Sweet Belated Birthday Wishes!

Several of my crafting friends have birthdays in October, and I needed to get to my crafting table.  With so many cards to do, time was of the essence, I decided to CASE one of my own cards that I ran across recently while browsing my own blog.  I found my gumdrop card from 2018 that made me smile then and again when I revisited it now after three years!

Even though I got my friend's card started early enough, I did not quite get the sentiment attached and the inside finished so still missed her birthday.  I was unhappy that I couldn't get her card done in time, but unfortunately, my youngest granddaughter decided to pass me her nasty cold and flu on to me after one day of taking care of her.  I was down and out for over 10 days!  I even got a Covid test to be sure I wasn't even sicker than I thought, but fortunately, that was negative!  

When I was better, I was up against organizing and packing things I needed for a crafting event with nine of my super-close crafting friends.  We have all been looking forward to this fun time after a two-year hiatus due to Covid!  We have waited until we were all vaccinated and able to make reservations and be able meet King/ Snohomish County Covid restrictions/ requirements!  I really wanted to get the gumdrop card finished so I could at least take it with me as a belated offering!

When finally finished, I was super pleased with it even though it was the second time around.  It is such a cute, super happy card... so colorful and festive!  Here is a look at the repeat rendition of this card that I hope my friend will enjoy as much as I did when I spot it in my picture gallery once again and while making it a second time around!

Ingredients: Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock-Crushed Curry, Lemon-Lime Twist, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White; 2011-2012 DSP Stack (Bashful Blue Dots).  Stamps: Goody Goody Gumdrops.  Spellbinders Dies: Venise Lace Rectangles; Octagon Classic Nestabilities; Octagon Scallop Nestabilities.  Copic Markers.  Stash: Gold Iridescent Glitter; Gold Rhinestones; 3/8" Offray Plaid Stitched ribbon; Horizon Friendship Thread (Harlequin).  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 6" x 4-3/4". 

An Angelic Heavenly Host Comes to Visit!

I wanted to finished the third and final Pre-Virtual Stamp Night Mini, which required a Christmas card made with the traditional colors of red and green, because these are the colors that Dr. Seuss' Grinch dislikes intensely.  I also wanted to play my personal "catch-up challenges" some more as well!  So, I went in search of what else I could put on my card beside red and green that would meet other challenges.  I found that winged things worked, and if it was a winged angel, formally called a heavenly host, my card would fulfill even more.

Last year while attempting to make my Christmas cards, I printed a darling pre-colored vintage digital image of a sweet little angel and two wee birds singing together, but it did not get used.  I was stoked...my winged creatures from my pre-made stash works for the VSN with no time against me!  I had three glittery frames in white, green, and red that I also made for last Christmas and did not get used when my Christmas crafting was cut short with my hand strain issues.  I found if I framed my image, another challenge could be met, and on it went.  I found some inspiration from the current Inspiration challenge, which is what prompted me to use the angel image.   Now, my mojo was really simmering!

An older Featured Stamper and Sketch challenge both helped with decisions regarding the layout.  Now that I had a basic layout idea in mind, it was time to gather all my materials and tools that I might possibly need.  My first step was to find the perfect paper that would work with one of my pre-made glittery frames, plus embellishments, ribbon, dies, punches, etc.  I find I always gather more than I end up using, but at least it is at my fingertips if I do need it as time is of essence in the Virtual Stamp Night challenges.

I set my timer for one hour, and let the fun begin!  I started to get nervous when I had used 40 minutes to cut my paper layers, complete the ink distressing, adhere the layers, add my ribbon band, cut my die-cuts, punch snowflakes, make my bow, and prepare my framed image and pop it up.  I still needed to make a computer sentiment layer to fit my red tag die-cut.  Fortunately, I had another sentiment saved in my computer that fit a one-inch circle punch.  I copy/ pasted it, changed the words and ink color, and it was good to go!  Thank heavens my printer did not give me fits as it can do from time to time!  

That was a close one...I used 55 minutes!  I used my extra five minutes to add some Wink of Stella glimmer to my pre-colored image angel and birds, which does not show up too well in the picture.  Take a peek at my finished card. . .I think I'm pretty happy with it.

I didn't like how much time it took to make the sentiment tag using the computer; it cut the deadline time too close for comfort.  Since I do like to use sentiment tags, I've decided to make a bunch in different colors and sentiments and pre-punched them for my stash.  They just might come in handy for the VSN main event in December.  If not, I am sure they will get used eventually.  

In addition, I plan to download, size, and print more pre-colored Christmas images that might come in handy, plus die-cut some additional frame styles using different types of paper and colors.  I punched more bitty snowflake in more colors.  I had white ones pre-punched, as well as silver, lime green and aqua, but no Emerald Green or Red...can you believe that!  Not sure why I had lime-green. . .that was interesting!

Ingredients:  Papers~  Stampin' Up cs--Chocolate Chip (retired); Recollections Glitter Paper--Cherry, Evergreen, Snow;  Stripe--Recollections Signature Sugar Plums Pad.  SU Ink: Soft Suede (edge ink distressing).  Dies~ Spellbinders: Triple Floral Squares (frame), Delightful Circles (tag back).  Punches~ EK--1-inch Circle; Recollections--5/8" Snowflake.  Ribbon Stash:  5/8" Emerald Sheer.  Pre-made Stash: Angel & Birds pre-colored digital image (3 in.), Green Glitter Frame.  Wink of Stella--Clear & Gold.  Stash: Acrylic Sheet (stablizing framed image).  Chatterbox verse/ sentiment.  Size 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Pssst. . .Missed It!

Sister-in-law #4, one of my husband's sisters, had a birthday toward the end of July.  It totally snuck up on me and slipped on by before it even came to mind.  It took me almost an entire month to remember and that was only because her sister's came in August.  That's when I rememeber I had forgotten to make a card for the sister in July!  Of course, had I looked at my Cardmaking Date calendar this would not have happened, but I think our extremely hot summer has fried my brain!  So, I really needed to get to work fast!

I thought I would do a sweet little belated card with a bit of humor and use a gumdrop stamp that I borrowed from a friend.  My gumdrops would come in a myriad of colors in all shades of the rainbow with a little gold glitter to give them a bit of sparkle.  I used several mat layers all in different colors to coordinate with my colored gumdrops.  I popped a little hexagon tag with a sentiment "pssst. . .missed it" and tweaked the tag with a little red glittery heart just because I thought it needed a little embellishment to perk it up.

I finished my gumdrop card front and also the inside design with a little belated birthday apology verse, and it's ready for the mail.  Take a peel below. . .it's pretty "sweet!"

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock-Crushed Curry, Lemon-Lime Twist, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White; 2011-2012 DSP Paper Stack (Bashful Blue Dots).  Stamps:  Goody Goody Gumdrops.  Spellbinders Dies: Venise Lace Rectangles; Octagon Classic Nestabilities; Octagon Scallop Nestabilities.  Copic Markers.  Stash: Gold Iridescent Glitter; Gold Rhinestones; 3/8" Offray Plaid Stitched ribbon; Horizon Friendship Thread (Harlequin).  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size: 6" x 4-3/4".  

Tweeting a Belated Happy Birthday to a Dear Sister-in-Law!

WOW!  I'M EVEN MORE GIDDY!  

THIS CARD IS NAMED A

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF THE

WEEK ENDING - JULY 16, 2017!!

Take a peek below at the card that I designed and sent off as a belated birthday for one of my sister-in-laws on my husband's side of the family.  Also included below is the verse and complimentary design I created as well.  Then, follows The Story behind the creation.

The Story

With the slow recovery from my knee replacement surgery, I am so far behind, and I have missed so many birthdays and other events with my inability to climb stairs to my craft room.  Some are so far back, I will just have to let them go this year and concentrate on keeping up to date in the future.  Yet, I have several sister-in-laws' birthdays that I've missed, and I would really like to send them belated wishes if I can without getting behind with upcoming celebrations.

My sister-in-law, Dianne, is the wife of one of my husband's younger brothers.  They were married within a year of our marriage, and we spent a lot of time together as couples in the early years of our marriages.  This was before we each began a round of transfers around the country due to career promotions, etc.  We have never ended up residing in the same state in more than 30 years.  Just a few years ago, this younger brother passed away from a heart attack, but Dianne is still very much a part of the family, and she is always included in every reunion and get-together!

Since I have a new goal in cardmaking to try to enter more Splitcoaststampers' challenges, I thought I would focus my card design around at least one challenge's requirements.  I chose the Inspiration Challenge IC605 - Dessert Bies: Macaroons & Meringues, but ended up being able to use it in the Alphabet Challenge as well from its tag.   For the Inspiration Challenge, I went to the Pinterest inspiration board set up for the challenge.  Oh my, I learned a lot about macaroons.  While my stomach realized it was hungry and began growling loudly the longer I looked over those delicious-looking, beautifully, colorful morsels that can be any color in God’s Earth from soft pastels to bold and vibrant dark splashes of color!!  Below are the three particular pictures that inspired my card:

    

When I first start creating a card design, if I don't have a particular idea already in my mind, I check out my leftover, partial card pieces to see if there is anything that inspiring me to use it.  I found a yellow tag with pink ribbon and an uncolored birdie stamp tacked to a patterned dsp.  It was pretty bright and cheerful, but had a thanks sentiment stamped at the bottom of the birdies, which was actually part of the original stamp.  I thought...hmmm...trim off the sentiment and make the tag shorter to fit the shorter image.  Then, I separate sentiment tag with belated birthday might fit below the tag...I was in business and started rolling right along!

The little dsp attached had a bit of navy in the flowers; therefore, navy had to be the cardbase after seeing those lovely navy macarons (see above).  I switched out the pink tag ribbon for navy, and then I chose mat layer colors to add to the tag and dsp and layers to add to my cardbase.  Daffodil yellow would be my top layer and I decided embossing it would dress it up and make it more interesting and even better, crop the layer corners with my WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  

When I began assembling, I popped up the tag and its layers on the yellow layer,  and then decided to pop up the yellow and Melon Mambo on the cardbase.  Before reattaching the stamped birdies to the tag, I colored them with Copic markers and finished with Clear Wink of Stella to add sparkle.  Because my tag was pretty small, I decided to use the Washi punch (SU retired) and modify it by shortening it and only used a one-word sentiment to keep its size in balance with the tag.  I'm pretty satisfied with my card for Dianne...take another peek above!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks-Night of Navy, Melon Mamo, Daffodil Yellow.  DP: Gingham Garden.  Stamp-For the Birds (retired), Happy Birthday Gorgeous (sentiment).  Ink: Memento-Tuxedo Black, Wink of Stella-Clear.  Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots (retired).  Punches: Washi Label,    1/4" Circle punch.  Ribbon: 3/8" Denim.  White Baker's Twine.  Other products:  Copic Markers; Darice: Foam Sheets.  Computer-verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

A Sister-in-Law Birthday Beyond Compare!

As I've mentioned in numerous posts over the years, I have eight sister-in-laws. . .WOW!  But, on September 1st, just one day after my birthday,  a sister-in-law beyond compare has her birthday.  You may ask why is she beyond compare?  For one good reason, she is extra special because she is the sister-in-law I have known the longest, and she has always been willing to go that extra mile if she can be of help.  Of course, there are many other reasons as well. . .too many to list, for sure!   

For this special birthday card, I thought I would try out my new Spellbinder Birds on a Wire die.  There are ten birds. . .I think these represent her eight sister-in-laws and her two sisters. . .isn't that clever?  I think June will like her card with all those sisters that have come to visit!  Perhaps, we'll all have a cup of tea or a glass of wine during our visit.

Ingredients:  Recollections cardstock: 25 color pack: black, lavendar purple.  DCWV stack: Pocket Full of Posies.  Stampin' Up cs: Soft Sky.  Dies: Spellbinders Shapeabilities: Birds on a Wire; Petite Circles; Petite Scallop Circles; Scallop Circles LG. QuicKutz Scallop Corners.  Punches: SU Curvy Corners (retired).  Stash: 3/4" Variegated Silk Ribbon.  Petite Daisies (Copic colored).  Computer sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 5-1/2". 

Sending Prayers!

My oldest daughter's husband's father has been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis is not looking good.  My husband and I have liked Don's parents from the very first time we met them, so I very much wanted to make and send a special card to let them know they are both in our thoughts and prayers.  Take a peek at what I came up with below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Silver Foil.  Stamps--Grateful Bunch; Dot for Days (background - retired).  Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black.  Punches--Curvy Corners (retired); 1" Circle; 1-1/4" Scallop Circle; Blossom Bunch.  Embossing Powder--Silver.  1/8" Stitched Satin ribbon--Bermuda Bay.  Baker's Twine--Bermuda Bay (Copic Colored - retired).  Pearls (Copic colored).  Stash:  1" Organza Sage/White Check.  Die--QuicKutz Fancy Scallop Corner (retired).  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-1/2".

Valentine for a Son!

About two years ago, I went to a Card Buffet cardmaking event hosted by my Stampin' Up Upline, Liz Thayer, where we could make as many cards as we found time for in a four-hour period.  There were usually at least ten different card designs from which to choose.  I made one card that I really liked, which was a thank you card, but right off the bat, I thought it was a Valentine card until I read the sentiment found in a Stampin' Up stamp set named Chalk Talk.  

To this day, I have always wanted to make this card as a Valentine card, and this 2016 Valentine's holiday is the time.  In thinking it over, the thought came to mind that if sentiment read, A Son Holds Your {Heart} Forever, using an actual heart instead of the word, it would be perfect!  Of course, I did not have a stamp that said this, so I created it on the computer and printed it onto the Crumb Cake cardstock.  I was really pleased with the result.  My words were longer than those on the original Chalk Talk sentiment; therefore, I could not die-cut my tag using the Chalk Talk Framelit dies.  I decided to use the Ornate Tag punch, and cut it narrower to more closely replica the look I was trying to achieve.

On my card, I decided to add Chocolate Chip cardstock as the card base and make the original Cherry Cobbler base a middle mat layer instead.  My sentiment tag received the same three layers as well.  In addition, I added some Early Espresso Gorgeous Grunge lines as well as the Cherry Cobbler used on the original design, and I used a different washi tape, coloring the light one with a tan Copic Marker to blend better with the Crumb Cake card front.  I also added more hearts to the left side of the card to more replicate a shower of hearts.  I really think my son will like his Valentine card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstocks--Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Red Glimmer.  Stamps--Gorgeous Grunge.  Ink--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.  Punches--Ornate Tag, Small Heart (retired), Heart to Heart--smallest (retired).  Ribbon--5/8" Natural Chevron (cut in half), Linen Thread.   Stash--Washi tape.  EK punch: Ribbon Slot.  Spellbinders die:  Nested Heart (smallest).  Size--4-3/4" x 5-3/4".

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").

Long-Time Friend's January 2015 Birthday!

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

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

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

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

Totally Loving Christmas!

I attended a Stampin' Up card extravaganza given by my upline, Liz Thayer, in October.  We made ten different Christmas cards, and the designs were all wonderful.  Some of them, I absolutely loved and re-created several of them for family and friends.  I did take some liberties with the design by adding more background layering to increase the size as I like cards larger than the standard A2 size (4-1/4" x 5-1/2")  that are usually presented at most Stampin' Up events.  Following are the cards that I cased from this event and enlarged with additional background layers, though the remainder of the card remains true to the original designs by Liz Thayer.

On Card #1, I added the bottom Night of Navy cardbase and the next layer of solid Silver foil.  Not only did this increase the size the the card, but I really like the additional framing it provided as a background to the original card.

On Card #2,  the original done at the TLC event used a color scheme of Blushing Bride pink.  I already published my pink version on my blog on December 6, 2014.  In the blog report, I mentioned that I added the two layers of the Smokey Slate cardbase and the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper layer.  The original was done on a white cardbase with no glimmer.  I also made my aqua panel a bit wider and added the Scallop Oval layer under the sentiment.

On Card #3, I added the bottom Cherry Cobbler cardbase and the Diagonal Stripe DSP.  I also decided to center my Baker's twines over my Santa tag instead of typing it to the left of the tag.   I thought the stamp set was darling when I saw it in the Holiday catalog, and after seeing it made up, it did not disappoint!

Card #4 is like the navy Card #1; I simply added two more layers under what was the Very Vanilla cardbase.  My re-creation then had a Blackberry Bliss cardbase topped with a Gold Foil layer and then was finally topped with the card as it originally looked.  I like the added layers as I think it Makes the gold foil JOY and little metallic gold ribbon bow stand out more.  Though this picture doesn't show it well, the Blackberry Bliss top layer is embossed with the Filigree Frame embossing folder from the 2014 Holiday catalog.

To this Card #5, I just added the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper between the Cherry Cobbler cardbase and the Crumb Cake layer.  I did have to cut a new and larger carbase to accommodate the added layer, but the rest of the card is true to Liz's original design.

To Card #6, I added two layers in between the white cardbase and the Soft Sky top pinecone layer:  Lost Lagoon and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer cardstocks.  I also decided to move the vertical Lost Lagoon and 1/8" Silver ribbons and layer them horizontally across the card and under the sentiment banner.  I also decided to use a larger double bow on the left of the sentiment rather than the much smaller single bows on the original card.  In addition, I shortened my sentiment banner to show off the ribbon added underneath and give the double bow a place to sit.

On Card #7, I added patterned paper between the cardbase and the black layer.  I also enlarged the black layer to better accommodate the enlarged Very Vanilla stamped layer.  This allowed most of the entire tree limb of the bird stamp to show rather than quite a bit of the tip to be cut off.  I moved the burlap ribbon a tad to the right and shortened and centered my sentiment fishtail banner.  I like the balance I achieved by doing these small touches.  Once again, the original design had Argyle embossing on the black layer, but it doesn't display well in the picture.  I colored my bird with Blendabilities and some Copics rather than the Stampin' Up markers.

Card #8 was another of my favorite designs presented at the TLC Extravaganza.  Again, I added two layers between the bottom Whisper White cardbase and the very top Real Red layer on which the dotted dsp and the tag rests.  I needed to enlarge my white cardbase because of the increased size to the card with the added layers of Real Red and the Diagonal Striped DSP.  Other than adding those two in-between layers, the card remains true to Liz's original design.

Thanks Liz for the wonderful Totally Lovin' Christmas Extravaganza and the wonderful card designs.  In re-creating my own cards, I totally cased your cards, but added a bit of my own touches.

Recipes:
Card #1 -   Stampin' Up papers:  Cardstocks--Night of Navy, Whisper White;  Vellum--Fancy Foil Vellum-Silver.  DCWV Foil Stack: Silver.  Stampin' Up stamps:  Lovely As A Tree (Annual), Making Spirits Brights (sentiment-2014 Holiday), Holiday Home (stars-2014 Holiday).  Stampin' Up Ink: White Craft, Night of Navy.  Stampin' Up Punch: Modern Labels.  Stampin' Up Ribbon: 5/8” White Satin.  Other: Mini silver brads, Mini Rhinestones.  Size:  5-1/4” x 6-1/4”.

Spooky Inchies Halloween Mini Card Album!

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

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

Card Front


Card Center


Card Back

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

Spooky Halloween Mini Album Card!

I so enjoyed finished my little witch's accessories mini album card for my friend Liz, that I thought I'd make another for my friend, Sandy.  One of Stampin' Up's stamp sets for Halloween that I've always thought were very, very cute was the Spooky Bingo Bits, which retired after the 2011-12 annual catalog.  I made a Halloween inchies card using this stamp set several years ago, but used four different bits.  I really wanted to use it again, and thought an inchies cover would make a cute mini album card.  This time, I thought I would be focused on the little witch and spooky things related to her, so I chose the witch, her black cat, her haunted house, and her friend, Mr. Bat.  I wanted to double mat my inchies to set them off more and to add more color interest.  I used the Spellbinders Inverted Scallop Squares for the mat, which remind me a lot of the postage stamp effect, but more pointy, and maybe more apropos for Halloween???

After I made the decision to do red-orange and black mats for the inchies, I went ahead and put them together because I thought it would make it easier to decide on paper patterns that I thought would coordinate and blend well together.  I went back to my stash of old papers, feeling I should really use some of this stuff that I have had around for three or four years now.  There are so many patterns in the DCWV Halloween/Fall stacks, and I have two: the 2011 and 2012 versions!  I found five patterns that I thought went well together and also worked with my inchies.

Next, I had to decide on embellishments to accents each of the four pages.  It is surprising that even with oodles of Hall0ween embellishments, papers, punches, etc., it's still a challenge to make choices.  I'm pretty happy with my little card-book, and I think my friend, Sandy, will enjoy it as well, letting her know that she is well thought of!

Inchie Front Cover

Middle - Page 2/ Page 3

Back Cover

Recipe:  Papers:  SU Black/ Whisper White cs; Bazzill Navel cs;  DCWV Halloween & Fall (2011/ 2012); Core'dinations - Black Tie Glitter; Making Memories Halloween Journaling Book (houses pinked pocket).  White paper sack: 9" x 4-3/4" (Michaels).  SU stamps:  Spooky Bingo Bits.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Copic: 100/Black.  Dies:  Spellbinders - Inversted Scallop Squares #3/#4; Labels 11 (tag); Sizzix - Wingo Dingo Alphabet.  Die-cuts:  K&Company (Spooky); Martha Stewart--Haunted (raven); Creatology foam cat.   Punches:  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  Other:  SU - Baker's Twine; Celebrate - 3/8" solid-sheet ribbon; Recollections - charcoal rhinestones.

Witch's Accessories Mini Album Card!

I started this little mini album a few years ago at a Make 'N Take event while visiting in Redding, CA that fall.  The design of the original version was by Cammi Crandall, a member of the design team for a little scrapbook store located there, which has now closed.  Since I had never finished my little book, I decided this was the year to do so and give it away as a Halloween card.  Though I did not have a picture of the original book, I had the background papers adhered and the front cover almost completed.  I still had a lot pieces leftover over that were not yet place.  From my memory of the original design, I decided to make some changes from where I thought things were placed.  I believe my book still retains the flavor of the original by Cammi, but with added embellishments and switching of some items around.

This is the front cover.  I dropped my shoe label down on my book to balance the negative space and added rhinestones to each left corner of the shoe's black base.

  

This is the centerfold of my book.  I added a bat tag with a Halloween verse and Martha Stewart bat stickers to the pocket's outside for added decoration.  I moved the Spooky circle from the pocket side and placed it on the witch's hat panel.  I colored the hat band with purple and lime Copic markers and added the purple rhinestones.  I also added the rhinestones to the corner of the orange panel.  The Spooky panel lifts up a bit, and I placed my personal Handcrafted by Chatterbox Creations below.

I added a scallop circle mat under the orange have a WICKED halloween circle to finish off my back cover.  I am happy with my results, honoring Cammi's original design, yet adding a little bit of Me with a few more interesting details and embellishments.

Recipe:  Papers:  Bazzill cs: Raven, Navel; Authentique - Enchanted: Haunted (front/back covers/p. 3)/ Spooked (p. 2/3).  White paper sack: 9" x 4-3/4" (Michaels).  SU stamp: Wicked Cool (Annual 2011-12).  Dies:  Spellbinders--Circles LG #2/3, Scallop Circles LG #1, Petite Scallop Circles LG #2, Labels 11 (modified to tag). Cricuit: Web Silhouettes.  Martha Stewart Bat stickers.  3/8" Black Satin ribbon.  Stash:  Rhinestones LG/ petite; button.  Copic markers: witch hat, shoes.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan distressing.

Birthday Son is a 12th Man Seahawk Fan!!!

Happy Days!  This card was chosen as a

SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS FAVORITE OF

WEEK ENDING - OCTOBER 5, 2014

My youngest son, Mark, is having a birthday in October, and we are celebrating early because it falls mid-week!  I usually pick a theme for my birthday cards that represents something about the person for which it's made.  The first card I made Mark was an Accu-Cut die of an old pick-up that matched his first "car" when he was a teen-ager.  The next year I made a card embellished with metal tools...he's quite the handyman and a carpenter by trade.  The following year it was a Copic-colored dirt-bike rider on his bike.  Last year's card depicted Mark's love of camping and the outdoors with a bear lumbering into the campsite with two foaming beer steins in paws...don't know if the bear stole the beer from the campsite or was bringing his own BYOB for a campsite visit!  

This year I decided I would make Mark's card with our football team, the Seattle Seahawks, as the theme as he is quite the 12th Man Seahawk fan.  He even has the Seahawks' stretch bird streaming complete around his walk-in closet, which he just added to his master bedroom by going into unused attic space!   The streaming bird is compliments of his wife's artistic drawing and painting abilities...it looks absolutely great...just like the logo stretch bird shown below! 

I decided to make the focal point of his card a T-shirt with a Seahawks' graphic by using my My Favorite Things Masculine Graphic Tee die and a Space Needle die from Impress Stamps.  First, I went online to look for a Seahawk's graphic that could be added to my t-shirt front.  I then chose a shimmery navy paper for the background of the  t-shirt with a touch of shimmery green at the neck and sleeve edges.  I chose some patterned paper possibilities, and the rest of my card design fell into place very swiftly.  I love it when that happens!  I am really pleased with the finished card design, and I think Mark will be surprised and very pleased as well.  He is always so appreciative, as are all of my kids, with my card dabbling art in honor of their birthdays, holidays and special events!

And the inside and verse created follows:

Recipe:  Paper - SU cardstocks - Night of Navy/ Lucky Limeade; SU Printed Poetry dsp (stripe);  DCWV  Lemoncello stack (houndstooth); DCWV Shimmer stack (navy/ green); Bo Bunny Learning Curve Recess (navy grid); Recollections Glitter Opal.  Dies - My Favorite Things Masculine Graphic Tee; Papertrey Medium ZigZag; Savvy Space Needle; MemoryBox Alpha.  Punch - SU 3/4" Scallop Circle.  Other - Lyon Metallic Yarn.  SU Candy Dots.  (SplitcoastStampers Thread: October 5, 2015/ #4).

Celebrating Birthday #93 and Counting!

Of 10 aunts and uncles from his father's side of the family and 11 from his mother's family, my husband's last surviving aunt is about to have her 93rd birthday!!!!  I, being from a small family, have always found the size of my husband's family mind-boggling!  Being the last of her generation in the family, I have been trying to be sure I make and send a birthday card to Aunt Joanie every year.  I even made two cards for her several years ago when the entire family "showered" her with cards for her 90th birthday. . .two because I made one for my husband's mother to send as well.  Aunt Joanie has an amazing sense of humor, and it is certainly easy to keep her in a special place in your heart.

I love tag card, so decided to borrow a card design made by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner blog) several years ago that I have always admired, and I thank her for the idea.  My card uses the same color tones and some of the same papers, but is 5-1/2" square instead of an A2 size.  I have also added another background layer, sewing machine stitching, pearls, and changed the sentiment and placement.  I hope Aunt Joanie likes her card, which will travel from Washington to Kansas for her birthday.

Recipe:  Paper: Georgia Pacific White cs (base); Recollections-Dots, Stripes & Plaids; MME-Everyday Tango (blue-green dot);  MME Fine & Dandy-Tickled Pink Delicate/ Engaging/ Delighted.  Papertrey Ink stamps/die:  Delightful Dahlia.  Copic Markers.  SU punch: Word Window/ Scallop Edger.  Zutter Corner Rounder (pocket).  Martha Stewart punch: Lace Floral Edger (inside).  Computer-made sentiment/ Xiorama font.  Stash:  Button, Baker's Twine, Pearls, Crochet Lace.  Sewing machine zig-zag/ straight stitch.

Time for a Birthday Hello!

One of my husband's good friend's wife had a birthday in February.  I first met Fran through my husband, who was friends with her husband through a working relationship.  After retirement, this couple graciously invited us to go out camping with them and taught us how to "clam" for Razor Clams on our Washington beaches.  These were fun and enjoyable times and her birthday afforded me the opportunity to wish her well on her special day by making her a card.

One of my Stampin' Up stamps from a set from SAB 2013 had remained in its box, and I really wanted to see what I could do with it.  It depicts the interesting red phone booths that you would find in London on a visit to the British Isles.  I am wondering if this English version of  a phone booth is still as plentiful as they once were or if they, too, have disappeared as ours have in the United States for lack of use with the advent of common place personal cell phone usage.  I hope Fran enjoyed her card and had a happy birthday!

Recipe:  Size–5-1/4” x 5-3/4.”  SU Stamp: Feeling Sentimental (2013 SAB)/phone booth.  SU cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy. Pattern: MME/American Made–Petticoat Plaid/ Celebration Banner. Copic white cardstock.  SU Basic Black Embossing powder. Copics markers: R46/ R29. SU Inks: Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler (sponging/distressing). Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (windows/ very lightly)WRMK Deco Corner punch. Dies: Lifestyles 3/4” circle. Spellbinders Pinking Circles SM/ LG. Computer-made sentiment. SU Adhesive pearls (B99 Copic color). 3M foam tape, 3M tape runner. Hot glue. Stash: 5/8” Navy/ Red stitch ribbon; Pocket watch brad.

A Friend's October Birthday!

This is a very busy month with all the friends and family birthdays and the Halloween holiday ~ all great excuses to have to make cards!  I have 18 different cards that I must make during the month of October, and only 7 of them are Halloween cards!  The only month that comes even close is December when I have to make a total of 37 cards, and 35 of those are Christmas cards.  As a result, I have been very busy, but enjoyed every minute of it.

I just found out that a friend, who has become an even better friend in the last year as we began cropping and cardmaking together, is having a birthday.  My usual modus operandi that allows my creative juices to flow more smoothly is if I know things about the person I want to make the card for, then it seems to speed up those juices for some reason.  Does anyone else operate this way?  Probably not, I find I'm usually "strange."  What I found was this person likes flowers and gardening, so that is the direction I went.  (For future reference, I found out she does not like tea or coffee, but does like soda. . .all good tidbits to know!)  

I had a little card kit I had not made up that my sister (remember her ~ my cardmaking mentor:  Heidi Gonzales - My Lil' Scrap Corner) had designed last spring.  As you know from previous posts, many times I change a few things, add embellishments, or tweak kit cards a bit to make them more "me," but usually, I find I can hardly improve upon Heidi's designs.  I love this card's design, and it follow Heidi's typical, "you don't need to change a thing" style.  I designed the inside to coordinate with the outside and added my little verse to finish it off.  I hope Charlene likes it as well in wishing her a very happy birthday!

Recipe:  SU stamp: Bloomin’ Marvelous (2013 SAB-sentiment). Papers: SU cardstock-Night of Navy, Old Olive. WRMK Feelin’ Groovy dsp: Stripes, Stripes back; Retro-gold. SU canvas. PTI die: Tag Sale #6 (tab/tag). MFT die: Rolled Daisy. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.  EK Punch: Fancy Photo Corners (inside). Colorbox Chestnut Roam Ink (edge distressing). Brown burlap. Olive felt. Pumpkin Twill trim.  3/4" brown button. MayArts hemp twine. 

A Sister-in-Law in the "Out Law" Group!

My "outlaw" of a sister-in-law, June, celebrates her birthday one day after mine on September 1st.  I wanted to honor her birthday by making a special card with her in mind.  This past year she has "housed" many out-of-town family members for various family necessities, as well as fun visits too.  She is always so very gracious and welcoming. . . and my husband and I thank her for that.  A thought comes to mind when thinking about those visits during the past several years. . .June always has a pitcher of ice tea ready and welcoming when you visit.  A very cool and refreshing drink for those warm spring and summer days!  

With this in mind, I remembered a "tea" card kit that my sister (Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner blog) had given me several months ago.  I thought it would be perfect for June.  In creating it, I tweaked Heidi's design just a bit to enlarge the size by adding a vanilla cardbase and a watermelon-colored mat layer.  As I traditionally do, I decorated the inside and added a verse that I composed. This is the card I chose to make June for her birthday and I hope she really likes it.

Recipe:  PTI pattern papers, SU cardstock: very vanilla, blushing bride; Bazzil cardstock: watermelon.  PTI dies: Tea for Two die/stamp set, Fillable Frames #11, Edger #2, Tremendous Tags Dies, Leaf Prints dies. Martha Stewart: Vintage Floral Around the Page punches. Memento Coca Brown. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing)Hug Snug Vivid Pink seam binding ribbon. Stash: Lime green felt, pink flower, rose cut-out, pink/white scalloped lace.

Bloom Where You Are Planted!

I have been thinking about my daughter, Michele, who moved all the way across the United States a year ago this month.  By now, we have missed having her and her husband with us on numerous family occasions:  over six birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, her birthday, and the list goes on.  So, I thought I would make and send a card to her, letting her know how proud I am that she has been able to make this move so far, far away, and still "bloom where she is planted!"  

This card was an old kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner), that I pulled out because I thought the stamped tag would be perfect.  Having the papers that the card was originally designed with, My Mind's Eye, I decided to enlarge the card to 5-1/2" square, as the A2 size is not my favorite.  Basically, the card's designs remains true to the original, but I did add a fourth flower layer, as well.  I just love the rich colors in Heidi's card, and I'm hoping Michele likes its finished look after I completed it, and the inside decorations and embellishments, with the special poem I composed just for her.

Recipe:  MME Stella Rose Papers: Love-Brocade, Mabel-Little Lady plaid. Bazzill cs: Chocolate. SU: Very Vanilla.  Ink: Memento-Cocoa Brown; Colorbox-Chestnut Roan distressing. Spellbinders: Blossome 2, Nested Poinsettias, Scalloped Circles Petite. Zutter Corner Rounder. EK Scalloped Photo Corner-Large Punch (inside). Recollections Pearl Brad, large.  Ribbon: stash.  MayArts: white twine. Machine zigzag stitch-tan thread.

Missing You!

By now most of you know that one of my daughter's, with her husband, has moved to West Virginia where he was transferred due to Coast Guard advancement and job assignment.  We miss them each and every day and are anxious for them to return to Washington after his duty tour, which is about a year and one-half away :-). . .but we shall persevere.  I am hoping to make a trip back to visit maybe in early Fall this year.

The other day I was feeling a bit down thinking about how far away my daughter is, so I decided to make her a little card.  I had snapped a picture of a card while visiting in California at my favorite scrapbooking store in Chico, California ~ Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  I purchased some of the crocheted flower border while there, thinking I would case this card.  So, I thank PSB for the lovely idea.  My card really is almost identical, except I have added a few more pearls, my flower button is smaller, my tag is longer and I have added an additional green mat layer, which I think brings out the color in the map.  I'm sending it to Michele so she knows we are always thinking about them and miss them a lot.