Nephew's Birthday Card. Happy Birthday, Zach!

More Gorgeous Grunge!
I do LOVE this stamp set!

I used Zach's favorite colors - red and black with the addition of blue and gray just because red and black can be so dark.
I didn't intend this to be quite so busy, but this is how it turned out.... and he said he liked it. 

 

I used Pacific Point as the card base with a mat of black and the large happy cut from thinlits in black as well.  The ink colors - Real Red, Pacific Point, Smoky Slate, and Memento's Tuxedo Black.

Busy Busy Busy...  He won't get bored!!  :)

Brother-In-Law's Birthday

After sending a text to my sister (3 states away) to find out what were Jack's favorite colors - she sent me a picture of him in his camo just after a hunt.  SO, camouflage it is!  Actually, more of a faux camo. :)

I don't think I've made a camouflage card before, but then I do forget things I've made... :)  As much as I've used Gorgeous Grunge lately, it really seemed to lend itself to a camo card!

I used the new In-Color, Mossy Meadow along with Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, and Soft Suede.  I also used a label layering technique I've been playing with, and will use more often in the future.  I really like the effect.

Happy Birthday, Jack!!

Nephew's Birthday

Wishing my youngest nephew a VERY Happy Birthday!

Love this stamp set!  Just perfect for a 'guy' card - and his favorite colors are red and black.
Cherry Cobbler, and the Memento Tuxedo Black ink with some circle punches, and black Stickles.

"No Naked Envelopes!"  Just some extra accents on the envelope using the same stamp set.

I REALLY LOVE the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set! 

Nephew's Birthday Card

I'm still in love with this Thinlits card base!  REALLY LOVE IT!

January is lots of birthdays in our house - my sister's, my nephew's, some friends.... lots of birthdays!

The yellow card I made for my sister, and this Island Indigo card I made for her son are exactly the same card base, but so very different!

I even used the same DSP stack - Gingham Garden for both cards.  It wasn't a matter of being lazy, or not imaginative, just that the colors worked so well.

Here's the inside view of his card.  I really enjoy having that inside panel for messages.

 

 

Favorite Uncle's Birthday

Uncle Paul's Birthday is right at the beginning of December so it's usually a bit of a rush to get a card ready right after the Thanksgiving break.  It's also difficult to think up ideas for his birthday cards!

This year, I had a fantastic idea that worked even better than I expected.

 You see, my Uncle has season Packer tickets, for as long as I can remember, actually!  He loves going to the games, and the entire family has the opportunity to go to games throughout the season!

SO, a Packer's Birthday card would be perfect.

HOW did I make a Packer's birthday card?  You're probably not going to believe this, but the idea actually hit me when I was making a gift for a friend and she's crazy for OSU.

The logo is actually from a roll of Duct tape.  YES, Duct tape!!!  I didn't CASE the idea from anyone - this one I'm going to take full credit for as mine.  There are so many craft project out now with that stuff, I'm going to add another!

One for the cover, and one for the inside.

Now as I'm writing this post, I just thought of another idea to use with this logo.... stay tuned!  :)  It will be a project for Christmas break.

Dad's Birthday

While Mom and Dad were still out and about traveling they drove down into Texas for a few days to spend some time with my cousin, and stopped back for an overnight on their way home.

In addition to spending time with them on their anniversary, they were here over Dad's birthday too!  What timing!

We went to Dad's favorite place, Billy Simms for barbecue, and then came back to the house.  Mom and I spent some time talking, and Dad watched some sports.  While Mom and I watched a movie, I made this card, and gave it to Dad right before they left the next morning, which was actually his birthday.

Please enjoy!

Cousin's Birthday Gently Falling - Leaves

My cousin Jon recently moved to Texas...  I'm sad I can't be there too, but time will tell.  His birthday is this coming Saturday, in early September.  Can't remember how old he'll be, but I used to babysit for him - especially on New Year's Eve.  I loved it, because when Aunt Nancy and Uncle Paul came back from their night out we would sit up and talk for a long time!

On to Jon's card.

  It's really difficult making cards for men - especially since I'm in flower mode right now, playing with ideas, and finding new ways to make and mount them...  I thought why not do the same things with the awesome Gently Falling set.  Lots of colors on the leaf bases - Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Baked Brown Sugar.... and gold embossing powder as the overlay.  It doesn't sparkle, but it sure does glow!

This piece is a close-up of the leaves.

I used the stripes embossing folder, and ran over it with a brayer loaded with Early Espresso.  It gives a GREAT barn board effect.  Better than I planned!  :)

The sentiment on the front is also done with Washi tape, and I used the negative piece as a frame to highlight the sentiment.

Please enjoy!

CKC Tulsa Make and Take

I bought my Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers just one year ago at the CKC show in 2012 after looking at the alcohol markers and what they  can do for quite awhile.

I ran over to the show Friday afternoon quickly to do just a little shopping at the vendor fair, and I saw this Make and Take available.  Love those $2 Make and Takes!

 Since I already have the markers, I was looking for some advice and a little confirmation that I was using them to the best capacity.

We used 3 colors, and blended, blended, blended!  I got to talk with a local lady who was working at the booth and another girl that came to sit with us for the tutorial.

Gotta LOVE the effect the alcohol markers create!

Graduation Card

My youngest nephew is graduating from high school this weekend.  Among other things from us, he will receive this card.

Our high school colors are purple and white...  I've always loved those colors together!  I had good fun with all the gradients in this card.

 I used the stamp set "Blue Ribbon"... and lots of layers!  Concord Crush is the dark purple, and Wisteria Wonder is the lighter tone.  I also used a stamp-off to stamp the Congrats Grad all over the front, and Wisteria Wonder for the inside of the card.  Little stamp crazy??  Yes! :)  I still think it looks pretty good.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that Congratulations stamp.  It's got to be one of my most used stamps.

I also made a gift card holder - will post a picture of it later - so awesome in purples and whites!  It was one of our June 1st projects from my stamp club.


So many projects.... so little time!  :)

Nephew's Birthday Card

My youngest nephew just turned 18, and is crazy about planes.

I saw the rolled bills as candles somewhere, and thought it was a great idea!

I used the new Stampin' Up clay with some star molds I had, and used the markers to color them along with some Stickles for some sparkle.

This card was sent in a priority mail box since I was positive it would be ruined or lost in a regular envelope.

Sure hope he liked the card!!!

Nephew's Birthday Card - wit

 I ordered this stamp set quite awhile ago, and it was waiting for just the right time to debut.  Lots of details in this card for my nephew's birthday....  going to have to do some math to figure out how old he is.

The medallion is stamped twice - cut once to pop off the page as well as the center piece.

 Colors used:   Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, More Mustard, and Early Espresso ink, Bashful Blue & Midnight Muse cardstock.  Scalloped circle and circle punches, and the striped embossing folder.

 Here you can see the dimensions in the card's medallion.

 What's a wit?  Nick just purchased his first home, so he needed a gift WITh his card. :) 




Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

Operation Write Home - Box 1

Here is a sample of the 55 cards I sent in my first box to Operation Write Home.  OWH always has some challenge or other going on as well as mini-challenges on the Facebook page or their blog page.

One of my Cricut/Facebook friends mentioned OWH, and I looked into it.... and here I go with another project! I do love these - challenges, deadlines, and oh yes, you have to be creative! 


I used some of my new Stampin' Up products that are coming available now in January, as well as some of the Sale-a-bration items available later this month!

 

I really love the sailboat, and have found lots of use for it.  I got out the Spectrum Noir markers, and had a good time working with blending the alcohol inks.

 Here we have a triple-time-stamping sample using the Everything Eleanor stamp set.

Below, is one of my very favorite retired Stampin' Up sets - Watercolor Garden  I get an incredible amount of use out of it - One Sheet Wonders, etc....  Flowers anyone??

Are you tired of seeing the Stippled Blossoms yet?  I LOVE them!  Looks great with the colors... so springy!

 

I found an entire set of card sketches on the OWH website, and decided to play with one of them under the flowers theme.  Even if it is in the middle of winter....  flowers are always so nice to have around!!

 

Here's another retired Stampin' Up set - I really like how the alcohol markers make the flowers look so pretty!  I added some photo corners, and lots of little details.

 

I saw a sample of this on a blog, and thought it would be great for the winter themed cards.....  Here I used my Tsukineko brilliance inks - Sky Blue and Platinum with some pearls and rhinestones.

 Here you can see some of the new stamps - the hummingbird, butterfly, and flower come from the Sale-a-bration brochure, and the sentiment stamp is from the new January catalog.  I'm going to get lots of use out of these stamps!

 So that's my first post for Operation Write Home cards!!!!  I'm already working on the 2nd box with new challenges and assignments.

Check out the Facebook pages and blog pages!
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Operation Write Home Blog  

Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

Happy Halloween!

 Happy Halloween!

This is always such a fun day!  I didn't realize I had the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set, so with my recent purchase of the Stamp Punch, I decided to play around with it a little.  At Hobby Lobby yesterday, there was a package of Halloween paper just calling my name.... so here you see the background paper.

Please enjoy!

This card I LOVED the second I saw it....  it's a CASE from another Stampin' Up Demonstrator, and SO adorable!

You won't believe how easy this is to make:  Heart punch, cut in half, 'clipped' with the small circle punch.  The large star punch (ret.) *just one star prong!  The large circle punch, twice to make the curve, and then the jewel tag punch for the 'teeth'.  I had the stamp from Hobby Lobby for a few years, embossed in Tangerine Tango powder, then sponged the Daffodil Delight pieces with  Tangerine Tango ink.  SO SO cute!!!

Your comments are treasured!

Father's Day 2012

 Yes, a belated Father's Day - but my dad will be visiting in just a few days, and instead of sending this through the mail, he will just have to wait until he gets to my place!!!  Now my dad is not much of a tie-wearing dad... but he does wear one on Sundays, and for very special occasions!! 

We found a VERY cool gift.... but that's a surprise!

I found this card on the Stampin' Up website, and just had to make it!!  It's a lot easier than you think - just some paper folding and easy techniques.

 This is similar to a card by Brenda Keenan, and HERE is a link to her video showing how to make this card, AND lots of great variations.  I used the "same collar" variation instead of showing another pattern.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Thank You Cards, Congratulations, Happy Birthday, and a CUTE Project!

This post has lots of different cards.... I've been so busy with different projects, I thought I'd just put them all together, and explain each with a caption. Please enjoy!!



My youngest nephew just celebrated his 17th birthday, and in addition to being a very cool, awesome kid, he's got planes on the brain. I used the Need For Speed Stampin' Up stamp for this, and a new Ranger Ink I bought.... Black Enamel. YES! It's just like stickles, but solid black, and dries very shiny! I know my sister will love this!


We just have a new entry into the job market in the family, landing a GREAT job - so this was the card I sent, with a message on how thrilled I was regarding this great job... and how all the hard work has really paid off.


This is the Thank You card I sent along with the prizes for the April Christmas Card Challenge... Bashful Blue on vellum, with Dazzling Diamonds embossing powder.


Aren't these ADORABLE?? I bought them in February from OT... and have been using them as Mother's Day gifts with my kids. They turned out cuter than I imagined. I just had to share. :)
They are recipe holders! There's a clothespin on the back to hold it above the flower.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Miscellaneous cards - All kinds of occasions!

This card was for a relative's birthday - a very special order. 

I'm trying to remember what I made this card for.... I remember clearly....  die cutting, watercoloring, cutting the layers, and popping them....  I just can't remember who I made this for!!!  Ugh!  :)

My dear friend, and old boyfriend had some surgery, and since he loved to play with Hankie, he got this card to hopefully help him on his way to a full recovery.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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How FUN are these?? Need for Speed!!

This stamp set is called... Need For Speed!
How FUN are these images! :) We have so many young men in our family, I just had to have this stamp set!

I used a variety of techniques on these images... burnishing, inking, marker, watercolor... and the scallop circle for the clouds. :)
The sky is inked with Bashful Blue in each piece, the 'roads' and water under the speed boats are water-colored, and each vehicle uses the Stampin' Up Markers.
I took shots of the pieces close-up so you could see more clearly. As always, just click on an image to enlarge it.

I am using these for EVERYTHING!!! A Design Team project, Cards for Soldiers, Birthday Cards, Get Well Cards, etc. The possibilities are endless!
















Your comments are always appreciated!

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A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing.