Magic & Wonder At Christmas!

This is another card fashioned during my January New Year's resolution binge cardmaking marathon.  I was so happy with the end result that I resolved to go back and make more of this design at a later date.  I just finished a total of four more replicas for my card stash, but I still want to make at least three more!  I did add some Copic-colored sequins for the poinsettia stamin to add even more dimension on several versions. 

My card is a modified CASE of a card originally designed by Dar Peterson, a friend and one-half of my Stampin' Up demonstrator duo, plus side-kick Luci Kirschbaum.  Because of COVID-19, they were not able to host card classes for well over 15 months; therefore, they issued card kits from time to time for their friends and followers to purchase and complete in their homes.  This CASE original was from their Christmas kit issued in late October 2020.  Take a peek at the beautiful results of this truly elegant card and read below for the particulars on the modifications that I made.

One of my favorite Christmas card themes is poinsettia blooms that come in a myriad of colors and usually make elegant cards.  This  card uses the Poinsettia Petals and coordinating die set, which is still available in the 2021-22 Annual catalog.  I was so happy with the end results of my January CASE that I just finished a total of seven replicas for my card stash!  I did add some Copic-colored sequins for more dimension of several versions. 

I modified Dar's design by enlarging my card and changing the sizing on the kit papers to fit.  I added two more color layers to the base layering in So Saffron and Garden Green to bring out the beautiful color shades in the Poinsettia Place dsp paper.  Garden Green became my card's new card base and I built the card's layering from this base instead of white as in the original design.   The original design used the gold oval background layer in the sentiment as in my card, but I added it as a background layer behind the horizontal ribbon band as well.  I added some Acrylic Glitter Glaze to the poinsettia's petals to add sparkle and sheen, but kept the rest of the card similar to the original design.  

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Garden Green, So Saffron, Whisper White. Specialty Papers--Translucent Vellum, Gold Foil. Patterned paper--Poinsettia Place dsp (2020 Holiday).  Stamps--Poinsettia Petals.  Dies--Poinsettia Dies, Layering Ovals, Stitched Shapes.  Ink--Garden Green.  Ribbon--3/8" Metallic Gold Edged--Vanilla.  Other:  Copic-colored sequins, EK Victorian Corner punch, Acrylic Glitter Glaze (Sargent Art), Chatterbox verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Reaching Classic "Old" Age!

My brother's birthday is in early May and yet another card was needed, especially as this is a milestone birthday well into retirement!  I'm so far behind in cardmaking with the hand recovery that I'll never catch up, it seems! 

I had an unfinished card hidden away in my To Do Stash that I came across when looking for a previous unfinished card.  The initial basic design layout was by Liz Thayer on this one as well.  All the pieces were there to finish, except just a notation of the stamp set used.  I particularly liked the Acetate Foil gold patterned paper and gold foil included in the kit with the navy blue.  I used all the paper pieces provided, but I also decided to add a black cardstock layer as the cardbase and as another image mat layer. 

To start, I masked the image paper with the car outline, and watercolored the background around it with the idea of sky and landscape color tones and dried it with my heat tool.  I then stamped the image and sentiment from the Stampin' Up Guy Greetings stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, using my MISTI to line up the stamp images on my small piece of watercoloring.  Next, I colored the vintage car with my Copic markers.  Finally, I assembled all the paper layers and popped the acetate pattern off the gold foil.  I added some Glitter Enamel Dots, and voila, I was finished! 

As my brother has restored vintage and classic vehicles for many years, I am pretty sure he will like this card...even more so if it were a Chevy.  Take a peek below inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Night of Navy, Gold Foil, Shimmer White.  Patterned Paper--Fabulous Foil Designer Acetate (retired 2018).  Stamps:  Guy Greetings (retired 2018).  Glitter Enamel Dots (retired 2018).  Other:  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Copic Markers.  Artist Loft Watercolor Pan Set (Michaels).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Sunshine on a Serene Scene!

One of my husband's best friends has a birthday at the end of November, and he wanted me to make him a nice birthday card.  Masculine cards sometimes play havoc with my mojo.  To get started, I focused on the current Splitcoaststamper Alphabet Challenge.  I am several weeks behind, so I had a variety of letters to work with.  When I saw Letter S/ theme: sunshine, I thought of a scenic card that I made back in January at a card class, using a new Stampin' Up stamp: Waterfront.  Our hostess-designer was Luci Kirschenbaum, and I decided to CASE her card design, because I loved it and the stamp set so much.  It fits the alpha letter/ theme perfectly as a lovely scene with its sun.

For my new card, I made my watercolor scene panel just a bit smaller so more of the deep green mat would show around the edges and contrast with the navy patterned paper background.  I watercolor-stamped my scene with less "stamping off" so that I would have darker and richer color hues...not quite so pastel as the design sample.  My changes to the scene were to position my trees closer to the mountain base rather than in the green meadow, and I moved the sun a bit higher in the sky to suggest more daylight and sunshine as though it was earlier in the afternoon.  I also added more splatters all the way down to the bottom of the panel...I just love splatters!  I also made my sentiment into a double fishtail flag instead of a rectangle.  

For the inside design, I also followed Luci's plan with changes.  I centered my birthday verse instead using her left offset.  I did stay with the left offset for my mountain and trees, but not as far off the edge, so my mountain range is longer. I also raised the images about 3/4-inch so the tree trunks did not sit right at the paper ege.  When I was done fussing with it, I was pleased with the end results.  Take a peek below, inside and out, I think my husband's friend will like his card.  It may remind him of some lovely camping spots he was visited throughout the years, as he and his wife loved to camp as well!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Whisper White, Crumb Cake.  Patterned Paper--Delightful Daisy.  Stamps--Waterfront, Perennial Birthday (sentiment/ inside verse).  Ink--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzaz, Daffodil Yellow.  Water-base Marker: Black.  Size: 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 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.

A Birthday with Lots of Technique!

My oldest daughter is celebrating her birthday today!  I've been working on her card for a couple of days trying to work out its design.  I knew only one thing for sure when I started, my daughter's favorite color is turquoise, so it would have turquoise in it somehow, somewhere.  A couple of other things I knew were that I wanted to enter the finished card into some Splitcoaststamper challenges, and if it could somehow fit one of my remaining three Round 8, Letters, I'd be pleased!

My usual plan, as most of you who read my blog might know by now, is that I check out all SCS challenges for inspiration and ideas before I begin, which I did with this card.  I am happy to say that with my mojo, which started with the SCS Inspiration Challenge, which led to my being able to enter into Alphabet Challenge, Round 8, and others!  

See "The Story" below my card for more details.  Meanwhile, take a peek at my daughter, Michele's, card below (plus the inside design and verse).  I am truly excited about her card, how it evolved, and how it turned out, and I think she will be thrilled!

Ingredients:  Stampin Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray.  Patterned Paper: 2012-2013 DSP Stack--Brights/ Pacific Point (umbrella).  Stamp--Marbling (background).  Inks--So Saffron, Pear Pizzaz, Tempting Turquoise.  Stencil--Pattern Party Decorative Masks (clouds).  SU White Embossing Paste.  Glitter--Dazzling Diamonds.  Other products:  Cardstock--Recollections Pack/ Punchy Florals.  Colourcraft Brushos--Turquoise, Grey.  MFT Stencil--Raindrops.  Stamps/Dies--Crazy Birds; Crazy Things (bird/hat).  Savvy Dies--Cityscape; Small Space Needle.  Elizabeth Dies:  Rainy Day (umbrella).  EK Punch: Med. Victorian Corner.  Techniques: Coloring Texture Paste; Copic Coloring; Marbling; Glitter Texture.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (computer/ Xiomara font).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

THE STORY:

EVOLVING A CARD TO FIT NUMEROUS CHALLENGES

By now, a lot of you who are also on the Splitcoaststamper (SCS) site know that I love to find inspiration from several SCS challenges. You might wonder how I do this.  So here goes an explanation:

I keep a running computer document with all SCS challenges listed chronologically by weekdays and dates within each challenge, then the monthly, annual, etc. challenges follow.  I check each week and add the challenge updates as the week progresses.  If I actually enter a challenge, I place a red check mark in front of the challenge number.  It makes it pretty easy to spot what I've entered and what I haven't, plus checking to see what inspiration I can get to decide what I might want to do to my card to fit the challenges I decide to enter.  It is often a work in progress as I create, and I may add or subtract a challenge as I work and possibly make changes to my original plan.

Almost everything on this Crazy Bird card started first by browsing the June 23, 2018 Inspiration Challenge/ Hayneedle online site for art work with blues and greens as I knew for sure I wanted to use turquoise.  This Inspiration Challenge led to seven other challenges.

#1.  Inspiration Challenge - IC655 - 6/23/18.  In my browsing through Hayneedle, several blue and green three wall art items led me to my card design:  a marbled background, though eliminating the browns shown and adding pear pizzaz and soft yellow to the turquoise; 2) a silhouetted Seattle skyline; and an aqua raindrops canvas led me to add rain and clouds. . .after all, it will be a Seattle scene!

#2. Free for All - F4A432: Baby It's Cold Outside - 6/1/18.  Since I was going to use rain and it was to be Seattle, I decided to use embossing paste and add color and glitter to my rain and clouds to evoke a cool feel to the card.

#3. Ways to Use It - WT680: World Water Day - 3/22/18. . .with all this talk about rain in Seattle, I remember a older WT challenge that talked about rain and umbrellas that I missed because it was issued just a few days before being AWOL with my knee surgery.  I re-checked and sure enough the rain and an umbrella worked for this challenge.

#4. Alphabet Challenge, Round 8 - DD8ABC21U - 1/3/18.  Letter U = UMBRELLA. . .one of my final three missing letters for Round 8!!! The BONUS challenge for using a faux finish fit my plan for a marbled background mentioned above. I was stoked!! 

#5. Mix-Ability - MIX280: Losing My Marbles - 6/8/18.  Marbling led me to think of the mix-ability challenges.  I was sure there was bound to be something about marbling.  In my searched through this challenge and found this one, which gave suggestions on making a marbled background, but it also mentioned that a marbling stamp could be used.  I decided to possibly invent my own marbling by using my SU Marbling BG stamp.  To get three colors in my marbling, I used my MISTI and shifted my paper about 1/8" with each of three colors: So Saffron, Pear Pizzaz, and Tempting Turquoise and blew it dry to set the ink.  I watercolor brushed more turquoise ink as the final coat to add more turquoise and to fill in any white areas, and blew it dry.  Next, I "painted" the entire marbled surface with glitter glue and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds all over, lightly brushed off excess glitter, and blew it dry.  It looked like a HOT MESS during the process, but I was pretty pleased with the final result.

#6. Colored Texture Paste Technique. I colored my White Embossing Paste and stirred in a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Brushos Turquoise to stencil on my raindrops and blew them dry.  I also mixed a batch of light grey with a few sprinkles of Brushos Grey and glitter to stencil on my clouds.

#7. Teapot Challenge - MMTPT515: TPT Tic Tac Toe - 6/5/18.  I'd been watching out for using this one, because I love Tic Tac Toe challenges.  My diagonal Tic Tac Toe is: Stitching, Die-Cuts, and Patterned Paper.  I also added Watercoloring and Embossing (if the Embossing applies to Embossing Paste rather than just dry embossing).  My umbrella is a die-cut, and it became covered in patterned paper with hand-stitching. My bg uses watercoloring and Embossing Paste in the raindrops and clouds.

8. USEIT2018 - ongoing :  My new but dusty and never stuff:  the Crazy Birds stamps and dies and my Small Space Needle die.  I bought both at least two years ago and had not used them yet!  Also both stencils are new and have been languishing in their packages.  My used oldie is my CityScape die, which I have not used for 2-1/2 years! 

So, there's the explanation of my development of a card utilizing numerous challenges. I find this great fun, and a challenge in and of itself for me! Usually I start with a bit of an idea from a challenge then embellish upon the idea to fit other challenges, but as I mentioned before its a work in progress and challenges to be entered can change as the card evolves.

Thinking of You Pandas!

I went to a Stampin' Up cardmaking class a few weeks ago, where the Sale-A-Bration promotion supplies were introduced.  We made the cutest card with the freebie stamp "Party Pandas."  All the time while making this darling little card, I had ideas running around my head on things to do to dress it up.  Most card designs at classes are relatively simple due to cost and time constraints.  Our lovely hostesses encourage us to take an idea and run with it.  The original card design was made by Dar Peterson, and I've found a similar one on Pinterest by JoAnne Hewins.

I changed my card to a "Thinking of You" card instead of a birthday card, and I replaced one of the panda heads to eliminate his birthday party hat.  Several other changes I made were to add two more mat layers with the idea of adding more color.  The new card base color is Always Artichoke, and the second mat layer is a die-cut stitched scalloped mat in Certainly Celery (retired).   I added a Copic-colored sun to add a little good cheer, and some gold sequins for a bit of sparkle.  My panda placements are also a bit different as well.  I did use the Color Theory 6x6 paper pad's paint chip design for my bamboo stalks as in the original card.  I thought that was quite clever!

I will be sending my panda card to one of my Splitcoaststamper forum teammates, who lives across the country from me in Georgia.  She was the Teapot Party destination for the week of January 9, 2018, because she was in an automobile accident, and though not hospitalized, is in need of cheering up.  Take a peek at these cute little pandas below, who are ready to travel and send hugs across the nation:

Upon finishing with the re-inventing of my card front, I went to work creating an inside design that would coordinate with the theme, and also a verse befitting the occasion.  Here is what I came up with.  I think my SCS friend and teammate will enjoy her card, and will also let her know I'm wishing her well. 

 

JUST A NOTE:  I find it interesting the inconsistency of the coloring with the exact same lighting and the exact same paper colors.  The panda card front is almost just like the card, but the inside seems way off!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Paper:  Cardstock - Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery (retired); Patterned dsp: Color Theory. SU Stamps: Party Pandas (SAB-2018).  Ink: Memento-Tuxedo Black.  Dies: Stampin' Up: Bouquet Bunch Framelits (leaves); Simon Says: Scallop Stitches.  Stenciled sun-Copic colored.  Crystal Effects glaze.  Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh.  Computer sentiment: Font-Viner Hand ITC 16.5/ Bold.  Fussy-Cutting.  Double Fishtails: hand-cut.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.  

New Hat for Spooky Kitty!

HAPPY MAIL RECEIVED!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - OCTOBER 28, 2017!!

I need to make some Halloween cards, but I also wanted to enter some challenges on Splitcoasters this week.  I found several challenges to inspire me and give me ideas, and ended up with four challenges to enter.  I found my actual idea through this week's Inspiration Challenge, and a Halloween pumpkin pillow (see below).   Knowing what I needed to meet the requirements for the other three challenges made it easy to fit each one as I created my card. 

The Inspiration Challenge brought to mind a card I made several years ago, and I so loved that Poppystamp Kitty Cat Face die that I knew just what I wanted to do.  I decided to take my original card and re-design it, adding to it and dress it up a bit more.  My first card was done super quick because I needed to have it ready in just a few hours to send it along with the Halloween Witch Deco Wreath my daughter and I made for the younger daughter/ sister.  I was motivated to try my hand at a little more intricate version of the same card with new colors and added embellishments.

I came upon a Cottage Cutz Witch Hat die that I bought last year and didn't get a chance to use it.  I thought it would make a darling hat for my little kitty's head.  This time I decided to use lime green glitter paper for the cat's eyes and the moon, star, and brim of my witch hat.  I added two layers of glitter paper to my card base before adding the card front, and then added a few sequins to dress it up even more.  I am much more pleased with this second version, though the first was still cute!  What's not to like about the cute cat's face!

Finished the instead design and verse and now it ready to be sent off to my Mom in California.  I think she will enjoy her sparkly Halloween card.  Take a peek below:

Recipe:  Darice cardstock: Midnight Black.  The Paper Company cardstock: Victoriana 5-pack (tan).  Recollections Glitter Pad: Haunted (orange/ lime).  SU: Seasonal framelit dies (spooky - Holiday 2015).  Poppystamps die: Kitty Cat Face.  Cottage Cutz dies: Witch Hat.  Pretty Pink Posh: sequins. Size 5" x 6-1/4".

Daughter's Birthday to Celebrate!

Sorry, I have been most remiss in my cardmaking and blogging for the last three months!  Several bouts of the flu, traveling a bit, and general busyness are the only excuses I can offer.  But, I did manage to get a card made for my daughter, Jackie's birthday.

 

Since Jackie is a big umbrella fan, boasting ownership of at least ten or more, and some with matching goulashes, a card with some sort of umbrella theme is sure to shout out, "THIS CARD MUST BE FOR JACKIE!"  With this in mind, I thought I would like to use my new stamp set by Stampin' Up, Beautiful You, incorporating more than one stamp into my image.  

 

I chose the dancing lady stamp and borrowed the umbrella from the strolling lady stamp.  I stamped with Versamark and white embossed the dancing lady onto a black cardstock background.  I, then, Versamark stamped and white embossed the image again onto my red, black, and white polka-dot paper and fussy-cut the dress out to layer over my black cardstock white embossed image.  I Versamark stamped and embossed her hat and hair onto another red and black muted pattern and overlayed that as well onto the black cardstock image.  Next, I Versamark stamped and white embossed the umbrella from the "walking umbrella lady" stamp and fussy-cut out just the umbrella, which I set aside to adhered onto the black background after my card layers were cut and adhered together.  My next step was to Versamark stamp and white emboss my chose sentiment underneath my lady image.  After cutting and adhering all my mats and layers, the final step was to adhere the umbrella, which I offset to the left leaving it to hang over onto the layer below (see image below).  I used a white gel pen to make my umbrella handle connecting it to her hand.  

Though I'm not sure I like this, I did color my lady's white embossed hair with shades of brown, using my Copic markers.  I did this because Jackie's hair is brown, but I'm not sure I would do that again.

 

The last step to complete Jackie's card was to compose a verse and create an interior design that compliments the card front. . .see the finished inside below.

 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White.  Stamp set:  Beautiful You (Occasions 2017).  White Embossing Powder.  Taylored Expressions Summer Nights dsp.  My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly Winter Branches (hat).  EK punch: Victorian Corners.  Versamark Embossing Ink. Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen.  Computer verse (odstemplik font).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6". 

Belated Birthday Wishes for a Girl Friend!

My oldest son's girl friend has a birthday in early November, which I just found out the actual date.  Hmm....could this possibly mean I'm late?  So, into my card stash I went hoping to find one completed that might be turned into a belated birthday card, and I found a little gem that I thought would work (see my story and assembly instructions at the bottom).  Take a peek below at my finished card.  I think Katrina will like her birthday card even though it will be much belated!

 Ingredients:   Stampin' Up products: Stamp--Bloomin' Marvelous (2013 SAB).  Cardstocks--Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Primrose Petals-inside (ret.).  Ink--Primrose Petals, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede-distressing.  Embossing Folder--Lacy Brocade (ret.).  Punches--Modern Label, Word Window (ret.).   Ribbon--3/8" Primrose Petals Stitched Satin (ret.).  Pearls.  Martha Stewart punch: 3-in-1 Butterflies.  Computer sentiment/ verse.  Size: 5-1/4" square.

My Card Story and Assembly Instructions

I started this card at a Stampin' Up card event hosted by Liz Thayer in early 2013.  When I looked at the kit picture, I knew it would be perfect!  This card was the last of two cards that were to made with the same design, and though this second card was not complete, it was doable in my short timeline.  (I thank Liz Thayer for the original card design used as a jumping off point for my card.)

As I favor cards that are larger than the standard A2 size (4-1/2" x 5-1/2"), I decided to enlarge my card parts before I assembled the card.  I also decided to change its orientation from a top-fold landscape card to a side-fold portrait card and to make my cardbase a 5-1/4" square with five layers.  I proceeded to make each card layer larger than the original design to fit my new and larger square cardbase.  Another decision was to add a Chocolate Chip brown mat layer between the vanilla cardbase and the vanilla embossed layer, sizing them as follows:  vanilla cardbase = 5-1/4" square; Chocolate Chip mat = 5" square, and vanilla embossed layer = 4-3/4" square.  I planned to "picture framed" the top two layers, and their sizes are as follows:  Chocolate Chip bottom mat = 4-1/4" square and top vanilla layer = 4" square.

After cutting my papers to size, I embossed the 4-3/4" vanilla layer with the Lacy Brocade folder and my Big Shot.  I heavily sponged and distressed its top embossed surface of with Soft Suede ink, followed by distressing and sponging the edges of all card layers, including the edges of the cardbase front.  The 4" top vanilla layer is also sponged on its surface around the edges, leaving the center unsponged (see picture).  Now, I was ready to adhere the bottom three layers in this order:  5" square Chocolate Chip mat adhered to vanilla cardbase; 4-3/4" embossed layer adhered to Chocolate Chip mat.  Set aside.

My top 4" vanilla layer will host three popped, fussy-cut flowers instead of two, as I think combinations of odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye than even numbers.  I also decided the flower placement would be more top-centered because of the change in the card orientation and its square dimension.  My next step was to stamp my leaves onto my top vanilla layer (see picture for placement), After stamping, I adhered my top two card front layers together: the 4" vanilla and the 4-1/4" Chocolate Chip.

Onto a scrap of vanilla cardstock, I stamped seven Bloomin' Marvelous flowers with Primrose Petals ink, fussy-cut each, and topped each with a pearl.  I will use three flowers on the card front and four inside as verse embellishments.  Before finishing the layout and assembly of the flowers onto the card face, I needed to decide on the placement of the ribbon knot.  With my finished design in mind, I decided the knot should be toward the left side, allowing space for my sentiment, which would be popped up toward the right side just below the flowers and above the ribbon.  I adhered the ribbon to the top two card front layers, which allows the ribbon's raw ends to be "buried" behind the brown mat so they are hidden underneath.  Now, it was time to pop this layer onto my three adhered bottom layers that I had set aside in paragraph three of my "story" above.  Now that all layers are completely adhered together, I can finish the card face, adding all the remaining elements to its top surface.  I arranged the fussy-cut flowers in a threesome and popped them up around the already stamped leaves.

For additional interest, I decided to add tiny layered butterflies.  On a piece of scrap vanilla, I stamped various designs, using various patterned flowers and butterfly stamps in my stash with Primrose Petals (ret.) and Always Artichoke ink.  I allowed the ink to dry, and then punched out six tiny butterflies from these stamped patterns.  I made three sets of two-layered butterflies, using alternate colors and patterns.  I adhered them together down their narrow centers only, leaving their wings free, and added two tiny seed pearls down this center for their bodies (see picture above).  These butterflies were popped up around the flowers, allowing room for my popped sentiment, which I would add after I printed it from my computer and Chocolate Chip matted layer punched with Stampin' Up's Modern Labels punch (retired).

My final step was to create an interior design that complimented the card front, and to create a sentiment and verse using my computer that were suitable for the occasion at hand.

Sympathy Cards Needed for Two Families!

My cousin-in-law, whom you just saw a birthday post a few days ago, lost her mother August 18th on her birthday.  How sad to always remember losing your mother on your birthday, but in this case, her daughter gave her Mom permission to find peace in heaven with her Dad, and that it would be the best birthday gift she could give her.  Very poignant. . .it brings tears to my eyes.

My other sympathy card goes to my son-in-law and my daughter in the loss of his father August 15th.  His illness has been going on for almost two years, and as the severity increased in the past two months, we have all been praying for God to ease his suffering and for him to find peace in heaven.  He passed away this past Sunday.  I'm hoping both families receive a little comfort from my handmade cards. . .take a look below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Bloom with Hope (ret. 2015), Hardwood (background), Mixed Bunch (large flower-ret.), Petite Petals, .  Ink--Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft (ret.).  Dies--Hexagon Hive (ret.), Sizzlits Little Leaves (ret.).  Punches: Modern Label (ret.), Blossom (ret.), 5/8" Chevron Ribbon (ret.).  Pearls.  Other: EK Punch: Scallop Corners, Medium.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" x 6".  (TY Liz Thayer for original design idea).

The Card Story & Other Tidbits

For these two families, I decided to use a design that I was introduced to over two years ago in March 2014 at a cardmaking event hosted by Liz Thayer, my Stampin' Up upline.  This was an event where we were to make two cards of six designs.  As I began preparing the parts for this particular card, as is usual for me, ideas began popping in my head of some things I wanted to change on the basic design and the embellishments.  I knew I wanted to added a little more color, some more mat layers, change the sentiment, and tweak the embellishments just a bit.  I completed the stamping, punching and die-cutting needed, and I decided to pack up my card pieces to finish these two duplicate cards at home.

Believe it or not, I have looked at these cards at least ten times in the past two years and have never actually finished them, but I did decided that they would make lovely sympathy cards rather than the original "get well" design.  Remembering this thought, I pulled out the pieces and finished both cards to give to the loved ones of those who have passed on to peace with the Lord. 

Besides changing them to sympathy cards, my other changes are that I added a navy blue cardbase and a Crumb Cake mat layer to coordinate with my ribbon flag, which enlarged the cards, making them more my style.  I turned over the chevron-patterned ribbon, deciding to use the solid color on the back.  I moved the ribbon flag and flowers higher on the cards to allow more room that I thought was needed for the sentiment.  I added an under mat to my sentiment and also added more leaves to the flowers, using a different die.  Though Liz's original design to very evident, I think my changes here and there really add to the lovely original design, and it suits my cardmaking style.  I finished off my cards by creating an inside design that coordinates with the card front and a sympathy verse to suit the occasion.

Birthday Celebrations for Cousin-in-Law & Friend!

One of my husband's MANY cousins has a delightful wife whom I find a very warm and caring  person.  I got to know her well several years ago when another of John's cousins in Kansas decided to host a huge extended family reunion on their farm around the 4th of July. . .food, visiting, a lake, swimming, boating, and massive fireworks. . .what's not to like!?  This lovely cousin-in-law did not hesitate to invite my husband, me, and our four teen-age to young adult children to share their home and hospitality.  In addition, they offered us an extra automobile to drive during our stay, which enabled us to pick up family members at the airport as they arrived and visit others of my husband's many, many relatives residing in the Kansas area.  I will never forgot the kindness extended to us; therefore, I love to send Barbara one of my homemade cards each birthday to celebrate her special day.  Take a look at the card I chose for this special cousin-in-law, along with a peek at my inside design that coordinates with the card front!

Ingredients:  SU products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Crushed Curry.  Stamps--Remembering Your Birthday (sentiment).  Fluttering E-Folder.  Punches--Petite Petals, Itty Bitty Pack-flower, Curvy Corner punch (retired).  1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon.  Pearls (Copic colored).  Papertrey stamp--Inside & Out: Birthday I (verse).   

The Story & Other Tidbits!

The card that I chose to give Barbara is one that I began at a cardmaking event I attended while visiting my mother in California this past spring and finished on our Mt. Shasta Girls' Get-away.  The cardmaking event was hosted by Darla Watson, a Stampin' Up demonstrator, whom I met about eight years ago while attending one of her four-day special papercrafting retreats. . .what lovely memories that brings back.  I loved Darla's card design, which was a Mother's Day card, but I knew right off that I would not be able to use it for that occasion as my Mom was sitting right beside me making one too.  Mom needed to change her greeting sentiment because her Mom (and my grandmother) is no longer with us for going on 45 years.  We both decided not to finish the card, except for the texture embossing and take the parts home to finish it later.  

Darla's original design was monotone in all white, except for the little flower centers, which were yellow.  When I pulled out the parts later, my brain said, you need more color.  I added a Crush Curry mat layer and decided that's exactly what I wanted.  So, I cut a larger card base, added the Crushed Curry layer and then the textured embossed card front.  

I came away from the class without the colored enamel dots for the flower centers, so I used pearls instead and colored them with my Copic markers, choosing to make mine multi-colored instead of just yellow.  I really like how the colored pearls look with their soft sheen instead of the flat, mat finish of the enamel dots.  I also found the perfect birthday sentiment and verse from two of Mom's birthday stamp sets.  The sentiment was from a Stampin' Up set and a birthday verse was from a Papertrey stamp set.  I was pleased with the outcome of my finished card.

Birthday Rose for a Beautiful Daughter-in-Law

My youngest son's wife has an August birthday, and she became a special addition to our family ten years ago last month.  I wanted to make and send a special birthday card that jumped right out and said, "That's for Ginger!"  As I made this particular card that I chose several months ago at a Liz Thayer card gathering, I loved it right off, and I thought it would be perfect for Ginger because she loves flowers and gardening.  

I finished the stamping, heat embossing, and watercolor painting on the card front at the card event, I decided not to completely finish everything that day, because I knew I wanted to make a few additions and some small changes.  Take a peak at my finished version of the card front, which included adding some iridescent sparkly glitter to the rose petals, as well as my inside design creation below:

Ingredients:  SU products:  Cardstock--Whisper White, Shimmery White (front), Hello Honey, Blackberry Bliss; Stamps--You've Got This; Inks--Blackberry Bliss, Melon Mambo, So Saffron (rose)/ Old Olive, Mint Macaroon (leaves); Dies--Deco Label framelit (inside); White Embossing powder; Silver Metallic Thread; Metal-Rimmed Pearl; Basic Pearls; Dazzling Diamonds glitter; Wink of Stella-Clear; Aqua Painter.  Papertrey stamp: Inside & Out II (inside verse).  Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". 

Remembering Sister on Her Birthday!

I wanted to make a special birthday card for my sister, Heidi, to go with the little Brighton Sister necklace I left with Mom to give to her on her birthday.  This is what I came up with:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Old Olive, Soft Sky; Pattern--Irresistible Yours (2015 SAB) sponged.  Stamps--Butterfly Basics (including sentiment).  Inks--Soft Sky, Mossy Meadow.  Ribbon--3/8" Stitched Satin-Mossy Meadow.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Pearls.  Other products:  Stamps--Jillibean/ Butterflies (inside verse).  Memory Box dies:  Cascadia Butterfly Trio (solid-large); Leavenworth Butterfly Trio (filigree-large).  EK Scallop Corners-Medium.  (Thank you Liz for the original design to case.)

The Card's Story + Other Tidbits

I made a card with almost the same colors at Liz Thayer's January 30th STAMP-A-LOOZA in 2015.  She demonstrated how to make patterned paper with the stamps included in the Butterfly Basics set.  She also introduced the Sale-A-Brations Freebie flyer with the lovely Irresistible You, pre-embossed, white, patterned papers, and she showed us how this paper could be sponged with inks to change their color.  I loved the ideas and wanted to incorporate them into a card similar yet different, so I cased Liz's card and came up with my own version.

My first step was to make my three-pattern paper, using the little netting background, the postmark, and the lacy butterfly stamps from the Butterfly Basics set, stamping with Soft Sky ink on White cardstock.  I needed to make enough of this patterned paper for my two layered panels.  In addition, I needed to make the one-pattern paper shown above the ribbon, using only the netting stamp with Soft Sky ink on White cardstock.

Next, I cut the Irresistible You white pre-embossed scallop patterned paper large enough for my bottom panel below the ribbon.  I sponged this piece with Soft Sky ink and voila the paper became Soft Sky in color and the scallops popped!  I fitted the Soft Sky netting pattern to the Irresistible You sponged scallops along the narrow sides and Scotch tapped them tightly together on their back all along the center seam.

I cut a strip of the Mossy Green ribbon and applied it to the front across this horizontal seam, overlapping the ribbon over the cardstock edges and taping on the back.  Toward the right side of this horizontally adhered ribbon, I inserted another piece of ribbon vertically, tied a tight knot, and clipped the ribbon ends in a vee or fishtail shape.  I matted this panel to a piece of Soft Sky cardstock.

I cut my homemade three-pattern stamped paper into two panels.  With Mossy Green ink, I stamped one panel with the happy birthday sentiment, and the other with the fern stamp, all from the Butterfly Basics set.  I matted each of them with Soft Sky cardstock.  I used two Memory Box butterfly dies:  the solid butterfly die for the base, cut in Soft Sky cardstock, and the filigree lacy butterfly for the top layer, using white cardstock, to which I applied glue and sparkly glitter.  After the glitter dried, I adhered these two butterflies together and finished off with the Soft Sky butterfly body and pearls.

I adhered the happy birthday matted panel directly to my card front.  Next, I popped the fern panel a bit left of center as shown on the card.  The final step for the card front was to adhere my glittery little butterfly next to the fern, but only on the underside along the center of his body, leaving his wings free and unglued.

My traditional final step for all my cards is to design a complimentary inside to the card with a verse appropriate for the occasion.  I found the cute little Jillibean sentiment about glitter and thought it was perfect to stamp it onto a piece of Soft Sky cardstock in Mossy Green ink.  Below this verse, I repeated the Butterfly Basics happy birthday sentiment that I used on the card front.  The scallop corners are made by stamping the Butterfly Basics lacy butterfly stamp with Mossy Green ink onto white cardstock and punching out four corners from those stamped butterflies.  To finish off my corners, I applied glue and sparkly glitter. . .after all it's all about leaving a trail of glitter!  I think my sister will be pleased with her birthday card, made with just her in mind.

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.

What a Nice Visit. . .Thank Yous are Needed!

I recently returned from a nice long visit in California with my mother and occasionally with my sister, my brother and his wife, and a few nieces and nephews as well.  It was such a lovely visit and thankfully the weather was with me.  You see, those of us from the Northwest just don't get along with weather in the 90s and 100s.  Typically, Redding, CA has had many days over 100-degree days by the third week in June and many more in the 90s, but Mother Nature was looking down and smiling upon me.  In the seven weeks I was there, we only had two days over 100 and two days over 90.  There were many days in the mid- to high 70s and the low to mid-80s and even several cloudy and rainy days with thunder and lightening. . .at least eight to nine days of those days!  My gosh, I felt almost like I was at home!  But, I got out of there just in time, because since I left ten days ago, they have had weather in the high 90s almost every day and even over 100 at all times!

Mom and I (and my sister when available) did lots of things and had lots of fun.  The highlight was our week-long Cardmaking Get-Away to Mt. Shasta.  In addition, Mom and I went on several mini-trips to visit the coast and our old stomping grounds and to visit relatives.  We played numerous games of Mexican Train, Bunco and weekly Bingo games as Mom is the Bingo manager in her village.  In addition, we saw lots of movie with lunch dates and lady friends along, and we even did a bit of cardmaking when at home.  I got to meet some lovely new ladies in her village and renewed some old friendships made on other visits.  It was all quite a lovely time. . .too bad I live so far.  

I wanted to send my mother a thank you card for her wonderful hospitality and the lovely visit.  I found several thank you cards in my stash that seemed to fit the occasion just right, but the one I chose will suit Mom to a tee.  My card is derived from a kit designed by Liz Thayer for our 2015 May Girls' Get-Away.  I modified my version by not using the single white cardbase, but added two color mats instead: a Coastal Cabana cardbase with an overlay mat of Hello Honey and then the card front.  I also shifted by pom-pom ribbon knot to the left instead of centered and added glitter to my letters.  I love the design Liz provided for us to work with, and I think Mom will enjoy the card I chose as well.

Before my card could be sent off, I needed to complete the inside with a complimentary design and a verses that suited this thank you occasion.  After reviewing several ideas I had in mind, I decided on the following because it matched my needs:  a compliment to the card front and a verse that said everything I wanted to say:

Ingredients:  Stampin" Up products:  Cardstocks--Bermuda Bay, Hello Honey, Crumb Bake, Whisper White.  Stamps--For Being You (2015 SAB).  Ink--Early Espresso.  Stamp-Write Markers--Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral.  Embossing Folder--Perfect Polka Dots.  Embellishments--Thick Baker's Twine-Hello Honey, Calypso Coral Pom-Poms, 1/4" Cotton Coastal Cabana ribbon.  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

A Birthday for My Niece Who Turns 10!

It's time to celebrate my little niece, who lives here where I am visiting.  Another card that I finished on my Girls' Get-Away to Mt. Shasta was one I started at a cardmaking class hosted by Dara Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum, a partnership of two Stampin' Up demonstrators.  Their classes are always fun to go to, and the other cardmakers make it a fun gathering one doesn't want to miss!

This is what I would call a "clean and simple" card, which is not always my favorite style of card to make as I usually favor cards with lots more detail and fussiness, but I really like this card's color combinations, with the little balloons and the washi tape application so it moved to my "I'm likin' this one" category!  I did add another layer of color with the black cardbase under the Melon Mambo layer.  I just thought it needed just a bit more and made the other colors pop!  Thanks to Luci Kirschbaum for her design for us to make).

True to my cardmaking style, I set myself to design and inside to coordinate with the front card design.  I chose a retired stamp for the verse, as I wanted to color it with Copics to tie in the rich vibrant colors depicted on the card front. 

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Black, Melon Mambo, Whisper White.  Stamps:  Party Wishes (balloons/ sentiment), Big Day (2015 SAB).  Ink--Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Mint Macaron; Memento-Tuxedo Black.  Punch--Party Punch Pack-balloon, Curvy Corners (inside).  Washi--It's My Party (2016 Occasions).  Twine: Thick-Blace/Melon Mambo.  Other: Goosebumps--Queen & Co.-Hot Pink Quartz (inside).

A Friend's Birthday Has Arrived!

While in Mt. Shasta on our week-long Girls' Crafting Get-Away, with my Mom and my sister, my goal was to get ahead of my cardmaking needs.  I had lots of ready-to-finish cards in my stash that I brought with me from Washington to work on while gone.  I finished over 15 card completely, inside and out, but it didn't even put a dent in my stash. . .woe is me!  One of the cards that I did complete is this cute little flower card, and I thought it would be perfect for Liz, my cardmaking buddy and Stampin' Up upline. 

I cannot claim the accolades for the original design as that honor and my thanks belong to Darla Watson, another Stampin' Up demonstrator that I know in California.  As I re-created her card, I took the liberty of making a few modifications to make it more mine.  I raised the ribbon tie to allow for a sentiment fishtail flag to be stamped and popped up at the bottom as there was no front sentiment, which I prefer.  I also enlarged my Early Espresso cardbase to make it more of a picture frame background.  Even with these changes, my card retains the flavor of the original design.

To complete my card, I followed my usual cardmaking plan, which is to create an interior design that compliments the card front and to choose or create a verse that coordinates with the occasion for which my card is intended.  Take a look at my finished product below.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight Whisper White.  Dot paper--stamped with Dots for Days background stamp.  Stamps--Flower Patch (flower/ sentiment), Remembering Your Birthday (verse), Dots for Days (background).  Ink--Early Espresso.  Memento Black.  Dies--Flower Fair Framelits.  Punch--Curvy Corners.  Ribbon--1/4" Cotton-Daffodil Delight.  Pearls--Copic colored.  Other:  Zutter--Curved Corner punch.

A Minion Birthday is LATE!

My nephew had a birthday in the early part of April, and I blew it all to smithereens!   In other words, I did not get his card made and sent on time.  It was not just a little late but a LOT LATE!  I was totally distracted getting ready for my trip to California to visit my Mom right around the time of his birthday.  I had not been down in two years, and it seemed I was just totally out of sync trying to complete my personal packing, my cardmaking packing (now that's a chore), plus finishing up personal business before leaving, i.e, Mr. Tax Man!  I'm sure it doesn't make my nine-year old nephew feel any better, but I missed making his mother's birthday card as well, as her birthday falls six days after his.  Note:  I finished her card a few days ago and both were hand-delivered together today!  Whew! Now I'm all caught up with by late cards.

To make Parker's birthday card, I tossed around several ideas before leaving home,  and I even had a plan to color a cowboy crab at the beach. . .even down to getting the digi printed, with papers for paper-piecing and dies chosen, but I left home without them, so I had to start planning from the beginning all over again.  I was peeking at Pinterest a few days ago and saw another Minion card.  I've seen quite a few on Pinterest some with the whole card a Minion head, some with one Minion and a birthday sentiment, and several with balloons featured in some manner.  Balloons are my favorite birthday thing. . .I love to give them; I love to receive them; and, I also love to put them on cards for birthdays that I make.  My mind was made up. . .Parker's card would feature a Minion and balloons!

I was in luck. . .I had put in an order while here purchased the Stampin' Up Brights designer paper stack.  The Minion colors seem to be Pacific Point Blue and Daffodil Yellow, both from the Brights Color Collections.  I wanted to feature a layered frame look, so my new paper stack would work just great.  The first two layers of the Pacific Point blue cardbase and the patterned Daffodil Delight diagonal stripe are adhere together.  Then, smaller layers of the blue plus white embossed with Cuttlebug's Birthday embossing folder are adhered together and popped up off the cardbase layers.  I was thankful I brought along all my embossing folders from home, because I dearly love Cuttlebug's Birthday folder. 

My Mom just purchased the SU's Balloon Celebration stamps and punch, so I decided those would work in my card as well.  I searched for stamps sets in Mom's stamp stash to use on my balloons to indicate they were birthday balloons and found several to my liking.  I was also able to use stamps from Mom's stash for the inside "verse" as well.  SU's Owl punch is used to make the Minion.  Once I decided on my design and gathered all my tools, inks, and stamps, my card went together really fast.  Take a peek below. . .isn't it just too cute!

I finished my interior design in record tme as well.  I love the large birthday sentiment from Stampin' Up's Age Awareness.  I added a little BELATED from one of her Papertrey Ink stamp sets, a punched balloon out of patterned paper and a few starts from SU's Balloon Celebration stamp set.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Pacific Point Blue, Daffodil Delight.  Pattern--Color Collections DSP Stack--Brights-Daffodil Delight.  Stamps--Balloon Celebration, Pretty Petites (retired), Age Awareness (inside).  Ink--Pacific Point Blue, Daffodil Delight.  Punches--Balloon Bouquet, Owl Builder (Minion), Itty Bitty Pack-Circle.  Other:  Cuddlebug Embossing Folder--Birthday.  Papertrey Ink stamps--Inside & Out-Birthday (BELATED).  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".  (Thank you to Patty Bennett for her tutorial on how to build a Minion using the Stampin' Up Owl punch.)

A Big Thank You Needed!

I received the most lovely pair of diamond hoop earrings from one of my daughters for Mother's Day, because I had so been admiring these same earrings on her ears every time she wore them for the past three months.  She said I made it easy for her to decide what to give me for my special day.  In addition, she left this lovely gift here in California while visiting her Grandma, because she knew I would be coming to California to celebrate my Mom on Mother's Day, and I would be away from home.  I wanted to thank her by sending her a handmade thank you card for all her many kindness she has given me this Mother's Day as well as for a good many years in the past!

I completed my first masked watercolor, bokeh background card at a stamping event given by my Stampin' Up upline, Liz Thayer back in February.  I absolutely loved the bokeh effect with the rich shades of  watercoloring, and stamping with as well.  I knew I would be saving it for a very special person, and it was perfect in every way to add a little thanks inside to finish it off just for my daughter.  Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out:

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock & Inks--Rich Razzleberry, Coastal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz; Pistachio Pudding (inside).  Stamps--Kinda Eclectic (front); Sunburst Sayings (inside).  Punches--Elegant Butterfly, Bitty Butterfly, 1" Circle; Curvy Corner (inside).  Die--Wonderful Wings (inside/ retired).  Pearls.  Ribbon--1/4" Cotton-Coastal Cabana.  Techniques: Watercolor background; Bokeh background.