Sister's Birthday Card

 This is the birthday card I made for my sister this year.
I used two of the new butterfly die cuts and layered them.

 I used many of my favorite card backgrounds - Gorgeous Grunge, and the punch layering I discovered recently.

I do hope that when she finally receives it, she likes the card.  Her favorite color is purple, so I hope it does the trick!

Co-worker Birthday

I made this card for our PE teacher's birthday.  She does so much for all of us, and the school - I wanted to make this card for all of us to sign. 

 Favorite color?  Green!  Again, I used the Thinlits die with the additional flap for writing - and the Gingham Garden DSP.  (I've been stocking up just in case they discontinue it with the summer's new catalog release.)

Here you can see the inside of the card.  AFTER I took the picture, I added an additional birthday stamp to the inside circle. 

Sister's Birthday Card

I spent a lot of time thinking about my sister's birthday card... so much time, that I actually finished it on her birthday, and got it out in the mail to her 2 days later (because of the weekend).

This is one of those cards that I added a detail, then another, and another.  Then more details on top of those.  I'm thrilled with how this card turned out.  I believe it's one of my best.

The card base is a Circle Framelits card cut with an additional flap.  I used Gingham Garden DSP and Washi tape.  I cut a scalloped circle to cover the yellow front flip area, a strip of punched ribbon made into a 3D medallion and used the Artisan punch to cut out the Happy Birthday on top of the medallion.

The flowers come from the Secret Garden stamp set, stamped, die cut, and folded to give dimension.  I added a bit of Washi tape down the right side of the first inner panel.

The Happy Birthday is framed at the top and bottom with more of the Gingham Garden DSP.  The main colors on this card:  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Island Indigo, and Tempting Turquoise.

Click HERE to see a video I took of this card opening with the 3D medallion.

Wedding Dress Form

Stampin' Up has Dress Form framelits.  They are metal dies in 3 shapes,  an elegant dress, a day dress, and a dress form to hang the dress from.

At first I wasn't a big fan of these, but after seeing so many beautiful dress cards made for many different occasions, I got the set.  This is my 2nd paper dress.

One of my co-workers was married last weekend.  She's a crafter too - more painting, and 3D art, but she appreciates my cards and projects too.  I went over to her place a few weeks ago to help get some of her wedding projects done for her fall themed wedding.  It was a GREAT afternoon, and they were beautiful wreaths.

 Using the dress form as a base in black,  I cut the dress and embossed it, and folded one of the SU doilies 3 or 4 times to make a ruffly lace skirt.  I added pearls for the choker, and around the waistline.

One thing I meant to do and didn't was to emboss the entire background in silver with the En Francais stamp.  It completely slipped my mind - I think it would have been an amazing background.  Next time.

This is the inside of the card - and I made sure to cover my smudge (oops) from inking the sentiment with writing.  I know you're thinking.... a brown (soft suede) card base for a wedding card?  It totally worked with the theme of her wedding...  fall colors, leaves, and she didn't want anything too white, except her dress.

I presented the card today, and my friend really loved it.  Now I can't wait to see all the pictures from her amazing day.

Nephew's Card

My youngest nephew is currently in Basic Training for the Air Force.  The entire family has been sending him cards, letters, newspaper clippings, etc. etc. etc.

This is the third card I've sent his way.  The other two were very plain - nothing too fancy.

This one - I decided to spice it up a bit since he's going to finish soon, and move on to his next assignment.

Lots of details, Washi tape, banners, stars, embossing, Stickles...

Please enjoy!

Thank You Cards

I had a small surprise party for my husband's birthday earlier this month, and these are the cards I made to thank the people who came to help celebrate.

I had this idea, and think it really worked out well - even better than I expected!

I used Wisteria Wonder cardstock as a base, and the En Francais stamp with Versamark ink on the background, and covered it with silver embossing powder.

The flowers were stamped, punched, inked... and the butterfly was stamped on vellum and colored on the back with markers.  I like using rhinestones for the body.

I've also started adding a button with a rhinestone center on flowers - I like the 3 D effect.

Usually a design works better one way or the other, but this card, I was able to switch it up, and the design felt good with the flowers on the left, and right sides so even though they're almost identical, each card is a bit different.

Please enjoy!

Another Window Card

I'm still having fun playing with these window cards...  This time, instead of using one of my punches, I used a Spellbinders Nestabilities die to cut the circle more in the center of the card after embossing the background.

 Lots of colors, as you can see...  Tempting Turquoise flower and sentiment - Crumb Cake background scallop circle and frame for the sentiment,  Wild Wasabi die-cut leaves, Strawberry slush ribbon and sentiment, and Daffodil Delight background.

The ribbon was actually quite easy to place, and I covered the overlap at the bottom with some of the leaves.

The Flower Shop stamp set and punch make these flowers so easy to make!  

The flower in the center doesn't give much space to write on the inside of the card, but I love the dimensions and the effect with the flower's layers.

Please enjoy!

July Stampin' Up Club Cards

Club tonight was GREAT!
We had some excellent card designs (Thanks, Kathy!) as always, and it was just great to see everyone.  I think it's because I'm off for the summer - and needed some crafting interaction!!  :)

Here they are -  I'm posting the 3 options we had for color choices on this first card, just because they all looked so fantastic!

First, Tangerine Tango.

This is the new In-Color for 2013-2015  Coastal Cabana.  I really love this color!!

Here we have the card in Real Red.  

 These cards also use the Black/Vanilla DSP called Modern Medley - I think we'll use this patterned paper a lot!  I know Kathy is in LOVE!  :)


Now - can you say Washi Tape!!??   (Wash - ee) Tape

This card is super-cute and a WOW in person!!
The main colors - Island Indigo and Melon Mambo.  It uses the new Artisan Label punch and the coordinating stamp set, as well as an inset of the sentiment from another set.
Label Love, and A Round Array.

We used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, cut the strip in half, using it to frame the Washi Tape from the Gingham Garden suite.

SO SO cute!!!!!