October Birthday with Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--Here's to You Alternative #1!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products--  Cardstock/ Papers: Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Copper Foil, Paper Pumpkin March 2021 - Here's to You--envelope inserts used as dsp.  Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays.  Dies:  Layering Circles Framelits (circles/ scallops).  Ink: Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso.   Embossing Folder: Coastal Weave 3D.   Other--  Trim: Maya Arts Hemp Twine.  Punch: EK Medium Scallop Corners.  Chatterbox verse (computer).  Size: 4-3/4x6-1/4-inches.

THE CARD STORY WITH CONSTRUCTION NOTES!

I have many October birthdays and time has marched along at quite a steady pace, so I must get started before I'm late!  My plan is to make a series of Alternative Paper Pumpkin cards, based on the March 2021 kit, Here's To You.  Early on when I subscribed to Paper Pumpkin, my purpose and focus was to get myself back into my craft room by challenging myself to make alternative designs rather than those provided in the kit instructions. 

Though I was not enamored with this kit when it first came, it grew on me as ideas began to percolate.  I was gifted refill kit, which would help with those ideas.  I've fussy-cutting parts of kits in the past to add layering and depth and I've loved the look it gave.  I realized that with kits, what was missing for me was that depth which many kits to not give because flat pictures that are many times part of kit designs.  

I decided that this particular kit's mountain-sunrise scene could make a nice masculine card, but without the Petal Pink edging!  Ugh!  As I wrestled with design thoughts, I pulled cardstocks of the prescribed companion colors.  I really loved the greens, blues, and blue-greens with both scenes provided in the kit.  I also found Copper foil looked absolute marvelous with these color combinations and the kit elements.  I would definitely include them all!  Here is what I did:

1.  Use two mountain-sunrise scenes to accomplish the layering I used.  On both mountain-sunrise scenes, I chopped off the Petal Pink cardstock surrounding the scenes in order to work with just the scenes alone.

2.  On one scene, I fussy-cut and removed the sunrise from the mountains, preserving the mountains and below as the top layer of scene.  I ink distressed and sponged these mountains lightly with Pretty Peacock near the top and edges only.  This brought more color, shadowing, and depth, plus when I used to offset layering for the mountains, it would give the whole scene more texture, depth, and definition.  We'll call these "#2 mountains" when referring to them below.

3.  With the second trimmed mountain-sunrise scene, stamped a set of birds from the kit stamp set with Early Espresso ink.  Let dry!!  Using a sponging brush, add a little color to the edge of the mountains with the Pretty Peacock ink.  (This can be difficult on a flat surface.)  Let dry!! 

4.  Now, it is time to glue your "#2 mountains" onto this new scene by positioning the "#2 mountains" about 1/16" below the ones on the newly sponged scene.  Whoa is me, and then I made a mistake!  When trying to glue the mountain layering, I accidentally ink-smudged the sun!  I had to use a new bottom scene, and once again, position my mountain layering.  Be sure to let all inks dry before working with the piece.

5.  Die-cut the double layer scene, created in #4 above, with a 2-7/8" circle die making sure to position the die so the sunrise and rays are preserved at the top.  Remember it is thicker than one piece of cardstock so you may have to work with your die-cutting sandwich if you cannot just use your regular 2 cutting plates.

6.  Take one of the evergreen tree die-cuts provided in the kit and fussy-cut off the three trees removing them from their land base.  Sponge Pretty Peacock ink onto the tree edges and surfaces (again for texture and depth).  Let the ink dry.

7.  Glue the trees to the left of the sunrise circle and trimmed their bottoms to fit the circle curve.  With Early Espresso ink, stamp a set birds flying near the mountains using the kit's stamp set. 

8.   Die-cut a 3-1/16" scalloped circle from copper foil to use as a border layer underneath.  Attached the copper scalloped circle underneath.  I was stoked with the results!  I really loved the look the foil gave!

9.  For your cardstock layers, cut an Old Olive card base, plus Pretty Peacock and Copper Foil pieces for added background layers.  My card base is 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  The other two layers are cut according to the amount of edge you want to shown between each layer.

10. For your patterned paper (dsp) card front layer, my card uses the kit's multi-colored rectangles envelope inserts.  

11. Next, cut a 1-1/4-inch wide Pretty Peacock band (length will be determined by your card front horizontal width).  Emboss with the Coastal Weave 3D embossing folder.  Adhere it to the card front dsp (see card picture for positioning). 

12. String three strands of hemp twine across Coastal Weave approximately 1/4-inch apart (see card picture for positioning).  Tie in the middle with a piece of twine to create the criss-cross configuration and then add more tied twine to make a thick knot for visual appeal. 

13.  Adhere all your layers on top of each other in this order:  layer 1 = Old Olive card base; layer 2 = Pretty Peacock; layer 3 = Copper foil; layer 4 = Dsp card front.

14.  With Pretty Peacock ink, stamp sentiment; let dry!  Add to a Pretty Peacock under layer. 

15. Finish the card by positioning and popping up the mountain-sunrise circle and the layered sentiment.  

 

I was super enthusiastic about my son's finished card made from a kit that I was originally super unenthusiastic about when I first received it in the mail!!  My son was super pleased with his card, but I wasn't super pleased that it ended up a little late!

Just an FYI, below is the kit's design version, using what I call the sunrise-mountain scene:

Something to Brighten Your Day!

I missed my Mom's birthday...shame on me!  I decided to send a little “I love you” card,  day brighter, belated birthday card, thinking of you card, and thank you card all rolled into one!  I also enclosed a little shopping money, hoping she might visit her favorite boutique and pick up a few pieces of jewelry, (she loves to add to her stash), or even some cardmaking supplies from Stampin' Up.  My Mom is a 96-year old youngster and still going strong.  She has always been able to shop the socks off of me that is for sure.

I made her card from the last pieces I had left from the June 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit.  This was the first kit I purchased, and I loved its bright and cheerful papers and sentiments.   Of course, I can never make the cards as they are suggested in the kit, and this one is no exceptions, though since it was my first kit, I did not make any extravagant additions.

Here is what I did to add more color and pizazz to my card.  I enlarged my card to 4-3/4 x 6-inches by adding a new black card base and Poppy Parade color layer underneath the simulated alcohol-ink background paper provided.  I added some ink-distressing to the paper edges and sequins to add sparkle.  I finished off an inside design and verse to suit the occasion.  I was happy with the additions as it really made my cards POP!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  June 2020 PP Box of Sunshine--AI-style dsp, black & white dot dsp, sentiment stamp/ die-cut shape, and lemon die-cuts.  Cardstock--Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, and Gold Foil.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; ColorBox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (edge distressing).  SU: Artistry in Bloom Sequins.  EK Corner Punch--Victorian Medium.  Chatterbox Computer verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6-1/4". 

Warm Up with Christmas Mittens!

I needed more Christmas cards for my stash.  I decided to check out my Christmas scraps to see if there were any pieces that I could use for another card.  I found the sentiment stamped vanilla strip, the stamped/die-cut mittens, and the scalloped cherry cobbler circle.  I had written Gumball Green on the back of the mitten die-cuts, so I would know what color of ink they were stamped with, which helped me locate an old 2012 Christmas dsp that I thought would look great with my pieces.  This gave me some building blocks for card design ideas.  

Next, I visited my list of old Challenge Catch-ups for inspiration on just what I might need to do to meet some challenges and lots of ideas began to percolate!  Take a look at my finished card...I was happy with the finished design and salvaging and cleaning out some old scraps that either needed to be used or tossed!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, and Silver Foil.  Patterned dsp--Be of Good Cheer.  Stamp--Make A Mitten... Punch--Mitten Builder, 2-3/8" Scallop. Embossing Folder--Snowburst (scallop-punched border). Rhinestones. 

A Sea Life Birthday to You!

 My daughter-in-law's birthday is in a few days, so I needed to get busy with a card.  My son built her a fish pond in their backyard a few years ago, so I thought a card using the new Stampin' Up Seascape stamps and Sea Life dies, which includes a koi-style fish, would make a great card!  I saw two cards that gave me great ideas for using this stamp and die set.

I borrowed some of the colors and card design from Luci Kirschbaum's Sea Life card from a card class from several months ago, plus from SCS Featured Stamper ksenzak1/ Karen Ksenzakovic's Sparkly Fish Birthday card.  Here is a link to my card with a link in challenge #7 to Karen's card: (under construction).

I used the school of fish stamp, bubbles, and the small fish and sparkly goldfish dies from idea cards.  My card changed up the fish and bubble layout, plus I added a gold foil die-cut mat, and  grassy overlays for more texture and dimension.  I wanted depth and texture in my card without using the diorama dies, so I added a wonky stitching gold foil mat layer and two-layer sea grass to the card front.  I accomplished the grass overlays by stamping the first layer onto the card front with a very light stamp-off technique.   I also stamped my fish schools and water bubbles at this point as well.  Then, I  stamped a second set of sea grass onto scrap cardstock and fussy-cut each blade overlaying with a slight offset onto those already stamped on the card front.  Now I was ready to add the die-cut fish, my goldfish, the bubble gems and the happy birthday sentiment.  Take a peak below at the finished card plus the inside design and verse.  I think Ginger will be pleased with her pond-life card!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Mint Macaron, Just Jade, Bumblebee, Gold Foil, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Seascape, Peaceful Moments (sentiment).  Dies--Sea Life, Stitched So Sweetly (sentiment).  Ink--Mint Macaron (fish/ bubbles), Tranquil Tide (grasses--stamped off, sentiment).  Genial Gems--mint macaron, pale papaya.  Other:  EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Reverse Confetti--All Framed Up Confetti Dies.

Non-Traditional Christmas Dove!

More Christmas cards to do!!  This card's original design idea came from my Stampin' Up hostess duo's 2020 Covid Christmas Card Make-It @ Home Kits, by Dar Peterson.  It was time to get the last card finished and posted.  I tweaked the card to fit the ideas circulating in my head: enlarged the card, tweaked the dove placement, added more gems, more silver foil, and changed-up color layers...  explanations below:

I scrapped the white cardbase, changing to the dove's Roccoco Rose and enlarging the card to 4-3/4" x 6", which I prefer.  I enlarged my border layers to 1/4" on the bottom two color layers.  I added a silver foil sentiment backing to coordinate with the silver olive branch in the dove's beak.  I added three vertical rhinestones to the upper left corner, coordinating with those in the sentiment.

As I "tweaked and built" this card, its color scheme grew on me.  At first, I wasn't sure I even like it, though I loved the card design.  Now, several months later, I actually really liked it!  Thanks Dar for the original card design and always encouraging us to change-up, tweak, and "build" our cards to fit our own creativity!  See my finished card below: 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Roccoco Rose, Gray Granite, Whisper White.  Ink--Gray Granite.  Patterned Paper--In Good Taste dsp.  Stamps/ Dies--Dove of Hope (sentiment)/ Detailed Dove, Wreath Builder, Ornate Frames (sentiment shape).  Basic Rhinestones.  Recycle: Silver Foil (from package backing).

A Glitzy Joy to the World!

"Christmas in July" is a common cardmaking theme during the month of July.  If we haven't already started our Christmas stash by July, many of us feel July is a "must do" month to start making Christmas cards in order to have enough finished without frenzy setting in later in the fall because time has run away from us and we'll never get it all done!  Since I saw numerous challenges involving Christmas cards throughout July, I became curious what inspired the theme "Christmas in July."  Lo and behold, there really are people who celebrate Christmas in July and there really is a tradition!

It turns out the very first Christmas in July was celebrated 88 years ago at an all-girls' summer camp at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina.  This first July Christmas happened in the summer of 1933 and was celebrated with carolers, a Christmas tree, fake cotton snow, a gift exchange, and even a surprise visit from Santa Claus!  As "Christmas in July" took place each year thereafter, a movie was  actually made in 1940 with that title.  Throughout the years, the tradition is becoming more and more popular each year in various places throughout the world, and a strong tradition is firmly in place. 

Australia has a British and European heritage, so there is a strong attachment to celebrating Christmas in cold weather.  "Christmas in July" is known as Yulefest or Yuletide in Australia, and it is celebrated on July 25th.  It is also celebrated in the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, and even parts of the U.S.   I even noticed some sales in my area this year in July entitled "Christmas in July!"  Heaven help us...another reason for a sale...another reason to shop!

I wanted to make a "Christmas in July" card, and I had an idea for it.  I decided to use a design from an October 2020 card by Luci Kirschbaum, which was included in a Covid Christmas Card kit that she and her Stampin' Up partner, Dar Peterson, made available to purchase by their Stampin' Up friends.  As many of you know, my "edit mode" switches on whenever I'm completing a card from someone else's design, and this card was no exception as lots of ideas percolated in my brain as I made her original kit card.

I wanted to kick in my "Challenge Catch-up" cardmaking as well, so I research old and new challenges at Splitcoaststampers that I had not participate in and came up with a number of changes I could make to fit the challenges, plus add my own percolated thoughts for changes/ additions to Luci's design.  Thus, I've adapted and jazzed up Luci's original design and posted my changes below. 

For more color, I added two card layers below Luci's red cardbase in Garden Green and Copper foil.  I made my red panel edges smaller than those on the original card.  I added a white designer punched border to the left of the patterned paper panel and a horizontal ribbon band.  I dropped my cascading snowflakes down about 1/2-inch, starting below the ribbon band.  I also added a copper and white layered fishtail panel with a snowflake embellishment for my sentiment.  I was really please with the details added, which made the card more interesting, colorful, and eye-appealing in my humble opinion.  Take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin Up products: Cardstock--Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Copper Foil.  Patterned paper--Brightly Gleaming Specialty dsp. Stamps--Itty Bitty Christmas. Dies--Christmas Layers. Ink--Mossy Meadow. Punch--Pinking Hearts Border (ret.). Ribbon--3/8" Red Double-Stitched Satin.  Other: Recollection Bitty Snowflake punch.

A Little Happy Birthday to Sister-in-Law #3

 This is my Sister-in-Law #3 birthday card needed in early July. This was a series of alternative card designs I made from the SU 2019 Made to Bloom card kit.  For this card, I used patterned paper, floral pieces, ink, and the sentiment stamp from the kit.  

I added a Poppy Parade cardbase and a gold foil layer.  I also die-cut a gold foil frame from two different die sets and combined them for a new look.  One is a stitched inverted scallop framing die and the other a stitched oval that I encased around the stitched-scalloped frame, making it double stitched.  I love stretching my materials to make something new!  I also fussy cut the two oval floral wreaths removing the two smaller bouquets to place around my gold framing.  I added some Acrylic Glitter Glaze to the floral centers for some added sparkle, plus some scattered gold gem dots.  I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Next, I worked on the inside, making up a computer verse and printing it in a purple shade to match the Blackberry Bliss ink on the front sentiment.  I added a matching patterned paper used on the front, the verse, and some gold foil punched corners with little floral rhinestones.  Take a peek below at the finished inside and out:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Poppy Parade. Made in Bloom kit (2019)--pattern paper, floral pieces sentiment stamp.  Ink--Blackberry Bliss. Gilded Gems--gold.  Other: Recollections Gold Foil. MFT dies--Stitched Oval Scalloped Frame, Stitched Ovals. Sargent Art Acrylic Glitter Glaze.  Inside: EK--Victorian Corner punch. Busy Kids Camp--Floral Rhinestones. Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Magical Birthday Wishes!

My oldest daughter's birthday is at the end of June, but we delayed her family birthday celebration until mid-July as my husband (her father) had knee replacement on her birthday, and a week later, he ended up returning to the hospital for another week with gastric complications.  By mid-July, we were ready to host a barbecue to celebrate Michele and her Dad's continued recovery.  Needless to say, I needed to finish her birthday card!

I have written several times about our little unicorn, Michele's 20-month old, little daughter, so dubbed during her stay in the NICU after her birth.  Because her veins were so small, her care team inserted her intravenous application into a vein in her head, which stuck up almost straight up, giving her the look of a unicorn with its cute little horn.  My inspiration for Michele's card came from this scenario.  I have acquired a multitude of stamps and dies with a unicorn theme because of this story that became part of our lives, and I thought it time the mother of our unicorn received her very own  unicorn card!  Take a look at Michele's finished card both inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  apers--Bermuda Bay cs, White Glimmer, Vellum. Stamps (2019-21)--Leave a Little Sparkle, New Wonders. Dies--Stitched Shapes--sm. circle. Embossing Powder--White. Ink--Smokey Slate. Ribbon--1/4" Snowflake Splendor (2020 Holiday). Wink of Stella-Clear. Glitter--Iridescent (ret.)  Other: Paper--Recollections 12x12--Mom's Diner/ Salt. Copic Markers. EK punch--Victorian Corners. Chatterbox Computer Verse. Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #3

My third Father's Day card needed is for my husband!  Guess what!  It will be Alternative #3 card using the May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up!  As you have all probably realized by now, an Alternative card using any kit is one that you make your own design using either all kit elements or part kit elements and part other elements.  It is not a reproduction of the card designs provided in the kit itself, although it could possibly be a you CASE one of the original kit designs.  I see a lot of cardmakers like myself who are obviously challenged to make their own designs rather than use those provided.

My Batter Up! cards have all used additional cardstocks and patterned papers, because we live fairly close to Seattle, Washington where the Seattle Mariners play, and their team colors are not at all similar to the colors provided in the kit, except luckily the die-cut sentiments are in a sponged gray background with blue-inked sentiments.  Both of these colors are part of the Mariners colors, but the reds, yellow-golds, and kraft colors also in the kit do not fit so well.  

One die-cut was a replica of a trading card with yellow-gold framing and the word League in red.  I wanted to use this for my husband's card, so I used a black Sharpie to very carefully re-color League.  Success!  I did NOT color outside the lines!  I fussy-cut off the yellow-gold frame and re-mounted it onto a two-layered panel set in navy blue and a Mariners green patterned paper.  I stamped "DAD" from the Hats Off stamp set in the current SU annual catalog and popped it on my newly framed trading card,  The baseball hat was stamped with the kit stamp set onto navy blue cardstock and outlined in a Black Journal pen.  I was able to use one of the patterned card front panels provide in the kit...a blue and light gray mottled white pin stripes., plus added some cardstock layers below.  Take a peek at my finished card...inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide, Smokey Slate (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2019-20). Stamps--Hats Off (stamp-DAD). Ink--Tranquil Tide, Balmy Blue (hat stamping). Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--pin-striped paper, stamps (hat), Baseball Card die-cut (modified).  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored Dk. Blue). Journal Pen-Black (hat markings).  Other: Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners. Colorbox Ink--Charcoal (ink distressing).  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.

A Sunny Hello for a Fast Recovery!

I wanted to participate in the SCS Teapot Tuesday Challenge--6/22/21 for the husband of SCS friend, Sharon Madson.  Larry broke his hip recently and is feeling rather housebound and in need of cheering up, and I have the perfect card that I started back in August last year but stopped almost immediately.  It is  from my very first Paper Pumpkin card kit, entitled A Box of Sunshine...une boîte de soleil.  I stopped because I knew I couldn't just follow the kit design...it needed more layers to satisfy me.  I didn't have the right supplies with me, because I was on a crafting trip with my Mom and sister in Oregon. 

 
I'm remembered this card that I never got back to finishing because of the challenge requirements...it is the perfect cheerful Hello card to put a smile on Larry's face. Though I remember the challenge requirements for a cheerful, thinking of you, hello, hugs, and etc. card, what I did not remember was that our challenge hostess wanted us to think French when making our cards as well.  Suggestions were to think Eiffel Tower, French flag...blue, white, and red, French wine/cheese, a French painter, a French singer or song, etc.  She even provided a French song/ video, La Tendresse by Bourvil that we might use as inspiration, but it didn't inspire a sun-themed card, and I was determined to use the sunshine/ hello card I had in mind. 

I had an idea that led me to search for a possible French song that would inspire a sun-themed card.  I found a lovely song that really enchanted me entitled, The French Song...When the Sun Says Good-day to the Mountains sung by Lucille Starr.  It a beautiful song, and I played and listened to the video/song several times while completing Larry's card.  The song has stuck with me (in the English version, but I actually prefer it in French ), and I find it replaying in my head at odd times of the day!

I've successfully added two more layers comprising a new black cardbase and a golden dot panel below the sun rays paper provided by the kit.  I really like how the black makes the sunshine and black dotted paper POP.  My only other change was to drop my horizontal band and sun a tad lower...I thought it balanced the card better.  Take a peek at Larry's card...I hope it lifts his spirits and he like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic Black, Whisper White.  Kit--June 2020 Paper Pumpkin/ Box of Sunshine--Gold metallic sun ray paper, stamps (Hello), sun diecut, black/white dotted strip, fishtail banner.  Artistry in Bloom sequins.  Other:  Patterned paper layer--Pebbles Basic 12x12 Paper Pad (dots).  Colorbox Ink--Chestnut Roam (ink distressing).  EK punch--Victorian Corners.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size--4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #2

 My second Father's Day card will be for my son-in-law.  Once again, I will use the May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up! card kit, but making my own Alternative #2 card design totally unrelated to those provided in the kit.  I will use the Seattle Mariners as the theme for this card as I did on the card for my son.

I will use papers and inks not provided in the kit for the Seattle Mariners team colors, as the kits was off on another color journey totally unrelated to Mariner colors.  I was able to use the pocket die-cut, baseball, bats, and the stamps provided in the kit.  I also used the SU - Hats Off / Hat Builder stamps for the #1 (stamp) and the baseball hat (a die).  Take a peek at my finished card.  I think Josh will like it.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide (inside) Smokey Slate (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2018-19). Stamps/ Dies--Hats Off/ Hat Builder dies (stamp-#1+die-hat). Ink--Tranquil Tide. Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--stamps, baseball, bats, gray pocket.  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots (Copic colored Dk. Blue).  Other: Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Copic Markers.  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches.

Mother's Day for My Youngest Daughter

Our family decided to celebrate Mothers' Day and Father's Day together for several reasons. . .not everyone's double COVID vaccine would be optimally effective, plus there were so many mothers to celebrate, it just seemed the best solution to make it easier on everyone!  Here's the problem. . .did I remember this particularly important fact when it came to making the cards needed for this celebration?  NO!  I had just finished my third Father's Day card when I realized I should have made three Mother's Day cards as well.  Simultaneously, I also realized that I just had no time to fit them in before the week-end!  

Not the optimum solution, but this is how I solved my dilemma with no time to make three more cards. . .  My  youngest daughter, Jackie, lives the furthest away, and therefore, not as easy to just pop over to make a belated card delivery, which was my plan for the other two.  My oldest daughter and daughter-in-law live within a 10-minute drive from me.  So, I focused on at least getting Jackie's card done and delivered at our family barbeque event.  Another reason I chose her is that Jackie will be celebrating her third Mother's Day, and I have not yet been able to spend this holiday with her as I have with the other two. 

 

Back in May when we delayed our Mother's Day celebrations, I had already decided to do a flower garden theme for all my family Moms.  I had just bought a new Mother's Day die that I was anxious to incorporate in some manner.  For Jackie's card, I decided to use some papers and florals from Stampin' Up's Made to Bloom card kit from the 2019 Occasions catalog.  One thing that I've noticed is that there haven't been many who have branched out and made other alternative designs than those provided in the original kit.  But, if you've followed me at all, you know that I just can't make the card designs provided in the kits.  I usually make alternative designs before the kit designs, and this card is no exception.

For my card front design, I love layers, so I added a Blackberry Bliss cardbase and a gold foil mat layer before adding a third layer of one of the patterned papers provided in the kit.  I added a gold foil horizontal band to anchor the kit-provided gold-edged floral bouquet, plus I ink-distressed its edges.  My finishing touch was to sprinkle on a few gems for interest.  I decided to incorporate that new Mother's Day die on the inside as the sentiment and "verse" combined...how pretty it is in the gold foil!  Take a look below at the inside and outside finished card.  I think my youngest daughter will enjoy her card.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Made to Bloom Card Kit (2019 Occ./ retired)--BG patterned paper, Gold foil-edged flowers.  Cardstocks--Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Gold Foil.  Ink--Crumb Cake (ink distressing).  Gems--Glitter Enamel Dots.  Punch--Curvy Corner Trio (retired).  Other: Sargent Art--Acrylic Glitter Glaze (flower centers).  Papertrey Ink die--To Die for Sentiments--Happy Mother's Day die.  Size--4-3/4 x 6 inches.

June Brings a Birthday for Sister-in-Law#2

As mentioned in the past, I have eight sister-in-laws...most from my husband's side of the family.  I keep track of them by numbers based on their birth date in chronological order.  The first sister-in-law birthday of each year is my brother's wife in May, and she is sister-in-law #1.  For June, we celebrate sister-in-law #2 and her birthday is coming soon.  Once again, I decided to use the Made to Bloom kit, making my own design.

From the kit, I used the calypso coral patterned paper, the pink scalloped panel, and part of the floral wreath.  I fussy-cut an arc of flowers off the wreath to use on the sentiment focal oval.  The cardstocks, die, stamp, embellishments, and glitter glaze were all additions I added to make my design alternative.   I used the glitter glaze on the flower centers to add a bit of shine.

It's fun to use kits in ways not provided and see what you can come up with yourself other than the designs provided.  Take a look below at my finished card inside and out for sister-in-law #2.  I think she will like it!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White, Pretty-in-Pink (ret.).  Made in Bloom kit (2019):  patterned paper layers, floral piece.  Ink--Blackberry Bliss.  Ribbon--1/4" White Crinkled Seam Binding.  Sequins--Artistry in Bloom.  Other: Stamps--Penny Black-Sweet Wishes.  Dies--Spellbinders Floral Ovals; Lawn Fawn Fancy Scallop Rectangle.  EK Punch--Scalloped Corners (inside).  Sargent Art Acrylic Glitter Glaze.  Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6-inches.

Batter Up! Father's Day Alternative #1

When I got my May 2021 Paper Pumpkin - Batter Up!, it was all about baseball.  Right then and there, I decided I needed to use the kit to make my Father's Day cards!   Father's Day will soon be upon us and I have three cards to make, so I'd best get started.

The team in our neighborhood is the Seattle Mariners.  The Mariners colors are: Navy, Metallic Silver (gray), Northwest Green (teal-tone green), and Cream, with the accent color Mariner's Yellow.  Unfortunately, the Paper Pumpkin kit colors are navy, red, golden yellow, pacific blue, gray, kraft, and white; therefore, all three of my card will be my own alternative designs for sure, as the kit designs are sure to use colors that do not fit our team colors!

My first card will be for my youngest son, and he is long-time Mariners baseball fan.  His card is definitely my own design and not even close to a CASE of any kit design.  These are the kit materials that I've used:  four precut die-cuts--the "All Star tag," two bats, and a baseball, plus kit stamps for baseball cap and DAD sentiment.  Added materials are:  navy cardstock, gray cardstock, green teal-tone dsp, wood plank stamp, ink (SU: Tranquil Tide, Balmy Blue), and epoxy stars (Copic colored green).  I'm pretty happy with the results, and I think my son will be pleased...take a peek below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Smokey Slate, Tranquil Tide (inside). Patterned Paper--Regals 6x6 dsp-Shaded Spruce (2019-20). Ink--Tranquil Tide, Smokey Slate, Balmy Blue (hat stamping). Paper Pumpkin/June 2021--Batter Up! Kit--stamps, baseball, bats, All Star die-cut.  Stars--Itty Bitty Epoxy Accents (Copic colored Dk. Green). Journal Pen-Black (hat markings).  Other: MFT Stamp--6x6 BG--Wood Plank. Papertrey die--To Die for Sentiments/-Happy Father's Day (inside). EK Punch--Victorian Corners.  Colorbox--Chestnut Roan (ink distressing).  Wink of Stella--Clear. Size--4-3/4x6 inches. 

A Ballerina for Amara's Birthday, Too!

My oldest son's fiance has two adult children. Her daughter has a daughter who was born between my granddaughter #2 and granddaughter #3.  She is a wee little thing, and my granddaughter #3, who is five months younger, is at least three inches taller!  We consider Amara our adopted granddaughter #4, and she needed a birthday card for her second birthday in early June.  Needless to say, she needed a ballerina birthday card as well!

To decide what colors her ballerina would feature, I asked what colors of clothing Amara looked the very best in...the answer was turquoise (aqua) and yellow.  So, a two-tone card Amara would get.  I used an SU retired Tempting Turquoise cs and Crushed Curry.  patterned paper I chose was a little pale, so I sponged Daffodil Delight ink over the surface.  Since I made the last ballerina card for Evie, I purchased the body parts that I spoke of in the first ballerina card made (see it here: A Ballerina Birthday for Callie!); therefore, this little girl has real arms and a real torso, and legs, which are hidden below her clothing!  Other than these added body-shaped parts, there is very little difference in construction.  Take a peek below at Ballerina card #4 in light turquoise and yellow:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise (ret.), Whisper White.  Patterned Paper--All Abloom dsp stack (2014-15).  Ink: Daffodil Delight (sponging).  Pearls-mini--Copic colored.  Other:  DCWV Glitter stack--Turquoise-oval frame/ Yellow-skirt.  American Crafts POW--Marine Glitter paper (bodice/ balloon).  Dies--Alina Crafts--Ballerina, Doll Body Set; Spellbinders--Floral Ovals, Petite Ovals Large; Lawn Fawn--Party Balloons; MemoryBox--Varsity Numbers; Autone dies (Amazon): Balloon Message Strings (happy birthday sentiment). EK punch--Victorian Corners (inside).  Ribbon--Offray 1/2" Turquoise Organza (lengthwise 1/2 cut).  Copic Markers.  Wink of Stella: Black   Stash--Balloon strings--Lyon Sparkly Mini Yarn; Glitter Tulle--turquoise/ yellow.  Chatterbox Verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6-1/4".