Happy Birthday, Dad (Steelers Style)

Hi, guys! Today we are celebrating my dad's 72nd birthday!  As some of you may remember, he is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  We kids grew up hearing the names Bradshaw, Swann, Harris and, of course, Mean Joe Greene often. Most of my family roots for them (one brother is a New York Jets fan). For dad's card, I did hardly any stamping (yeah, weird, I know!).  I decided to use the Steelers colors for the card, and to make background paper using some of dad's favorite players' names.  Thank you to my friend Bert for giving me the list of names to use!

By embossing the football, it gave it some fun texture like that of a football. 

Supplies:
Paper: Gina K
Ink: Distress Barn Door & Walnut, Versamark
Stamp: Recollections (Football)
Misc: Clear Embossing Powder


For the sentiment, I decided to write "These men were great" for the outside of the card.  For the inside: "But you are the GREATEST!"  Added a few of my own personal thoughts, and sent it on its way to dad.

This was a hoot of a card to make.  I was glad to see the Steelers win on Sunday!  Hoping they make it to the Super Bowl so I can break out my Terrible Towels and cheer for them.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  You truly are the GREATEST!

Flower Window Card

Hi, guys!  Hope all is well and you are enjoying your weekend.  I thought I would share the card I made for day 2 of A Cut Above Online Class with Jennifer McGuire and friends.  We were learning how to use our die cuts to make windows.  This was a lot of fun to make. 

Supplies:
Card: Earthtone Card The Ink Pad NYC
Ink: Black Archival, Versamark
Misc.: Sizzix Die/Stamp Combo,  Leaf Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Copic Marker, Pearl

I am playing catch-up with these classes this weekend.  Life seems to get in the way of my creating time sometimes.  I look forward to sharing more soon.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Floral Cards for April Design Team for The Ink Pad

Hi, guys!  Hope your day is going well.  I thought I would share two more cards I made for The Ink Pad this month.

This month I did a bunch of floral cards.  I love that even though they had flowers on them, they were all very different in look and feel.   Personally,  I am not much of an earth tone kinda gal, but ended up loving the papers so much that I had to go to the store and pick up a supply for myself.  The card stock is from a 6x6 pad from a company called Canvas Home Basics.

I also had to use Stickles in Star Dust.  So I applied it directly to the stamped flower image above and in the light it twinkles so nicely.   I love Stickles and have them in so many colors.  I am definitely a glitter and shine kinda gal.

One other tip I have for you is to use your markers to color ribbon.  I had a piece of pale pink ribbon, but you will see on today's cards and the cards that follow later this week that the ribbon is not that shade any more.  I colored it with matching Copic Marker colors to match the focal image.  It is a fun way to get even more use out of your supplies.

Hope you like them, and hope you have a great day!  I can almost feel the weekend upon us!!

Creating With Die Cuts

Hi, guys!  Hope you are all having a great day.  Today I thought I would share a couple of cards I made last night.  I am currently taking the online class with Jennifer McGuire and friends called A CUT ABOVE. It is focusing on various die cut machines on the market and learning how to use them to their fullest.  I own 3 die cut machines currently (yes, you read correctly). I own the Cuttlebug, Vagabond and Cricut. This class will include demos of both the Cuttlebug and Vagabond as well as other popular machines on the market.  I am enjoying this class as as there is something for everyone and the tips alone are worth the price of the class.

Supplies:
Paper: Earth Tone Card Ink Pad NYC
Ink: Memento Black
Stamps: Hambo, Lizzie Designs
Misc.: Sizzix Stamp/Die Combo, Sakura Glitter pen

Supplies:
Paper: Stampin' Up, Echo Park
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: Adironack, Distress Ink
Misc.: Tattered Floral Die, White Gel Pen, Button,Twine

This is my fourth online class with them and I can't speak highly enough about them.  If you want to take a class that lets you go at your own pace, full of handouts, information and fun - then I would suggest you look into taking one of them.  The forum and galleries alone are full of useful info and inspiration.

Off now to continue with the class.  I look forward to sharing more creations with you tomorrow.

Have a great night!

Don't Distress 80 - Celebrate it!

Hi, guys!  Hope you had a great holiday weekend.  We had a very nice one.  I was asked by a co-worker to make a 80th birthday card for an attorney who used to work with us.  It was fun to make.  I wanted it to have a masculine feel and also a distressed look.  I sure hope he likes it.

Supplies:

Paper: Ranger Coredinations (Broken China)

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Copic Markers

Misc.: Tim Holtz Bingo Chip, Ribbon, Sanding Block, Cuttlebug Birthday Embossing Folder

This was the second 80th birthday card I have made these last few weeks.  It is such a thrill to make cards for people, but it is so exciting to make them for people experiencing milestone birthdays.  I often wonder why so many people don't want to celebrate each and every birthday with joy and happiness. So many worry about their age, or aging in general.  I know from personal experience that each and every year you are given is a gift and should be enjoyed to the fullest.  So, whether you are turning 40, 50 or even 80, kick up your heels and raise a glass to another year ahead.

Hope you have a great day, and find a few moments in your day to do something you love.

80th Birthday Card - Jane Austen Style

Hi, guys!  I thought I would share a card I made for a friend.  She needed an 80th birthday card for her mother-in-law.  I was told she loved to read and actually took a bookbinding class at one point.  I thought I would make a card with one of my favorite authors in mind - Jane Austen!

All supplies are Papertrey Ink with the exception of the numerals which are Tim Holtz.

This was a fun card to make as it really took some thought as to what I wanted to do and I just love any excuse to age paper, too!

Hope you have a great day, and find a few moments in the day to do something you love!

Just "Pop"ping in with a few cards

Hi, guys!  I thought I would share some cards I made at my class on Monday night at Scrapper's Playground.  They featured Honey "POP" paper by Inky Antics.  I first discovered this paper when Tim Holtz used it in his first tag of 2012.   This honeycomb paper is really cool to work with and even if you don't craft, you will recognize it from party decorations like wedding bells that are hung from ceilings.

This was a very fun class and I would recommend taking a class there if you are in the area.  Get yourself some Honey Pop and give it a try.  I am sure you will enjoy using it.

TGIF!  Have a great day and hope you find a moment to do something you love.

St. Patrick's Day Revisited

Hi, guys!  I thought I would share a couple more Saint Patrick's Day cards I created this week.   I love to emboss cards using powders and my trusty heat gun.  I love the texture it provides.

Supplies

Stamps: Stampin' Up

Ink: Versamark, Stampin Up, distress inks

Misc.:  White embossing powder, circle punches

Supplies
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Versamark, Stampin Up
Misc.:  Green embossing powder, circle punches

In my last post, I asked how you would be celebrating St. Paddy's Day on Saturday.  I will be having a tea party with my 2 young nieces and my sister.  The girls have been asking for one for quite some time and I can't think of a more fitting day to hold a tea than St. Paddy's.  I will be pulling out the cookbooks to find some yummy treats to cook and bake.   Afterwards, we are hoping to find time to stamp and create some fun together.

Have a great day!  I hope you find a few moments in your day to do something you love!

St. Patrick's Day Is On Its Way!

Hi, guys!  I thought I would share a St. Patrick's Day card I made today.  It was fun to make.  I can't believe St. Paddy's Day will be here on Saturday!  How will you be celebrating?

Supplies: 
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Ink: Stampin' Up, distress ink
Paper: Stampin' Up
Misc. rainbow ribbon, yellow circle punches

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

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!