Manly Birthday Cards (Kinda?)

It seems like I've been nothing but busy.  You can see how this plays out in my card making.  Sometimes I get a little lazy.  Still, sometimes lazy can really pay off and I think these two cards are a good example.  I had a couple of male coworkers that I wanted to recognize their birthday but didn't want to spend a ton of time making the cards.  So, I turned to Pinterest and these cards were inspired.
The sentiment was stamped in black Archival Ink using my Penny Black Sweet Wishes stamp set.  The inside was a simple Happy Birthday from the same stamp set in black Archival Ink.  The watercolor wash was made using my Peeled Paint and Mowed Lawn Distress Stains.  The soft applicator top allowed me to simply wash the color directly on the page.  I did let it dry very well before stamping with black Archival Ink using my Darkroom Door Trees stamp.

Pretty effective man card.  They both thought it was a lovely sentiment- short and sweet and required nothing in return.

Thanks for checking in with me today.  I'm hoping your July is ending with rest and relaxation.  My daughter is back at school and so it feels like the fall is here, though the temperature is still high!

Hey, I decided to link this card up with City Crafter Challenge Blog Week 272: Create a Masculine Birthday Card and Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge Simon Says Anything Goes.  Come join the fun or be inspired.

A Shaker Birthday Card

Popping in for simple shaker card today.  I needed a birthday card for a coworker and hadn't used these stamps that I'd give it a try.  I followed Jennifer McGuire's Shaker Card video tutorial.  The balloons were stamped onto colored cardstock and fussy cut by hand (no die here!)

The glittery goodness in the center are all from Michael's Recollection brand.  I had originally bought them for use on my son's graduation cards, but decided to go a different way.  My one regret with the card was that I think there is too much shake in this card.  I could have used quite a bit less and still had a wonderful card.

This process was simple to execute and will definitely be an added weapon in the arsenal.  Give it a try.  It is really not difficult and does create a lovely visual presentation.

I've decided to link up with City Crafter Challenge Blog Week-272 Create a Masculine Birthday Card.  Come be inspired or join the fun!

Floral Gift Bag Beauty

I found a picture of the gift bag that I gave my mom on Mother's day.  Pink is one of her favorite colors and so I thought to try my hand at decorating a plain white gift bag.  Here's the details:

• The floral swirls were die cut from multiple Spellbinders and Sizzix dies out of green cardstock.  I overlayed them to create the image you see.
• The butterfly has a layer of white embossed and then die cut image and a patterned paper image just die cut using my Heartfelt Creations Butterfly Medley stamp and die.

• The flowers were die cut from white cardstock using my Heartfelt Creations Arianna Blooms die.  I used Worn Lipstick Distress Ink to watercolor the flower petals and used Scattered Straw Distress Ink to color the centers of the flowers.  When the paper was still wet from the watercoloring, I spritzed them a bit more and accordion folded each petal.  After the accordion fold, I pinched the petal to get a good crease and then stretched them out a bit before leaving them to dry.  You can see a video here (about 8:45 into the video) on this technique.
• The centers of the flowers were completed with some I'm Amaized prills.  They provide such depth to the finished flowers.

A few pieces of pink tissue and a card and this present was fit for a mom on Mother's Day.  Look for interesting ways to use your papercrafting in your gift giving to send an "I love you" message too!

Bridal Shower Card

This card is proof that a well selected patterned paper coupled with some solid, standard dies can have a card just make itself.  I had been meaning to make a bridal shower card for a good friend's party and simply ran out of time.  I've been struggling with a few minor health issues which sidelined my creativity for a bit.  Coupled with the busyness of life and I suddenly arrived at the Saturday morning without having a card.  I'd been looking for an excuse to use my Papertrey Ink Circle Scribbles dies.  I've always thought these look like abstract roses so I paired them with this ancient Stampin' Up patterned paper set.

The circle scribbles are die cut from coordinating patterned paper from the set and simply glued onto the patterned paper.  I used my Simon Says Stamp Tilted Banners stamp and die to create the sentiment flag which I simply wet glues the ends down to create the height rather than foam squares.  The inside was a second piece of coordinating paper with a white rectangle punched with a corner punch and stamped with a Congratulations stamp in brown Archival Ink.

All in all, a very effective card.  I hope you enjoyed this quick card and that it inspires you to use up some of that patterned paper.

Hope Your Day is Awesome!

I'm going to own up to making a few simple cards with great embellishments.  These two today are a good example.  I spent so much time on the baby shower stuff that I had little time left, but needed a few note cards to send to friends.  Quite literally that background is a piece of wonderful ribbon which came with the pearls and shiny bling already placed.  I also prepurchased the ribbon roses.  It was  a matter of using a tape runner to place the background ribbon, some Crystal Accents to place the ribbon rose and a stamped sentiment and die cut using my Tilted Banners stamp and die set.

Simple, yet effective.  Bada Boom Baby!

Our Beautiful World - Challenge 106 Layers

The word prompt at Our Beautiful World this week is Layers.  There is some fabulous nature photography at their website this week.  Click the link and head on over, you'll be awed.

My first thought was the layers of color, emotion and energy at my son's high school graduation ceremony this May so I am sharing photos of that night with you.

First is the color of the festivities.  Blue and white gowns and balloons and the sea of colors in the stands all blur together in my memory.  I love these photos because they help me remmber in crisp tones the layers of color in that night.





Next is the layers of emotion that filled the event.  My own pride, joy and excitement was reflected in the faces of the graduates, in the flashing pictures from the stands and on my friends faces whose children have grown up alongside mine.  It is a layer of emotion that we should not quickly forget.





Finally, I will not forget the energy of the night.  It was a hot May evening in Chandler, Arizona and so you felt that slight pressure, but also the eagerness in the graduates and family attending.  My son rushed across the stage - in part due to the fact that over 700 students names were announced that night and because he's an introvert and wanted out of the spotlight!

Thanks for taking this stroll with me.  Come join the fun over at Our Beautiful World or at least stop by and see all the beautiful pictures by artists much more talented than I am.

Baby Girl Shower Card

After this, I promise we'll move on from the baby theme.  However, this card was made by Brandy and she shook it up needing to make a baby girl card.  Lots of layers complimented by the use of Heartfelt Creations' Sweet Lullaby stamp set.  Each layer has added dimension from the foam squares and the texture from the polka dot embossing folder... my oh my this is a sweet card.

We're just all about baby stuff and I'm grateful for you stopping in to take a peek.  I'll be by later this week if not sooner to see what you all have been up to.

Small Little Thank You Cards

Ultimately, as the baby shower for my co-worker approached, I couldn't help but think that she might need a set of Thank You cards for the plethora of gifts that she gave.  I threw these together one evening.  I used my MISTI tool to stamp each card in exactly the same location, stamping all 20 cards in a matter of minutes after I figured out where to place the stamp.  I cut the stars from patterned paper I had used to spruce up the photo album (check out the project here).  Using a small piece to ribbon to bind them, this was my second part of the gift.

I ended up decorating a plain kraft colored gift bag to hold all the goodies.  That's more of the leftovers from the mini-album kit.  I have plenty left that, should I need another baby shower card soon, I can probably make several more cards.  It was so fun to bless the mom-to-be with all these wonderful touches. I think she enjoyed each and have even seen a thank you card out and about in the workplace.

I've held the new mister already as well.  He came not soon after I made these goodies and I consider any my effort repaid in kind getting to smell the sweet smell of newborn baby and feel his soft skin.  Wishing you the same opportunities soon!

Paper Doll Love for Your Birthday

Brandy shared this beauty with me and I just had to pass it on to you.   She first stamped the Prima Paper Doll stamp onto cardstock and then colored the image and paper pieced the clothes.  The flowers were fussy cut from a piece of patterned paper and the flag die cut from patterned papers.  I can't decide what I like best:

1. Sassy red head with attitude?  Don't you just love the small peek of a head band to hold back those curls?
2. Her beautiful green (my favorite color!) dress?
3. The background paper which stands alone as fabulous or is it the teeny die cut stars that adorn the paper to make it fabulous?
4. The tiny flag line with it's multitude of shapes and patterns???

Well, it must be all four elements with nothing short of spectacular, Brandy hits another one out of the park.

Hello Baby Shower Card

Another baby shower card to go with my mini-albums.  This one was also made from the scraps left behind in the mini-album kit.  I did purchase a 6 x 6 paper pad of the Simple Stories Hello Baby.  That is where the background patterned paper and the multi colored striped patterned paper came from.  However the rest of the embellishments were all leftover from the kit.

Simple in design, quick to put together onto a cream pre-made card base, yet very adorable and perfect for the occasion.  The mom-to-be was simply thrilled with both card and gift.  I was thrilled she liked it!

I linked up to the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge Week #269 - You Are My Sunshine  Come join the fun with your yellow inspired product.  Hurry the challenge ends soon!

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #191 - Anything Goes Family  Always inspiring what the ladies are up to over at the Word Art Challenge blog.  Come join the fun!

Wa-hoo, Look at You! A Self Made Background Using Patterned Paper Scraps

I'm sharing a little playful bit I threw together last weekend in a burst of creativity.  I had seen a similar card online and I have so many different MME paper pad scraps that this card seemed to need to be made.  It was simple to put together, let me see if I can remember each step:

1. I created the thin, angles slices by first making a long, thin rectangle from the scraps.  Some were the full length of the 6 in paper pad and about 1.5 to 2 inches wide.  The rest were smaller than that, depending upon the scrap of paper that was left behind.  After they were a nice rectangle, I used my paper trimmer to cut them on the diagonal creating a very pointed triangle.
2. I punched the circle from a piece of the patterned paper and one from plain white printer paper with my 1 in paper punch.
3. I colored a piece of white cardstock using my Peacock Feathers Distress Stain.  I wasn't overly careful as I intended this for the background which would only show about 1/8 in. around.  I trimmed the final piece down to fit on the card base.
4. I used a tape runner to glue the white circle to white cardstock in a strategic location and then placed tape runner all along the piece- covering the white circle as well.  I used a tape runner so it was forgiving and sticky.  
5. Then it was a matter of piecing each paper scrap down.  Some, by necessity had to go on the short side.  Sometimes the choice was simply to balance the color combinations.  I, ultimately used papers from three different, but complimentary paper pads- not all papers from each pad, but coordinating ones.  The trick is to try to keep the "pointy" end of the paper focused.  Sometimes, I trimmed the pointy end to get the larger widths on the outer end the paper.  In the end, it is a matter of taste and your own style.  Don't be afraid to lift a piece up and try it in another place or another location. Ultimately, I trimmed the piece down to fit onto the Peacock Feathers colored paper acting as a matting for my self made background.
6. The flower is white cardstock cut with my Vintage Floret die and colored with Peacock Feathers with a I'm Amaized prills center.  The circle is adhered with some foam squares.
7. The sentiment is stamped in black Archival Ink and glued right onto the background paper.

This is a great all purpose card I left in the stash with a blank page on the inside to fill up with either a handwritten note or a stamped sentiment for a specific occasion.  It was a fun experiment that tested my crafty eye.  I say- give it a try yourself sometime and use up some of those scraps!

Hello Baby First Year Mini-album

I promised to get these photos edited and posted.  I got most of the way there this weekend and then, poof, activities took over and I didn't finish.  So, I quickly wrapped this up this morning to post before heading to work.  I purchased a kit (gasp!) for this album from Embellish It.  I actually made two of these bad boys because I had two baby showers right in a row and because I thought the book was adorable.  The kit is made using Simple Stories Hello Baby products.  The kit is still available here.  The thing I just love about Embellish It's kits is that the instructions are simple, the pages go together in a snap and you have lots of bits leftover.   I hope you have a cup of coffee (or iced tea - summer has arrived in full!) as this is a picture heavy post.

Plastic sleeves are present throughout the book and offer the opportunity to capture pictures during each month of baby's first year.  There are two clear picture sleeves on the right side, one month on top of the second month page.  Each come with tickers to place on the outside of the sleeve to indicate the month.

I simply adore this little mini-page within the album- a flag motif for holding pictures created layer upon layer of interest in the album.  I can't wait to see photos in these books!

This and the following page look the same but note how the clear plastic photo sleeve is oriented.

With this back of the album look - clean and simple - the book is done. I added the ribbon on the rings for effect.  Likely the mom will get sick of the nuisance of them and remove them before long.  However, they do make the book pretty for packaging and I have so many ribbons some needed to leave the house...

As far as the book assembly, I spent a good 2-3 hours removing each embellishment from the packaging and inking the edges in Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  Some required fussy cutting.  I then spent another 3-4 hours putting the book together.  I took a fair bit of care because I've screwed these kinds of kits up before cutting the wrong way, etc.  It could probably been done in less time.  The inking wasn't strictly required as the edges looked good with a nice clean white as well.  You could easily get this together in 4-5 hours if needed.  A great gift and both mom's have already let me know they have pictures to include in the books.

Thanks for taking this long look with me.  Check out Embellish It!  They have lots of goods and never fail to deliver on quality.