Birthday Shaker for My Niece

My recent posts all seems to have the same theme...so little time and no time to do it!  I have a niece and two sister-in-laws whose birthdays are on October 8 and October 9!  With "no time to do it" in mind, I went to my card stash to see what I might use.  

I love to go to cardmaking events sponsored by other card-makers and just make cards from the designs they present; meanwhile, I can socialize with other cardmaking friends who also attend!  There are many times that I learn new techniques or get to use a technique that I know about, but am not all that familiar with, either because I have not used it at all or not enough to feel really comfortable with it.  Many times, I may find myself starting the card but bringing parts home to finish, because some creative idea popped in my head that I MUST incorporate into finish the card.  Sometimes, it is just a matter of adding more color layers to bring out the features of the card and making the card bigger in the process.  BUT, sometimes, I just love the design exactly the way it is, and then I just created it as is.  On all of these cards, I always finish the inside later with my own design and verse to compliment the card front.  These are the cards that reside in my stash waiting to be used when I need a card in a quick pinch.

With all that said, my first card is for my niece Shauna whose special day is another October 8th birthday, and for her, I chose a card that I started at an event hosted by the dynamic stamping duo: Dara Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum.  I believe this design was originated by Dara.  I love, love this birthday shaker card, and I completed it according to Dara's original design without modifications, except I added another color layer in the form of a new black cardbase.  The colors are all so rich and the little punched balloon, cupcake, and candle shakers are such a clever idea.  Thanks Dara for such a cute card design. . .it is perfect for my niece.  Take a look below at the finished card inside and out. . .I'm pretty sure Shauna will be delighted. 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Mint Macaron, Melon Mambo.  Pattern--It's My Party dsp Stack (2016 Occasions).  Stamps--Party Wishes (2016 Occ.).  Ink: Archival Basic Black.  Window Sheets (clear acrylic).  Rhinestones.  Baker's Twine/ Pool Party (retired).  Papertrey Ink stamps: Big Birthday Wishes (verse inside).  EK punch: Scalloped Corners-Medium.  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-5/8".  (Note:  On front-patterned panel popped up),

Christmas To You & Yours Star Shaker!

I recently purchased the To You & Yours Shaker Card Kit from Stampin' Up's 2015 Holiday mini catalog.  It is a very versatile kit, and it will complete 18 cards of three designs if you follow the instructions provided, plus there are oodles of leftovers in the kit that can be used to create additional cards of your own designs.  In addition, if you cut the foil designer card bases in half and added these halves as a front layer to another colored cardbase, you can actually end up with 36 cards using the three different patterned foil papers that are provided, which was exactly what I decided to do.

The kit provides three different sets of die-cut white card fronts for your shaker windows consisting of: star cutouts, circle cutouts (to make round ornament shakers), and tree-shaped cutouts.  I decided to start with one of the star cutouts.  I decided to modify my card a bit from the design provided on the instructions.  I added a white card base and adhered a layer of brushed gold cardstock.  This would be an added layer under the green, white, and silver foil diagonal striped designer paper.  So, now instead of having just a striped designer paper cardbase, I now had a white layer (the card base), a brushed gold layer and then the striped foil layer.

Next, inside my star shaker window, I decided to stamp a filigreed snowflake from the Letterpress Winter stamp set (2014 Holiday catalog), stamping with Silver Metallic ink to incorporate more silver to bring out the silver foil in the diagonal striped paper.  My snowflake was large enough that it just forms a filigreed background pattern inside the star shaker window.  On opposite diagonal corners, I used the tiny stars stamp from the To You & Yours Too stamp set as recommended by the kit instructions, but decided to add a few more stars and to use a combination of metallic gold and silver inks instead of just the Crushed Curry they recommended.  I think I just wanted a bit more verall bling!  Also, my reasoning was to coordinate with both the gold foil outlining the star cutout that was provided for this card, as well as the silver foil in the diagonal striped paper.  In addition, I thought the card needed a bit more silver than shown in the original design.  I am pretty happy with all the modifications I made so that my card is more mine and not just a copy of the design provided.  

My goal is to try different variations for each of my star shaker cards so they are not all exactly the same.  I may even mix match my papers from the original directions given!

Recipe:  All items other those additionally listed provided in the Stampin' Up: To You & Your Shaker Cards Kit (Holiday 2015).  SU cardstocks:  Whisper White (card base); Brushed Gold (retired); Cucumber Crush (inside).  SU Stamps:  To You and Yours Too; Letterpress Winter.  Encore Metallic Inks:  Gold; Silver.  My Favorite Things dies: Photo Corners.

Following is a copy of the original card design provided by Stampin' Up in the card kit.

Drum Roll, Please! Foil Heat Transfer Christmas Card #6!

Here it is. . .my final foil heat transfer card using the card kit supplies from my October scrapbook shop class!  And, as in most of my other five cards, I finished this one at home as well, because of mojo inspiration during the class that told me I had some items at home that would enhance my finished card.

On this card, I chose a Have a Very Merry Christmas tag to use, to which I chose to add a Christmas green foil heat transfer.  My home adds were a green foil layer and a white backing cardstock to my vellum.  I followed the same plan with my green foiled tag, using green foil and punching the top with my Stampin' Up Ornate Tag Topper punch.  Though the tag topper is only built for a two-inch tag, I was able to insert my 2-1/16" larger tag into it very carefully, by holding the tag above the 2" path and an angle and watching for it on the underside of the punch...making sure it was inserted evenly from side to side and top edge to top edge.  I punch my 2-1/4" green foil backing layer in the same manner.  I was really happy with the way this turned out. . .and now with care, I can repeat this process in the future.  I added Pink Posh sequins to my shaker envelope to match my card colors.  I also added a Christmas green 5/8" double-sided satin ribbon to dress up the top of my card.  I've always like using true Christmas green rather than off shades, like olive, on my Christmas cards!

Recipe:  Bazzill: White cardstock.  DCWV Foil Cardstock Stack (green).  Studio Calico Seven Paper Amelia Gold Dot Vellum.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags (. . .Merry Christmas) (made with Minc Heat Machine + Minc Reactive Foil: Green.  Stampin' Up: Ornate Tag Topper.  Pink Posh: green, gold, crystal mini sequins.  Offray: 5/8" Double-Satin ribbon.  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve (made with WRMK Photo Fuse Tool).  (Size: 4-3/8" x 5-7/8").

Christmas Heat Transfer Card #5!

Oh yes, I have more; that is, six all together, and this is only #5!  I do love these techniques. . . creating shaker envelopes, made to size by using my WRMK Photo Fuse Tool, and the foil heat transfer technique, which in the class I took at my local scrapbook store, was accomplished using Heidi Swapp Minc Heat Foil, Tags, and her Heat Machine.  As mentioned in a previous post, the heat machine is very much like a small laminator only a bit more elaborate, as it has six heat settings.  I also might add that it is a pricey little machine as well ($79.99 retail).  Thus, if you've read any of my previous posts, I have mentioned the use of a inexpensive laminator and using a laser toner printer or laser toner copy machine to create your heat transfer item.  A trip to your local copier business might be in order if you do not own a laser toner printer/copier as inkjet printer/copiers do NOT work.

My fifth card used most of the items offered in the class card kit, but again, I had some ideas of my own. . .after all our instructor challenged us to make our cards different than the samples offered in the class.  Give me a challenge, and I will certainly try to accommodate!

I decided to use the olive-colored Holly Jolly sentiment tag in my card kit and to heat transfer a small and a large snowflake with the gold heat transfer foil and layer the snowflakes together by popping the smaller snowflake up on the big snowflake.   At this step, once again, I had to stop because my creative mojo was telling me I needed to use a bit more of the olive color in my card to tie it all together.  I also wanted to use both the gold-dot foil cardstock and the gold-dot vellum and I needed some white cardstock to back the vellum so that the gold foil would not show through the translucent vellum.  My thinking was that this would show off the gold foil snowflakes in my my shaker envelope better.  I made a large-sized white cardbase and added an olive cardstock layer to it before I added the gold-dot foil and gold-dot vellum layers.  I also added olive sequins to my shaker bag.  Now, I was satisfied that all my colors and elements tied together to creative a cohesive looking Chirstmas card.

Recipe:  SU cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive.  Jen Hadfield Gold Dot Foil.  Studio Calico Seven Paper Amelia Gold Dot Vellum.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags (snowflake) (made with Minc Heat Machine + Minc Reactive Foil: Gold.  American Crafts: Remarks Holiday Dimensional sentiments.  American Crafts Christmas Sequins & Buttons.  Cake Sprinkles (snow).  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve (made with WRMK Photo Fuse Tool).  (Size: 4-7/16" x 5-9/16").

Christmas Deer Foil Heat Transfer!

Again, I'm posting another foil heat transfer card that I finished after my demonstration tool card class held at Running Scissors in Kent, WA almost two weeks ago.  I really love this heat transfer technique, but there are other ways to achieve almost this very look, which I thought I'd throw out there.  I have a deer-head die, by Savvy dies, almost identical to the deer-head tag that was in our heat transfer pouch of tags that we received at the beginning of the class.  I think that if you die-cut this deer-head die with a gold foil cardstock and adhered it to a piece of white stock and then trimmed the white cardstock to whatever shape you desire, you would end up with almost the exact look!

The deer-head tag on my card was achieved by heat transferring gold transfer foil onto my specially designed tag, which was manufactured to accept foil heat transfers.  I finished my card at home, because I wanted to add several other features that required materials that were not offered in our card kits.  These were:  a red cardbased upon which I layered white glitter cardstock.  I also wanted to back my gold dot vellum with a piece of white cardstock and then frame it with a red foil layer.  I layered my deer tag with red foil cardstock as well, and to the cake sprinkles and gold sequins provided in my kit, I added red sequins to tie all my card colors together with the shaker envelope goodies.  I really love these trendy deers that I see popping up all over Pinterest!  Here is my little deer-head Christmas card for your viewing:

Recipe:  SU cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White.  Core'dinations Silk Glitter: Opulent Opal.  DCWV Foil Cardstock Stack (red).  Studio Calico Seven Paper Amelia Gold Dot Vellum.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags (deer head) (made with Minc Heat Machine + Minc Reactive Foil: Red.  American Crafts: Remarks Holiday Dimensional sentiments.  American Crafts Christmas Sequins & Buttons.  Pink Posh: red mini sequins.  Cake Sprinkles (snow).  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve (made with WRMK Photo Fuse Tool).  (Size: 4-3/8" x 5-7/8").

Photo Fuse Christmas Shaker w/Foil Transfer. . .

I want to show you my third shaker Christmas card that I made using the WRMK Photo Fuse Tool, which makes your acrylic shaker envelope by heat sealing the edge.  Inside my shaker envelope I chose to use the 'tis the Season... tag after using the Minc Heat Transfer technique that adhere red foil to my tag.  As I noted in several previous posts, I recently saw these tools demonstrated at a card class held at our new Running Scissors scrapbook store in Kent, Washington. 

To my shaker tag, I decided to adhere a red foil cardstock layer to my tag a cut their corners using the WRMK Deco corner punch.  I added several layers to my white cardbase using red foil cardstock and a Christmas tree patterned paper featured just under neath my tag shaker envelope.  Next, I dressed it up with a little sheer organdy ribbon that a colored with my Copic markers to move its color shade a bit closer to my patterned paper.  I am really pleased with the results, and I hope you like it as well!

Recipe:  SU Whisper White cardstock; red foil cardstock (2015 Holiday catalog).  DCWV Christmas Mat Stack.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags ('tis the season...), Minc Reactive Foil: Red (used with Minc Heat Machine).  Pink Posh: red mini sequins.  Craft Medley: green sequins.  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve (made with WRMK Photo Fuse Tool).  Cake Sprinkles (snow).  Offray 5/8" Sheer ribbon (colored with Copic marker).  (Size: 4-5/8" x 5-3/4").

Halloween Card Pressies!

I received two really cute Halloween card pressies in the mail from cardmaking buddies.  My first card from my friend Charlene sports a wonderful broom-riding witch scene with ghosties lurking here and there.  I love the scary, foggy background created using the chalkboard-sponged technique.  It is such a darling witchy scene with lots of detail.  I just love this spooky card...you can almost hear a wind whistling in the dark and the ghosts swish to and fro and the little witch whisks from here to there in the dark night sky!   Below is a peak for you of  my happy mail card, and my big thank you to Charlene for my first lovely Halloween treat!

My second card pressie was from my fun-loving, cardmaking buddy, Sandy.  I remember our crafting shopping trip to Impress Stamps in Tukwila when she bought this Memory Box Halloween die that she used to make my sparkly shaker card window.  I had to buy one as well, but with wedding planning taking over my schedule of late, I did not get a chance to make or send any Halloween cards this year.  But, I certainly plan to try this die out next year!  Sandy also used her WRMK Photo Fuse Tool to make her shaker envelope and buried it in a double-layered card front that was embossed with a spider web behind the shaker circle.  The WRMK Photo Fuse Tool is the very tool she gifted me for my birthday that I love, love, love!  Aren't the little Halloween colored sparkles in the shaker window cute!  Below is a peak at my card pressie from friend Sandy, with my special thank you to her for such a wonderful Halloween treat!

Another Christmas Class Card!

For my second card from the Running Scissors card class presented by Darcy Christensen, Regional Manager for American Crafts, I used a Nordic patterned tag and decided to do my foil transfer in red using the American Crafts Minc heat machine.  I had an idea in mind to use this patterned tag with an overlay of a glittery white reindeer, using a punch I had recently purchased, so I decided to wait until I got home to finish the card.

I also wanted to use a red card base and a second layer of the white glittery paper to coordinated with my little reindeer.  I added white cake sprinkles for snow and some mini red sequins from home to complete my shaker.  Once again, I used the WRMK Photo Fuse to size seal my shaker bag to the exact size I wanted.  Of the sentiment tags package we were given, I chose the red with white Merry Christmas.  I am super pleased with my results using these clever tools.

Recipe:  SU cardstock: Real Red.  Core'dinations Silk Glitter: Opulent Opal.  Jen Hadfield Gold Dot Foil.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags (Nordic pattern), Minc Reactive Foil: Red.  Paper Studio punch: Reindeer XXL.  American Crafts: Remarks Holiday Dimensional sentiments.  Pink Posh: red mini sequins.  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve.  WRMK Photo Fuse Tool.  Cake Sprinkles (snow).  (Size: 4-3/8" x 5-5/8").

Christmas is Coming!

I've been attending several fun cardmaking events and have made about 20 of my Christmas cards so far.  Tonight, I went to a great event at the new Running Scissors scrapbooking store in East Hill Kent.  Darcy Christensen, Regional Manager for American Crafts, was visiting the store to give a card class and demonstrate two new American Craft tools, the WRMK Photo Fuse Tool (which makes wonderful shaker card envelopes) and the Mini Minc Machine using the Minc transfer foils.  Note: There are other brands of heat transfer foils on the market as well, such as: Therm O Web Deco Foil, iCraft Deco Transfer Foil, etc.

We were given six white card bases, envelopes, embossed gold foil paper, vellum foil, Minc Tags to use with the Minc foil and the Minc Heat Transfer machine, Photo Fuse sleeves to use with the WRMK Photo Fuse Tool to make clear shaker envelopes, sequins, white cake sprinkles (for snow), washi tape, and American Crafts Holiday dimensional sentiment tags.  We also received paper cutting instructions for the six samples cards Darcy had created for the class.  We started with mostly different Minc tags than Darcy used plus a few that were the same.  She challenged us to come up with six cards that were different than hers.

For my first card that I completed at the store, I chose to make my snowflake red with the red transfer foil.  I added not only white cake sprinkles for snow but some round red, green sequins with a few gold star sequins to coordinate with the gold foil dot background.  I added the kraft sentiment tag with holly berries and finished it off with holly berry washi tape at the top.

It was so much fun to use the new American Craft tools.  I have my own brand new WRMK Photo Fuse tool and have used it a few times in the past few weeks, and loved every moment.  I hard of applying foil via heat transfer, but had never seen the Minc Heat Machine in action.  It was impressive, and I love the results.

Recipe:  SU Whisper White cardstock.  DCWV Foiled Cardstock Stack.  Jen Hadfield Gold Dot Foil.  Heidi Swapp Minc Tags (snowflake).  Minc Reactive Foil: Red (used with Minc Heat Machine).  American Crafts: Remarks Holiday Dimensional sentiments.  American Crafts Christmas Sequins & Buttons.  Cake Sprinkles (snow).  WRMK Photo Fuse sleeve (made with WRMK Photo Fuse Tool).  (Size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2").

An Avid Seahawks 12th Woman Has A Birthday!

One of my good friends and cardmaking buddy is having a birthday today, and she is an avid Seahawks fan. . .a true dyed in the wool 12th Man!  I decided she certainly deserved one of my handmade Deco Mesh Seahawks wreaths for her door, so my daughter and I scheduled a fun-filled craft night and put our 5th Seahawks wreath together for Charlene's birthday!  See my October 4th post for my son's birthday, which shows a picture of our wonderful wreath, if I do not say so myself!

As with my son's birthday, also a 12th Man fan, I thought Charlene should have a Seahawks birthday card, but with a little more of a feminine twist to it than for my son.  I found a cute little daisy-like flowered paper in Seahawks colors in a digital paper collection called Paisley Park by Happy Heart Creations.  Out of all possibilities, I thought this would be perfect as Charlene has quite the green thumb as well!  

Once again, I got to use my new WRMK Photo Fuse Tool to make my shaker card sealed envelope to hold my shaker football confetti!  Don't you just love the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle in the shaker box background?  Here is a peek at the Seahawk's creation for my friend's birthday!

Recipe:  SU Whisper White cardstock. BoBunny Double Dot: Kiwi.  The Paper Studio: Tiny Polka-Navy Tonal.  Happy Heart Creations: Paisley Park collection (digital paper).  Core'dinations Glitter: Ball Gown.  Spellbinders: Classic Scallop Squares; Classic Squares LG.  Impress die: Seatltle Skyline.  WRMK:  Deco Corner Chomper; Photo Fuse Tool/ Waterfall 4x4 sleeve.  Party City: Football Confetti.  Pink Posh sequins.  Offray: 3/8" Navy satin-sheer.  Computer-made sentiment / verse:  Shelley Font.  Inside:  Stash: Button Dots (Copic colored).

Seahawks Birthday Card for 12th Man Son!

For my son and his wife, I made a Deco Mesh Seahawks wreath, and gave it to both of them for their birthdays.  Since Mark's wife's birthday came first, and just before the first pre-season football game, the wreath was bestowed on Ginger's August birthday so they could enjoy it from the very beginning of the Seahawk's season!   Now, it is time to celebrate my son's birthday, so I thought I should make him a little Seahawk's themed card to remind him of his early birthday present. 

I decided on a shaker card with a die-cut of the Seattle skyline beneath all the confetti.  My ulterior motive was that I wanted to use my new birthday tool that I received from one of my dear cardmaking buddies: the We R Memory Keepers Photo Sleeve Fuse.  Such a clever tool it is, and after using it, I am overjoyed with the results.  WRMK sells album sheets or Waterfall Sleeves and either can be used with Photo Fuse.  You can make any shaker baggie to hold your shaker confetti by sealing the edges to the size you desire, filling it with your confetti or shaker materials, and sealing it closed.  It has a tool for heating to trim excess edges, but I found for a shaker, a pair of scissors works just as well.

First, here is the wreath I gave Ginger and Mark for their birthdays...GO HAWKS!

Below is the Seahawk's shaker card front that I designed, which is followed by the coordinating inside design and my computer verse.

Recipe:  SU cardstock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy. Recollections: Punch Floral Green.  Digital paper: Digimania Seattle Seahawks (24 designs).  Impress Cards & Crafts dies: Seattle Skyline; Stitched Happy Birthday Square Frame (I removed happy birthday using frame only).   WRMK: Photo Sleeve Fuse Tool; 4"x4" Waterfall Photo Sleeves; Deco Corner Chomper.  Treehouse Studies sequins.  Party City: Football Confetti.  Recollections: silver brads.  Hobby Lobby: 3/8" Ribbon Boutique Navy Sheet Metallic.   Computer-sentiment. Computer verse. 

Father's Day to Celebrate!

We are celebrating my husband this weekend for Father's Day.  He got a new gas grill barbecuer and wants to cook for the family on his special day, so we are hosting a potluck at our house with our four children and their husbands, wives, and significant other joining in.  We plan to play some lawn games if the weather holds, as you never know in the Northwest and a little gambling game I learned of at my Girls' Get-Away!

For John's card, I made almost the same coffee shaker card previously posted on May 31st.  This card suits him to a "tee," as he is a six-to-eight cups of coffee a day person.  His coffee shaker card is the first version I made of this card, and my former boss's card (and elementary school principal), was the second version.  That version was the simplified version to avoid the pleated ribbon edging on my husband's card, which I found a bit of a challenge to adhere and thought it too tedious to use for my Girls' Get-Away shoebox card (as I planned to use this design for the Get-Away ladies to make from my card kits.  My husband's card, as shown below, is the first and larger version.  Even though the ribbon was time-consuming and tedious, I do love the finished product!  I think John will be please as well.

A little Father's Day verse to come up with, a little design to coordinate with the outside, and voila, John's card is complete!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks -  Early Espresso (card base), Real Red, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer paper; stamps - Perfect Blend (retired 6/1/15), Guy Greetings (2015 Occasions); inks - Soft Suede & Early Espresso; punches - Confetti Stars (2015 Occasions/ 2015-16 Annual); Dotted Scallop Ribbon (retired 6/1/15); framelits - Striped Scallop; largest Stars (banner fishtail pattern); smallest Banner (pattern for sentiment fishtail); Circle (3-3/4" & 3"); embossing folder - Lucky Stars (2015 Occasions/ 2015-16 Annual); cardboard from designer paper packaging (10-layer shaker frame); ribbon - Early Espresso 1/8" cotton (retired).  TomBow Glue.  Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad.  Offray 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon.  Darice Dark Brown Seed Beads (coffee grounds).  Stash: Clear acyrlic sheet.  Large gold rhinestone.  Gold star brads.
(Note: I wanted to give credit to the person who originally came up with the idea for this card and the picture in my mind.  With lots of computer searching, I finally found the card I cased. . .boy do I have a good memory. . .thank you Ellen Taylor, who made the original over three years ago.) 

Pre-Retirement Boss Has a Birthday!

My boss, before I retired as the office manager/ administrative assistant of an elementary school, has his birthday at the end of May.  I needed to design a birthday card for him, and I decided I would use it as my Girls' Get-away Cardmaking Event Shoebox Share card.  In a Shoebox Share, those attending must design a card and put a sample together.  Then each attendee cuts out the paper sizes for the card and goodies for the other participants to make this same card.  They, in turn, do the same, and with nine attendees, each of us ended up with eight cards to make while at our get-away.

I remembered the daily ritual of both Scott and I coming into the office almost every morning with our Starbucks latte cups to wake up, rev up, and prepare for each day, which was bound to be jam packed with busyness and that feeling of not enough time to get it all done.  I decided my card design would feature those latte cups that were seen around the office each and every morning.  Just a side note to keep in mind, we are from the Northwest where the Starbucks corporate offices make their home!  

I wanted to do something a little extra with my card design, so I am featuring a shaker card with real coffee beans as part of the shaker items enclosed and real coffee beans for the shaker frame trim.  In the back of my mind lurked a memory of a card that I had previously seen with reds and browns in the color scheme and coffee beans in the shaker, but I didn't remember where I saw it.  I am sure this is where the idea came to me along with memories of coffee cups in the morning at the office.  

My card was a fun to design and make, though finding the smallest beans and the perfect size for inside and outside the frame was somewhat tedious, I am sure that was because it was for TEN cards. . .not just one!  As I designed my card, thoughts went through my mind of hopes that my fellow Girls' Get-Away attendees would have fun making their version of my card, but I especially hoped that Scott will enjoy his birthday card!

Completing the card with a design and verse inside to compliment the exterior and the purpose of the card was the final step.  Here is my completed inside.

 

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks -  Early Espresso (card base), Real Red, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer paper; stamps - Perfect Blend (retired 6/1/15), Guy Greetings (2015 Occasions); inks - Soft Suede & Early Espresso; punches - Confetti Stars (2015 Occasions/ 2015-16 Annual); Dotted Scallop Ribbon (retired 6/1/15); framelits - Striped Scallop; largest Stars (banner fishtail pattern); smallest Banner (pattern for sentiment fishtail); Circle (3-3/4" & 3"); embossing folder - Lucky Stars (2015 Occasions/ 2015-16 Annual); cardboard from designer paper packaging (10-layer shaker frame); ribbon - Early Espresso 1/8" cotton (retired).  TomBow Glue.  Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad.  Offray 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon.  Darice Dark Brown Seed Beads (coffee grounds).  Stash: Clear acyrlic sheet.  Large gold rhinestone.
(Note: I wanted to give credit to the person who originally came up with the idea for this card and the picture in my mind.  With lots of computer searching, I finally found the card I cased. . .boy do I have a good memory. . .thank you Ellen Taylor, who made the original over three years ago.) 

The Last Birthday Card of Year 2014!

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

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

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

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

Be My Valentine!

I decided to send friendship Valentine cards for three of my cardmaking buddies.  My first card was for my Stampin' Up friend and mentor, Liz.  I decided to make a kit card I had in my stash that was a designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner (blogspot.com), and that I purchased from her a few years ago.  The kit featured four very cute Valentine shaker cards, and they got buried in my "To Do" box.  It seemed like a good time to bring out the kit pieces, and put them together from the pictures provided.  This was such a cute card, and I thought it would be perfect for Liz.

This card was a bit larger than the A2 size that Heidi was normally designed at that time, so the only change I made was to add one more layer by adding a white cardbase.  The original red base became a layer, but I made it about 1/4" larger than the original red base.  This white base and the new red layer not only made the card a little bigger with more color layers, but it also created an eye-appealing red frame to bring out the lovely red/black dot ribbon and to enhance the original card design just a tad.  Of course, it always makes me happier when a card is larger than A2, because as many of you know by now, I prefer my cards a bit larger than the traditional A2 size.  I hope Liz enjoyed her card!

Recipe:  Paper--Georgia-Pacific white cs base; Stampin' Up Real red cs; Echo Park-Yours Truly.   Papertrey Stamps: Button Boutique. Stampin' Up punch: Heart-to-Heart, Postage square.  Maya Arts ribbon.  Stash: metallic hearts, clear heart button.

Jar Full for A Valentine!

My next Valentine card was for my brother and his wife, and it is from that shaker kit of cards from my sister Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner.blogspot.com) noted in my daughter's card post earlier this month.  Again, as in my daughter's card, I wanted my card to be larger than the traditional cardmakers A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2"), so I decided it would be a 5-1/2" square card.  I re-cut the base in a darker shade of pink to match the seam binding ribbon provided.  Again, I was able to spread the embellishments out on the card front.  I added an extra red heart on the jar lid just because I had an extra cut off the red heart border trim.  Because I had the same paper, I was able to cut and add to the gray and white patterned mat layer below the ribbon and the border.  I was very satisfied with the enlarged design...very similar to the original design yet more space to admire each feature on the front of the card.  I hope Mike and Diane enjoyed my take on their sister's design and my cardmaking.

Recipe:  Papers - Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink cs base; Echo Park Yours Truly.  Papertrey stamps/dies: Friendship Jar/ Jar & Lid die/ Jar Toppers die/ Fillable Frames #10/ Heart Border die.  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Real Red.  Hug Snug Seam Binding ribbon. Stampin' Up punch: Heart to Heart.  Zutter Corner Rounder.

Valentine Shaker for a Daughter!

I had a kit of Valentine cards designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner.blogspot.com) that I decided to pull out of my "To Do" stash and use this year.  I always like cards that are larger than the traditional A2 sized cards (4-1/4" X 5-1/2"), and the cards in this kit were that smaller size, so I just had to make mine bigger.  Fortunately, I had the papers used in the kit; therefore, I was able to do so with ease.  I added an additional red mat between the white cardbase and the patterned paper to enhance the ribbon color.  I to think this really adds to the card.  Because my card was larger, I was able to space out the embellishments and the shaker full of little pink, silver, and red hearts.  Such a lovely card that retains the original flavor presented by the designer.

Recipe:  Paper--Georgia-Pacific white cs base; Stampin' Up Real red cs; Echo Park-Yours Truly. Papertrey stamps/dies: Lock & Key; Mat Stack 4.  Hug Snug Seam Binding ribbon.  Stash: black netting, lace, hat pin, metallic hearts.

My Sister's Birthday in July!

For those of you who look at my blog regularly, you will know that my sister, Heidi, has been my cardmaking teacher and mentor and is responsible for getting me involved in this fun hobby, which I thoroughly enjoy!  But, making her a card is always a challenge, because she is so artistic and the card must be worthy of all the hours she has spent teaching me, as well as just plain having fun going to crops and retreats, relaxing and spending time making cards together (and with our mother as well)!  

I LOVE Heidi's card designs and can't pass up getting kits from her with each of her new projects.  (If you want to see her artistic abilities, visit her blog:  www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.)  Even though I am a "somewhat" seasoned cardmaker (I do not usually need a teacher to guide me step by step through the cardmaking process, but can refer to a picture or sketch to figure it out), I find making the card kits my sister designs is always a learning experience.  There is usually some new technique involved that I have never done, which teaches me something new or reinforces prior taught knowledge, and allows me to master it.  I also find my own creativity may challenge me to tweak the card or embellish upon it, adding a bit of my own flair.

Heidi recently redesigned her craft room with lots of cute wall decorations and interesting counter storage ideas.  She has about eight to ten very large three-gallon glass jars full of ribbons wound onto old-fashioned wood clothespins that make a colorful array on one of her counters. With this thought in mind, I really wanted to make a card that depicted this decorative, crafty storage idea that she loves.  It was challenging to make a clear jar without the glue showing and get all those bits of ribbon beneath the jar just right,  but it was great fun to make!  Here is the card and special birthday verse that I came up with.  I hope my very creative sister loves and enjoys it.

Recipe:  Stampin'Up stamp: Perfectly Preserved (jar/lid). Stampin' Up papers: Daffodil Delight cardbase, In Color-2010-2012 DSP: Pear Pizzaz (ret.), Peach Parfait (ret.); Sassafras Lass: Sweetly Smitten; Pinecone Press: Plaid; Recollections blue plaid; Clear acrylic. Ink: StazOn-Timber Brown; Colorbox-Chestnut Roan (distressing). Dies: SU Cannery framelit (jar); Lifestyles Labels 9, Spellbinders Labels 22 (inside).  SU Baker's Twine: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo. K&Co.-Puffy butterflies. SU button: Sweet Stitches. Stash: 5/8" sage/blue variegated sheer ribbon, 1-3/4" white scalloped lace, 4" white doily (Michaels), Heart hat pins, ribbon pieces (in jar), Aqua rhinestones (inside), 3D foam tape. Scotch glider tape.

Sister-in-Law Birthday #2

My next sister-in-law's birthday is in late June; she is one of my husband's brother's wives.  She loves to putter in her yard, so I thought a card with gardening, flowers, and butterflies in mind would be just right for her.  I recently got a new "make it yourself" card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com) that I just LOVE because of its rich and vibrant colors.  Its colors remind me of a garden full of wonderfully bright flowers!  After finishing this card, I designed a verse inside to fit the theme of the card.  I hope Thelma enjoys her card.

Recipe:  Papertrey die/stamp set.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Baja Breeze. Papers: Ivory cardstock, Crate Paper Farmhouse 6x6 pad.  Stampin' Up Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Sizzilit).  Colorbox Cat Eye Chestnut Roan (edge distressing). Hug Snug seam binding ribbon, Vintage lace, Stampin' Up Baja Breeze button, pearls-varied sizes, twine, bird seed (doesn't show up that well).  Inside verse: computer-generated.

Valentine for Son & Wife

This next card is for my son Mark and his wife, Ginger.  The designer was my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner), but I enlarged the card, by adding one more paper strip and matted it on black and white backgrounds.  The original design remains as the original. . .how can you improve on perfection!  I just loved her idea with the shaker heart filled with silver and red hearts!  I know Mark and Ginger will be thrilled!

Inside decorations and poem for Mark and Ginger's card, which is my design and verse.