Birthday Kittens

I bought this terrific Whipper Snapper stamp recently and have been anxiously awaiting a time to ink it up. I had an idea where I wanted to go with the card design, but it took a mind of its own really. It took three chances before I got it the way I wanted it.

Here's my favorite. Everything fell into place perfectly - the coloring, the layout, the colors. I'm pretty darn proud of this one. (Watercoloring inspiration found here)

Cardstock: SU - whisper white, Good Morning Sunshine; DCWV - Mi Casa; misc. red
Stamp: Whipper Snapper - Party Kittens
Ink: VF - onyx
Misc: SU - button, linen thread, watercolor pencils, blender pen

Here are the two that didn't turn out as I'd hoped. (Okay but not great.)

Cardstock: SU - whisper white, Good Morning Sunshine; misc. red
Stamp: Whipper Snapper - Party Kittens
Ink: VF - onyx
Misc: SU - hardware, orange rickrack, watercolor pencils, blender pen; Zots





Cardstock: SU - whisper white; DCWV - Mi Casa
Stamp: Whipper Snapper - Party Kittens
Ink: VF - onyx
Misc: SU - grossgrain, watercolor pencils, blender pen

It's a Boy

I had to make a quick card before attending a baby shower this weekend. I'm pleased with the design and how quickly it came together (for a change). Not to mention it's my own design. Go me!

Cardstock/Paper: SU - Parisian Breeze; kraft
Stamps: SU - Office Accoutrement; VV - Practically Perfect
Ink: SO - timber brown
Misc: EK - binding edge punch; SU - choc. chip clip, choc. chip brad, baja breeze buttons, linen thread; pop dots; Zots

Owl Be Yours

'Tis the time to begin thinking about that special someone. Have you bought a card yet? Since I'm home sick and feeling a little more human today, I decided to get a jump on Valentine's Day.

Once I've chosen a set of stamps for my card (Wise Owl by PaperTrey Ink in this case), I, unlike most of you talented people out there, do not begin sketching but instead go in search of a design to inspire me. Today, however, I just didn't find anything. And I actually had an idea spring to mind. So I got out my pad of paper and began with a rough design {pictured top left} - two snuggling owls holding hands with eyes closed in contentment.

Because I don't have a tree limb in my vast array of stamps, I knew I was going to have to either draw one or create one somehow. I sketched it first but didn't really like where that was going. I'm a pitiful doodler. I ultimately decided I could come back to that quandry later and decided to get started on the card instead. I could at least get the paper cut, base down, and my owls going.

As I began laying everything out, it dawned on me that I might be able to use some of my fiber stash to create the tree branches. And I was pretty sure I had just the thing. Sure enough, two strands side-by-side sufficed to create the illusion of a tree branch. Voila! Since this is intended as a valentine, I opted for small hearts as leaves. All in all, I'm quite pleased with the result.

The inside sentiment is also from Wise Owl. A few years ago I wouldn't have really understood this verse. But it means a lot to me now.

Incidentally, how do you like my watermark? I couldn't decide between having it in color or not. My mom really liked it in color best, and so do I. Hopefully it's not distracting? Anyway, I figure I should put my stamp, so to speak, on my custom card designs since they're so few & far between.

Cardstock: SU - mellow moss, chocolate chip, windsor knot; kraft; white

Stamps: PTI - wise owl, around & about sentiments; SU - happy hearts

Ink: SU - chocolate chip, really rust, mellow moss, real red

Misc: SU - alpine ribbon, hodgepodge hardware, watercolor pencils, blender pen; SU/Sizzix - top note; pop dots; Zips; Zots; Crop-a-dile; brown felt fiber; Paper Adventure - punch wheel: heart

Happy Thoughts

One of my friends is a little down this week. Thought I'd send him a little note to perk him up. Kinda a "this too shall pass" & all that.

Cardstock: SU - baja breeze, bashful blue, windsor knot

Misc: SU/Sizzix - top note die; SU - hodgepodge; MM - pewter brads; TLC - lt. blue floss; K&CO - Addison chipboard, Happy Trails felt flower & brad; misc. olive buttons; Zots

Inspiration here

Thinking of a Friend

A friend of mine has been very sick. She has had appointments with numerous doctors & specialists and no one seems to have an answer for her. She tends to be a bit of a worrier, so the myriad of appointments and tests without answers have really been tough for her. I made her this bright & cheery card in hopes that it brings her a little smile.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: SU - so saffron, real red; TLC - runway meadow brook circles; white

Ink: SU - real red, so saffron, pumpkin pie, old olive

Stamps: VV - petals & stems; SU - frames with a flourish

Misc: TLC - iceberg outerwear slumber party; SU - filigree brads; SU/Sizzix - Top Note; pop dots; Zig - o5 pure red; gems; Zots; Xyron 250

Inspiration here

Gift Set No. 10

It's a great time of year to drop a note & say hi. And what better than a winter-themed card to do just that?! Snowmen are my favorite. *grin*

Base: DCWV - brown pre-scored card

Cardstock: DCWV - Luxury Stack; navy; PTI - white shimmer

Stamps: SU - Happy Winter

Ink: SU - old olive, always artichoke; VF - onyx; CB - frost white

Misc: Stampendous - kaleidoscope ep; gems; Zots; SU - watercolor pencils, scallop edge punch, hodgepodge; Zips; Michaels - lt aqua grossgrain; navy grossgrain; Cutterbees (edge distressing)

Inspiration here

Gift Set No. 5

Are you enjoying the cards so far? Today we begin the Birthday section of the set with this card. I really like the masculine feel.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: navy; white
Paper: SU - Pool Party

Ink: SU - night of navy

Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, pewter Hodgepodge, scallop circle punch; Zips; navy grossgrain; pop dots

Inspiration here

Birthday

My mom's birthday was yesterday, and I sent her this cute card based on this design. I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, and I think mom will like it, too.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: white; SU - chocolate chip, rose red, regal rose, d/p Rebecca

Ink: VF - onyx

Stamps: CP - Smells Like Cake

Misc: SU - scallop edge punch, pewter hardware, clear embossing powder, water color pencils, blender pen; pop dots; Zips; glitter pens; satin ribbon

Here's a close-up on the embossing.

Hoppy Retirement

A co-worker of mine is retiring soon & I was asked to make the "group card" to bid her farewell. My favorite frog set certainly fits this girl.

Cardstock: SU - Windsor Knot, So Saffron

Stamps: SU - Unfrogettable

Ink: VF - onyx

Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, pewter hardware; La Plume - burnt umber pen; Sizzix - Circles #2; twine; brown stitched ribbon; Zips; Zots; pop dots

Thanks

Last weekend, I made a big batch of thank-you cards. I think they all turned out really cute.

Thanks a Hoot

Cardstock: SU - garden green, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip; white

Ink: SU - chocolate chip; VF - onyx
Stamps: PTI - Wise Owl

Misc: SU - scallop edge punch, watercolor pencils, blender pen; MM - snaps, ribbon; Zips; pop dots
Inspiration

Beauty in Dreams

Base: pre-scored white card
Cardstock: SU - certainly celery

Ink: SU - certainly celery, really rust, summer sun; VF - onyx

Stamps: VV - Petals & Stems, Floral Whimsy
Misc: Zips; glitter pens; AC - ribbon; SU - pewter hodgepodge hardware; Stickles - crystal

Inspiration

Joy

Cardstock: SU - sage shadow, chocolate chip, baja breeze; stone

Ink: SU - chocolate chip, sage shadow

Stamps: VV - Floral Whimsy
Misc: buttons; twine; Zots; Zips; grossgrain ribbon; SU - scallop edge punch; Stickles - crystal; paper piercing
Inspiration

Thank You

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: SU - bravo burgundy; cream

Ink: SU - bravo burgundy; VF - onyx

Stamps: SU - Office Accoutrement

Misc: MM - brad; glitter pen

Finishing the Gift Set

Today I'm finishing up the set of cards I started a couple of weekends ago. I wanted lots of variety, so I've made 15 cards spanning everything from friendship to holidays to thanks, and one or two I've made with specific upcoming events in mind, like the wedding card.

Birthday
Base: White pre-scored card
Cardstock: SU - Rose Red; Luxe - Pashmina Piggy Bank; white; black
Ink: Versafine - onyx
Stamps: SU - Big Celebrations
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils & blender pen; Stickles - crystal; SU - black grossgrain ribbon; Zips; SU - pewter hodgepodge hardware; gems; pop dots
Inspiration

Wedding
Base: white pre-scored card
Cardstock: navy; white; SU - bordering blue
Ink: Versafine - onyx; Versamark
Stamps: SU - Big Celebrations, Delight in Life
Misc: Stampendous - white pearls embossing powder; gems; TLC - circle memory gems; Zots; CM - circles; MM - pearl glaze
Inspiration

Thankful
Base: DCWV - brown pre-scored card
Cardstock: white; SU - Western Sky, really rust
Ink: Versafine - onyx
Stamps: SU - Thoroughly Thankful
Misc: MM - light orange brads, green ribbon; K&Co - rust ribbon; Zips; pop dots; corner rounder; SU - watercolor pencils
Inspiration

Thanks
Base: white pre-scored card
Cardstock: white; dk. green; SU -really rust
Ink: SU - handsome hunter, really rust, more mustard
Stamps: SU - Flower Filled, Framed Greetings
Misc: MM - orange eyelets; SU - pewter hodgepodge hardware; Stickles - crystal; Zig - pure green pen
Inspiration

Birthday
Base: DCWV - lt. orange pre-scored card
Cardstock: white
Ink: Versafine - onyx; SU - pumpkin pie
Stamps: SU - Fun Filled
Misc: Zig pens; MM - eyelets

Sympathy
Base: white pre-scored card
Cardstock: SU - certainly celery, notebook; white
Ink: SU - certainly celery, so saffron; Versafine - onyx
Stamps: Verve - Floral Whimsy
Misc: SU - barely banana & certainly celery grossgrain, watercolor pencils & blender pen; Zips
Inspiration

Time For You

I got this SU set about a month ago but haven't had an occasion to use it yet. I promised a boxed set of cards to a friend & it seems the perfect time to break this set in. See what you think.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: SU - wintergreen; red; white

Paper: brown
Ink: Versafine - onyx
Stamps: SU - Time For You
Misc: Flair - red velvet ribbon; Zips - ultra thin clear adhesive line; SU - pewter hodgepodge hardware; SU - watercolor pencils & blender pen; pop dots
Inspiration

Base: white pre-scored card
Cardstock: SU - barely banana; white; mint
Paper: EK Success - Harvest Circle Dots
Ink: Versafine - onyx
Stamps: SU - Time For You
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils; SU - barely banana grossgrain ribbon; green grossgrain; lt. yellow mini buttons; green button; Zips; Zots
Inspiration

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: red; white
Paper: MM - Venetian Lace Lt. Forest Green; brown
Ink: Versafine - onyx
Stamps: SU - Time for You; In My Thoughts
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils & blender pen; silver ribbon; Zips
Inspiration

For My Valentine

I was so pleased with how my DH's Valentine came out that I thought I'd share.

Background: white card
Cardstock: dk. red, lt. pink, white
Stamps: SU-Happy Hearts
Ink: SU-ruby red, bravo burgundy, regal rose, rose red
Misc.: Flair-velvet ribbon, silver curly que, red jewel brads, tacky tape, Stickles-crystal, pop dots


A few close-ups



silver curly que w/ red jewel brads









the crystal Stickles on some of the hearts

Cards 10/14/07

I had to get in card mode today. I had lots of thank you notes to write after my birthday, and several friends have birthdays this week. I'm also including two cards I received b/c they're great.

Thanks
Card-black
Paper-Tres Jolie: Baby girl floral; black, tangerine, cream cardstock; misc. rust patterned paper
Stamps-Simply Said
Ink-black
Accessories-pewter slide; black ribbon

Thanks
Card-periwinkle
Paper-lt. pink cardstock
Stamps-Simply Said
Ink-Bordering Blue
Accessories-misc. ribbon, Ellison Easy Emboss: Texture, Daisies

Thanks
Card-pink
Paper-white cardstock, Always Artichoke
Stamps-Simply Said
Ink-Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Versamark, Regal Rose
Accessories-misc. ribbon, pink staple, pop dots

Birthday
Card-pink
Stamps-Paris in Spring, Cheery Chat
Ink-black, Regal Rose
Accessories-Ellison Easy Emboss: Eiffel Tower; jeweled brads


Thanks
Card-brown
Paper-yellow-orange cardstock
Stamps-Thoroughly Thankful
Ink-Chocolate Chip
Accessories-orange brads


Thanks
Card-sunny yellow
Paper-cream cardstock
Stamps-Thoroughly Thankful
Ink-Chocolate Chip
Accessories-misc. ribbon, copper brads


Thanks
Card-pink
Paper-white cardstock
Stamps-Tag Time
Ink-black
Accessories-pink staples, misc. ribbon, tag punch

Birthday
Card-lt. red
Stamps-Birthday Best
Ink-black
Accessories-vellum tag, misc. ribbon, gold staples, glitter glaze

Thanks
Card-lt. pink
Stamps-Tag Time, Simply Said
Ink-black, Chocolate Chip
Accessories-misc. ribbon, pink staples



My mom made me this card for my birthday







My granny made me this birthday card

Layouts 07/20/07

Here are the layouts we've done today. Still many to go!

Happy 6th Birthday
This is a layout for mom's scrapbook for me.

DC Apr 02

Finally, I'm getting to that DC trip!

Close-up on hardware









Nifty hardware on the DC layout--thought you might like to see the hardware up close & personal.