Birthday Cards

Happy Tuesday Afternoon Friends!

Being in need of a few more birthday cards for friends & family, that was my goal today!

So, I turned to the Paper Playful site to locate a few sketches to help get me started.

I found this fun sketch at the Tuesday Morning Sketches Blog so that's what I'm going with for this card.  Here's the sketch they are offering this time around . . .

Even though most folks used an actual flower for their focus image,

I decided to use balloons to 'create' a flower for mine!

A bit different, but I think it works!!

I had a few left over balloons so I placed them on the inside panel (here's a peek inside) ... now all it needs is some loving words and it will be ready to mail!

I've used Tim Holtz 'Tumbled Glass' Distress Spray Stain and Tim Holtz 'Seedless Preserves' Distress Oxide Spray to create the background.

For my 'balloon bouquet', I've used the balloon dies from the Sue Wilson Designs - Shadow Box Collection - Celebrations die set and die cut them using panels of white card stock that I inked up using various Nuvo Diamonds Hybrid Ink Pads purchased from the Dies R Us Store.

I've used the small words dies from the Sue Wilson Designs - Perspective Collection - Happy set to create my sentiment panel. 

Once I die cut the words, then I cut around the words using one of the banners from the Sue Wilson Designs - Frames & Tags - Stitched Flags set.  This is one of my all time favorite sets to use for my sentiment panels. 

I think it turned out pretty darn cute!

I hope the recipient thinks so too!  What do you think??

Other Challenges to share in:

Cards 4 Guyz Challenge - No Patterned Paper (7/28)

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #124 - Anything Goes (7/27)

Get Creative Challenge #93 - Birthday

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Artsystamper Challenge - Birthday

Hello my friends!

It's time for a new challenge over on the Artsystamper Challenge Blog where the team is showcasing digital images designed by Beverly Cole at The Artsystamper Shop!    The 1st and 3rd Monday of each month brings another Artsystamper Challenge

and today's theme is:

BIRTHDAY

For today's card I've used the following beautiful digital images . . .

Vintage Roses & Birds

SENTIMENT from the Outdoorsman Masculine Set

I've used coordinating card stock for my card base & matting panels.  The decorative edge is the Frantic Stamper Heart & Loop die set and I've added a few 'pearls' by using Nuvo Mauve Crystal Drops.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!

You do NOT have to used Beverly's images (of course we would love to see them if you have them) ... but you must follow the theme to qualify for the prize.  PRIZE you say . . .

YEP ... The winner of our challenges will receive the stamp set of their choice from TheArtsystamperShop.  Beverly Cole's selections offer stamps and sentiments in each set as well as pre-colored images for easy, last minute cards.  Why not take a moment and check out what she has in the store!!

TheArtsystamperShop Etsy

  Artsystamper (YouTube Channel)  
Artsystamper Art Group

Artsystamper Challenge Blog

Hop on over to the Artsystamper Challenge Blog and enter!

You will also see more inspiring designs from the Artsystamper Addicts DT ... so much fun!!

Challenges to share in:
613 Avenue Create July Challenge -  Anything Goes w/twist: Sentiment as Focus
Dragonfly Dreams July Challenge - NO patterned paper
Crafty Friends Challenge #140 - Birthday

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Tutti Designs - Hello Summer

Hello dear friends!

Today's card for the Tutti Designs Store was created using an older die but perfect for this time of year!  Be sure to pop over and check out what Tutti has to offer!

The die I'm referring to is called (as the title indicates) 'Hello Summer'.

Some sky designer paper and a sweet sentiment and this card is ready to bring a smile to someone's face!  I've used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to color my white card stock die cut panel.

 Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of the fabulous dies available. Need more inspiration?  The team has something new to share on the Tutti Designs Blog  EVERY DAY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY!  

Pop in often and see for yourself ... what a talented group of designers!!

For your convenience, here are all the Tutti Designs quick links you will need:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

OH ... AND JUST A REMINDER

We now have a Tutti Designs UK Store ...

AND

Tutti Deigns Canada

CHECK 'EM OUT!!

Wishing you all an AMAZING day ahead!  

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

 

Love and Peace

Happy Friday Afternoon Friends!

I've spent most of my day cleaning & laundry (just gotta do it sometimes LOL) but I did

make a card yesterday and wanted to share it with you. 

I was in need of a sympathy card and even though I have several in my Craft Show sale box, I wanted

to make something special for the person I'm sending it to.  So I decided to create a quick panel using some of the awesome digital stamps available over at Beverly Cole's Etsy Shop called  TheArtsystamperShop

I began by choosing what flowers I wanted to use for the focus image ...

I chose flowers from the Fall Flowers Stamp & Paper Crafting Kit

This is a fabulous kit with images you can color yourself or precolored for you.  Today I selected the precolored single flower image but then changed the color in my software to blue.  Then copy/pasted that same image and reduced the size.  I then copy/pasted that smaller flower to create my 3 flower cluster before modifying the color.  As you can see I made one of the smaller flowers a darker shade of blue then the other two ... always need a bit of contrast!  LOL

Next, I brought in my leaves and selected to 'place to back' which put them behind my flowers. 

Now I need a sentiment and the sentiment I chose is from the Vintage Roses & Birds Set.

The last thing I needed was to select my background.  For that, I chose one of the beautiful papers available in the Artsy Jellies Paper Pack.

After printing onto glossy photo paper, I punched the corners and matted it with green card stock.  A few sequins and Nuvo Crystal Drops for embellishment ... my card is ready for a message and a stamp.

If you're not familiar with Bev's work, you are missing out!

She also has a challenge blog that you only need to follow the theme to join in

and YOU could WIN some of Bev's amazing stamps!  I hope you'll consider playing along!

Here are links that will help you check out all things Artsystamper!!

TheArtsystamperShop Etsy

  Artsystamper (YouTube Channel)  
The Artsystamper Addiction (FB Public Group)

Artsystamper Challenge Blog
Artsystamper Pinterest Page

Here's wishing you a FABULOUS weekend ahead!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Dies R Us Challenge - Christmas in July

Hello Friends!

Here we are in the middle of July and that means it's time for another fun challenge over on the  Dies R Us Challenge Blog. Our theme today is:

Christmas in July

Dies used on today's creations are:

Sue Wilson - Festive Collection - Poinsettia Mini Background
 
Paper Rose - Merry Christmas


What a quick & easy card to create today using two dies and two panels of DCWV foil papers.  I love the festive look these foil papers give to a holiday card.

Don't forget to check out sister store in Canada . . .

Dies R Us now has a sister store with warehouses in USA & Canada called Didi Crafts.  

It will ship to both the US and Canada. Didi Crafts will carry some of the same products as DRU, but most will be different. Now our Canadian friends don't have to worry about huge taxes or shipping fees. How great is that!?!

Scrapbooking & Cardmaking Store

I hope you will come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below. 

click below for:

STORE 
 CHALLENGE BLOG
  FACEBOOK
  INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

  Hope to see you there!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
  

As always . . .

Double D Challenge - Let's Go To The Beach!

Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

I'm happy to say I am hosting today's challenge and today's theme is:

 Let's Go To The Beach!
 
The design team ladies have come up with some amazing designs for your inspiration, be sure to pop over and check 'em out!  Speaking of inspiration ... here's the mood board I created ... hope it helps to inspire you!



 Here's what I have created for you ... can you tell what items in the mood board inspired me??

The stamp set is a very old (circa 2003) Stampin' Up set called 'Sketches'.
I'm sure many of you who have been crafting as long as I have remember this awesome set.

I had actually forgotten how many STAMPS I had in my stash to fit this theme until BFF Diane mentioned using stamps on her card.  WOW!  I really need to start looking beyond the many die sets I have.  Nice to drag out an oldie but goodie! 
Doesn't she look relaxed just looking out over the ocean?!

 I did however bring out a couple dies to embellish my card and the sentiment is from another oldie but goodie stamp set by Stampendous.

We have this fabulous  die offered as the prize to one lucky random winner. 
Remember ... you gotta play to win!

Impression Obsession - Single Beach Chair

 

So be sure to pop over to the Double D Challenge Blog to see all the details and amazing samples offered up by our VERY TALENTED design team ladies!!

 Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you at Double D!

As always . . .

Goodies for a Girlfriend!

Hello Everyone!

How are you doing these days?  If you're anything like me, most days you're doing okay but then you have a day where you're just tired of staying home, doing the same old stuff day in and day out!  With the Coronavirus still at it's peak, you're almost afraid to attempt to do much away from the house like you used to.  

But, today I'm venturing out to have lunch with a girlfriend and thought I'd make a little treat to give her for helping me get 'out of my funk'.  Besides, I've had this die sitting around for awhile now and it's about time I gave it a try.

The die I'm referring to is this one . . .

  

Sizzix - For the Birds

Of course, as you can see, the set comes with these cute birds & branches to place inside the 'house' but I did it a little differently!  I decided to use vellum on the inside of each panel and fill it with M&Ms! 

[Fast forward a few hours!]

Well I'm back from lunch and it was wonderful!  Chit Chat with a good friend was exactly what I needed to put me in a better frame of mind.  We went to TGIF, sat in a booth up in the bar area and there was absolutely NO ONE ELSE in there!  There were a few other customers in the dining area but less than a half dozen!  So it was awesome! 

OH and she loved her little surprise gift.  She was headed over to see her grandson and said he was going to love sharing her M&Ms. LOL

Okay NOW I'm in the mood to get something done here in my cave. 

Till next time ...

Stay safe, Stay healthy, Stay HAPPY!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Tutti Designs - Bird Tapestry

Hello dear friends!

Today's card for the Tutti Designs Store was created using an older die from the store but one of my all time favorites.  Be sure to pop over and check out what Tutti has to offer!

This card could be used for a variety of occasions!

Wedding ... Birthday ... Sympathy ... or just for a Thinking of You message!

The die is as the title shows, called 'Bird Tapestry' and I think is just beautiful.

After die cutting my panel from white card stock, I simply measured what would be the inside frame and cut a scrap of green card stock and glued it to the back of my white panel.  I found a leafy designer paper for the background as I wanted the tapestry to be the STAR!!

I've added dimensional tape to the back of my tapestry to add dimension and a couple little Nuvo Crystal Drops for a touch of elegance.

 Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of the fabulous dies available. Need more inspiration?  The team has something new to share on the Tutti Designs Blog  EVERY DAY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY!  

Pop in often and see for yourself ... what a talented group of designers!!

For your convenience, here are all the Tutti Designs quick links you will need:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

OH ... AND JUST A REMINDER

We now have a Tutti Designs UK Store ...

AND

Tutti Deigns Canada

CHECK 'EM OUT!!

Wishing you all an AMAZING day ahead!  

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

 

Sisterhood of Crafters - Ink It Up

Hello my friends!

Today I have a card for the new challenge over on The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Our theme, chosen by Jennifer this time around, is:

 INK IT UP

This card is nothing BUT INK!  LOL
I've used an old wooden block floral stamp by a local artist ... Stacy Stamps to create both the background panel and the foreground 'bleached' panel.

The two inks I've used are Tim Holtz Distress inks 'Spun Sugar' and 'Picked Raspberry'.
I did the bleaching technique on the leaves (from a Simon Says Stamps set)
but only clear embossed the flower in the center.  The highlight area is from the lighter
Spun Sugar sponged in the center where the Picked Raspberry is around the outside edge.

I couldn't tell is my card stood out better with a pink or black background for photographing so I'll give you a sample of each. LOL

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters!
My 'sistahs' have created some fabulous creations to help inspire you ... 

be sure to pop over and check them out!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!