A Sunny Hello for a Fast Recovery!

I wanted to participate in the SCS Teapot Tuesday Challenge--6/22/21 for the husband of SCS friend, Sharon Madson.  Larry broke his hip recently and is feeling rather housebound and in need of cheering up, and I have the perfect card that I started back in August last year but stopped almost immediately.  It is  from my very first Paper Pumpkin card kit, entitled A Box of Sunshine...une boîte de soleil.  I stopped because I knew I couldn't just follow the kit design...it needed more layers to satisfy me.  I didn't have the right supplies with me, because I was on a crafting trip with my Mom and sister in Oregon. 

 
I'm remembered this card that I never got back to finishing because of the challenge requirements...it is the perfect cheerful Hello card to put a smile on Larry's face. Though I remember the challenge requirements for a cheerful, thinking of you, hello, hugs, and etc. card, what I did not remember was that our challenge hostess wanted us to think French when making our cards as well.  Suggestions were to think Eiffel Tower, French flag...blue, white, and red, French wine/cheese, a French painter, a French singer or song, etc.  She even provided a French song/ video, La Tendresse by Bourvil that we might use as inspiration, but it didn't inspire a sun-themed card, and I was determined to use the sunshine/ hello card I had in mind. 

I had an idea that led me to search for a possible French song that would inspire a sun-themed card.  I found a lovely song that really enchanted me entitled, The French Song...When the Sun Says Good-day to the Mountains sung by Lucille Starr.  It a beautiful song, and I played and listened to the video/song several times while completing Larry's card.  The song has stuck with me (in the English version, but I actually prefer it in French ), and I find it replaying in my head at odd times of the day!

I've successfully added two more layers comprising a new black cardbase and a golden dot panel below the sun rays paper provided by the kit.  I really like how the black makes the sunshine and black dotted paper POP.  My only other change was to drop my horizontal band and sun a tad lower...I thought it balanced the card better.  Take a peek at Larry's card...I hope it lifts his spirits and he like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Kit--June 2020 Paper Pumpkin/ Box of Sunshine--Gold metallic sun ray paper, stamps (Hello), sun diecut, black/white dotted strip, fishtail banner.  Artistry in Bloom sequins.  Other:  Patterned paper layer--Pebbles Basic 12x12 Paper Pad (dots).  Colorbox Ink--Chestnut Roam (ink distressing).  EK punch--Victorian Corners.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size--4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Hello There. . .Seems I Missed Your Birthday!

I must say this traveling does not help me keep up on getting my cards finished and mailed in a timely manner.  Come to think of it, this seems to happen to me now and then, even when I'm not traveling. . .so, guess that excuse doesn't really work too well! 

The card I am in need of is for the principal of the school where I worked before I retired, and my former boss, who has a late May birthday.  I really like to make him a card and get it to him on time to show him that I'm not a total reprobate now that I'm retired.  But, ho-hum, that's not the case this year.  

With the attitude "better late than never, I dove into my "To Do stash" that I brought along with me on my travels to try to get some work done in my spare time.  Surely, there would be the perfect "need to finish" masculine card for me to work on hidden away in the stash.  I found this wonderful Open Seas ship card that was partially made with pieces of paper in its envelope for completion.  The ship and its port hole where already finished, as well as the self-stamped patterned paper made with The Open Seas stamps.  

To finish the card, I, of course, could not seem to follow directions exactly, a problem that seems to plague me frequently.  So, my card is just a bit different than the original by Liz Thayer in that I changed the card base color to a darker gray and made it a belated birthday card rather than just a "hello" card, and I added copper porthole brads all around.  Liz's original card was featured in one of her card classes I took over two years ago!  I am super pleased to say that I have another card finished and out of my "To Do Stash," and I think it is perfect for Scott.

Next up, was finishing my nautical masculine card with an appropriate interior design to compliment the card front.  I wanted my "Hello There" greeting on the front to be the intro into missing Scott's birthday by a few days and sending him belated birthday wishes to exonerate my seemingly reprobate behavior. . .LOL.  

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Basic Gray (cardbase), Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla, Smokey Slate (porthole).  Pattern paper--self-stamped using The Open Seas stamps w/Crumb Cake).  SU stamps:  The Open Sea (all things nautical-retired 2016); Happy Days (sentiment-retired 2014).   Ink--Crumb Cake.  Die--Deco Label Framelit.  Punch:  2-1/2" Circle.  Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (porthole circle).  Acrylic Clear Sheet.  Staz-on Black Ink (ship).  Memento Tuxedo black (sentiment).  Other:  EK Punch:  Victorian Corners.  Recollections mini copper brads.  Computer verse.  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

Exciting. . .A Card Pressie!!

I'm so excited!  I just received a card in the mail from my sister, Heidi.  I'm excited for three reasons:
     1) Obviously, because she is my sister, and it is always so special to get a handmade card from a loved one; but also, 

     2) Heidi is my first cardmaking mentor.  Over six years ago, she taught me my first lessons on how to build a card using many different cardmaking techniques and ideas, including Copic Marker coloring, using the Big Shot with dies, choosing your papers, and layout and design.  Heidi makes the most wonderful cards.  I don't think I've ever seen a card made by my lovely sister that doesn't show off her incredible skills to the max; and 

     3) Heidi loves Papertrey Ink products, so a card made by Heidi will almost always use their products and show off some wonderful stamp or die that I haven't seen before and made by this company.  This card certainly does, and it makes me want to go right online and order them!

This card does not disappoint in meeting my list from above of why I'm excited, so, I want to share Heidi's card with you!  The stamp/ die combination set from Papertrey Ink.com is called Cutting Garden.  Aren't these hugh flowers just lovely.  Both the blossoms and the leaves look like the Ranunculus flowering plant.  These plants form large, perfectly round blossoms with a flat bottom surface and bloom in a multitude of deep and brillant colors.  Heidi has made such a lovely card, and her use of the argyle embossing folder on the front of the cardbase adds a very interesting backdrop for her Ranunculus blossoms.  I love it. . .thanks, Heidi!

Isn't is absolute gorgeous. . .I love the little Hi - ya! sentiment using Papertrey's Boutique Borders: Father Mini little mini curly border she used to frame her sentiment.  And. . .don't those flowers just pop off the card, asking to be cut and arranged in a vase for my dining room table!

A Nice Surprise!

My friend and cardmaking buddy, Sandy, sent me another cute little card just to check in and hope I was back to "normal."  She used that wonderful masking tape technique that she just has a wonderful knack, making darling cards, and this one is no exception!  Love the ombre-style pastel blues and aquas, and the little bee with its "Hello, Friend" greeting.  Thank You, Sandy, for your warm and wonderful thoughts sent my way!

Hello...What a Delightful Visit!

On a recent trip to California, we were able to spend time with some long-time friends of over 50 years!  We had lost track of them for over 20 years, and re-found them about eight years ago.  What a delight to visit with friends my husband and I made before we were even married!  We had a wonderful afternoon visit that extended into evening with dinner out.  It was so very nice!  This couple has had some severe health issues in the last few years, and it is nice to see them feeling like themselves again and enjoying life to the fullest.  I wanted to send a little "Hello. . .Just a Note" card I made at a card class designed and given by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner).  During my assembly, I decided to add an extra colored layer of light aqua blue to bring out the blues in the card.  This card seems just right for this occasion...just a note to say hello!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Whisper White, Pool Party.  DSP: WRMK-Feelin' Groovy: Flowers / Chevron (rt. border).  PTI stamps/ dies: Mini Blooms.  PTI die: Jar Label.  SU Inks: Crushed Currym, Real Red, Pacific Point.  Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black.  Colorbox: Chestnut Road (distressing).  Hug Snug Ambrosia seam binding ribbon.  Green felt (leaves).  Tim Holtz Memo pin.  Inside: SU: Scalloped Scallop Edge Punch (retired).  Computer-generated verse.  Font: Malihini Cuban BTN/ 16 Bold.

Birthday for Sister-in-Law #4

My sister-in-law, living in Colorado, celebrated her birthday in July as well!  That's three sister-in-law birthdays and one sister to celebrate this month!  I blame it all on my husband with his big family of seven siblings, who are all married!  So, with my busy month of getting ready for vacation, I decided I needed to use some of the cards in my stash, and I came across this little "Hello" card that I made several years ago at a card class taught by Misty Bradley in Redding, California.  

I love the soft pinks and grays together, and I am sure my sister-in-law will be pleased with it.  Knowing I would be seeing her this month at the sibling family reunion, I knew I would be able to hand-deliver it to her.  I hope Jeanie enjoyed her card when she opened it on her birthday as much as I enjoyed making it, creating the inside coordinating design, and finding just the right inside verse for the occasion.

Recipe:  SU cardstock:  Whisper White, Pretty-in-Pink.  BoBunny Double Dot: Shadow Dot.  SU punches: 1-3/8" Circle; 1-3/4" Scallop Circle.  Offray: 3/8" pink satin ribbon.  Liquid Pearls. (Size: 4-1/2" x 6").

A Washington HELLO!

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

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

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

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

A 45-Year Catch-Up Visit!

As I mentioned in a previous post, while I was still in California, my husband surprised me with a trip of his own south.  I think he yearned for a little sunshine, because as you know, other than being a bit warmer and no freezing nights, Seattle doesn't really have much of a spring that provides sunshine.  I'm fond of saying we have liquid sunshine!  I think he was a little jealous when talking with me that I had been enjoying regular bouts of sunshine almost daily since my arrival in early April.  But then, it is possible he may have also missed me!

As mentioned, we headed further south to the Sacramento area and had a chance to visit with some very "old" friends of more than 45 years.  Though my husband re-connected with them several years ago and was able to visit them before, I had not been down with him because I had other commitments at home.  This was such a wonderful occasion for both of us as the wife, Marlene, had finally began to recover from a fairly serious health problem.  We had a great luncheon with them and wonderful, reminiscing conversations, plus caught up with stories of our lives over the last 40 years.  I surely hope we get to make another repeat visit very, very soon.

In remembering this wonderful time, I wanted to send a little card letting them know just how much we enjoyed this catch-up visit.

 I made this card at one of my sister, Heidi Gonzales', first Stampin' Up classes a few months ago.  She taught how to use Stampin' Up markers with stamps.  I love this Summer Smooch paper (retired).  It is so bright and cheery.  (Her blog, if you are interested in looking her up, is: www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.)

Recipe:  SU stamp: Bright Blossoms.  SU Papers: Summer Smooches, Daffodil cardstock, Whisper White cardstock.  SU Ink: Riding Hood Red, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo.  SU Postage Stamp punch.  Summer Smooch fabric brads (ret.).

October 2009: First Card Made!

These two little cards were part of a three-set of notecards, and they were my very first attempt at making cards in October 2009!   At that time, my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner.blogspot.com) had just opened a scrapbooking store in her home town, and I went down for a visit with her and our Mom.  My sister held a card class with pre-designed cards and papers. 

 
I learned about distressing edges using a Colorbox Cat Eye Chestnut Roan, which gave my cards a bit of an antique look.  I also learned "order of assembly," (i.e., attaching ribbon to papers before attaching it to the card base, using a double stick tape gun (for me that was a challenge...so awkward), using the corner rounder tool, and "popping up objects."  I have to tell you I felt all thumbs for sure, and I wasn't too sure I'd ever feel comfortable.    I did find, probably because I've sewn all my life, that I have an eye for color and layout.  All this surprised me greatly as my sister has always been the crafty person (including tole painting, which I find awe-inspiring), and I've always been the seamstress and the cook.  But, I was extremely proud of myself when I finished my very first set of cards!