few tweaks of my own after coming home.  I don't have a sample of the original design, and at this late date, but I do remember some my additions or modifications, which was to increased the finished card size by adding two new layers in black and silver glimmer and group these with a larger cherry cobbler layer, making a three-layer frame under the  smaller black and vanilla layers.  I also centered my penny-farthing layer instead of off-centering it and lightly sponged Basic Gray and Cherry Cobbler Red onto the vanilla layers and the newsprint.  So, my card is at least a CASE of Liz's original design. . .thank you Liz!  I just love this little old-fashioned bicycle stamp, and I think Diane will like its vintage flavor as well.

And now for the inside design made to coordinate with the outside, and the little birthday verse jut for Diane.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Pattern--First Edition dsp;  stamp--Feeling Sentimental (2013 SAB); ink--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler (sponging); ribbon--1/8" Black Taffeta; Glimmer brads-Silver.  Core'dinations Silver Glitter paper.  Computer-made verse.  Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Enjoy Your Birthday Day!

One of my cardmaking buddies will be celebrating her birthday in April.  I wanted to make a card that conveyed how much I wanted her birthday to be super enjoyable, so I chose to make a card from a card kit designed by my sister and my first cardmaking mentor, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner.blogspot), because the planned sentiment was perfect. . .Enjoy Your Day!  (Of course, she will enjoy her day. . .fellow cardmaking buddies are taking her to lunch!)

I pulled out the kit paper pieces provided and the picture of the original card.  After mulling it over, I decided I wanted to liven up it up even more by adding more colored layers, which is much more my style than a single cardbase + front layer.  To do this, I added two more layers of colored cardstock that accomplished not only adding more color (the original design had a single-layer vanilla base + front), but it also enlarged the card size from the standard A2 size.  Those of you who have read my blog before have probably noted that I have mentioned several times in past posts that I like cards larger than the A2 size.  I added a new gold card base (Crushed Curry), cut a larger vanilla layer to use between the gold base and my new dark teal layer (Island Indigo).  I also punched the corners of the patterned top layer and the new teal layer with the WRMK "Stub" Corner Chomper.  On the whole, I think the whole card is even more eye-appealing than it already was in its original lovely design.  I think my friend will be please with her Enjoy Your Day birthday card.

My next step was to create an inside design that coordinated with the finished outside.  I added dark teal scalloped trim to my birthday card verse, which I composed and printed from my computer.  Next, a added some little cork flowers with pink Goosebumps---incorporating the flower idea from the front.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks:  Crushed Curry (base), Island Indigo, Very Vanilla.  Pattern Papers: DCWV: Adhesive Cork; MME--Miss Caroline-Dilly Dally/ Dolled Up/ Fiddlesticks.  Papertrey:  Stamps-Mini Blooms (sentiment); Dies-Delightful Dahlia (leaves), Tag Sale #6.  MFT dies: Fishtail Flags. SU punches: 5-Petal Flower (ret.), Boho Blossoms (inside), 1" Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Scallop Border (inside).  SU Sizzlits: Lots of Tags.  WRMK Corner Chomper: Stub.  Queen & Co.: Goosebumps Twinkles.  Stash: Dark Celery felt, Embroidery Floss, button.  (Size: 4-3/4" x 6").

Top Hat Rabbit Gets Ready for Easter!

I am again using a vintage image as my focal point, and I envision this top hat rabbit in his apron going to an egg decorating party.  Don't you think he got all dressed up because he was trying to impress a certain lady bunny, whom he knew would be at the party as well.  Notice he has a bouquet of flowers that I envision he picked along the way  How's that for an imagination!

To start, I picked some possible papers that complimented my vintage image, and I was ready to go to work.  I had a 6 x 6 pad of canvas that I had used on another card recently to make a big canvas flower, and I thought that might make an interesting frame for my image rather than a traditional paper frame.  I adhered it to a piece of lightweight chipboard to give it stability, and then I ran it through my Big Shop using my Lifestyles Eyelet Square die.  It didn't cut it; it actually acted more like an embossing folder and imprinted on the canvas rather than cutting it, but I liked what I saw.  You know, one of those happy accidents, because I thought it would make an interesting mat background for my image rather than framing it!  (I'm thinking the thin wafer dies are not sharp enough to cut through a canvas and chipboard combination.)

With it now going to be a background for my image, I decided to pink the edge of the canvas with my pinking shears (old ones I keep in my tool stash).  To finish it off, I sponged and distressed the edges of the vintage image and the entire background of the embossed canvas in a combination of Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzaz Stampin' Up inks.  I so very much like the way the image and its canvas background turned out.  I was stoked!  Below is the finished product of my happy accident.

I decided this card would be for my husband, so I needed a verse that he would be pleased with...it needed to have a religious tone.  I typed it up and printed it out onto Very Vanilla cardstock, matted it with the Old Olive Words paper, and finished off the corners with the vine paper from the front.

Recipe:  Papers:  SU-Baja Breeze cs (card base), SU Brights Stack/ Old Olive words; K&Co.-Studio K: Meadow/ Breeze; Angel Co.-Country Cottage/ gold dot; Recollections: Canvas Stack; Grafix Lightweight Chipboard.  Lifestyles die: Eyelet Squares.  Vintage image (online freebie).  SU stamps: Delightful Dozen-sentiment.  SU Ink: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Perar Pizzaz.  SU punch: Modern Labels.  SU buttons.  Offray ribbons.  Stash: Embroidery floss/ doubled; Pinking shears.  (Size: 5" x 6").

A Good Friend's Birthday!

I am celebrating a good friend's birthday today by making her a handmade card.  Cardmaking is a hobby I started after I retired from the elementary school where I worked for 13 years.  This wonderful friend started working at the same elementary school within days of myself, so I have tried to continue to remember her birthday every year with one of my paper concoctions to help her celebrate her day.

It almost seems like spring here in the northwest, we've had such a delightfully warm February and March with little rain.  The crocus, primroses, and daffodils are blooming already!  All this make me feel that spring is already here, so I had the yen to make a bit of a spring card.  I decided to borrow one of my sister's designs (Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner blog).  By the time I finished, my flower was gigantic and is surely the envy of every other flower in the realm!  I made it out of canvas and twine with my Fun Flowers BigZ die from Stampin' Up via Sizzix.  It needed some sort of a filler between the flower and the ribbon.  I thought a tag would be just the thing, so I used a Stampin' Up Chalk Talk framelit and made a little color-coordinated tag.  It worked great in my thinking!

When it was all done, it was very thick through and quite heavy, and I thought, "Good thing I don't have to mail this one, because it would definitely have to be sent as a package in a box!"  Fortunate for me, Carla now works at the high school not too far from my house, so it will be hand delivered to her school desk!  I hope she loves it, and she enjoys it in the days to come.

But a card is never really finished until you dream up an inside befitting the outside creativity.  I stole some of the Simple Stories flowered paper to make decorative corners for my little verse I composed and printed on my computer.

Recipe:  Papers: Simple Stories: Harvest Lane.  Stampin' Up: Naturals White, Old Olive.  Stampin' Up: Dies-Tasteful Trim (scallop) BigZ XL; Fun Flowers BigZ L; Autumn Accents BigZ (leaves); Chalk Talk framelit; Vintage Brads.  Wilton 4" Doily. EK punch: Fancy Photo Corners.  HugSnug Seam Binding: Bluejay.  Stash: 1" Crochet Lace; Buttons; Dark Brown Twine; Dark Brown Embroidery Floss; Celery Felt.  (Size: 5" x 7").

Belated Wishes Little Niece #1's January Birthday!

Two of my nieces, who are sisters, have birthdays in January.  The oldest is first, and she celebrated her sixth birthday.  I had in mind to make a birthday card with balloons on it.  I don't have any dies to cut out balloons, so I decided to use my Spellbinder Ovals to imitate a balloon and found a good idea on Pinterest of using the owl's feet from the Stampin' Up Owl Builder Punch for the balloons "blow-up valve."  What a great idea. . .it worked perfectly!

I have seen numerous cards that have tied balloons to a bicycle die cut.  I thought it would be a great idea to tie my birthday balloons to the handle bars of the old-fashioned, penny-farthing bicycle from Stampin' Up's 2014 SAB Feeling Sentimental stamp set.  For some reason, finding just the right papers for my card became my next challenge.  After much indecision, I finally settled on October Afternoon's Cakewalk birthday papers for the major portion of the card's designer papers.  

I am pretty happy with the way this little card turned out, but just after I finished creating the card front, I realized the card will be late.  Evidentally, I entered the wrong date for Taylor's birthday in my date book.  This forced me to come up with just the right inside birthday verse acknowledging and sending belated birthday wishes.  I hope Taylor likes her finished card inside and out!  (Hmmm...do you suppose that's where the phrase better late than never came from?)

Recipe:  DCWV 12x12 Cardstock Stack (kraft).  DCWV Glitter Red.  October Afternoon: Cakewalk-Paper Straws (diag. stripe)/ Sugar Stix (ray collage).  BoBunny Double Dot: Buttercup Dot.  Carta Bella: It's A Celebration/ Candles (backside).  Pinecone Press: Sweet Plaid.  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla cs.  SU stamps:  Feeling Sentimental (2014 SAB); Happiest Birthday Wishes.  SU Ink:  Mossy Meadow.  Dies:  Lifestyle Nesting Scallop Squares ;  Spellbinders Ovals (balloons);  SU Stars Framelits.  SU Owl Builder punch: feet.  Stash:  Gold Metallic Twine; Glitter Brads.  Distressing: Colorbox Chestnut Roan.  EK Corner Punch: Medium Scallops.  Size: 5-3/4" square.

Sharing Halloween Cards from Friends!

I was away over the Halloween holiday and into the second week in November helping my daughter with a room renovation on her beach house in Seaside, Oregon.  I was pleasantly surprised to find two wonderful Halloween cards from two of my favorite cardmaking buddies had arrived in my absence.  I so love making Halloween cards, and I was delighted to receive some that I had not made.  These two ladies and I had lunch and went cardmaking shopping at a little shop in Tukwila, WA called Impress Stamps.  We made many wonderful purchases between the three of us.  Most of our purchases were going to be used for Halloween cardmaking, and the cards I received from them were using some of their new stamps and dies.  I want to share their cards with you.

This card was made by my friend, Sandy.  It depicts our neck-of-the-woods with the Seattle skyline stamp and the Space Needle die cut all from Impress Stamps in Tukwila, WA.  The picture doesn't do the card justice in that the little witch is flying across a glitter covered moon (made with adhesive spray and glitter).  Love, love the gigantic spider trying to make a home on top the Needle!  Thanks, Sandy, so enjoyed getting your card to let me know you were thinking of me this Halloween season!

My next card received was from my friend, Charlene.  She used two stamps from Impress Stamps as well, and applied the chalkboard technique.  She used white embossing powder to achieve this look.  Mr. Skeleton wears a little pirate hat embellishment and a martini glass, which I understanding she garnered from online.  See the cute little Googlie eye in the other stamped martini glass.  Love those eyeball olives!  Thank you, Charlene, for the wonderful chalkboard skeleton card!