Flowers for Daughter's Birthday

OH SO JOYFUL!  THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 2, 2017!!

My daughter, Michele, is having a birthday at the end of this month.  I wanted to make her a special birthday card, and two challenges on SplitcoastStampers (SCS) gave me some ideas on which to focus.  The Ways to Use It challenge asked that you use strips of paper to create your card, the Inspiration Challenge asked that you make a card using patterned paper, and the Alphabet--Round 7-Red challenge asked that you use a splash of RED.  When checking out ideas presented for the Ways to Use It challenge, I was inspired to use the Herringbone Technique, because I felt it fit the Inspiration Challenge perfectly as well.  I decided to create the background of Michele's card using this technique.

Getting into my creative mojo mode, I pictured the Herringbone pattern being very striking in black and white patterned papers.  Then, I wanted to use flowers in some way, and settled on SU's Botanical Blooms stamps/ Botanical Builder dies.  I thought a vivid contrasting red would be very effective.  Then, I had to find a transition between the herringbone pattern and the red flowers, and the red, black, and white die cuts were born, thus fulfilling the need to use red as well.

I assembled my herringbone bone pattern first, adhering it to a piece of black cardstock cut 5" x 6" because I knew this could be cut to fit the front of my white cardbase, which would be 4-3/4" x 6" finished.  I chose the red pattern for the base die-cut in a simple patterned paper as I needed something calming after the busyness of the herringbone, and finished it by distressing the edges with white craft ink.  I chose to repeat one of my blackish background patterns and white for my two circle die cuts.  I layered them onto my cardbase, and thought spritzing them with my Bath & Body Works Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist would make them very pretty and sparkly.  I also decided I needed to pop-up my red die-cut upon which the circle die-cuts and flowers would rest.  Assembly complete and I was very pleased with the result, and I think Michele will love it!  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up cardstocks:  Whisper White, Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Basic Black.  Patterned papers:  Crate Paper-Paper Heart/ Delicate 2 (red); Bazzill Basics-Licorice; My Mind's Eye: Everyday Basics; DCWV: Jet Black Stack.  Stamps: SU-Botantical Blooms (leaf pattern); Stampendous-Birthday Wishes (sentiment).  Ink: SU-Wild Wasabi, White Craft; Memento-Tuxedo. Black.  Dies:  SU-Botanical Builder Framelits (flowers, leaves), Top Note (retired); Cottage Cutz-Pierced Circles, Double-Stitched Circles; MFT-Photo Corners (inside).  Bath & Body Works: Magic in the Air Diamond Shimmer Mist.  Computer verse. Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

It's An Easter Bunny Turtle!

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

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

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

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

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