A Happy Birthday Card Set

I so enjoyed this card that I decided to make a set of these cards.  My MISTI was a huge help.  First, I find that getting a good image the first time with this stamp set is tough.  Second, I wanted rich color using my Simon Says Stamp Smoke, Soft Navy and Surf Blue inks.  Plus, I was able to make four of these in very short order.

Now, I have a bit of a stash for those male birthdays for my co-workers and friends.   It is a new year tomorrow and I'm bound and determined to use things from my stash in the new year.  These cards were a beginning - even if the beginning started in the old year!  May you, too, be blessed with abundance of craft supplies in the new year.  Here's hoping you celebrate this evening in a safe manner, but one fitting a year like 2015!

Another Milestone Birthday - For the Man!

My brother's birthday this year was a milestone - 40 years.  I immediately turned to my Avery Elle Balloons stamp to create this card.  I think it set the right tone for a man's birthday.  The ink is from Simon Says Stamp's Peace mini ink pad set.  This ink is definitely different in that the ink will darken in the seconds following application.  I also used my MISTI to stamp so that I could add more ink when the image wasn't quiet solid.  With this stamp set I find it most helpful as I often don't get the best first image.  


A few star stamps from the Avery Elle stamp set in the Smoke and Soft Navy inks work well with some sequins from the stash.

On the inside is a sentiment stamped in black Archival Ink using my Penny Black Sweet Wishes stamp.  A nice finish and a card to celebrate the day.

I've decided to link this card up with City Crafter's Challenge - Winter.  The colors of my card match the theme and my brother's birthday is in the winter.  I also think the little snowflake-ish additions look stylishly wintery.

I'm also joining Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday challenge - Simon Says Let It Snow.  Come join the fun, one and all - it's winter.

I hope your day is well and that your Christmas plans are coming together.  Keep it up as there are only a few short weeks left.

My Misti- A Grateful Card Set

March was a rough month in the Miller household.  As previously mentioned, we lost my FIL at the beginning of the month.  Grief is a weird process.  I felt guilty for feeling blue because my husband and his family lost so much more than I did.    Rather than staying guilty, I decided I needed to keep my hands busy.  I decided to share my new toy with you- the MISTI- that I used to make these cards.  

This is my MISTI.  You can get your own here.  I'm going to front load this post- this is hands down one of the best stamping tools I own and I've only had it a month.  Let me share the genuis of the MISTI with you.  First, there is a video describing it's use here.  I created 36 of the cards you see above with my tool over the course of one evening.  The intention was to give sets of cards to my in-laws (Dan has six siblings).  It was also a way to put my hands to work.

The hinge allows the stamp to lay flat when stamping.    The flap on the left is clear so that you can place the stamp in the location on the card with accuracy.  The magnet in the upper right corner usually holds the paper down during stamping.  In less than 5 minutes I had 36 card faces stamped with the branch in the exact same location on each card.

Next, you just place the layering stamp in the location that you desire it and close the left hinge.  The stamp adheres to the acrylic "door" in exactly the right location.  Ink up your stamp and voila, layered stamped image!  The stamp set is Papertrey Ink's Out on a Limb stamp set.

I kid you not- I had all of the card fronts stamped in about 15 minutes.  I ran them through my Grand Calibur with a border die and used a Wink of Stella pen to add glitter to the leaves over the next 45 minutes.  I die cut the sentiment from white cardstock using my Penny Black word dies.  All told I spent about 2 hours on the card sets- including die cutting the sentiment and gluing the pieces down.

I am so grateful for Dan's large family and I think they genuinely were touched by my gift.  One set of 5 cards was given to each of the siblings wrapped in a kraft paper band and decorated with a small vellum flower colored with Peacook Feathers Distress Ink.

If you aren't convinced the the MISTI is the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented, I say give me a call and stop by.  One time using this tool and I'm sure you'll be convinced.  Crisp edges, easy to use and a dream finished result.  Yes, I am truly Gratefully, Thankfully Blessed!

I'm going to link this card up with Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #178: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun!