Sending Sunshine on Mother's Day

I wanted to use my first Paper Pumpkin Kit...June 2020--Box of Sunshine kit pieces to make Mother's Day cards for my oldest daughter and my daughter-in-law.  For my daughter, I decided to use one of the papers in the kit that looked like an alcohol-inked background.  There were actually two different yet similar colored one...one in brilliant red-oranges, yellow golds, yellows, and gold metallic and the other in yellows, yellow-golds, and metallic gold.  For my daughter's card, I chose the one with red-oranges and yellows.   I loved the card design provided in the kit, except I like layers so here is what I did. 

I used the card design provided for this paper pattern, except I dropped the start of the stamped sunshine about 3/8" lower from the top and 3/8" to the right...closer to center than the original design.  Then, I followed through with the black dot horizontal paper, sentiment, and stamped lines as originally positioned in relation to the stamped sun.  I  added two mat layers beneath the card front...a new black cardbase, and a burnt orange mat layer between the cardbase and card front.  I also positioned my sequins slightly different.  For the most part, other than the added layers, you might not notice any difference from that of the original card front unless closely scrutinized.

I finished off with an inside verse sending sunshine and happiness.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out design.  I think my daughter, Michele, will like her card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper Pumpkin--June 2020/ Box of Sunshine:  AI-style dsp,  black & white dot dsp, stamps, irregular hexagon sentiment die-cut.  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Other products:  Core'dinations Foundations cardstock--Valentia Orange.  Bazzill Swiss Dot--Honey Yellow.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (edge distressing).  Stash--sequins & red-orange rhinestones.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches. 

Enjoy Today...It's Mother's Day!

This is my second Slightly Alternative Mother's Day card for my daughter-in-law, using my first Paper Pumpkin Kit...June 2020--Box of Sunshine kit pieces.  For her card, I chose the gold metallic and white horizontal striped paper provided in the kit.  Again, I loved the card design provided in the kit for this paper, except I like layers, and I wanted to change the sentiment, so here is what I did. 

I used the card design provided, except I trimmed the top and bottom of the striped paper down a total of 3/8." I also dropped my pineapple about 1/4" lower and moved it 3/8" to the right closer to the center than the original design.  Then, I followed through with the black dot horizontal paper, sentiment fishtail flag die-cut in relation to the pineapple's position as in the original design.  I  added two mat layers beneath the card front...a new black cardbase, and a apple green and white dot mat layer between the cardbase and card front.  I also added more sequins and positioned them different.  For the most part, other than the added layers, you might not notice any difference from that of the original card front unless it is closely scrutinized.

I finished off with an inside verse sending thoughts of love and appreciation.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out design.  I think my daughter-in-law, Ginger, will like her card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper Pumpkin--June 2020/ Box of Sunshine: gold metallic/ white stripe dsp,  black & white dot dsp, pineapple die-cut, double-fishtail flag sentiment die-cut.  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Other products: Stamps--Penny Black/ Sweet Wishes.  Recollections--Primary Dots dsp; Bazzill Swiss Dots/ Honey Yellow.  EK punch--Victorian Corners.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (edge distressing).  Stash--sequins & black enamel dots.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches. 

Joy to the World Wreath (October 2020 - "Joy to the World" Paper Pumpkin Alternative)

 I was really please with my first alternative card for the Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin October 2020 "Joy to the World" kit using the pretty Christmas rose flowers provided in the kit.  I had a little mojo going now, and I came up with some ideas for the wreath die-cut provided in the kit.  I thought I'd try my hand at another alternative card using it.

The pine needle wreath in the kit was so lightly colored that it was difficult to see what it even was...it really needed help.  I watched a few YouTube videos on completing this kit, and I saw that most were using the stamp set provided and stamping a new wreath with the leaf/ pine needle wreath stamp.  One particular video showed how to turn the stamp so that it fit best over the other wreath and did not cover up the red berries on the original...that was very helpful!  I used the wreath, the stamp set, and the red twine provided in the kit, but I added the other papers, loving the color combination from my first card, plus another "Joy" die that I had recently purchased from Stampin' Up.  I also loved the look of the first card's embossing folder so I thought I'd use that again as well.  Take a look at my finished card below:

  

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper Pumpkin October 2020 "Joy to the World" kit elements.  Paper/ Cardstock--Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Call Me Clover, Gold Glimmer.  Dies--Joy Dies (2020 Holiday).  Ink--Call Me Clover; Memento Tuxedo Black.  Other:  Paper--DCWV Kraft & Gold.  Hot Off the Press--Diamond Dots EF.  Pretty Pink Posh: red sequins.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6-1/4".

Christmas...Joy to All!

This is my ninth card from the Totally Lovin' Christmas kit by Liz Thayer.  It is another with only minimal changes, which enhance, but do not change the overall look of the card.  My changes and/or additional are listed below.

1) I increased my card size from the traditional A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2") to my favorite A6 sizing (4-1/2" x 6-1/4").  I did need to cut all new all the paper pieces larger and restamp my Christmas tree, but since I was donating the original kit pieces to my Mom, this was okay).

2) I decided to dry emboss the pink mat layer to add depth and texture.  I have to say, I really think this added tremendously to the card look!  

3) I colored my tree flowers with Copic markers, which I always thinks gives a more clear and beautiful look with shading control.  

4) I added Wink Of Stella-Clear to add a touch of shimmer and mini pearls to each flower...I love these additions to the look!  

5) I eliminated the loopy silver thread in the upper left corner between the silver foil layer and tree stamp layer.  I didn't see any beauty added with the thread, and with my additions of embossing, shimmer, and pearls, I thought it a bit too much.

I am really thrilled with the final look of this card.  That added embossing was a perfect idea if I don't say so myself!

Recipe ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White and  Blushing Bride.  Champagne Foil.  Stamps-=-Shine Bright (tree/ sentiment - 2019 Holiday/ p. 28).  Embossing Folder--Filigree Frames (retired).  Basic Pearls--2mm/ 1/16".  Gold Faceted Gem (smallest)--tree topper.   Punch--Curvy Corners (inside/ retired).  Other:  Copic coloring--Tree trunk--E21, E23, E27; Leaves--G82, YG67; Berries--RV29.  Flowers--RV00, RV11, RV34.  Wink of Stella--Clear.  Pink Posh sequins.  Chatterbox verse.  Size A6--4-1/2 x 6-1/4 inches.

A Son-In-Law "Born to Ride" Motorcycle Birthday!

My daughter, Michele's husband has a birthday in July.  One of his big-time hobbies is riding his big, black Harley Davidson motorcycle whenever the weather is ready for him to meet the road.  I wanted to use my new Stampin' Up stamp, One Wild Ride, especially for his birthday, because there is an excellent vintage-looking, big, black motorcycle in this stamp set, in addition to great sentiments, such as the one I chose, Born to Ride.

Ingredients:  Darice cardstocks: Midnight Black; Kraft.  Darice Core-dinations: Patterned Cardstock-Neutrals.  DCWV Stacks: Foil/ Gold; Glitter Cardstock/ Black.  Darice Embossing Folder: Diamonds.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark Watermark.   Stampin' Up products: Stamps--Born to Ride; Die--Sunburst Thinlit; Clear Embossing Powder.  EK CardCreator Corner Punch: Basketweave.  May Arts: Jute Fine Twine.  Kaiser Pearls: Black.  Computer-made verse.  Technique: Fussy-Cutting.  Size: 5" x 6".

The Card Assembly Story

My first step was to cut a 10" by 6" piece of black cardstock and crease and fold in half to form a tent-style cardbase.  Next, I cut a piece of gold foil 4-3/4" x 5-3/4" and texture-embossed it using the Darice Diamonds embossing folder.  This embossed gold foil was then adhered to the black cardbase, and set aside.

My second process was to die-cut two Sunburst designs. . .one in the Kraft patterned paper and one in the Black Glitter paper.  Instead of sitting them evenly on top of one another, I twisted them just slightly to allow the black glitter paper to peek out just under the edge of the pattern about 1/8-inch and adhered them together while in this "twisted fashion."  The edges of the rays will be uneven at this point, and and will need to be trimmed straight to the size you desire.  Mine are cut to 4" x 4-3/8" and trimmed so that the rays are as closely centered as possible.  I then cut a piece of gold foil the same size and adhered it to to the sunbursts to become their underlying mat, and now the gold foil shows through as rays as well.  I then cut a piece of black cardstock mat 4-1/4" x 4-3/4" and adhere it as the base mat for my sunburst set of papers.  This sunburst set was then popped up off the cardbase mats already prepared and adhered together in the first step above.

I wanted my vintage motorcycle to be black embossed, but I found with so much black in the image, it became muddied and unclear.  Following is what I found I could do to achieve a black embossed motorcycle using my MISTI stamping tool. 

First, I place my cardstock in the MISTI and aligned and mounted the motorcycle stamp onto my MISTI all according to the tool's directions and then inked up the stamp with Memento Black Ink.  I found that I needed to re-ink and repeat stamping the image at least three times to get a rich, black impression.  Second, while leaving my stamp adhered perfectly on my MISTI where originally placed, I cleaned off the black ink.  Next, I inked up the stamp with Versamark Watermark Ink and re-stamped over my image, repeating inking and stamping two times with the Versamark.  

The last step to finish the card front was to heat emboss the motorcycle by applying clear embossing powder to the wet Versamark ink and dusting off cleanly before heating.  I applied this same process to the "Born to Ride" sentiment.  After applying my twine, and I fussy-cut both the motorcycle and the sentiment, and popped them up off card front.

My final step, as is my cardmaking tradition, was to create an inside design and birthday verse that complimented the card front and the occasion for which it is to be given.  My verse was completed using my computer and printer.  I think Don will be very pleased with his motorcycle card!

First Card - First Birthday Card for 2015!

My first two cards and first birthdays for the 2015 year will be masculine cards!  My husband's two brothers celebrate their birthday on the same day ~ January 5th ~ though one has been celebrating his birthday several years longer than the other.  No, they are not twins!

For the first card, I will be using a stamp set that is one of the first that I ever purchased from Stampin' Up and is four years old, is now retired, and I have never used it!  Wow. . .now that is terrible, because I actually really like this set called Totally Tools.  It, however, was only available in wood stamps, and I do not like to work with wood stamps, because I have a terrible time getting my image lined up exactly where I want it.  Do you suppose this is why I took so long to use it?

I was going to make a antique automobile card for Joe, because he builds antique cars, but I could not find the right image to fit his 1949 Chevy Business Coupe, so I just couldn't get my creative mojo going.  As you can tell, this gentleman is very handy with tools, so my mind went in that direction when I remembered the Totally Tools stamp set. 

I pulled out the set, and then I promptly looked for some Pinterest directions on how to unmount your wood block stamps to turn them into clear-mount stamps.  There are several different directions out there, but I went with the one that microwaves the stamp/block for about 10 seconds.  This loosens the glue on both the foam mounting and the acrylic images that are mounted on either side of your wooden block.  After peeling both off, gently, there is still enough sticky to adhere the acrylic to the stamp foam and trim off the excess acrylic that probably is hanging over the edges of the foam.  No need to separate the rubber from the foam and then have to remount the rubber onto new (and expensive) foam.  To get your now foam stamp to adhere to your acrylic block, the directions I found indicated to sparingly use Tombow glue on the acrylic, smoothing with a foam brush or your finger and let dry for one to two hours.  Then, tap it on your jean-covered leg to remove the excess stickiness, and you are now ready to use your new foam-mounted clear stamp.  I did not follow these glue instructions, as I usually place two-side, removable poster tape on my clear stamps to keep them from falling off the acrylic block when used.

My card uses mustache paper as Joe has that bit of facial hair.  I used a dotted embossing folder on the circle which holds the tools to represent pegboard, which is often used on a garage wall to hang tools from.  I thought that made it a bit more authentic.  I colored my tools with Copic markers to coordinate with the copper-colored foil paper used and fussy-cut them out when finished.  I'm pretty please with my results, and I hope Joe enjoys his card.

  

Recipe:  SU Basic Black cs (base), Kraft cs. Echo Park Times & Seasons/ Spiffy Mustache.  DCWV Cardstock Stack: Foiled/ Copper.  DCWV Everyday Essentials/ Gold Grid.  SU stamps: Totally Tools.  TPC Studio stamps: Greetings.  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Dies: Spellbinders/ Circles LG; Lifestyles/ Nesting Circles. Sizzix Medium Dot Embossing Folder.  Copic markers.  Colorbox Chestnut Roam distressing/ sponging.  Size:  5-1/2" square.

Bride of Franken-Owl!

Still on a roll making these cute little mini album cards.  Well, I made Mr. Franken-Owl, so why not a mate for him?  I thought I'd help out with a bride for him.  

Off I went designing a little lady Franken-Owl.  I decided she must be dressed in purple, with a pinked skirt and a bow in her hair.  Unfortunately, her creator was just as bad at finding her a matched pair of eyes, and thus, she has a mini googlie eye and a small googlie eye just like her beau! 

I pretty much followed the same theme as the first Franken-Owl, but with different papers for this little book.  I was truly liking her when I was done.  I planned this one for a cardmaking buddy, and I hope she likes her Bride of Franken-Owl as much as I heard that Franken does.  I heard they are already engaged and ready to tie the knot!

Front Cover with Bride of Franken-Owl's graveyard scene.

This is the centerfold of the feminine version of my card book.  I added a tag with a Halloween verse and Martha Stewart bat stickers.  I also added a little drill to the edge of the verse pocket, fitting for a female card!

Back cover, adding Beware by using the Sizzlits Halloween Set #2.  Dazzling Diamonds-Silver glitter adhesive also added to letters for a little bling!

Recipe:  Papers:  SU Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Black, Whisper White; SU Core'dinations - Black, Basic Gray.  DCWV--Halloween & Fall (2011/ 2012), Bewitched Mat Stack; stripe/ argyle (pocket).  Core'dinations - Black Tie Glitter (bats).  White paper sack: 9" x 4-3/4" (Michaels).  SU Stamps: Best of Halloween.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies: MFT--Spooky Scene (gravestones); Sizzlits--Halloween Set #2 (Beware); Sizzix TH Alterations--On the Fence; Spellbinders Labels 11 (tag).  Punches: Studio G--Mini Bat; EK Pointed Flower Border; SU Owl Builder, Bird Builder (owl wings).  Die-cuts: Martha Stewart Bat stickers.  Other:  SU-Dazzling Details/ Silver, 3/8" Dotted Grograin; Ki Memories--rhinestones; Online jpeg--Spooky Tree.  Stash: Googlie eyes--mini/ small, Black pearls (buttons)

My "Old" Boss Celebrates His May Birthday!

My last boss before retirement, and principal of the elementary school where I worked as the office manager, is having his birthday in May.  I wanted to make him a card to send my birthday wishes and to let him see what I've been doing with myself since I retired.  Cardmaking is a hobby I started a few years after retirement with the encouragement of my sister and mentor, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  It has been a lot of fun, creating new and wonderful friendship, and something that I really enjoy doing as well.  It is so much fun to share my creations with family and friends.

You will note that this card sports a mustache, and, of course, you guessed it right, he has a mustache so I just had to make a card using my brand new Bow & Mustache EK punch.  This is actually the second card I have made with a mustache...such a cute idea.  My first card was for my brother-in-law's birthday and is posted back in January.  It was done using the Stampin' Up Bird Builder punch...a different look, but works well too.  But, I love this new quick and easy punch with the curly mustache ends.  I hope my friend and ex-boss likes his card as well as I enjoyed creating it for him.

 (Card inspired by a Liz Thayer design and modified by me.)

Recipe:  Stampin' Up papers:  Basic Black cs (base/ mat layer), Soft Suede (mat layer), Naturals cs, Neutrals dsp stack, Modern Medley dsp.  Creative Imaginations: Paint It w/Luminarte (brown word mat layer).  SU stamp: See Ya Later (modified).  EK punches: Bow & Mustache, Fancy Corners (inside). Inks: Memento Black, SU Soft Suede (distressing).  SU Chevron ribbon, pearls.