A Very Pink Happy 21st Birthday Card

This is Andie today to share a card made by Brandy.  I'm going to try not to be confusing!  My daughter, Katie, enjoyed a milestone birthday in November - she turned 21.  Brandy was scheduled to attend the party, but some weather (which is unusual for use here in Phoenix) caused havoc at her house and she ended up staying home to deal with those issues.  All is well, but it meant that we didn't get together with Katie until later in December for Brandy to give Katie this beautiful, special shaker card.  With my college student busy finishing up the semester and Christmas it took a little bit to get Katie to take a picture of the card.

Can you see the wonderful "2" and "1" die cuts?  I just think this is one of the most fantastic cards I've ever seen.  Katie was especially pleased since pink is her favorite color and this card is on display in her apartment.  I think Katie felt very special and I know I'm touched by her thoughtfulness as well.

Andie for 

A Milestone Birthday To Join the Shaker Challenge

My father celebrated his milestone birthday - 70 years - last week.  I put together this shaker card using my Cricut and a Papertrey Ink balloon die.  I ink blended four card fronts using my Peacock Feathers and Faded Jeans Distress Oxide ink.  I used some Perfect Pearls to splatter on the card fronts so there is a subtle sparkle, but not too much since this is a masculine card.  I left the die cut  opening as a single, square opening for the sequins and seed beads because I knew I could just add quite a bit of sparkle inside. I think it works well here.

On the inside, I used an oops from the die cutting process.  I attempted to cut the "70" out and didn't have the settings on the blade deep enough (pressure setting) which resulted in a cut that didn't go all the way through the paper.  I decided to repurpose that boo-boo by silver heat embossing the inside sentiment and using it to be the inside.   A black pen was more than enough to add my own personal sentiment underneath.  I'm pleased with how the card turned out - he was too as he made a point to show my mom when I gave it to him.  He's an understated man, so that was an indication how much he thought.

I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge Blog - Week 430 - Birthday Shaker as my card is definitely both!

Come join the fun.

Shaking It for a Happy Birthday!

I had made a shaker frame a while back and didn't know what I was going to do with it.  I had the supplies out on my workbench and didn't want to waste the opportunity.  The shaker frame sat in the pile for a while and I decided I needed a card, so I rifled through the leftovers of premade flowers and came up with this beauty.

The flowers were white embossed onto watercolor paper using my Altenew Peony outline stamp.  I used my Mission Gold watercolors to color the image - keeping the colors very light.  The leaves were done the exact same way, but didn't get as much color definition.  I searched and found some accent pieces - this time stamped onto Bristol paper using ink rather than watercolors.  I think the two media work well together and create a fine accent.


On the inside - a very simple sentiment because the front was so busy.  Happy birthday, period!  Its a wonder I don't have more cards made considering how many odd bits and pieces are in the stash.  It's one of the things that having a Scrapbox allows - the stashing of supplies in zippered bags inside the front doors.  I'm hopeless! :)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge: Happy Birthday!

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge 294/295 Anything Goes

Happy weekend, all!

Celebrating 50 Years!

I'm terribly late in posting this card made for my hubby, Dan, who turned 50 years old this year.  I decided on a very formal, masculine shaker card highlighting silver, gold and black.  The sentiment is from a set of foam mounted black, glitter stickers.  Simple, elegant and enough to let the man know I care about him on his 1/2 century mark.

What milestones have you celebrated recently?

Happy Birthday Shaker Card

So, this is a little story about a free gift at the CK Scrapbook convention.  It is no secret that they give away a prize to all or nearly all attendees to their crop nights.  This year, one of the gifts that Brandy won was a set of Queen and Co. Foam Front Shaker Kits.  She kept one of the three and I took the other two.

I decided to use up this stuff in the stash.  This card was made from the Window Foam Front Shaker Kit.  We've been pretty honest on this blog - plugging the products that we love because we use them over and over.  In the case of this shaker card kit - I can say I was decidedly underwhelmed!  Everything comes precut - the foam pieces , a die cut cardstock window to use on top of the foam, everything.  My beef with it all is the fact that the kit isn't precise.  I will own my own kind of control freak when it comes to crafting - things need to be symmetrical and neat.  This was neither.  You can see if you look close the imperfection in how the cardstock die cut (here I colored blue to match the theme of my card) matches to the white foam that creates the shaker window.  You might say that this is because the die cut is upside down or rotated 180 degrees.  You'd be wrong as I tried my level best to get that sucker on there straight.  Also - the outside rectangles - the foam piece, the die cut cardstock front and the acetate to cover the shaker windows - all were different sizes.  This required a trimming of all to match - but I didn't discover this until the shaker was together so I couldn't simply use my paper trimmer.  You can see the slight "roughness" on the upper right edge of the card where my trimming wasn't so exacting.

The price point is pretty great - running around $2.99 retail.  Not terribly expensive and for the novice or someone who doesn't own dies to use to make these kinds of shaker windows - maybe worth it.  However, I have made many shaker cards in the past.  Though my fronts are limited to the dies I own, the end result when I die cut myself is that everything fits together as I make it.  This was unnecessarily complicated (for me) by the necessary trim/adjustments that were required.

Still, a cute card was made and I intend to use this to great effect on a masculine birthday card need that I have.  So, all in all worth it from a giveaway standpoint, but I don't think I'd even spend $2.99 to buy the kit if I saw it on the shelf.  I have one more kit to use and will try to make that work soon just so I use both up without having the second and last one sitting in the stash for too long.

Hope your week is going well and that you are finding a reason to use that stuff in your stash.

A Shaker Card

I used this post as inspiration for today's card.  I had need of an encouraging card for a lady at work and thought that this vellum shaker card would be perfect.  The flowers were stamped with black Archival Ink and die cut with my Arianna Blooms stamp and die set.  The flowers were shipped and put together with Glue Dots.  I used the same technique for creating the vellum shaker element found in this video.  I used my WPLUS9 Hand Lettered Hello stamp set and Lilac Hybrid ink to stamp the hello onto white cardstock and fussy cut the sentiment out.  The same stamp set was used with white embossing powder onto black cardstock to create the sentiment flag.

On the inside, I adhered the inner rectangle cut from the white frame used to create the shaker element.  Since I wanted to write a sweet note to my coworker,  I left this space deliberately blank.

I am very pleased with how this card turned out.  It is a great technique and ultimately a stunning effect.

I hope your July is going well.  It's nearly half over and my daughter is beginning her senior year in high school in a little over a week.  To quote Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

I plan to spend now until June next year when she graduates stopping once in a while to look around.  I don't want to miss a thing.

Come join the fun!

Shaking a Happy Birthday in Your General Direction

I, once again, get to share one of Brandy's creations with you today.  This shaker card was made using a die cut from Cricut's Paper Lace cart which was cut out of cream cardstock and green cardstock.  The cream die cut was then fit into the opening of the green cardstock to create the card front.  The shaker card was made using Jennifer McQuire's shaker card method to assemble the card, filling it with Recollections sequins.  So simple, yet extremely effective shaker card!

Giving Thanks This Season

I had previously mentioned that I created a card for the City Crafter challenge that was a fail.  I'm finally getting around to posting the fail.  Here's the details where I include the parts I didn't like so much:

challenge submission card

• The background (which is actually in the foreground) was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  I taped the paper to my work surface with painters tape and used a heat tool to dry.  However, I used a lot more water and you can see how this background is more watercolor that the one I chose for the challenge.  For this card (not always - because I'm loving my Brushos for watercolor backgrounds), it really like the small burst of color in the challenge submission.
• I die cut the background with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die to cut out the openings for my shaker card.  I also cut leaves from glitter paper to put on the back of the card behind the window.  Nothing that is a specific "fail" in my mind here.

• I used Jennifer McQuire's shaker card method to assemble my card, filling the openings with October Tango prills.  I didn't add enough prills and also used foam squares to adhere my shaker card, rather than Jennifer's trick of die cutting a piece of white foam to raise my frame for the shaker card.  The result is an opening that allows the prills to hide and thus, not have enough "shake" (compared to the submission card above.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging in Distress Inks.  Again, something I couldn't screw up!

Having criticized the heck out of the card, I will say that I used this card like all the others.  To a person who didn't see the submission card, my "fail" is perfectly adorable.  I think this a good example of how our vision doesn't play out.  This can often lead to decisions about a project's worth that is inaccurate.  Proof that crafting is not always comparable and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I say our inner critics should take a nap and we should get onto more crafting!

I linked this up at SSS Monday Challenge: Autumn is in the Air.  Come join the fun!

City Crafter Challenge #280: Fall Has Arrived

I am so pleased to be able to write this post to you.  I am the guest designer at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge which starts today.  Their challenge for week 280 (this week!) is Fall Has Arrived.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

I don't know if you can tell, but I was inspired by the word Fall (since it isn't fall in Arizona until late October, I use any excuse to think of fall early!) and the pop of bright red in those apples.  For most parts of the Northern hemisphere, fall has just started and, yes!, leaves are falling.  But, it's also harvest time so that also a great idea to start with.  This photo could also inspire hills or other borders.  Just have fun.

I am so enjoying two things right now - shaker cards and my Brushos.  I immediately turned to both for inspiration.  Here's the details:

• The background (which is actually in the foreground) was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  It created these splashes of color all on it's own.  I did leave the paper flat and used a heat tool to dry so I didn't (purposefully) get too much watercolor effect.  This technique leaves startling bursts of color.
• I die cut the background with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die to cut out the openings for my shaker card.  I also cut leaves from glitter paper to put on the card front behind the window/foreground.
• I used Jennifer McQuire's shaker card method to assemble my card, filling the openings with variegated seed beads.  I made a starter card for this with prills for the shaking that was a bit of a "fail".  Maybe I'll share that card with you to talk about what not to do.  I also used Jennifer's trick of die cutting a piece of white foam to raise my frame for the shaker card.  I cut the opening back only a small bit so that the beads can't hide too much in the edges.  It works beautifully and makes a very sturdy shaker card that can totally go through the mail.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set I won a couple of months ago during a challenge.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging in Distress Inks.  A little more ink around the edges of my card and it is a fabulous finish.

Since I'm guesting at City Crafter Challenge, I will personally challenge you to join the fun.  The challenge ends September 28th, so hurry and join the fun!

Sending a Very Happy Birthday

Popping in to say a quick hello and share this fun shaker card I made for my nephew's birthday.  He was 9 this year - that funny age where he is too small to cherish a card from Auntie and too big to like something juvenile.  So, I made this card to have fun.  Here's the details:

• The hat was cut using my Cricut cart Straight From the Nest out of watercolor paper.  There are layered pieces (the red at the top and the green fringe at the bottom).  I used my Brushos to create the watercolor look to the hat.
• The shaker window was cut using my SSS Stitched Rectangles die.  I love the simple, yet crisp look this die gives.  The shaker window was created following the same process that of Jennifer McGuire's video.  The shaker is filled with blue sequins, clear acetate stars and red and blue bling pieces. 
• The sentiment inside and out are from Penny Black's Sweet Wishes stamp set using black Archival Ink.

A couple of the attendees were like - "Oooh, sweet card".  That was enough for me.  I got the boy a Stomp Rocket.  Now that solicited a "cool!" from the birthday boy.  I'm a happy Auntie.  If you haven't given the shaker card a go, I suggest trying.  They are fun and cool new (to me) technique.

I'm linking up with the following challenges :

Our Beautiful World chall6:  #115 Assorted.  It is rare that one of my cards fits the word prompt, but this is such a time.  The word is Assorted and my shaker card does contain an assortment of shiny bits.

Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge : Love This Technique.  I am certainly enamored with the shaker card right now.

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #201 Anything Goes.  The entries in this challenge are so varied that I am always inspired when I click through.

Come join the fun!

A Very Friendly Birthday Card

Brandy sent me a photo of this lovely creation she made for her niece's birthday.  It is so bright and colorful, I'm just in love with this card.  Here's some details about the card:

• This shaker card was made using a technique similar to the one shared by Jennifer McGuire's video.  The opening is a simple rectangle, but the foam sheet behind, use of glittery sequins inside, etc. are all similar.
• The balloons and streamers were stamped using various inks and Mama Elephant's Party Kit stamp and die set.  Brandy used some black string as the balloon ties and I think it adds just the right texture and depth to the card.  
• I'm not exactly sure where the candles came from, but I enjoy the colorful addition.  They were adhered with the sentiment frame to the card base before creating the shaker part of the card.  I believe the presents were a part of the same sticker set or technique.
• The chummy pals on the front of the card were stamped using black Archival Ink and the PaperSmooches stamp set Chubby Chum Pals.  The colored images were also cut using the coordinating dies.  

Tell me how charming and adorable this card is!  Each small element has been created with such love and attention.  As usual, Brandy stuns and I'm so blessed she lets me share her creations here with you.  Let's all give Brandy a round of applause.  She reads your comments and is encouraged (like me) by your kind words!

Shaking Another Happy Birthday

I'm really enjoying the shaker card and trying something different.  Today, I'm sharing a card inspired by this Pinterest pin.  I used my Stitched Rectangles dies to create the frames and Jennifer McQuire's shaker card tutorial.  I am, once again, pleased with how the card turned out.  Very simple and effective.  This card could be for either a man or a woman.

Have you tried a shaker card yet?  They are more simple than you think.  Give it a try!

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!

Another Father's Day Card

I'm lovin' the whole shaker card movement (pun intended)!  I put this together for my grandfather and sent it off.  The frame was cut with my Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles dies.  The sequins were picked up from Michaels' Recollections products.  The tie was fussy cut after I printed a tie clip art onto the back of the patterned paper.  

Get on up and make your own shaker cards.  They are super fun and easy.

Happy Father's Day

It is that wonderful day each year when we celebrate our dads.  This card was inspired by Jennifer Mcguire's No-Bulk Shaker Card video, a technique video I watched while on vacation.  I made this card for my dad.  Blue and crystal sequins are from Michael's Recollections brand.  The frame was cut using my Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles dies.

Enjoy your own celebrations and/or remembrances today.


I'm linking this card up on the following challenges :

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge#188 : Anything Goes Family

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge:  Use Your Favorite Technique and V's Seet Ideas: Technique Challenge #35 because the shaker card has become one of my new favorite techniques.  More to come!

And a new challenge blog Card for Guy: Challenge#75 Father'sDay