Celebrating 90 Rich Years

I had previously mentioned that we took a trip up to Colorado to celebrate by grandfather, Bob's, 90th birthday.  It is such a rare and special thing to be in your mid-forties and still have active, engaged and independent grandparents.  My grandparents still live on their own, though there are some of us who wish they would allow more help with the daily maintenence in their lives.  Not going to complain though because my kids still have an active relationship with their great-grandparents.  Precious!

I made this card as invitations to the big shindig.  It needed to be simple because I had to make 30 of them.  Here's the details:

• The patterned paper is from the stash.  I'm going to admit to having that stack of paper for more than a decade.  Long story short- a local manufacture went out of business and had a garage sale.  All you could stuff into one bag for a low price.  I stuffed shrinkwrapped stacks of 25 pieces of paper into that bag- I probably have the majority of it in the stash to this day.  What was I thinking?!!!?  More importantly, why keep it this long? 'Course there's a big part of me that says- just for such an occassion. I know, right?!  It's a sickness.
• The cardstock is a mish-mash of scraps and cardstock from the stash.  Here's a tip- those scraps went further than I thought they would.  Other than the glue tape to put it all together, I made 30 cards for the cost of the pre-made card/envelope set (with a coupon $6).  Everything else came from the stash...  Not all yellows were the same card to card, etc.  But no one knows the difference because each person only gets one invitation.
• The nine and zero were cut using one of my ancient Quickutz Sophie dies.
• The sentiment was printed out on the computer and die cut with my Spellbinders Labels 17 dies.  I cut the dark blue carstock fram by die cutting the Labels 17 of the same size as the yellow cardstock and triming the last 1/2 inch.  

The inside was a Word file printout to provide the attendees the majority of the information needed to attend.  My grandmother was very pleased with the invitations.  It was truly my pleasure to make these and send them out.

I also made table decorations and I have pictures from the party to share. I need to upload and edit those photos and I'll make a post to show all the details.  I'm trying to get them together and a special post about my grandfather.  Hoping that happens this weekend... thanks for sticking with me.

Best Wishes for the Best of Followers

In the next few months, this blog will realize our fourth anniversary of blogging.  We've not grown a lot of followers, but the followers we do have are loyal and encouraging.  I'd take these few faithful and encouraging women all day long.  One of the most faithful from a very early point is Karon of Karon's Krafty Korner. She reads faithfully, comments faithfully and encourages me from a distance such that I know her as friend even though we could pass on the street without recognizing each other.  This caused me great distress when we recently held a contest for some blog candy and restricted it to mailing within the US.  *Frowny Face*  So, I thought that I might bless her with a unique gift all her own.  At the scrapbook convention at the end of May I picked up the Delicate Asters stamp and die set from Heartfelt Creations.  Karon had her eye on a couple of my cards and indicated she might want them as a Christmas present.  Christmas was just too far away so I made this card to express my fondest wishes and sent a little care package all the way to Canada.  Here's the details:

• The papers are from the MME Forgettable 6 x 6 paper pad edged with Peacock Feathers Distress ink.  
• The flowers are stamped in black Archival ink and die cut using my Heartfelt Creations Sun-kissed Fleur.   I then used copper stamp paint to color the flowers.  The centers are made with some Peacock Feathers Distress Glitter.  
• The flourish is green cardstock cut with my ODBD Fancy Foliage die. 
• The patterned paper was cut using my Labels 18 die and the white cardstock sentiment cut with my Labels 17 die. 

This is truly a very small gift to have made and given to such a loyal follower.  I received a grateful and humble email from Karon this weekend.  While my weekend was full of activities and commitments, I literally bounded around the room waving my hands in the air like a 5 years old chanting She Got It! She Got It! She Got It!  That my friends is what joy looks like. Karon inspires joy like she is a pro.  I'm so grateful for her.  Check her out, she will not disappoint you!

I've entered this card into Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Anything Goes and Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #136: Anything Goes. 

You Simply Sparkle

I've a few blog friends that I just adore.  This card was made to brighten the day of Jessica over at Errant Scraps.  She inspires me with her prolific scrapbook page creating.  All of her projects have multiple layers of goodness and I find her works to be more art than science and my own work sometimes seems more science than art.  She inspires me.  I thought that maybe I would string some pretty papers together and brighten her day.  Here's the details:

• All papers are from KaiserCraft's Miss Empire collection.  The pictures don't due the colors and pattern justice.  This paper is gorgeous!
• The frame is cut using my Spellbinders Labels 17 out of the patterned paper.  I cut another frame from a smaller die out of a coordinating piece and cut the piece in half hiding part of it at the end of the orange frame.
• The frame comes from a patterned paper filled with various vintage tags.  The rose comes from the same piece, just a different tag.  
• The flower is cut from glassine paper using my Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret.  This paper crinkles and colors as I shaped it.  So gorgeous and a perfect fit with a pearl accent right in the center.
• The sentiment is from a Market Street Stamps set stamped in brown Archival Ink onto a Tilted Banners die cut.  I then edged the banner with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

It does seem as though time passes quickly.  I've been meaning to send a card for some time.  I thought a new die cut from my Heartfelt Creations Once Upon a Time stamp and die set would fit nicely on the inside.
  















Yeah, it seems to work here.  I've long delayed posting this card in hopes that it would reach her.  Then, life got away from me, so here we are.  Yay for blog friends and encouraging others, no matter the delays we allow to slow our progress!

I'm linking this up over at Word Art Wednesday's Challenge # 125: Anything Goes.  They always have such a variety of projects on display.  Come join the fun or just stop by for a look.

A Cute Little Card

This card is ultimately a paper piecing job and just sort of fell together.  I was eying some of the leftover pieces from my MME The Sweetest Thing Tangerine paper pad.  It is chock full of little fussy cut pieces.  I used this Pinterest pin as inspiration to coordinate all the pieces.  The shaped background was cut using my Labels 17 die and trimmed off the top to create a straight edge like the inspiration.  I used my paper trimmer to cut the other patterned paper pieces and sewed them to the background frame.  The flower was cut using my Posy dies, shaped and finished with a pearl accent.  The flags and the sentiment embellishment were fussy cut out of a piece from the paper pad.   Just a piece of whimsy to send one day to brighten someone's day.

Thinking of You Card

Checking in for a quick post on a simple card.  This is another card inspired by a Pinterest Pin.  Here's the details:

• All patterned papers are from an old paper pack from Glitz Vintage Blue. 
• The flower is cut from vanilla textured cardstock using my Vintage Floret dies.  The flower was shaped and then brushed with Fades Jeans Distress Ink and then edged in Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
• The paper strips were cut with my paper trimmer and then torn to create uneven edges.  All strips were edged with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  The original design was made using washi tape, but I think this works well here too!
• The frames were cut using my Spellbinders Labels 17 dies.  The sentiment was stamped using my Faded Jeans Distress Ink and both frames were edged using my Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  

It's simple, but I really like how it turned out.  I may give this design another go and follow the example a little closer.  I like the idea of matting with a frame cut to the exact same size and only using the ends.

ETA:  I've entered this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Simon Says Anything Goes with Pearls.  Come on over and join the fun!

Wedding Celebration Card

Today is Andrew and Jordin's big day.  I'm praying for a joyful celebration and the beginning of a beautiful marriage.  For this card I whipped out my Burnished Key stamp and dies.  The background stamp was created with silver Brilliance ink and trimmed to be used as a background on the card.  I picked out the lock die cut stamped in the same ink and adhered with foam squares to add dimension and a little pearl swirl to draw the eye.  Not sure I am totally pleased with the placement, but it works.  The tiny blessings sentiment is cut using my ODBD Ornate borders die and the sentiment is from the ODBD sentiment set stamped in black Archival Ink. A rose ribbon trim from the stash was added to the bottom. 

On the inside, I used a Word Art Wednesday verse, printed out on the computer and cut using my Labels 17 die. It, too, is raised with some foam squares.  A pearl swirl added behind as an accent.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Mark 10:6-9

Wedding Shower Card

I had mentioned earlier this week about Andrew and Jordin's wedding shower present.  Here's the card I made for them.  Again, taking a cue from their invitation, I suspected they enjoyed the kraft paper and mint green theme.  Here's the details:

• The background frame was cut using my Labels 17 die and then embossed with one of my floral embossing folders.  This frame is raised off the card base with foam squares.
• The sentiment was stamped using my Market Street Stamps (sadly out of business) sentiment stamp and black Archival Ink.
• The decorative lattice was cut from white cardstock using my Heartfelt Creations Ornamental Add On die.  I did lightly curl the ends to create a little interest to these pieces. 
• The flower was cut from kraft colored glassine paper using my Vintage Floret dies.  This stuff never disappoints with it's crinkly goodness.  I simply shaped these flowers and the texture was created by the paper's properties.  A pearl accent in the center added a sense of class.
• The green organza ribbon comes from the stash and is likely a reuse item.  It looks delicate and colorful here.

I sent this off with the handmade cards a little late for the shower itself.  Hopefully, it brought joy to them and clearly let Andrew and Jordin know that I'm thinking and praying for them as the big day approached.  Check back on Saturday.  I made their wedding celebration card as well.  I'll get those photos edited and posted in time to wish them a prompt wedding congratulations!

I've entered this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Simon Says Wedding or Anniversary.  Come on over and join the fun!

ETA:  I've linked this card up over at Scrapbookpal.com.  They have a running challenge each month to use certain suppliers/products and then get featured over at their blog.  Here's my entry for the last part of February.   Click on this link to check out their latest challenge.  Their online store supplies many of my common tools and supplies and some of the lowest prices around.  Check them out.

Engagement Card

I had great occasion to help out a co-worker with a card.  You'll remember my coupon book gifts at Christmas- this card was made when honoring the very first coupon from Wendy.  I purchased Heartfelt Creations Burnished Key stamp and die set with some birthday money last month.  When they arrived, I just loved them.  The stamp is a background stamp that ultimately can be die cut with the die to cut out key, lock and sentiment images from the stamped background.  Here's the details:

• I stamped the background using a Brilliance silver ink twice.  You really have to let this ink dry thoroughly.  I tried to hasten the process with my heat gun, but it still took a little while to dry.  The finished product is spectacular though.  
• I die cut one of the stamped images and received 17 separate die cuts.  I chose the most love inspired pieces to add as embellishments, the love lock and key.
• The swirls were cut using my Heartfelt Creations Decorative Lace Swirls cut from plain white cardstock.  These are just fabulous in person- newly purchased with birthday money and quickly becoming a favorite.

• The sentiment was printed from Word and then die cut with my Spellbinders Labels-Seventeen.  I made the sentiment using text boxes again.  The "As the     has loved..." words uses Baskerville Old font, the "abide in my love" uses italicized Garamond font, and the "Father" uses Lucida Calligraphy font.  I made this using two text boxes as identified in the image below.  I change the text box Wrap Text setting to "Through" so that I have the freedom to move the Father text box into position.  This takes a little skill with Word to figure out.  Here's a Text Box tutorial that covers most of the instructions you would need.

Here's the sentiment as a picture.  Hopefully the quality is good enough for you to use it.

The inside needed to be special too.  I created the sentiment using Word as well.  Here's a picture that you can use:

I cut out the sentiment with the same labels dies of a different size and adhered with foam squares to add a little depth.  The bling came as a sticker so I just had to put it on.  I'm really please how this turned out.  Wendy used it for her son's engagement party at the end of December.  I'm really behind posting.  I promise to catch up someday!

Merry Christmas Gift for Work

I've started this tradition and kept it going this year.  My daughter, Katie, is a Girl Scout and they sell food products in the fall.  One of the best is a can of butter toffee peanuts.  Sugary goodness is another name for them.  The price is right ($5/can), the cause is right (she earns money for every can sold), and the gift is right (for co-workers where you aren't particularly close, but you want to gift them something).  Folks don't feel like you've over reached and they need to return the favor with this kind of small gift.  Here's the details:

• The top is decorated with a circle of kraft paper cut using my Creative Memories Circle cutter.  Surprising how often they show up in my crafting despite the fact that they are over a decade old. 
• The poinsettia and leaf are cut using my Layered Poinsettia dies.  The center of the poinsettia is made using Crystal Accents and some Good Earth elements.   All of the red and green are from the scrap pile!
• The lid is a plastic yellow- not a fit so I cover with some tissue tape and use a red ink pad to color the tissue tape.  Be sure to wipe off the excess ink because it won't dry fast and it will come off on your hands (or anything else it touches).

• The can label is covered with some plaid pattern paper from the stash that is likely more than a decade old as well.  It doesn't entirely encircle the can so I used a piece of brown cardstock to finish where the two ends meet.  Later versions have the brown cardstock embossed for more effect.  Again, all brown cardstock is scraps.
• The label is from a piece of patterned paper.  I simply used my Spellbinders Labels 18 to strategically cut out images from the patter and glued a twine bow on the side.  

Yummy gift that was never intended to hang around for long.  I hope you found time to craft some special gifts this Christmas.  It feels so much better coming from the heart!