Cousin Junie Celebrates Her 81st Birthday!

It's time to get a birthday card together for my oldest cousin, Junie, who celebrates her birthday in July.  I think she is going to be 81 this year, and here is the card I prepared just for her.

 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze (retired).  Patterns:  K&Co. Travel Pad (blue vine); My Minds Eye: Fine & Dandy-Tickled Pink - Radiant (brown-scallop trim), Delicate (pink-flower), Pretty (green-leaves); Stampin' Up 2010-2012 In-Color pad/ Blushing Bride print.  Papertrey Ink Stamp/ die: Delightful Dahlia (stamped on printed papers).  Die: Sizzlits: Lots of Tags #1; Sizzix: Ornate Labels (medium oval/ shortened); Papertrey Ink: Large Scallop Border.  Punches: EK LG Scallop Corners; Stampin' Up Scallop Trim Corner (retired).  Stash: Crochet lace, Brown pearls, button, baker's twine.  Size: 5-1/2" square.  (Thank you Heidi Gonzales/ My Lil' Scrap Corner for the original design idea).

The Card Story & Other Tidbitds

This card design was one my sister's (Heidi Gonzales/ My Lil' Scrap Corner) that she introduced as a set of three small cards in a class when she owned her scrapbooking store in Redding, CA way back in January 2011.  I took a picture of the card samples while visiting that following spring.  I also bought several of the papers she used while making her cards and was able to stamp my own flower and leaves with her Papertrey Ink stamps/ dies, but didn't get around to completing the card while visiting so it went into my to be done later unfinished stash, and there it resided for the past five years!

I still have this ongoing goal that I will eventually get out all these card kits, card parts and pieces, unfinished, partially finished or whatever state they are in and finally get them made up into finished card so they are ready to use for just the right occasion.  Therefore, I pulled out my picture of Heidi's card design and the papers and pieces attached to make up a somewhat similar card for Junie's birthday.  This many years later, some of the papers had gone astray, so I completed my card with some of my own paper additions.  The My Mind's Eye papers noted in the Ingredients are all the ones used in Heidi's original design.

Of course, I had to make some modifications for my card version just to make the card more me, and because as you may have read in a past blog post. . .I like larger than A2-sized cards.  With that said, I did indeed enlarge my card's design and made it into a 5-1/2" square card instead of the smaller rectangle.  Rather than stamp the front sentiment directly onto the bottom pink panel, I decided to add a popped-up tag with a new and different sentiment.  I also added some pearls for a bit more embellishing.   I then finished off the inside with a complimentary design and came up with a little birthday verse that I completed and printed from my computer.  I think cousin, Junie, will be pleased with her card.

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).

Belated Birthday for Long-Time Friend

A long-time and good friend of mine had a birthday early in May.  With all of the doings down here during my visit to my Mom's in California, I am late with everything.  I do have to give myself credit for at least getting the three celebrations in my brother's household off to them in a timely manner:  my brother's birthday, his wife's birthday and their anniversary.  All of those celebrations happen within one week in early May.  

Unfortunately, my friend's birthday got missed and is now belated.  You might have experience what happens then. . .it is difficult to find sentiments and verses that fit a belated birthday (or at least, ones that I am happy with).  Not to give up though, as one day while my mother was gone taking care of appointments and errands, I went through her stash of birthday stamps and verses from Papertrey Ink that she had added since my last trip down to visit.  Yeah, she had several that I really liked.

Now for my friend's card. . .I took a partially completed card from a stamping event with my favorite cardmaking hostess, Liz Thayer.  I had not finished this partcular card because it had some off-stamping along the edge of the sentiment layer.  I was very disappointed to find that I could not perform this particular technique with my new MISTI stamping tool (Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented) that I had brought along to try out.  Me being me, I was determined to find a way to do this so I set the card aside to finish later.

Several months later, I was introduced to a Maureen Wong YouTube video by a fellow-cardmaking friend who had been using a MISTI for quite a while.  In this video, Maureen demonstrates a technique to make the MISTI more versatile.  She uses 8-1/2" x 11" grid printed acrylic sheets used to make templates for quilting patterns.  Maureen cuts an acrylic sheet into different width strips, which become new bumper corners for use in the middle of your MISTI pad.  This allows over-stamping where parts of a stamp are stamped along an edge of your paper and the rest of the stamp hangs beyond your paper edge.  She recommends using a piece of scrap paper to "catch" any stamping ink on the "overhanging" part of the stamp.  When using the MISTI in the traditional manner that overhanging stamp hits the MISTI's ruler edge and does not allow its top "door" to close; thus the stamp can not reach your paper to ink the stamp's image onto it.  Here is a link to Maureen's YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95OldeznYdY.

I loved this card's design just as Liz presented it for us to re-create.  I did make a few minor changes, such as the sentiment, which I changed to a belated birthday greeting.  I used Stampin' Up ink and an Aqua Painter to color my flowers and leaves rather than a Blender Pen with markers.  I also added soft gold rhinestones and Wink of Stella-clear to add a little sheen to my flower petals.  Unfortunately, the picture does now show this detail to any degree.  Below is my friend's card showing my successful use of my MISTI to off-stamp my flowers and leaves along the paper edge. 

My last task was to design a complimentary inside where I used one of those sentiment and birthday verses I found in my Mom's stash.

Recipe:  SU products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White.  Pattern--Wildflower Fields (2016 SAB).  Stamp--Grateful Bunch.  Ink:  Memento--Black Tuxedo; Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz.  Punch--Blossoms; Curvy Corners.  3/8" Crumb Cake Stitched Satin Ribbon.  Metallic Gold Cord.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Stash: Gold Rhinestones.  Fiskars stamps:  Make A Wish.  Papertrey Ink stamps: Birthday Basics, Inside & Out: Birthdays.  Size:  4-3/8" x 5-5/8".

Handmade Birthday Card Pressie from My Sister!

I'm always excited when I get a card from my sister as she is totally responsible for my developing cardmaking as a hobby!  Way back in 2009 when she opened her scrapbooking store in Redding, California, I became hooked.  I started out going to classes in her store while I was visiting our Mom two times a year and also giving them a hand with computer work developing an Excel program for tracking her income and expenditures.  First, I only made cards from her kits; then I expanded by adding a few tweaks to her kit cards to make them more me.  From there, I started creating my own card designs and little by little I've developed my own style (which is varied, I'd say).  I love my six-year old hobby!

Heidi loves Papertrey Ink products, and this card shows off one of their newest kits which includes a foursome of stamps and dies called Nostalgic Notions.  I particularly love the inside very large scallop rectangle with the matching dotted border stamp traveling along the scallops.  I'll have to share the inside so you can see what I mean!

Thank You, Heidi, as always I love my card!

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").

Easter Bunny Takes Tea!

On  a roll, here is card number two for my Easter Stash.  This cute little Easter vintage image several years ago and stashed her on my computer for future use.  Do you ever find you are surfacing the web and find freebie images and put them away for a rainy day?  Along with Pinterest, this is another of my favorite past times.  I, of course, at this stage have more images than I'll ever use, I'm sure!

I thought this little bunny would be very cute with pastel Easter paper to add color to my card as there weren't many colors depicted in the image itself.  What better way than to do a ray card with multiple design paper patterns.  My next step was to address my little teatime bunny.  I sprayed my little image with adhesive spray and then dipped it into iridescent crystal fine glitter to make an almost frosted look to its surface.  I don't think the photograph really shows that detail much, and I apologize.  I then cut a circle frame using my Spellbinders Eyelet Circle die.  I also decided I wanted to use colored tickets for the sentiment, so I stamped up several different colors of cardstock with Easter sentiments, die-cut them with my Tim Holtz Ticket Strip, inked decorative lines around the edges, and added ink distressing.  Voila. . .three tickets just perfect for my card.   I think someone will be please when they receive this little bunny card!

Again, the final touch to complete the card is to decide on the inside creative design and the verse.  When that is finished, I know the card is totally done.

Recipe: Papers:  Stampin' Up - Pretty in Pink cs (card base), Pear Pizzaz cs.  Ray papers:  Imaginesce-For Peep's Sake: Spring Fling & Hot Chicks; WRMK-Cottontails 6x6 pad; Angel Co.-Country Cottage/ yellow; Authentique-Promise/ Four.  Spellbinders die: Eyelet Circles.  Sizzix/Tim Holtz die: Ticket Strip.  PTI stamps fr tickets.  Recollections: pink pearls.  Elmer's Craft Adhesdive Spray.  JoAnn's Iridescent Fine Glitter.  Stash: Lace, Organdy Glitter ribbon, vintage bunny image.  (Size: 5-1/2" square).  

Easter is Coming!

Yes, Easter is less than a month away!  Time to get out the Easter mojo and get my cards done.  Since I didn't get my Valentine's card done and sent due to my mouth surgery, I really must get with it for Easter!  What I also needed was to find that darn Easter bunny, and I think I found him lurking behind that watering can, peeking out among the flowers.

This is the cutest darn digi image...I just had to color this little bunny up with my Copics and start my Easter card with him.  After I decided to use the Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder dsp from last year's Occasions catalog, the colors for the digi image (from an unknown source) and the card just fell together very quickly.  I spritzed my doily with my homemade spritzers in just the right shades to match the designer paper.  I even had some shaded ribbon in my stash that was a perfect match, is that serendipity, or what??!!

For me, to complete inside design to coordinate with the outside look of my card and to compose or find just the right verse is to actually finish the card in its entirety.  I compose most of my verses myself and print them out using my computer. 

Recipe:  Papers: Darice Kraft cs; Stampin' Up: Calypso Coral cs, Blushing Bride cs, Watercolor Wonder dsp.  Digital image: unknown source.  Copic Markers.  Wilton 4" doily.  Spritzers: SU ink: Calypso Coral, Daffodil Yellow.  Spellbinder die: Eyelet Squares.  SU framelit: Bitty Banners.  SU Finishing Touches Edgelits (petite pinking).  PTI sentiment stamp: Scrambled Eggs.  Prima flowers and roses.  SU: Dazzling Deails Glitter Glue (image flower centers).  Inside:  SU Labels framelit.  (Size: 5-1/2" x 6").

Long-Time Friend's January 2015 Birthday!

A long-time friend, who was my youngest son's so very excellent child-care provider, has a January birthday.  One of her favorite pastimes, and a means of exercise, is riding her bicycle.  I see many Facebook posts of her many bicycle adventures, taking beautiful pictures as she ventures out on her long rides with friends.  She has offered me a bicycle to enjoy a bike adventure with her, one that she says I can ride with my bum knee.  I should make a New Year's resolution to do just that.  Who knows Holly, you may yet be surprised!

With these adventures in mind, I had just the theme for her birthday card. . .one that certainly includes a bicycle.  My sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog), made a wonderful card that I absolutely fell in love with several years ago.  I decided I would just have to re-create this card for Holly.  My card remains true to the original design, because I certainly could not improve upon it one little bit.  It also comes at just the right time, as my creative mojo is waning right now just having created TWO masculine cards right off the bat to start the 2015 cardmaking year!

The entire paper line used is from the My Mind's Eye - Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing 6x6 paper pad.  It uses bits and pieces from over six different papers in the stack. . .quite a collection!  The bicycle stamp/ die is Pedal Pusher from Papertrey Ink.  I hope Holly enjoys her card as much as I enjoyed making it.  Thanks, Heidi, for letting me borrow your design. . .I still love it as much as when I saw you making it two years ago!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla.  My Mind's Eye-Be Amazing 6x6 pad.  Papertrey Ink dies/stamps:  Pedal Pusher.  Stampin' Up stamp:  Tiny Tags.  Stampin' Up Punch: Jewelry Tag.  Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up: Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral.  Stampin' Up Seam Binding Ribbon: Calypso Coral.  May Arts: Twine.  Stampin' Up: Brads.  EK Card Creators Interlaced Corner Punch (inside), Size:  5-3/8" square.

The Last Birthday Card of Year 2014!

It's time to celebrate the birthday of a wonderful lady that I worked with for over ten years and that I'm happy to say remains a good friend as well.  As I mentioned in my blog for her birthday last year, I have a difficult getting her birthday card to her on time because her birthday falls right after Christmas.  I blame it all on the busyness of the holiday preparations and the lack of mail delivery, because I really need to mail it by Christmas Eve in order for it to arrive on time!  I must say I did much better last year!  I am fortunate that she lives fairly close by, because this year I plan to hand-deliver it in order for it to be on time!

I was thinking of a telescoping snowman birthday card originally, because her birthday falls during the winter season, but instead I focused on spring!  Now that's was quite a switch!  To be truthful, the telescoping snowmen cards are very intricate with lots of small parts to be cut and shaped.  I made four of them for Christmas for my four children (see blog postings for December 21, 22, and 23).   Then, once again, with the Christmas holidays, I just ran out of enough time to make one more with birthday papers.  

This spring card is made using one of my favorite Authentique paper collections and one of my favorite set of dies and stamps from Papertrey Ink.  I re-created it from a card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog), which has always been a favorite of mine and led me to purchase the Papertrey dies and stamps for my own cardmaking.   It focuses on those who have a green thumb when it comes to gardening, which fits my friend, Karen perfectly as her yard always so nice and full of flowers she plants each spring.   I hope she enjoys her springy birthday card!

Recipe: SU cardstock: Whisper White (base), Authentique-Renew: Flourish (floral)/ Blossom (stripe)/ Transform (dots).  SU Ink:  Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit.  Memento: Tuxedo Black.  Spellbinders: Bitty Blossom (small).  Papertrey dies/stamps:  Garden Variety.  Papertrey dies: Seed Packet Frame, Leaf Prints.  Hug Snug Seam Binding:  Gabardine Green.  Stash: Olive felt; bird seed.

Fall Birthday for Another Niece!

This card was made for my niece on my husband's side of the family, and it was actually my final birthday card to make for the month of October . . . Yippee Skippee!  I barely had time to get it done and mailed on time, because I had to get Halloween cards made and mailed too.  I definitely could not get it posted, so I decided it would have to wait for November, as well, to be put into my blog when my blog and I were less busy!   As long as it gets there, all is good, right?!  But, of course, the card was mailed timely so my wishes would not be late!

I thank my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) for the original inspiration for this card and the card kit pieces, to which I added.  My card kind of took on a life of its own.  I decided it needed an Early Espresso cardstock base and a border strips under the ribbon embellishment in the dark brown as well.  The sentiment was changed from Gratitude to one fitting for a birthday, and rhinestones were needed to give it a little bling.  I am pretty pleased with my modifications and the changes in the card, which I feel did not take away from its original design, but rather enhanced it.  I hope my niece, Sarah, likes it too!

Recipe:

Paper:  SU Early Espresso cs (base).  BoBunny DoubleDot Frost Dot.  Echo Park Fall Fever-Stripes.  Dies: Spellbinders Labels 18.  Punches: SU Open Scallop Border; (Inside: EK Medium Scallop Corner).  Stamps:  Papertrey Pumpkins.  Other:  May Arts Twine.  Offray 3/8" Satin ribbon.  Darice Rhinestones.  Computer-made sentiment.

Scary Mr. Franken-Owl Mini Album Card!

I am on a roll. . .lovin' those little mini album cards, so I just had to do another.  I had in mind to use the Owl Builder Punch to do Halloween punch art image and found several ideas on Pinterest to get a start.  Love that Pinterest!  I decided my little guy would be a Franken-Owl.  First to decide on green for owl's body. . .aren't all Frankenstein's green?  He got a shaggy hair-do with jagged bangs.

Next, he needed a tree to sit in, and I didn't have a die that would cut me a large enough tree, so I Goggled Spooky tree images to see if I could find just the right one.  To my pleasure, I found one that would do nicely.  I saved it to my computer and dropped it into Microsoft Word to resize.  I fussy cut it out and changed and/or eliminated a few limb points to look just right on my card front.  I sponged all the edges and the surface a bit with browns and charcoal.

While working on my little owl and tree, I decided the scene for Mr. Franken-Owl would be a graveyard.  Perhaps, he is revisiting the site of his body parts or looking for a eyes that match a bit better?  Whoooo knows why he sits in that spooky tree.

Front Cover with Mr. Franken-Owl's graveyard scene.

This is the centerfold of my card book.  I added a tag with a Halloween verse and Martha Stewart bat stickers and large rickrac (Papertrey die) to the pocket's outside for added decoration.  I moved the Spooky circle from the pocket side and placed it on the witch's hat panel. The Trick or Treat panel lifts up a bit, and I placed my personal Created by Chatterbox Creations below.

Back cover with the Sizzlits Halloween Set #2 Beware used.  Dazzling Diamonds glitter adhesive added to letter for a little glitz!

Recipe:  Papers:  SU Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Black, Whisper White; SU Core'inations - Black, Basic Gray.  DCWV--Halloween & Fall (2011/ 2012), Bewitched Mat Stack (pocket stripe).  Martha Stewart Haunted Mat Stack (owl/raven).  Core'dinations - Black Tie Glitter;   White paper sack: 9" x 4-3/4" (Michaels).  SU Stamps: Best of Halloween.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies: MFT--Spooky Scene; Sizzlits--Halloween Set #2 (Beware); Sizzix TH Alterations--On the Fence; Papertrey LG RickRac; Spellbinders Labels 11 (tag); Studio G--Mini Bat  Die-cuts: Martha Stewart Bat stickers.  Other:  SU--Baker's Twine, Candy Dots (buttons), Dazzling Diamonds; Celebrate - 3/8" Stitched Grograin; Ki Memories--rhinestones; Online jpeg--Spooky Tree.  Stash: Goodly eyes--mini/ small.

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.

Happy Birthday to a Friend Across the Miles!

The wife of one of my husband's Kansas cousins is having a birthday in August.  She is a special person, whom I consider a friend.  Over the years, we have had some very nice visits with this couple, and they have extended their hospitality when we have traveled to Kansas to family reunions, just visiting relatives, or passing through as we traveled beyond them, usually in our motorhome.  I have enjoyed these times to visit with Barbara and get to know her better, and it is always a fun and relaxing time.  Barbara celebrates her birthday in August, and I wanted to make her one of my handmade cards.

In thinking over what kind of card I wanted to make, I decided to re-create a card I saw at the Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in Chico, California a few years ago.  I so very much like this card, and I snapped a picture of it for my card mojo file.  I remember thinking at the time, that I had already purchased the papers from that very store while attending the three-day crop, and I made sure to buy whatever embellishments I might need as well.  I put the picture away with the stash of embellishments and the papers for future use.  It was time to  pull out this packaged bundle and get to work.  I decided to add a Vanilla cardbase to the design, a double bow, and patterned layers to the fishtail sentiment to spruce it up a bit more.  

I particularly liked this card for Barbara because she is always dressed with great style, and having been to a few weddings with her in attendance, I thought the little dress on the card was perfect for her.  I hope she likes her dressy little birthday card!

Recipe:  SU Very Vanilla cardbase, Crumb Cake cs, misc. patterned papers.  Die: Papertrey Dress Form, Spellbinders Ovals LG, Lifestyles Nesting Scallop Ovals (largest/ modified).  Fishtail Banner (homemade).  Stash: 1/16" Grograin ribbon, gray netting, pearls. Computer sentiment.

Thank You for a Great Training!

Several of my cardmaking buddies and I went over to Liz Thayer's for a Stampin' Up training using the new Blendabilities alcohol markers.  Liz had just returned from convention all revved up and ready to spread the word!  Not only did we learn lots, but we got to use all the colors as we desired from Liz's personal stash in addition to the set of our own provided with the cost of the class.  But, the goodies didn't stop there, we had a delicious potluck dinner and dessert with the main course provided by Liz.  And still more wonderfulness...let me go on.  It was such a fun-filled evening with great laughter and joking around, so much so that I'm surprised we got anything done or learned anything, but fortunately, this wasn't true...we did learn three different techniques in how to apply colors and blending.  To top it all off, we got to make two card using Blendability coloring, and one was a sneak-peek at an ornament in the new Holiday catalog.  We were all stoked and came away with new-found knowledge and skills to put to work in our own cardmaking. 

It was such a delightful time that I got busy and completed a thank you card kit designed by my sister and first cardmaking mentor, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) to send to Liz letting her know how much I appreciate her technical expertise, but also how much I enjoy learning from her because she is such a fun person to be around and laughter is never at a minimum!  I colored my little sunflowers with Blendabilities.  I tweaked the card just a bit by adding an Early Espresso card base instead of leaving just one cream layer, and I made my green sentiment back layer peaking out  twice as large to add more color.  I also I hope Liz enjoys her little flower card shown below.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up: Early Espresso cardbase, Very Vanilla, Mossy Meadow.  Patterns: unknown/ provided in kit.  Papertrey stamps: All About You Additions.  Papertrey dies: Photo Finish Strips, Tiny Tags.  Stampin' Up Ink: Early Espresso, Stampin' Up Blendabilities: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Skin Tone Asst.  5/8" Offray Satin ribbon.  SU: Linen Thread, Neutrals Button.  Stash: Copper Glitter.

July 2014 Anniversary #8!

My youngest son, and youngest child, is having his eighth wedding anniversary in the month of July.  It is difficult to believe that eight years have gone since this wonderful occasion.  His bride was as lovely at the wedding as she is a person, and we are all so happy to have her as part of the family!

For their anniversary, I wanted to convey this note of happiness, so I chose a card from a kit designed by my sister/ card mentor, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner @ blogspot), and completed it with my own tweaks and changes to make it more me.  To do this, I added two more layers of colored cardstock that accomplish three things:  it added more color to the card (which originally only had a vanilla base); it added more layering; and it enlarged the card size from the standard A2 size.  I also added a little twine bow to the front embellishments and rounded the corners of the vanilla layer.  I decided to add decorative corner cutouts to my new blue layer, to add more detail, and then after trimming the vanilla sides a sliver, I attached the top vanilla unit to my blue layer.  I finished by popping this entire unit off the base card.  I think the additional colored cardstock layers enhanced the front banners and made them pop more.  I also think the whole card is even more eye-appealing than it already was in its original lovely design.  I think Mark and Ginger will be please with their So Happy for You anniversary card.

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).  MFT dies: Fishtail Flags.  SU punches: 5-Petal Flower (ret.), Boho Blossoms, 1" Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Scallop Border (inside).   Spellbinders: Labels 1.  WRMK Corner Chomper: Scallop.  American Crafts: Corner Rounder (small).  Queen & Co. Goosebumps (some colored w/ Copics).  May Arts Hemp Twine.  Stash: Sage felt.  (Size: 4-3/4" x 6").

2014 Sister-in-Law Birthdays - #3

So, with two of the eight sister-in-law birthdays already under by belt, it is now time for sister-in-law #3's birthday.  Dianne used to be a tea drinker in her younger years when we live near each other in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Wow!  That was 40 years ago...a lot of time has gone by.  She has lived in at least three states other than California since then, and the same is true for me.  The only other state we both lived in was Virginia, but our tenure was separated by at least ten years.  Each of our other states of residence have been totally different areas of the country.  It is amazing how a husband's work career can move you around the country.

Back to Dianne's card...remembering our tea drinking days, I decided to make her a little card depicting a teacup...I just love all the stamps and dies available to do just that.  I chose a Papertrey Ink set of stamps and dies to make this little card.  I cased a card made by my sister several years ago, and changed it up a bit by enlarging my card to a 5-1/2" square and adding a darker aqua layer and more sewing machine stitching.  I also coordinated my tea bag color with the card...that was a bit of luck!  I add a little homemade verse and coordinated the inside decor with the front of the card.  I hope Dianne likes her little tea card!

Recipe:  Papers: SU Whisper White cs (base), Coastal Cabana cs.  Papertrey Ink patterns: Green Boutique, 2008 Bitty Dots, 2008 Bitty Box Basics.  Papertrey stamps/ dies: Tea for Two Additions.  SU Ink: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze. Zutter Corner Rounder. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distrressing).  Machine stitching.  Computer-made verse (Tempus Sans ITC font). EK punch: Fancy Photo Corners.  Stash:  Baker's Twine.  (Size: 5-1/2" square).  (Thank you Heidi Gonzales for design to CASE).

Thinking of a Friend...Feel Better Soon!

A good friend has been under the weather for over a week, and I wanted to send her a little pick-me-up card to let her know I was thinking about her and wishing her well.  

I decided on a card I made a few weeks ago that has been waiting to be chosen for the perfect person it was surely meant for.  The bones of this card are from a lovely design of my sister's, Heidi Gonzales/ My Lil' Scrap Corner.  While putting it together, of course, I had to make a few adjustments to make it more me.  I added two base layers, changing the card base from white to navy and adding a little aqua layer in-between it and the first patterned-paper layer.  I also decided to add a corner design to the navy pattern so it was not just a plain square by using my WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  It also sports a navy ribbon with a double bow instead of an indigo blue single layer bow. 

I hope my friend enjoys her very colorful little card, and it perks her up, and she knows she is thought about often!

Recipe: Stamp: PTI Mini Blooms (sentiment/ mini flowers). Papers - SU cs: Night of Navy, Pool Party, Whisper White. WRMK Yellow cs.  DSP: WRMK-Feelin’ Groovy: Harmony (diamonds), Stripes (back: scroll print).  Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Spellbinders die: Scalloped Squares. PTI die: Happy Day. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (edge distressing). Hug Snug Skipper Blue seam binding ribbon. Recollections mini rhinestones. 

Drum Roll Please. . . A 99th Birthday This Month!!!

My Great Aunt will be 99 years-old this month, and you would never believe it to see her.  In my youth, I remember her as the best dressed person around and an amazing cook as well!  She was quite the seamstress and made beautiful garments for herself with stylish dresses that made her look like she had always stepped out of the pages of a Vogue magazine.  For sure, she looked like she belonged in New York City not in rural California!  Current day is almost the same, although she does occasionally wear slacks with an elegant top or blouse.  

For my aunt, I borrowed a card design by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, My Lil' Scrap Corner, and made this little card displaying a vintage button card with a seamstress slant that I thought my aunt might enjoy.  I tweaked the design just a bit by adding a blue cardbase and using the original white cardbase as a mat layer.  I also hand-embroidered the pink crosses rather than use a sticker picture and slanted my button card just a bit more than the original, but other than that the design replicates the original.  Thanks, Heidi, for the design idea...I love it!

 Recipe:  SU Baja Breeze card stock base.  Papertrey Ink Button Boutique stamp set.  4" Wilton Doily.  SU Jewelry Tag punch. WRMK Corner Deco Chomper.

Long-time Friend's Birthday

One of the ladies that has been a friend for many years and part of my ladies' dinner group is having a birthday this month.  She has a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile and a twinkle in her eye.  I re-created a card from one of my sister's designs (Heidi Gonzales - My Lil' Scrap corner), that made me think of Ilene the entire time I was making it and decided right then and there that I would save it for her birthday this year.  I love the Authentique Renew papers that it is made with and the garden Papertrey Ink stamps/ die set.  This card's design prompted me to puchase the set to use for several of my friends and relatives who have green thumbs.  I hope Ilene like her card, made with her in mind.

Recipe:  SU cardstock: Very Vanilla (base), Authentique-Renew: Blossom (floral)/ Energize (check)/ Transform (small dot)/ Foundation One (blue die layer).  SU Pansy punch.  Spellbinders die: Bitty Blossom (small).  Papertrey dies/stamps: Garden Variety; Mat Stack 4 die.  SU pearls. Stash: blue trim; doily; netting.

Birthday for a Cardmaking Buddy!

One of the ladies that I love to go cardmaking with is having her birthday in April.  She is so much fun to work and visit with during our escapes into the paper world; therefore, I want to be sure to honor her on her special day.  I chose a card to make from a card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner, which is very bright and cheerful just like my friend, Sandy.  

I wanted to make my card a larger size than the original A2 size, so I added another mat layer of Pool Party between the card base and the top design layer.  I also decided on a double bow instead of a fishtail ribbon knot.  I made the following additional changes:  added the paper flower cutouts to all three flower layers; I dropped the two-layer die cuts down, exposing a bit more of the die shape; and I dropped the bottom layer of the die down even more so more of the patterned paper shows.  I absolute love this WRMK Feelin' Groovy paper with the colors so cheerful and complimenting one another perfectly!  I hope Sandy likes her birthday card. 

Recipe:  Stamps – PTI Flower Fusion #1 (sentment), PTI Flower Fusion #5 (flower heads/ not visible), PTI Flower Fusion #6 (plaid flower stems). SU Ink: Gumball green, Basic Black. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (edge distressing). Papers – SU cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party. WRMK-Feelin’ Groovy: Journal (yellow stripe/ corner flowers used), Chevron (back quatrefoil). PTI die: Mega Mat Stack 4. Hug Snug Gabardine Green seam binding ribbon. MayArts hemp twine. Flower buttons.