A Man Card- Only Good Times

In and among all the retirees at my place of work, a kind gentleman co-workers found a job closer to home and left our business.  He was always willing to work hard and was one of the people who warmly greeted me when I arrived.  I am sad for me, but happy for him.  So, I made a card...  This card features a brown Archival Ink stamped set of my Once Upon a Time stamp and die pieces with matching green and blue cardstock backgrounds.  All of these die cuts were cut using the same die.  The patterned paper had the green edge so I fussy cut it out, stamped the sentiment and used it like a ribbon, only manly.  My distress tool chewed up the edges so the card didn't look too pretty and I smeared some Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Faded Jeans Distress ink all over the paper.  I was really pleased how this turned out.

Hoping the new job is prosperous and enjoyable.  I, myself am off to work with Heartfelt Creations today at a local stamp convention.  I'm so excited- I get to help them sell product for the day.  Squeal....

I'm also linking this up over at Simon Says Stamp's challenge: Just a Hint of Clover and on Word Art Wednesday's  Challenge #173: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun.

Another Goodbye Card

Stopping by today to share another retirement card for a co-worker.  I once again returned to the Heartfelt Creations Once Upon a Time collection to make this card special.  Here's the details of the card:

• All the patterned papers are Heartfelt Creations Once Upon a Time collection.  I fussy cut the green swirl out of a piece of the patterned paper.  
• The flowers are Arianna Blooms which I've clear embossed onto mauve cardstock and then die cut.  I used the paper shaping technique featured in this video and then finished them with a pearl accent.  
• The sentiments are the tags that come in the paper pack which I matched with green pattern paper leaves die cut using the Arianna Lace die.
• A white cardstock die cut using my Raindrops on Roses die creates the medallion backdrop for the flowers.  
• I used my distressing tool to nick the paper in strategic locations around the layers.  I really like this look as it adds a bit of interest without a lot of effort.

This card was for a different Barb who also spent several decades at my company.  I am hoping this finds her happily sipping a cocktail!

I've entered this card into Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge: Anything Lady/Girly and the Shabby Tea Room's challenge: Pop of Pink.  I also linked up with Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #173: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun or just stop by to see some wonderful inspiration.

Saying Goodbye to a CoWorker

I started a new job last year and found that many of my co-workers have been at this company for more than a decade.  It wasn't too long before a few of them decided that retirement was for them.  Since I had made my boss' day card, I was soon asked to make a card for those leaving.  This resulted in a string of requests that I am working feverishly to fulfill.  Enthusiastically, feverishly!

This card was made for a lovely young lady whose last day was yesterday.  We sent her off with well wishes hoping that her hard earned retirement will be satisfying and productive, just in a new way. She had been with the company since the start 30 years ago.  Here's the details of the card:

• All the patterned papers are Heartfelt Creations Once Upon a Time collection.  I used one of the card toppers for the top layer of the card and some of the patterned papers for the layers.
• The flowers are Arianna Blooms which I've clear embossed onto mauve cardstock and then die cut.  they are finished with some Vintage Photo Distress ink which was resisted by the clear emboss and the centers are finished with A Penny Saved prills.    
• The sentiment is one of the tags that come in the paper pack which I matched with green leaves die cuts.  The leaves are also edged with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
• A cream cardstock die cut using my Raindrops on Roses die which I cut in half and affixed to the top and bottom finishes the card nicely.  

Wishing Barb all the best on her coming adventures.

I'm  entering this in Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge: No Rules!  and the Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes and over at Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #172: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun!

Such a Sweet Little Angel

Friends of ours welcomed their first grand baby a little while ago.  Oh goodie- a chance to break out my Heartfelt Creations Sweet Lullaby stamp set!  Here's the details:

• The sentiments were stamped in black Archival ink using my Sweet Lullaby stamp set and die cut using my Once Upon a Time die.  
• A white cardstock lacey circle die cut is edged with Worn Lipstick Distress ink which is layered onto top of a patterned paper Labels 18 die cut edged in Scattered Straw Distress ink.
• The flowers are stamped in black Archival ink using my Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower stamp and die.  They are colored with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and the centers are variegated prills.  
• The sprigs are cut from green cardstock using my Arianna Lace die.  
• Finally, the butterflies are cut from the same paper pad of patterned paper- MME's The Sweetest Thing Lavender using my Prickly Pear mini butterflies die accented with some pearls.  This die is just so cute- I've used it a lot lately and can't seem to get away from it...

Such a beautiful card, but that baby girl Evie is even more beautiful.  I have prayed for this young lady's safe arrival and gladly turn to praying for her and her entire family to enjoy this precious time.

I'm entering this card in the City Crafter Challenge Blog: Week #250 Use It Up.  I used leftover die cut butterflies, flowers, and even the Sweet Lullaby pieces were leftover from a previous stamping project.

I'm also entering this in Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge: No Rules!  I just had a ton of fun making this card with my scraps and decided to share it there too.

Come on over and join the fun!

Sweet Little Angel Card

I apologize for the tilt on this photo.  Don't know what I was thinking- probably rushing the photo taking process.  The card turned out lovely enough that I just had to share it even though the photo is less than stunning!

Here's the details-

• The patterned paper is from the stash- I think these were actually scraps from the heap.  It's a different color combo for a baby girl card but that's why I picked it.  
• The sentiments were stamped in black Archival Ink using the Heartfelt Creations Sweet Lullaby stamp set and then die cut with the Once Upon a Time die.  I colored the flower with a Worn Lipstick Distress Marker.  
• The focal image is stamped onto watercolor paper using black Archival Ink using my Crafter's Companion Two Bad Mice stamp.  
• I colored the image with my Distress Markers using the watercoloring technique- Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Squeezed Lemonade, and Worn Lipstick. The image was then die cut with my Our Daily Bread Designs Elegant Ovals.  A coordinating piece of cardstock was also cut with a larger die.
• A small piece of organza ribbon was then tied in a bow and adhered with Crystal Accents.

This card I do have a purpose for.  I need to get it off in the mail.  Headed there now.

Baby Bundle of Joy Card

I had picked up Heartfelt Creations Sweet Lullaby stamp set and thought I should give it a whirl, though I don't immediately have a need for a baby card.  Thus, this creation was born.  Here's the details:

• The patterned paper is from the stash- an old paper pack from Hobby Lobby.  I was drawn to the contrast between the browns and light blue.  
• The sentiments were stamped in black Archival Ink and then die cut with the Once Upon a Time die.  
• A second run through the Grand Calibur with coordinating light blue cardstock with the die produced the stunning background to the Bundle of Joy sentiment.  I added some Vintage Photo Distress Ink to soften the edges and blend the blues.  

On the inside, it was some more of the coordinating patterned paper from the paper pad and one last sentiment.  I really liked how this turned out and am now looking for a wee little one to send it off in honor of their arrival.

A Most Happy Birthday Card

My husband is going to celebrate a birthday next week.  I sat down this weekend to make a card to celebrate his birthday.  I reached for my supplies and a Mojo Monday sketch and this is what I whipped up.  Here's the details:

• The patterned papers are from an Authentique Seasons 6 x 6 paper pad.  I believe these come from the summer and winter sets. All papers are edged in Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
•  The clock was stamped and cut with my Numeral Clocks stamp and Once Upon a Time die.  They were stamped in brown Archival Ink.
• The sentiment came from a Fiskars set from the stash and is stamped in brown Archival Ink.  

• On the inside is a lovely quote and my heartfelt sentiment printed out using my computer.

 I hope he likes it.  I also hope he's not suddenly checking out my blog.  Since I used the sketch Mojo Monday #349, I've linked up with them for the week.  I've also linked this card up over at Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday blog: Father's Day - Masculine and Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #135- Anything Goes.  Come on over to get inspired and join the fun. It just so happens that I needed to make both a masculine and a father's day card this weekend!

A Father's Day Card

With my grandparent's recent visit, we did a little early celebration for Father's Day.  This way my grandpa would get a personal recognition we can't do on the actual Sunday in June.  Here's the details:

•  The clocks were stamped with my Numeral Clocks stamp using brown Archival Ink and them die cit with the coordinating Once Upon a Time die.  Each piece was edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
• The background circles were cut with the Once Upon a Time die from textured cardstock.  
• The patterned paper is from a very old pad of Colorbok paper.  I used a chevron stencil to create the brown and blue Ink Monoprint behind the clock cluster. 
• The sentiment was stamped with the same Close to My Heart Moonstruck ink using my Simon Says Stamp set Very Special.  

• On the inside I created this word art using text boxes in Word.  The circles are independent circular text boxes with no words inside.  The sentiment is a separate box with no border and no fill.  The font used is Algerian and I played with the color and size til it filled the smaller circle.  I've printed a couple of these and intended to make a few more cards.  

I've linked this card up over at Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday blog: Father's Day - Masculine and Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #135- Anything Goes.  Come on over to get inspired and join the fun.  The real Father's Day is coming soon.  Are your cards ready?

A Manly Thinking of You

Just a quick post today to share a manly card I made for my husband, Dan, to send to his dad.  We've had some concerning health information and just wanted to send a little note of encouragement and thoughtfulness.  Enter my Authentique Seasons paper pad, specifically the Autumn papers.  I needed a focal point to anchor the sentiment (a Market Street Stamps sentiment!) stamped in Fired Brick Distress Ink.  I reached for my Once Upon a Time stamps and die from Heartfelt Creations which I stamped in Vintage Photo Distress Ink before die cutting the images out.  I distressed the pocket watch with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Ink and then layered the image with some foam squares to add a little depth.  I edged the sentiment with the same inks. 

Simple, but hopefully thoughtful and a little something to brighten a day.  Now, that was worth a little time!

Like Clockwork

I picked up a paper pack of Authentique Grace collection- 8 x 8 double sided patterned papers, coordinating tags and other embellishments, and word/alphabet stickers.  It was in the clearance bin of my local LSS.  I can't imagine why.  Still, my good fortune. 

I thought I'd join in with Simon Says Stamp's Tick Tock Challenge.  I recently had the great fortune to help out Heartfelt Creations at a local stamp show.  They needed register help and so I work Saturday and Sunday to help fellow crafty addicts purchase more products than we need.  As a result, I was able to pick up the March release of Heartfelt Creations Once Upon a Time stamp and die set before it's release.  The vintage clock was stamped with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  It created a very antique feel as the water based ink "beaded" a bit before stamping the image.  I die cut the clocks out and then layered various pieces (the die cuts +10 clocks with one pass of the die) using foam squares.  The leaf was cut using Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf die.  All papers are from the collection and are edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The sentiment was stamped using Our Daily Bread Designs Ornate Border Sentiments. 

I'm linking this up over at the challenge.  There's only a little time left, but come join the fun!