A Birthday for a Dear Friend!

One of the ladies that I worked with for over ten years has a birthday right after Christmas. It is my bad that I never seem to be able to get a card mailed to her for her special day. I know it is the busyness of the holiday season that hinders me every year with the all the shopping, wrapping, church events, family visiting, etc., but still that is just no darned excuse and I feel bad every year.  I was determined that this would not happen this year, so while visiting my mother in California during October, I made it a point to get Karen's card finished except for this inside decorations and verse, which I just finished the other day. 

I chose this card to make that came from a kit designed by Becca Feeken and had been saving for a very special person. And though it is not one of my own designs, I just love Becca Feeken's wonderful card designs, especially this cards message on front and its soft colors.  I hope Karen enjoys her birthday and likes my card, made especially for her.

I decorated the inside of the card to coordinate with the paper patterns on the front, and  I prepared a little verse in celebration of Karen's birthday as well. It commemorates our special friendship that started so many years ago. 

Recipe: Becca Feeken Amazing Grace Kit: October 2012.  Recipe:  Cardstocks: Neenah Cream (base), American Crafts-Kraft, Geyser. Kaisercraft-Magnolia 6x6 pad (Damask/ Rose Scallop Border). Stamps: JustRite It's Sew Vintage. SU Ink: Rose-Red. Spellbinders Exclusive Becca Feeken dies. Hug Snug Siam Pink seam binding ribbon. Vintage button. Double-head pearl hat pin.

Challenge: Cycling On...

I wanted to make another entry in the "Paper Sweeties" Sketch Inspiration #11 before it closes on September 30th.  The link to the sketch entry guidelines are below; click over and take a look at the wonderful entries:  www.papersweeties.com/uncategorized/paper-sweeties-sketch-inspiration-11/

I love bicycles and particularly penny-farthing bicycles, and I had a yen to making a card with one.  I chose the Feeling Sentimental stamp set from Stampin' Up and decided black and red would offset a black stamped penny-farthing a bring a little dramatic contrast as well.

The instructions said the sketch was a starting point and you could "flip it, change the shapes..."  I decided to do both.  My center focal point would be a square instead of a star to accomnodate my bicycle stamp, and the ribbon or trim would be diagonal instead of horizontal!  I'm hoping I'm still within the guidelines!  Here is how my card evolved.

Recipe:  SU Stamp: Feeling Sentimental (SAB 2013) – penny farthing bicycle. SU papers: Very Vannila base, Basic Black cs, Cherry Cobbler cs. Pattern: AdornIt-Happy Holidays.  SU Ink: Basic Black. SU Punches: Lace Ribbon (ret.), Modern Label. WRMK Deco corner punch. SU 3/8” and mini glimmer brads. SU ribbon: 1/2” Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots ribbon (reverse side), Offray 3/8” Picot Edge Satin-Black. Recollections Florals. Stickles-Lace.