Oops! Things Got Missed!

I missed several friends' birthdays in January, but at this late date, I decided it was better to send Thinking of You cards rather than belated birthday cards! For my first card, I found the end of my crocheted flower stash. My Mom made these crocheted flowers back about 10 years ago when they were all the rage in cardmaking! I thought I'd finally use my last flower for this card...sort of a little present for the recipient! I've also asked Mom to make me more, as they seem to be coming back in style!

To find my final card design, I followed my normal pattern of checking the Splitcoaststamper website for challenges that I could give me some prompts for my design.  For instances, to use two challenges, I needed a wobbler, so I inserted this into my inside verse.  The challenges I will be using range from current ones to some really old ones. Most of the time when I'm making a card, I am usually having fun fulfilling my Challenge Catch-up goal that I've set for myself!  

Here was a happy surprise! While doing my challenge search, I found my planned card recipient was featured on a specific challenge that was to have a "Thinking of You" theme! It was a stroke of serendipity, for sure! Thus, this card will now fulfill two events for my friend! One for the challenge, and one for her belated birthday acknowledgement in the form of my planned "thinking of you" card! Take a look at the finished card inside and out. I'm thinking she will be quite happy with it, as I am with the finished results!

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Basic Black, White Glimmer (retired). Patterned DSP--Fancy Pants Designs/ Country Boutique. Reverse Confetti stamp--Beautiful Banners. SU stamp--Butterfly Gala (mini butterfly-inside). Spellbinders Dies--Grand Labels LG (inside). SU punch--Butterfly Duet. SU Embossing Folder (by Sizzix)--Tufted Dynamic. Washi Stash--3 B&W patterns. Ribbon Stash--3/4" Black Sheer-White Stitch. Recollections Detail--White embossing powder. JoycieB--Crochet Flower. Stash--Black Rhinestone Gem. Sentiment Flag--Hand-cut. Chatterbox-1 verse. Size--4-3/4" x 6". 

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.

Thinking of You, Dear Friend!

The month of May has been filled with lots of not so happy news from illnesses to those who have gone to their final resting place.  I need another card for a dear friend, who had serious surgery within a few days of my niece, which I noted in my last post.  My friend will also be looking toward a lengthy recovery until she feels "normal" is a word she can use in her vocabulary again!

Besides flowers, I've been wanting to send her one of my handcrafted cards, which she always enjoys for her birthday!  While making my niece's card, I was keeping in mind card ideas for my dear friend using a modified card kit design as well.  Another thing I was keeping in mind was that I wanted to complete another SCS Alphabet Challenge, because I am so far behind (comes from being crafting AWOL with knee surgery!!).  Here is my second card kit re-design, using parts from one original design and parts from another.  Take a peek below...I think my friend will be pleased.

Ingredients:   Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Dapper Denim, Flirty Flamingo.  Stamps--Heartfelt Blooms (2018 SAB).  Ink--Dapper Denim, Baked Brown Sugar (ink distressing).  Dies--Lots of Labels framelits.  Embossing Folder: Fancy Dots (2016 AC).  Perennial Birthday Kit (2018 Occ):  materials from two different card designs:  floral disp + white/floral shaped tag + ribbon/ twine.  Other: Spellbinder die: Labels 10 (sentiment).  Punch:  EK Victorian Medium Photo Corner.  5/8" Gold Glitter Washi Tape.  Pretty Pink Posh sequins.  Chatterbox verse (Bob Marley quote modified).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

THE CARDMAKING STORY

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Love You Much Valentine!

I finished a half-made Valentine card that I started several years ago when I thought I was going to need a quick card for a short notice invitation, but it turned out to be a false alarm.  It has been residing in my "To Do" Stash ever since.  I needed two cards for my cardmaking buddies, and further motivation came from seeing some Splitcoaststamper Challenges I wanted to enter as well!

After seeing the  Splitcoaststampers' Dirty Dozen February Monthly Themes MORE is MORE challenge, I thought this would be the perfect card to finish and then do a more elaborate version to meet the challenge requirements, which requires a simple card be modified and elaborated upon to make a more complex version.  I will also use it to start the new Alphabet Challenge Round 9. . .pre-alphabet card, which is to make a Valentine card.  I am making two of the stepped up version #2 for my two cardmaking buddies.

My first and simple version is the card front with several mat layers and a cardbase.  My second, and more elaborate version sports an embossed heart and places the card front and two matted layers on a Basket Weave Edged card base.  Take a look below at Version #1 and Version #2.  Version #2 also has a finished inside with a created verse.

Version #1

Version #2

Version #2 with completed inside

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla.  Washi Tape--Retro Fresh (2014-15 Annual/ retired).  Stamp--Best of Love (2013 Anniversary celebration Best of... stamps).  Ink--Melon Mambo.  Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots (retired). Punchs:  Full-Heart (retired); Boho Blossoms (smallest blossom- retired); What's Up? (arrow-retired).  Essentials Punch Pack (heart piercing).  Rhinestones.  Stash: crochet ribbon.  Punch: EK Medium Scallop Photo Corner.  Technique: Basket Weave edge (aka Braided Edge; aka Lattice Edge). Chatterbox verse.  Size: 5: x 5-1/2".  

Valentine Dots & Hugs for Friends!

I'm going to a Stampin' Up cardmaking event in the next week, and I wanted to make some Valentines cards for the two ladies our hostesses.  This was especially since I was unable to get my Christmas cards finished and mailed due to hand and bone issues where I was forced to wear thumb braces 24-7 to help try to get the pain and swelling under control.  I am now down to several hours a day without the braces, so I will take advantage of that time for cardmaking, and hope I do not find myself right back to the same issues all over again.  Meanwhile, a cortisone shot in my left thumb joint has helped considerably, which is my worst hand.

Moving on. . .  I decided to use the Basket Weave Edging (aka Braided Edge/ Lattice Edge) technique, which is fun to do and gives such an amazing look of added elegance to a card...at least in my humble opinion.  I want to enter my card into the Splitcoaststamper Alphabet Challenge for Letter D for DOTS, using a dot embossing folder to feature dots on my card, which also inspired my blog title, Valentine Dots & Hugs for Friends!

I also looked into other possible challenges to enter as well before beginning.  I was inspired to branch out in that I am not creating a card in the traditional Valentine colors of black, red, pink, or white.  Mine is to be sapphire blue, medium pink, and yellow and sports a peek-a-book washi tape heart.  I was inspired by the Inspiration Challenge Spoonflower website for my colors and the Ways to Use It for my peek-a-boo heart.

I created a peek-a-book heart window and used an embossing folder on the card front to create some dimension.  I threw in a little washi tape for added interest in the peek-a-book heart and the "hugs" die-cut sentiment!  Take a look below at my finished card; I made two identical cards for my hostess friends.  I'm sorry to say that I forgot to take a picture at the card interior designs with their personalized computer verse before I gave them away, so I am unable to share that with you.

Ingredients:  Cardstocks:  Stampin'Up--Whisper White, Pretty in Pink (retired); Recollections Cape Cod Blue pack (sapphire blue shade).  Stamps: Happy Day (flower center punched out).  Ink: Melon Mambo.  Dies:  Technique Tuesday--Di Heart Hugs.  Punches:  SU retired: Full Heart, Boho Blossom (medium flower); EK Medium Victorian Corner punch.  SU Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots (retired).  SU Washi Tape: Gingham Garden (2012-13 annual catalog).  SU Ribbon: 3/8" Pretty-in Pink Stitched Grosgrain (retired).  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Rhinestones.  Basket Weave Technique (aka Braided or Lattice Edge).  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-3/4."      

Liking That Christmas "Believe" Tag

I so liked my first card design made to accommodate the "Believe" tag I made at the Christmas tag-making event last year, that I decided to try other vellum patterns with my black and gold card. (Credit for the :"Believe" tag design belongs to Luci Kirschbaum...thanks Luci).   Check out my two additional black and gold creations with different vellums, which is your favorite?  (To see my first "Believe" card, see my post of December 6).

 But, why stop there...next I tried two more vellum patterns with a navy and silver version.  Now, which do you like...the black version or the navy version.  I have to admit, though the navy and silver are very nice, I still like the black version best.

Ingredients:
Black & Gold:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White, Gold Foil.  Winter Wonderland Vellum dsp stack (2015 Holiday).  Stamps--Lighthearted Leaves (sentiment-2015 Holiday).  Dies--Stars framelits.   Metallic Sequin Asst.  Black & Gold Thick Baker's Twine.  Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black.  Other:  EK punches--Victorian Corners, Arrow Border.  Stash--assorted brands of washi tape.  Dies--Savvy/ Ribbon Group (inside).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Navy & Silver:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Whisper White, Gold Foil.  Winter Wonderland Vellum dsp stack (2015 Holiday).  Stamps-- Lighthearted Leaves (sentiment-2015 Holiday).  Dies--Stars framelits.  Metallic Sequin Asst. (Navy = Copic colored).  Navy & White Baker's Twine.  Ink--Night of Navy.  Other:  EK punches--Victorian Corners, Arrow Border.  Dies--Savvy/ Ribbon Group.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

"Believe" Tag Becomes a Lovely Christmas Card

Once again, from the Christmas tag-making event that I attended last year, hosted by Dar Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum, I modified and turned a beautiful black and gold tag, whose original design must be credited to Luci.  This was my favorite of all tags, and I'm not sure why.  Maybe, it had to do with its black and gold colors, or the sentiment "Believe," or the stars..., OR, maybe it was a combination of all three!

First, I had to shorten the tag by over an inch, resulting in finished length of  4-3/4 inches.  Its original length was just too long to fit onto a card unless I wanted to make a very tall and narrow card, which I did not.  I actually like the tag shorter, as it caused all of the elements into a a more compact display with less white space.  To be able to shorten the tag, I moved the "Believe" sentiment closer to the toward the top, rearranged the metallic stars, and I made the washi tape angle just a bit more shallow.  My final touch was to make my tag string a bow instead of straight strands.  I liked the result just as well as the original...so I was ready to begin with making it into a card.

My card base would be black, and I found a gold metallic, small dot vellum that looked just right for the design I had in mind.  I added a black band across the lower half edged in a gold foil petite border punch and finished off the vellum corners with gold foil.  I am very happy with my card design and stoked with how well it displays this lovely tag.  (Thanks Luci for tag design that inspired my card).

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products - Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Gold Foil.  Winter Wonderland Vellum dsp stack (2015 Holiday).  Stamps: Lighthearted Leaves (sentiment-2015 Holiday).  Dies: Stars framelits.  Winter Wonderland Washi (2015 Holiday).  Metallic Sequin Asst. Black & White Baker's Twine.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Other - EK punches: Victorian Corners, Arrow Border.  Dies: Savvy Ribbon Group (inside).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

A Visit That Was Special...!

A card to let my brother and his wife know just how glad I was to visit with them while vacationing in California.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake.  Red Glimmer paper.  Stamps--Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk (sentiment).  Ink--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.  Punches:  Small Heart; Heart To Heart-small (retired).  Other products:  Dies--Spellbinders Nested Hearts-smallest.  EK Slot punch.  Zutter Corner Rounder.  May Arts: Twine.  3/8" Striped Ribbon.  Washi Tape.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-3/4".

The Card's Story & Other Tidbits

My Mom and I traveled to Nevada City, California to visit my brother Mike and his wife, Diane.  I wanted to send a homemade thank you to let them know just how much I enjoyed my visit.  I chose a card for them that Liz Thayer presented at a card class over two years ago.  I made a few changes to Liz's original design, as I thought it needed more color and a bit more embellishing.  I added a new cardbase color layer and tag layer in Chocolate Chip, and to the Cherry Cobbler Gorgeous Grunge lines, I also added Early Espresso stamped lines to the Cherry Cobbler stamped lines.  I popped on a few extra red glitter hearts.  I liked my additions and think Mike and Diane will be surprised and happy to receive their card.

I had not seen Mike for over two years, and because of Diane's illness and recovery, they were not able to make their planned trip to Redding early on in my visit.  So, what to do. . .we went to them with clear instructions. . .no elaborate planning for meals. . .a pizza, a late lunch out after church, leftovers, and a good-bye brunch out at the Humpty Dumpty, my treat would do very nicely.

Mike has just finished his 1951 Chevy coupe, which is a beautiful car.  But for Diane's illness, he would have been showing it off at Redding's Cool April Nights.  Here is a quick peek at a lot of hard work. . .no wonder he has arthritis in his hands!

 

Mike provided us with a quick trip up Hwy. 49 to visit the area my father grew up in, Pike, which has a population of about ten if that.  The property is still there with a family-owned trailor, but the old homestead burned down several years ago.  I remember visiting the old homestead as a little girl when Dad's family went deer hunting—dirt logging roads, no lights, and no plumbing—quite the adventure!

My Mom and I were able to make a trip to the Folsom Premium Outlets to visit the Sketchers Store, which Mom had been wanting to do for over three years.  From Mike's house, it was only an hour drive each direction, rather than the three-hour trip each direction from Redding.  We both found several pairs of Sketchers we absolutely could not do without. . .shoes, give me more shoes!  We had a delicious late lunch at Chili's, which neither of us had eaten at since Mom left Arizona about ten years ago!  All in all, it was a great day, the weather was balmy in the mid-80s,  and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.

Our nights were filled with playing Mexican Train, our family game that my Mom enjoys a lot.  She generally wins for some reason, but this time Mike took it home!  The leisurely pace of this game allows time for lots of catching up, great conversations, and a lot of joking around as well.   It was a great visit, and I hope to do it again on my next trip down to visit Mom.

Flurry of Wishes - Christmas X10 - Card #3

This will be Card #3 from the Christmas X10 card event. . .certainly another keeper!  This one is another look and style, showing off the Flurry of Wishes stamp and coordinating Snow Flurry punch.  I love the fact that this card uses the Falling Softly embossing folder, washi tape and sequins. It also uses a two-tone set of snowflakes.  It's a great look!    

I decided to deviate a bit from the original card design, by re-arranging the layout of my popped-up snowflake design and adding a fifth snowflake and more sequins.  I wasn't thrilled with the flakes lined up diagonally, so I decided to place them randomly on the card front.  I also like the use of odd numbers, thus why I used five snowflakes instead of four as in the original design!  How very feng shui of me. . .LOL!  Take a look at my feng shui card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up 2015 Holiday catalog:  Stamps/ Punch: Flurry of Wishes/ Snow Flurry.  Embossing Folder: Softly Falling.  Winter Wonderland Washi.  2014-15 Annual catalog:  Ink: Marine Mist. Metallics Sequins. Carstocks: Whisper White, Mint Macaron.