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.

Thank You for the Delightful Gift!

I received a fairly unique gift quite unexpectedly...a cedar, chainsaw-made Christmas tree.  We had a family gathering a few weeks ago to celebrate two birthdays, and my son-in-law's mother was in attendance.  She is a collector of chainsaw wood art, and she brought a gift for me and my two daughters plus my daughter-in-law.  They were "carved" Christmas trees using a chainsaw to cut and form them from cedar logs.  The tree's branches were painted green with a bit of white snow gracing their tips and the trunks were the natural bark from the small cedar logs from which they was cut.  She had decorated each with miniature Christmas lights that could be all white or multi-colored by changing the remote settings.  What delightful gifts!

I needed a thank you card desperately and immediately.  I scoured some of the Splitcoaststamper challenges to find some ideas.  I used the Inspiration Challenge for an autumn color inspiration and found a Featured Stamper Challenge with a pretty autumn leaf card.  My mind was made up to do an autumn leaf card of my own.  I found some other challenges that would fit as well, and if I added green, I could finish Color Letter Z in the Round 9 Alphabet challenge.  

At this point, I remember a card by Liz Thayer that also had a leaf design, so I "borrowed" elements from her card to add to my card as well.  This is my finished card, a bit of a modified Liz design than from the Featured Stamper with two more added layers.  I finished the card off with an interior design to fit the outside and added a Chatterbox verse printed by my computer.

Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.  I think my friend will enjoy her thank you card and also know just how appreciative I am of her lovely gift!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Papers:  Cardstocks--Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Gold Foil, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, So Saffron;  Patterned--Color Me Autumn (2014 Holiday), Typeset (2014-5 Annual).  Stamps: Holiday Cheer, Project Life (sentiment/ 2014 Holiday).  Dies:  Autumn Accents BigZ.  SU Embossing Folder: Hardwood.  SU Other:  Gold Basic Metal buttons; Washi Tape (names unknown); Dazzling Diamonds Gold Glitz.  Ink: Soft Suede ink distressing.  Size: 4-3/4x6-inches.

Circa 1860's Vintage Christmas Tree!

I'm working on the Splitcoaststampers' Virtual Stamp Night Mini Challenge #2, whose theme is "Little Women."  The requirement is to make a vintage card in keeping with what their era of Christmas might look like.  I also went to several other SCS challenges for the layout and embellishment inspiration.

I started by looking through my stash of patterned papers for something with a vintage flair.  I found two perfect pieces that I was pretty excited about.  I checked my layout inspirations and with the paper in hand, my mojo began to simmer.  I jotted down a quick sketch of changes and additions I might want to add to the layout, so that I could gather all my tools and materials before I started the timer to begin making my actual card.

I opened up my stash of Christmas embellishments and re-acquainted myself with what I had, looking for something that would work with my chosen papers.  Right off, I spotted the lovely dimensional tree that I ended up using, but it certainly needed some background framing, which led me to the lovely, vintage-looking oval frame.  Of course, vintage means lace, pearls, ribbon, etc. to me, so I searched through my stash of these types of items for ones that might go well with my papers and my layout ideas.  I had to "build" my own lace panel as what I had was either too large or too small.  I cut out and cut down the center of the wider piece and added new edge lace to make it the perfect width.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.  All in all,  I am pretty happy with how my card evolved so quickly and how well it turned out.  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up cardstock--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler; American Crafts/ The Color of Memories--Vintage Christmas #320369/ Musical Score #341340.  Die: Cottage Cuts--Oval Doily.  Punch: EK--Scalloped Scallops border; Stampin' Up--Curvy Corners (retired).  Dimensional Chipboard:  K&Company/ EB Versions of Christmas Grand Adhesives--Christmas tree; Recollections Chipboard Accents--Christmas sentiment.  Lion Bonbons Jingle Bells (Christmas colors plain/ metallic).  Recollections--mini pearls.  Stash: Two laces/ modified; Fun Foam (pop up layering).  Size: 4-3/4x6 inches.

(This card became my daughter, Michele's Christmas card).

Sister-in-Law #3 Has a "Freedom" Birthday!

I have mentioned in the past that I have eight (8) sister-in-laws!  With my knee surgery, I missed getting a card made for the first two in 2018.  My third sister-in-law has a birthday just a few days after the 4th of July.

After looking at possible SCS challenges to enter, I decided to do a whole different thing with her birthday and make a patriotic card all about freedom.  In her case, the birthday verse gives her the "freedom" to choose to be "29 again" this year; therefore, I used "FREEDOM for Your Birthday!" as the card front sentiment.

I've been chuckling as I've been making her card and thoroughly enjoying myself.  I do hope she likes her card as well as I think she will.  Take a peek below at the card front and my inside verse and design.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Midnight Muse (ret.), Real Red, Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory.  Punch: 3-Corner Curvy (inside-ret.).  Baker's Twine: Real Red/ White.  Patterned papers: Authentique Pride Collection:  Dignity (bg), Unified (Inchie-Dots), Assemble (Inchie-Stripe), Amend (Inchie-Plaid).  Hugs Seam Binding Ribbon: Union Blue.  Spellbinder Dies:  Stars Nestabilities, Postage Stamp Nestabilities (Inchies).  Queen & Co. Twinkle Goosebumps: Red (inside).  Button: stash.  Fishtail Flags--hand-cut.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (Fonts: Lobster 1.4 = sentiment/16--verse/15. Cut Above the Rest = setniment (freedom).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Hubby Celebrates Father's Day!

I had a second Father's Day to make, and this one would be for my husband, father of our four children!  I enjoyed trying out the Eclipse technique so much on my son's card, that I thought I should do another for my husband, though I wanted to use a different theme.

I checked out possible SCS challenges for a bit of inspiration on the theme, and I decided on the color navy blue in order to enter another Alphabet challenge, which would also work for a lovely Vera Bradley fabric found for this week's Inspiration Challenge.

After looking through my masculine paper stash, I found some navy, red, and tan paper with a nautical theme, which I thought would be perfect, as my husband has always enjoyed taking the boat out and tooling around the lake near our home.  The dark navy background, reminded me of a dark night on the water, night being the bonus challenge in the Alphabet challenge.  The addition of the red and tan in the nautical print remind me of the Vera Bradley fabric I found in the Inspiration challenge website.  I was stoked and ready to begin.

Take a peek below at my second Eclipse technique card for my hubby's Father's Day.  I have included my inside design and verse below the card front.  Both he and my son loved there Eclipse cards a great deal. . .so I'm grinning from ear to ear!

Ingredients:  ANW Crestwood cardstock: Deep Sea.  Basic Gray Adrift: Ahoy; Waves.  Authentique Pride: Amend (red/white dot).  Stampin' Up: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Real Red.  2013-2015 Background Stack: Crumb Cake pattern.  SU: Burnt Brown Sugar (ink distressing).  Dies: SU--Large Letters Framelits; Top Dog--Stitched Water Die.  Punch: EK Scallop Medium Photo Corners (inside).  Pinking Shears.  Chatterbox computer sentiment/ verse - Font: Shelley.  Size: 5" x 6".

My Son Celebrates His Second Father's Day!

Father's Day is right around the corner, and I'm going to have to really scurry to get two Father's Day cards made before Sunday!  My first card will be for my son, who is the father of our only grandchild, who is now a little over a year old!  So much fun, walking and talking already!

I did a quick look at the challenges on Splitcoaststamper to see if there were any ideas to use for Mark's card, and I found several.  I will be focusing on Quartz Gray for the Alphabet Challenge and I found a card on the Featured Stamper that utilizes the Eclipse Technique, which I decided to use.  In addition, I created an acrostic verse for this inside.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  SU Cardstocks: Basic Black, Whisper White.  Patterned Papers: Three Bugs in a Rub/ Tool Time; K&Co. stripe; DCWV/ Limoncello Stack (gray mosaic).  SU Dies:  Large Letters Framelits.  Punch: EK Victorian Medium Photo Corners (inside).  Technique: Eclipse.  Chatterbox Computer sentiment/ verse--Shelley font.  Pinking Shears.  Size: 5" x 6".

Traveling Teapot Challenge...Sympathy Card #2!

Splitcoaststamper's Teapot Challenge for May 15, 2018 is for the mother and grandmother of our SCS friend's great niece, who has left us and gone to her final resting place with God.  I wanted to participate in this challenge and send my card on the way to this family, who are so grief stricken.  I am praying that all of our SCS cards will help bring solace to their wounded hearts.  It is always difficult to deal with losing loved ones, but when they are young as well, it makes it doubly difficult.  Take a peek at my card below, which is bright and cheerful, and I hope it bring a small smile to their faces.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Bermuda Bay, Lemon-Lime Twist, Whisper White.  Pattern Paper--Eastern Palace DSP.  Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Christmas Quilt (stamped bg).  Ink--Bermuda Bay, Lemon-Lime Twist.  Dies--Quilt Builder Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits (plain/ scallop), Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Pearls.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

A "So Sweet" Valentine for Hubby!

I decided I should finish a card that was demontrated in a card class hosted by Stampin' Up demonstrator Liz Thayer a few years ago.  Its parts have been languishing in my "To Do" box for quite awhile.  Of course, I have to tinker a little to make the card a bit more my own.  

I added a black cardbase to add more layers and because I thought a black and red edging would look ever so much more striking than just red, plus I widened my layered edges to be more like a frame.  I re-arranged my heart colors a bit, plus added rhinestones to the curlicues on the sentiment.  The inside to tie-in with the front is entirely my own design, including the created verse, which I used on all my Valentines this year.  I used to do a different verse on every seasonal card. . . finally the lightbulb went on after feeling way overburdened.  "Why do that,"  I said to self. . .so obviously I stopped!

I plan to enter this into the SCS Alphabet Challenge for Letter S...no double challenge for me on this...I just couldn't quite see a hot glue design that would in any way enhance the look of my card...LOL!  Hot glue reminds me of buggers to be quite blunt and honest!  Didn't think hubby would appreciate that!  Although, one clever lady wound yarn around her glue ball as her focal point was all about cats. . .that glue ball did work well!  

I found a few other challenges it might fit into as well.  Now it's time to take a peek at hubby's finished card inside and out below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White; Pattern--*Stacked with Love Pad.  SU stamp: *You Plus Me.  SU Ink: Real Red.  SU Punch:** Sweetheart; **Itty Bitty Accent Punches--Heart.  **1/8" Taffeta Silver Edge ribbon: Red and Black. SU catalogs: *2015 Occasions/ retired.  **2014-2015 Annual/ retired.  SU Rhinestones.  Created Verse.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-7/8". 

A 2018 Valentine for Mom!

It's time to make a Valentine card for my Mom!  I sure miss her...with all my knee and hand issues starting over two years ago, I've missed three of my traditional semi-annual trips to visit her.  I will not be able to go until this coming fall due to my second knee replacement in March!  Mom will be a spry 93-years old in August, 2018.  We always spend lots of time cardmaking together on my visits, along with my sister who lives in the same town in California!  We usually schedule a week-long girls' get-away to Mt. Shasta...what wonderful memories!

I pulled out some of my old unfinished Liz Thayer card kits and their pictures to see what I might use and get them out of my too full "To Do" box.  I found this little gem that I never put together during my knees "hiatus."  I love the paper colors and Liz's design, so my plan was to keep it quite similar, but add a little here or there to put a little "me" into it.  Then, I would design a complimentary inside and verse to finish it off.

I re-cut and enlarged the white cardbase and added a Crisp Cantaloupe layer between the base and the black layer to add more color.  (I saved the old cardbase to cut and use for the inside card verse).  I added rhinestone gems to the four corners, the banner points, hearts, and sentiment circle, but the bones of the design still shine through.

Now that Mom's card is finished, it really reminded me how much I loved the Valentine Stampin' Up products I bought in 2015 and 2016 but never had the opportunity to use.  I will check out some Splitcoaststamper challenges to see if any of them fit, as I already had the colors, papers, and design ideas before beginning my card.  Take a look below at the finished card inside and out.  I think Mom will be pleased!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe (retired); Patterned dsp--Stacked with Love.  SU stamps: Hello Life (2016-retired).  SU: Happy Heart EF.  SU punches: Itty Bitty Accents Pack (2016-retired); 1/2" Circle; 2" Circle; 2-1/4" Scallop Circle.  SU-Rhinestones.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Computer-composed verse.  Size: 4-1/2' x 5-5/8".

Tool Time Waterfall Birthday!

It is my husband's birthday in a few days, and as he's quite the handyman; therefoe, I decided on a tool card for him.  I had been itching to do another waterfall card, and I thought this technique would work well with tools for each stage of the waterfall.  This will be my third waterfall card, but it's been almost two years since the last one, which was for Easter 2016.

I have three stamps sets that have carpentry tools on them.  Two of them are about four years old, and the other is just about a year old.  I have made cards with all three, but I wanted my tools to be a bit more realistic and not so cutesy or toy looking, so I surfed the web for Google blackline images and found several that I liked.  I did use the nuts, bolts, screws, and nails from one of my stamp sets.

I wanted to enter a few Splitcoaststampers' challenges, so I looked up what was available before getting started to see if I could fit parts of one thing or another into one or more challenges.  I ended up being able to enter these five challenges...Alphabet Challenge/ Letter W for waterfall/ Extra Double = use decorative scissors (I used old pinking shears); Ways to Use It - Give Me a Second Chance (use old stamps/ tools/ old pinking shears); Inspiration Challenge...something from Needlepoint website to inspire you (colors came from here...serendipity...the kitty even had tools); Use It 2018 (bring out unused or never used crafting items; and the Technique gallery for Waterfall card.  I entered one more...Free 4  All/ F4A415, but I might be fudging a bit......create a pop-up card or use things with a popping theme, i.e., popcorn.  In my Waterfall technique...the waterfall items "pop up" one by one when you pull the ribbon.  There is interaction, but not quite like a "pop up" card, but it still seems like it might fit!

I'm thinking my husband will be very please with his card.  Take a peek below to see what you think.  There will be four views as a waterfall card is interactive and you'll need to see it in each of its stages as it flips up through the layers.

Ingredients:  Solid Papers:  Stampin' Up cardstock - Basic Black, Real Red, Hello Honey, Silver Foil (embossed).  Patterned Papers:  Michaels Open Stock: Golden Grid; Joanns Open-Stock: Silver Check Designer.  Google Search Digital images: tools + 6" ruler (from stash).  Copic Marker colored.  Stampin' Up stamps: Nailed It (bolts, nuts, screws, nails, only).  Dies:  Spellbinders: Circles LG, Pinking Circles LG, Lifestyles Circles (retired).  Punches: 1/2" Circle; 1/8" Hole punch; Zutter Corner Rounder.    Decorative Scissors: Pinking shears.  SU Embossing Folder: Argyle (retired).  Recollections: Screw Brads.  Stampin' Up Ribbon: 1/8" Black w/silver grosgrain.  Fussy-cutting.  Waterfall Technique.  Computer verse/ sentiment.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Birthday Jazz for Youngest Son!

SMILES ABOUND!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 16, 2017!!

When making birthday cards for people I know well, I try to choose a theme for the card that relates to that person in some way.  For my youngest son, and the youngest of my four children, I thought I would make a card focusing on his talent as a musician.

During his youth, in elementary school and as a teenager, he was very much into music.  He first learned how to play the clarinet and was promoted the next year to a saxophone.  He was really very good and became a member of the jazz band and concert orchestra starting in his junior high years.  With the jazz band, his focus was on his alto sax, but for concert orchestra, you could see him on his sax, playing the oboe, or any of a variety of other reed instruments in which the orchestra might be short of instruments for a particular piece of music.  Mark was a quick study and able to pick up many other reed instruments very rapidly.

I wanted to enter Mark's card into several challenges at Splitcoaststampers, so I did a little research before beginning.  The result was a Nu-Jazz style focus, using black, white, cream, tans, and reds.  "The Story" follows below if you are interested in more tidbits about the whys and wherefores of this birthday card.  Meanwhile, take a peek just below at the musical, jazz card that I ended up making for Mark's birthday...I think he will really like it!

Ingredients:  Papers: Stampin' Up--Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler cardstocks; Recollections--Antique Parchment stack.  Patterned paper: Graphic 45--Fashionista Collection/ Debutante (stripe); A Proper Gentleman (paisley).  Googled digital images.  Ink: Colorbox Chestnut Roam (age distressing).  Dies: Reverse Confetti--Edge Essential (black square edges); My Favorite Things--First Place Ribbon (fishtail).  Darice Foam Sheets.  Pink Posh: sequins.  Stash: black/ gold metallic baker's twine.  Knit fabric covered button.  Computer-made sentiment (Font: Budmo Jiggler/ 32).  Stampin'Up Marker: Cherry Cobbler (sentiment circles colored...very difficult to see).  Size:  5" x 6-1/4".

"The Story"

Because I wanted this to be a birthday card for son, Mark, about his musical talent, but I also wanted to enter it into SCS challenges, I did a little research on the challenges available before beginning my card.  For the Alphabet Challenge - Round 7, I needed a card using some element that starts with the Letter N, with the double challenge that it be "not feminine."  Well, that one was easy...a card for Mark would not be feminine and because his jazz band played a great variety of types of jazz, including the Nu-Jazz style, my card would focus on that style of jazz.

The second challenge I wanted to enter is the Inspiration Challenge, using inspiration from the website Design Seeds and their color palettes.  From their coffee hues, I decided to make my card, black, white, creams, tans, and reds.

The third challenge that would work well is the Mix-Ability Challenge, which requires the card to focus on Black, White, and "Read" All Over...a challenge all about colors as well.

The fourth and final challenge is the Featured Stamper, who is Rachel (stampinrachel).  The goal is to visit the Featured Stamper's gallery and find a card for inspiration in making your own card.  I chose a card from Rachel's gallery that used the inchie-style for the layout.  It was the inspiration to use that style in my card as well...check out Rachel's card with this link: Winter Thank You by stampinrachel.

First Christmas for a Little Husky Named Zhanna!

OVER THE MOON!!!

THIS WAS ONE OF TEN OF MY 2017 CARDS 

RECEIVING A 2017 SCS BEST OF FAVORITES!!

HAPPY MAIL TIDINGS!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - SEPTEMBER 9, 2017!!

You would not believe how long this card has been in the making!  I colored the image at my Girls' Craft Get-Away in late May!  I only brought coloring with me because it was so soon after my knee replacement surgery, and I knew I wouldn't be getting up and down a lot.  See my first Christmas 2017 card below.  The "story" follows.

Ingredients:  Papers:  Recollections--Punchy Florals Pack (card base); Core'dinations Silk Glitter Opulent Oval cs; Stampin' Up--Silver Glimmer; Stampin' Up--Winter Frost dsp (retired).  Digital image/ Copic coloring.  Dies: Spellbinders--Floral Ovals; MFT--Stitched Oval Scalloped Frame; MemoryBox--Snow Burst (snowflakes).  Punch: Recollections--5/8" Snowflake.  SU: Glitter Enamel Dots.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

The Story!

I was about half way through coloring my little image and was putting finishing touches on my little girl before moving onto her shoes and the puppy, when I applied the wrong color of Wink of Stella (gold instead of clear) onto her furry coat bottom.  After getting back from my craft retreat at the end of May, it took two weeks before I could get into my craft room...the knee was just too painful to sit and twist in and out from under a table.  The get-away kind of took a tole on me and my recovery.

In the second week of June, I re-colored my little image once again.  I used some mojo and came up with a pretty clear idea of my layout, and completed the white oval glittery frame for her, which is actually two dies together.  See Ingredients below for die names.  That's when I came to a screeching halt! I wasn't able to do much crafting yet, and I had two get well cards, two graduations, five birthdays (that I got done), two Father's Day cards, an anniversary, and an award card that interfered with finishing this card.  Three months later, I've actually finished the card!  (Theatrical bow being done!)

I worked on this cute little image so long that I gave my little Eskimo girl and her little female Siberian Husky puppy names.  The little girl is Lara and little husky's name is Zhanna, which is a Russian name.  This puppy will grow up to be a sled dog, and I wanted her to have a strong name, because she will be a glorious sled dog, probably a lead dog, and her name needs to fit her heritage and who is is!  Because of Zhanna, I will be able to enter my card into the Splitcoaststamper's Alphabet Challenge, Round 7, Letter Z.

I will also enter this card into two other Splitcoaststamper challenges.  To finalize my card, I used the colors from a fellow Splitcoaster in the Featured Stamper Challenge, and Christmas in July, because that was my original intended time to finish this card.  Alas, that did not happened, but I'm entering late.

In addition, she will be entered into a fourth challenge that was her original purpose when I first got started on the idea for the card, which is the very first Christmas 2017 for January with the theme of making a card using a sled, snow tube, snowboard, or skiing.  We have all the themes for the year, and we can make them whenever we want, BUT, I think I can safely say I am way behind!  My challenge to myself was to make 24 cards/ two each for each month's challenges, and here we are in September and this is my first!  Shame on me!

Graduation with Total Honors!

I'M GIDDY!  THIS CARD NAMED AS A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS CAS FAVORITE

WEEK ENDING - JUNE 18, 2017!!

Boy, you can't ask for much more!  Daughter Jackie just graduated today from the University of Washington with her Bachelors of Science Nursing and with summa cum laude 4.0 honors throughtout her journey to complete her B.S.N.  We are soooooo proud of her...I'm about to bust!

I decided to make Jackie's graduation card in UW colors...purple and gold...unfortunately, the picture shows it up more blue than purple...but really it is purple.  As I did not have any purple papers that were remotely appropriate, I went on Etsy and found some digital paper that I like in purples and gold.  Even though the paper looked purple and gold on the computer screen, they were navy blue and with white fleur de lis.  My next task was to move the two pieces into my PaintShop Pro program and re-color them to the appropriate colors,  That was finally achieve and I resized the papers in Word so the fleur de lis were smaller and the crown in the gold paper were also smaller.

After printing them, I decided to try something I've been thinking I should try.  About three months ago, when I was in Bath & Body Works, I saw a body mist named Magic in the Air, a diamond shimmer mist.  When I sprayed it on the paper sample piece, it put a beautiful shimmery mist all over the paper (and smelled good as well), and I thought, "Wow!  That would be great to use on cardmaking papers."  Now was the time to try it out, and it worked beautifully.  I sprayed it over all the papers and stamped images, except the graduation hat and the gold glimmer stars and tassel.  Unfortunately, the photo shot of the card does not show it off, but it's truly wonderful.  I see I will never have to buy Shimmer White cardstock again, because I can make my own!!!!  Take a peak at Jackie's finished grad card inside and out...I think she will love it.

Ingredients:  Cardstocks: Recollections Cardstock Essentials-purple; Stampin' Up Gold Glimmer (stars/ tassel), Naturals Ivory (retired); Clair Tales Purple & Gold Damask 06 & 07 (color-enchanced); DCWV Glitter Stack-golden yellow.  Stamps: Stampin' Up--Bravo (colored w/Copics).  Inks: Memento-Grape Jelly, Paris Dusk (two-step stamping).   Dies:  MFT-Stitched Star; Stampin' Up-Balloon Framelits (tassel); Impression Obsession-Instant Photo Corners.  Punch: Stampin' Up-IB Accents/ Star.  Bath & Body Works-Magic in the Air/ Diamond Shimmer Mist.  Computer-verse.  Size:  4-7/8" x 6".

Hippity Hop to Easter with 2 Cute Ink!

I have just finished my final needed Easter card, and this one was made with another 2 Cute Ink digital stamp named Hippity Hop.  I think I will enter this final card into the 2 Cute Ink Challenge #133, which makes my second and final entry.  You can take a peek at my card, as well as all the other cards that have been entered into this challenge at the following link:   http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html.  Reading on below will given you more particulars about the making of this card, as well as a picture of my finished card inside and out.

This Easter card will need to lean a bit toward the masculine theme as it will be for my husband.  Since I wanted to continue to try my hand at more coloring and also use more of my 2 Cute Ink digital images, I chose 2 Cute's Hippity Hop image for this card.  I'm sure this digital bunny is a masculine bunny, because he is wearing pants and flexing his muscles while carrying such a big heavy egg!   

I had a picture lurking in my mind for my layout, so to start, I needed patterned papers that would be really colorful, with one blue as one color in them, and they needed to coordinate well together.  Blue was necessary for Hippity Hop's planned blue jeans and a number of other colors for my egg, flowers, and grass.  The striped pattern was perfect, and the word paper coordinated with it quite well.  I'm was excited and ready to begin coloring my bunny!

When Hippity Hop was finished, I moved on to choose by cardbase and mat layer cardstocks.  I settled on a grass green as the cardbase and a warm yellow for my contrast mat layers, but I changed my mind mid-stream.  My final decision was a yellow cardbase, because I liked the green as the mat layer for Hippity Hop and as the layer under the word patterned paper.  Somehow, the yellow didn't look quite right under either, but the green looked great, and the yellow was good under the striped pattern.  Once that was decided, the card went together very easily and quickly.  Take a look below at my finished Hippity Hop card.  Isn't that little bunny just too cute!

Following my longstanding tradition, I completed my card by finishing off the inside with a design and verse to coordinate with the outside creativity.

Recipe:  Papers:  Cardstocks--Paper Company pack/ In Full Bloom (green); Stampin' Up Daffodil Yellow; Patterns--DCWV/ Easter Words, Reminisce/ Happy Easter Stripe.  Digital image: 2 Cute Ink/ Hippity Hop.  Stamps: Stampin' Up--Indescribable Gift (sentiment), Suite Sayings (verse).  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies: MemoryBox--Cross Stitched Frame Borders.  Punch:  EK CardCreator-Basketweave Corner (inside).  Wink of Stella/ Clear.  Recollections: Pearls.  Colorbox: Chestnut Roan/ distressing.  Copic Markers:  Pants--B41, B32, B34. Shoes--T0, T1, T3, T5. Egg--R22, R24, R27, R29; Y11, Y13, Y15, Y35. Flowers/Grass--YR00, YR12, YR18; V000, V01, V05; YG01, YG03, YG17.  Bunny-- C0, 0 (Blender).  Nose--R22.  Size: 5-1/2" x 5-3/4".

It's An Easter Bunny Turtle!

Last October I joined the 2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps Club, hosted by artist/owner, Heidi Arrowood.  This club gives its members six free images per month for $5.00, with one being exclusive to the club members only, plus a coupon code to be used in the 2 Cute Ink Etsy shop for more digital images.  I am sorry to say, I have not done a thing with any of my new digital images yet, even though I bought additional digis not given for free!!  They were too cute to resist, and the percentage off offered was too good to ignore!  But, let me whine and make excuses. . .I think my excuses are pretty good. . .LOL!

Throughout last fall until mid-January, I have been totally wrapped up in planning my daughter's wedding with the result that there has been NO time to take on any extra cardmaking as my whole focus has been the wedding and lending my crafting expertise to both the wedding and my daughter's shower.  I didn't even get Christmas cards made for my immediate family. . .I felt so guilty!  Since the wedding, which turned out beautiful, I have been playing catch-up with my life, trying to find and grab all the loose ends trailing around that were either ignored or shelved while working on wedding stuff, more wedding stuff, and MORE wedding stuff!!  Finally, about mid-March, I began to actually feel things might be getting back to normal. . .whatever normal means!

This past week, I have been busy making Easter cards for my immediate family and trying out some new techniques recently learned.  Finally satisfied that I had mastered these new techniques, I decided it was time try a little coloring again. . .it's been oh so very long since I colored.  What better way to get back into it than to color one of my 2 Cute Ink Club freebie digital images and maybe even participate in their challenge with an Easter card for my oldest son.  I chose a February club digital image called the Easter Bunny Turtle. . .such a darling image.  I found a very colorful paper that I thought would work very well for my design idea, which helped me choose the Copic markers to use on my little turtle-bunny and his eggs.  I'm pretty happy with the results and offer you a peek below at this very colorful card!   Also, jump on over the visit the 2 Cute Ink Challenge #133 - Easter Theme and see other cards submitted for this months challenge.  Their link is:  http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html

And now for the final step to finish up my card. . .the inside design and a verse to coordinate with my front design.  I did think my verse needed to include bunnies that "are an interesting sight" as this bunny is certainly an interesting sight!

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up cardstocks--Whisper White, Island Indigo; Reminisce--Easter Basket Stripe (front + back side).  Digital Image:  2 Cute Ink/ Easter Bunny Turtle.  Stamp: Lawn Fawn--Happy Easter (sentiment).  Ink--Memento Black Tuxedo.  EK Punches:  Scalloped Scallops Border; 1-1/2" Scallop Circle; Medium Victorian Corner (inside).  Offray 3/8" ribbon.  Craft Medley--sequins.  Hand-cut: Tag & Double Fishtail Flags.  Copic Markers:  Turtle--YG00, YG01, YG03, YG17 (feather YG17); Ears/Tail--C0, RV00, RV11; Eggs--YR04, YR12; BG02, BG05;  Y04, Y15; Grass--YG01, YG03, YG17 (feather); Ground--E04 (feather).  Size: 5-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Embellished Ornaments (Totally Lovin' Christmas #4)!

Oh, and here is an especially pretty one from Liz Thayer's October Totally Lovin' Christmas card event that I attended.  I made this design exactly like the sample Liz Thayer shared during the class, though I did decided to make my separation between layers a bit larger because I wanted the pink layers to pop a bit more.  I also dropped the sentiment in the upper right corner just a bit more and decided to gold emboss it like the ornaments.  (I think Liz had her's stamped with Crumb Cake ink if I remember correctly).

I know many people don't like to use non-traditional colors in their Christmas cards, and I most definitely think pink falls into that non-traditional category.  But, I absolutely love this color combination. . .don't you think ornaments made from Stampin' Up's Embellished Ornaments stamp set cut out with their coordinating Delicate Ornaments Thinlit dies are simply beautiful! 

Now here's something that has always puzzled me!  I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they don't name their dies the same as the coordinating stamp set with which the die set is first introduced?  I do realize that in the future, they often add a new stamp set named something entirely different, but for me, it would still be easier if they just named it the same as at least one of the stamp sets with which they coordinate.  As I say, it's a puzzle to me, and of course, that is my personal opinon!  Getting back to the pink color with the gold embossing, doesn't it makes an absolutely lovely finished card?

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  cardstock--Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla. Winter Wonderland dsp (2015 Holiday).  Stamps/ coordinating die:  Embellished Ornaments/ Delicate Ornament Thinlits (2015 Holiday).  5/8" Gold Satin Ribbon, 1-1/4" Very Vanilla Subtle Stripe Ribbon.  Gold Embossing Powder.  Pearls.  (Thank you Liz Thayer for the beautiful card design).

Making Spirits Bright (Totally Lovin' Christmas #2)

I've been finishing this little reindeer Making Spirits Bright card today. . .it's my second card design from Liz Thayer's Totally Lovin' Christmas.  This card is a fun-loving, whimsical card for sure, and it uses some of Stampin' Up's newest products from their 2015 Holiday mini catalog, such as the Reindeer clips and the Holiday Fancy Foil Vellum.  I had to bring this one home from the event to finish, because I had such a terrible time getting the Making Spirits Bright solid sentiment to stamp out correctly.  Now, I know I'm a perfectionist, but believe me, I wasn't even close to the problem!

In looking at the card pieces and then the picture of the card design, I decided that my first step was to tackle and stamp that most difficult sentiment.  I recently bought myself a MISTI stamping tool (MISTI = Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented), and it finally arrived about a week ago.  I knew this sentiment would be quite the test for it, but it was time to see if it could live up to its advertising.  I mounted the stamp onto the MISTI cover, inked it up, gently closed the lid, and pressed firmly and evenly on the cover where the stamp was adhere.  Voila, it worked...it truly lives up to its advertising!

The more I looked at the card's original design, the more I thought I just had to add some red and green foil papers to coordinate with the green foil trees on the vellum.  I replaced all of the red cardstock with red foil and added another layer in green foil underneath, and I also added a white cardbase to start it off.  I thought the card was looking good so far; therefore, it was time to give the little reindeer a look see.  I decided he need a perky little bow under his nose instead of a double-trailed knot, and he definitely need some eyes; Googlies eyes would be just right.  You take a look see and see if I got it right.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Shimmery White cardstock; Holiday Fancy Foil Vellum.  Stamps: Among the Branches.  Ink:  Real Red.  1/8" striped ribbon-green.  Reindeer paper clips.  DCWV Foiled Cardstock Stack.  Darice Googlie Eye.  Recollections Large Rhinestone.  (MISTI by My Petunia).  (Thank you Liz for the original design sample.)

Happy Scenes (Totally Lovin' Christmas #1)!

Every year I attend an annual Christmas cardmaking event sponsored by my Stampin' Up upline, Liz Thayer, which she aptly names Totally Lovin' Christmas.  Each year she bedazzles us with ten magnificent cards made with the newest Stampin' Up materials presented in the Holiday mini catalog.  It is always such a fun and enjoyable event, that I would be really sad to miss it.  Miss it I did NOT, and the following card is one that Liz designed that I made at the event.

I love the theme and design of the card, but I did want a popped up sentiment under my window instead of a sentiment stamped in white directly onto the black card base, and I thought it would be very pretty stamped with metallic gold ink and set off with a black layer underneath.   I also decided not to put on the little tiny bow at the top of the window frame, but to sparkle up the frame with some Gold Wink of Stella (a gold inked glitter pen).  

Recipe:  Stampin' Up papers:  cardstocks--Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla.  Winter Wonderland dsp.  Stamps: Happy Scenes, Versatile Christmas.  Framelits: Hearth & Home.  Ink:  Pool Party, Basic Black Archival.  3/8" Gold Glitter Ribbon.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter Adhesive.  Encore: Gold Metallic Ink.  Copic Marker: C0.  Wink of Stella: Gold Metallic (window frame). (Thank you Liz Thayer for the lovely card design sample).

Spooky Inchies Halloween Mini Card Album!

My final card for my youngest son and his wife will be another paper bag mini album card with purple as the color of choice as purple is one of Ginger's favorite colors.  Secretly, I also wanted to use the purple patterned paper with the witch's hats and cauldrons scattered about.  

I so love this retired stamp set, Spooky Bingo Bits, especially the cute little witch, haunted house, and goofy bat, my three favorite images.  These images make such a great inchies card!  This being my fifth paper bag mini album, it went together very quickly, and I was very please with my centerfold witch's shoes and broom acting as her hat hanger.  A little idea I cooked up.  I think Mark and Ginger will like their little Halloween mini album card. . .don't you!

Card Front


Card Center


Card Back

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White.  DCWV Halloween & Fall - 2011; Bewitched Mat Stack: stripe/ argyle (pocket).  White paper sack: 9" x 4-3/4" (Michaels).  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Stamps:  SU--Spooky Bingo Bits (Annual 2011-12), Wicked Cool (Annual 2011-12),  Tee-Hee-Hee (2014 Holiday); Martha Stewart--Carnival (spooky).  Dies:  Spellbinder--Inverted Scallop Squares #3/#4, Labels 11 (tag); Sizzlits--Halloween Set #2 (beware).  Punch:  Modern Labels.  Stickers: Martha Stewart bats.  Ribbon: Recollections Haunted.  Spider-web netting (JoAnns).  SU 3/8" dotted ribbon (colored with Copics).  Recollections rhinestones.  SU Dazzling Details (adhesive glitter).

Mr. Moustache Birthday Card!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

WEEK ENDING - DECEMBER 29, 2013

Two of my husband's brothers celebrate their birthdays on the same day...January 5th!  I had been wanting to make a masculine card featuring a moustache, and as brother, Joe, has had a moustache regularly for going on ten or more years, his birthday was the perfect excuse!  I had seen several cards over the last few years featuring Stampin' Up's Mocha Morning designer paper using postage stamp squares (the inchie style) and loved the look of it.  I wanted a larger card (big surprise) than an A2 size that is usually used by most SU designers.  I also like more layering than is typically used with most inchie cards, so came up with the idea of combining inchies and banners together.  Here is the result of inchies, banners, and Mr. Moustache!  I hope Joe enjoys his card.

Below is the inside of the Mr. Moustache card showing the design to coordinate with the style of the card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Early Espresso cs, Crumb Cake cs, Very Vanilla cs, Basic Black cs, Pink Pirouette cs, Regal Rose cs (ret.), Mocha Morning dsp; Punches: Postage Stamp square, 1" square, Bird Building (moustache), 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle, small oval, Ex. lrg. oval, Decorative Label; Framelit: Banners (modified). MayArts twine. Stash: buttons. Computer-made sentiment. (Mr. Moustache and sentiment are popped).  Inside: EK Fancy Corner punch. SU Mocha Morning dsp.  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: December 29, 2013/ #52).