Cool Beans!

So many of my family (me included) and friends celebrate birthdays in the summer.  My schedule becomes hectic with dinners, barbecues, family and friend visits.  Today I thought I would share a card I made for my friend Eva's birthday.  She is another of my Jane Austen gals as well.  When I was thinking of what to give her for her birthday, I decided on including a Starbucks gift card, so I thought a coffee-themed card would make a fun way of packaging it up.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Squeezed Stamps, Stampin' Up
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Archival, Distress Antique Linen, Distress Vintage Photo
Misc.: Ribbon

This is another card using stamps by different manufacturers that I think went very well together.  By inking the background with the Distress Ink, I found the white take-away cup really stood out.  Sadly, Fresh Squeezed Stamps is no longer, but I know the stamps I did get from them will be used for years to come.

I make a lot of tea related cards as I am a big tea fan, so this was a fun change for me.  Funny thing, neither my husband nor I are coffee drinkers.  We only take out our coffee pot for company!

Have a fabulous day!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Hi, guys! Today I am sharing a pair of Thanksgiving cards I made for my friend Christine to give to her in-laws and her mother.  This first one is for her in-laws.  You may recall my post from WOYWW where I showed this panel being made with lots of fun Distress Stains.  Ranger Gold embossing powder was then used on the stamped images.  This is an old Stampin' Up set that is one of my all-time favorites for this time of year.

My Tonic Distressing tool (Tim Holtz) got a lot of use around the edges, and then they were inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  Watercolor paper was used for the panel as I just love how vibrant the stains look when applied to it.  You can get a lot of play with the stains and water and not worry about the paper pilling or warping too much.

For Christine's mom, I used the adorable image of this pilgrim mouse by Inky Antics.  Various leaf buttons were added for some fun and dimension.  Christine calls her mother "mama" and wanted that incorporated on the front of the card.  Inside the card I used Honeycomb paper in orange so when she opens it, she will find a 3-D pumpkin.  

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and so you can expect a lot more Thanksgiving cards to be shared here.  Just love the togetherness this holiday fosters.   Now, if only retail stores will keep in mind the true spirit of this holiday and stay closed at least long enough for everyone to have the chance to dine together.  We have relatives who have missed dinner these past few years due to retail stores having to be open early that day, and it makes me so very sad.  I am all for shopping, and love Black Friday sales, but FRIDAY is the key for me.  Okay, off my soap box!   You know I must feel strongly about this as I am not much of a ranter on my blog!

I am entering these into the following challenges:
http://arandomthursdaychallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/09/art-16-anything-goes.html
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2013/09/challenge-99-anything-goes.html

Have a great day!  Off to get my fingers INKY!

Got Margaritas? Adult Party Favors

Hi, guys! This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend a sister get-together.  My sister moved into a new apartment so we decided to celebrate together along with a few good friends.  I decided we needed to have some "adult" party favors.  I picked up some pre-mixed margaritas and mudslides. You know how I love to make cards, so I decided to make some fun tags to add to them.

The woman holding her head is a stamp by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  I know we have all had days like that and so I thought it would be perfect for this project.  The "got margaritas?" stamp is by A Muse.  The mudslide tags used an old stamp from Stampin' Up, and the cool thing is the chocolate is embossed with chocolate-scented embossing powder.  Distress ink is rubbed along the tag to look like chocolate smudges (we have all had that happen I am sure!).

These were a big hit with all the ladies.  I think they are perfect for you to make for ladies gatherings, showers, or game nights.

Wishing you a fun day!  Until next time!

Nature Inspired Sympathy Card

Hi, guys!  Today I am sharing a sympathy card I made for a gentleman who lost his mom.  I wanted to make it masculine and with a nature theme.  What better set for me to use that my trusty "Lovely As A Tree" set by Stampin' Up.   I used neutral colors, twine, and a wooden button to relay the natural feel.  The image was heat embossed with a light champagne colored embossing powder for a subtle feel.

Supplies:
Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Brown, Distress Ink
Stamps: Stampin' Up, Rubber Stampede
Paper: Gina K Designs, The Ink Pad NYC Husk
Misc.: Embossing Powder, Wooden Button, Twine

Have a lovely day!  Until next time!

Some Monkey Business - Alex is 2!

Hi, guys!  I made a card last night for my friend Erich's nephew Alex.  I can't believe Alex is 2!  I made his card when he turned one (photo in my gallery) and boy, has time flown!  For this birthday I decided to use a fun old set from Stampin' Up.   I love these funny monkeys and figure a little boy would, too.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Gina K Designs
Ink: Stampin' Up, Distress Ink (Wild Honey)
Misc.: Fiskars Square Punch, Lawn Fawn Trimmings


I love digging through my older sets and using them in new ways.  I figure I loved them enough to buy them, so I need to show them that love by using them.

Have a great day!!

Father Knows Best!

Hi, guys!  Father's Day is right around the corner and so I thought I would share a few cards I made for this great occasion. 

This first card I made for my father-in-law.  I used gold metal and embossed it with a fun embossing folder of various tools.  My husband told me his dad always works with tools and would love it. I sanded the metal down a bit to accentuate the embossing.

Supplies:
Stamps: Studio G
Paper: Ten Seconds Studio, Stampin' UP
Ink: Stampin' Up
Misc.: Craft Tools Embossing Folder



The next card I am sharing I made for a friend's father-in-law.  I decided to use the metal sheet again and emboss it with Tim Holtz's embossing folder of pocket watches.  I sanded this one, too. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet & Sassy Stamps
Ink: Stampin' Up
Paper: Ten Seconds Studio, Stampin' Up


I am sure you noticed that I didn't share the one I have made for my dad.  I know he checks out my blog and don't want to ruin the surprise.  It is a fun one and I will share it after he receives it.

Have a great day!

Welcome, Eli Patrick!

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well.  I have been having a great weekend and a productive one!  My husband is busy putting together my furniture for my stamp room as I type this.  I go in and help him when he needs another set of hands.  The furniture was delivered this week from IKEA.  I can't wait to see it all put together.  It is so exciting!

I thought I would share a card I made for my brother.  He is the one who has been helping me non-stop with getting my blog up and running and answering my computer questions.  My brother asked for a special card to be made for a co-worker of his who is having her first baby.  He supplied me with the name of the baby so I could make it personalized.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous
Paper: Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Misc.: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Oval Punches, Ribbon, Gems, Distress Tool

I also made a graduation card for a co-worker to give for her cousin's graduation.  I haven't shared any graduation cards yet this year so I thought this would be a great one to start with. I used a computer generated name and year.  The diplomas were all clear embossed, and the hats were stamped with black Versafine ink and clear embossed.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous, Vap! Scrap
Paper: Stampin' Up, Gina K Designs (White, Black)
Ink: Versamark, Memento Black, Versafine Black
Misc.: Clear Embossing Powder, Oval Punches, Gems, Twine, Circle Punches

I am off to do some barbecuing with my hubby.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great week ahead!

Happy 1st Birthday Card & My Blog is 3 Months old today!

Hi, guys!  Hope you are having a great day!  Today my blog is 3 months old!  I just realized it this morning and it made me happy.  I am having a blast and am enjoying the blogging community.  People have been so gracious, kind, and, most of all, supportive. I can't wait to see how my blog develops with time.

I thought I would share a card I made for a friend's grandson's first birthday.  I pulled out my Crafty Secrets stamp set again but used one of the boy images this time.  I used a computer to print out his name to personalize the card for him.

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Supplies:
Stamps: Crafty Secrets
Paper: Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Black, Copics
Misc.: Oval Punch

I think this is one of the most fun child birthday stamp sets I own.  I love to be able to customize cards by switching up these images.

Wishing Wyatt Joseph a very happy birthday!

This weekend is going to be packed with activities.  I am heading to a stamp show in MA tomorrow for the day. I will share the details with you next week.  My husband is doing his monthly show in the city as well.  I am hoping to catch the second half of it if I am lucky with traffic.  On Sunday, I will be attending my niece Amanda's dance recital followed by a shopping spree at Ikea for furniture for my new stamp room.  I'd better take some vitamins!

Have a great weekend!

Holy Confirmation Card

Hi, guys!  Hope you are having a great day!  I thought I would share a Holy Confirmation card I made for a friend at work to give.  It is the first one I have made this season.  I thought about using a cross, but then decided to use a dove, which signifies the Holy Spirit.  I found this dove in a Christmas set called "Madonna and Child" from Stampin' Up.  It is another use for a Christmas stamp.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Stampin' Up
Misc.: Tim Holtz Embossing Folder,White Embossing Powder, Circle Punches, Square Punch, Silver Cord

I had fun making this card for this special occasion.  It was fun looking through my stamps to find a focal image that would be appropriate and different.

Hope you have a great day!   Hope you find a few moments in your day to do something you love!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi, guys!  I hope you are having a great day.  I want to wish Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the mothers out there.  Moms play such an important role in each of our lives and I hope your day is filled with love and happiness.

I thought I would share the card I made my mom (now that she has received it!).  I used one of my favorite stamps from Stampin' Up - Stipple Rose.  I colored the image with Copic Markers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Stampin' Up, Echo Park
Ink: Memento Black, Distress Ink
Misc.: Scallop Heart Punch

The weather here this weekend has been great.  My hubby and I spent yesterday afternoon planting an herb garden and planting tomatoes and pepper plants.  We are hoping to break out the barbeque tonight for the first time this season and we can't wait.

Hope you have a great day and enjoy the company of those special to you.

Until next time!

Crocus - Spring Is Almost Here!

Hi, guys! Spring is on its way! I have spotted 2 crocuses sprouting up in my front flower bed. Each year when I see them, I become very happy knowing the cold is nearly behind us. I thought I would share a card I did which celebrates this happy flower.

Supplies:
Stamps: House Mouse
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black
Paper: Stampin' Up, Gina K White
Misc. Copic markers


I really enjoyed making this card, as I love to color. It brings out the inner child in me. Why don't you pick up a marker, crayon or colored pencil, and give it a try? I bet it will make you smile.

Have a great day! Hope you find a few moments in your day to do what you love!

It's A Girl!

Hi, guys. I thought I would share a card with you that I made for a co-worker's baby girl.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Stampin' Up, distress inks
Paper: Stampin' Up, DCWV Nana's Nursery
Misc: pearls, oval punches

I can't believe I have been blogging for one week already!

Have a great day! Hope you find a few moments in your day to do what you love!