Happy Birthday

 BLUE RIBBON #1, plus a Show Special Ribbon!

Our annual North NJ State Fair has come and gone and now I get to share with you my submissions and how I did in the ribbon department!  I went for some rather unusual and non-traditional looks and wondered what the judges would think.  Evidently, they liked the break in style – I submitted nine entries, was gifted with nine blue ribbons and was even graced with a Show Special (best in its category) which means they awarded me a gigantic pink ribbon.  HUZZAH!

Most of my nine submissions began with a deep dive into my scrap boxes.  I collected two or three pieces I thought would work well together and these laid the groundwork for the final designs.  It was a great way to get focused and saved me a lot of time in trying to think up stuff.  So let’s get started:

This card began with a rather staid design . . .

Hopefully, the addition of the large gold crystal and the red flowers perked things up a bit.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Cheddar, Handmade paper,

Scraps Red   

Stamps:       Impress Row of Flowers

Inks:             VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   B’Muse Midsomer Green Metallic

Dies:            TEMU Vertical Words: Happy Birthday, Cheery Lynn 

Tiny Flower Kit       

Doo Dads:    Green ribbon, Yellow crystal

Welcome Home

My baby brother Gordy had a dreadful stroke three months ago.  After countless hours of PT, numerous tests of all kinds, and many steps backwards as well as forwards, he is finally coming home . . .

 

This second pic shows a view of the back where the message goes.  I put mine into a top-folded panel to add a little more interactive fun to the card.

 

I used one of Jennifer McGuire’s Bridge Card ideas for his card.  She has several videos on this super-fun technique and I highly recommend watching them.

 

Gordy lives in Washington, a state saturated with gorgeous evergreen trees, so I put an entire row of them on the card front.  The card stands up so very nicely for display yet it easily collapses to fit inside an A2 envelope.  Bridge cards have scores of design possibilities and I plan to try as many as I can!

 

Cardstock:   Neenah #110 Solar White, Bazzill Rain Forest, Scraps

Green, Black, Marcos Jute

Stamps:       CC Rubber Stamps Fibers

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Tea Dye,

Spun Sugar, Weathered Wood, Zig Clean Color Lemon

Yellow, Haze Blue, Oatmeal, VersaColor Chateau Gray

Waterclrs:    Zig Clean Color Lemon Yellow, Haze Blue,                                                                 Oatmeal, Tombow 055, Inktense Saddle Brown

Dies:            Impression Obsession Town Builder, TEMU Christmas

Trees, Tree Design, DieNamics Stitched Snow Drifts            

Stencil:        Printworks Clouds

For You

This tag set started out life as a gift tag . . .

 . . . but I think it works well as the focal point on a birthday card, don’t you? As this card is for an Autumn birthday, I thought some textured browns, autumnal colors, and bits of wood fit the bill.

Cardstock:   Goefun Tan, Marcos Jute  

Stamps:       Prickly Pear Oak & Maple Leaf, Unknown “For you”, 

Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Inks:             Distress Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #3, Prickly Pear Oak &

Maple Leaf             

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

Doo Dads:    Jute cords, wood buttons  

Journey

Years ago, my dear friend and stamping buddy Carol gave me this gorgeous botanical background stamp.  It is so big that I didn’t know what to do with it, so it has been in respectful repose in a drawer.  Then I got the bright idea that as it’s too beautiful to cut down, I could simply wrap it around the card base . . .

       

Here’s the full effect when opened up . . .

 

However, the fold is now double-layered which means that the card would rather stay open then submit to closing nice and flat.  So I dug out a decorative paperclip in order to show the card who’s the real boss.

It is so beautiful when opened up that I think I’ll stamp the whole thing and frame it!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Scrap Cream        

Stamps:       Magenta Botanical, 7 Gypsies Distressed Words

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            TEMU Exquisite Three Butterflies, DieNamics 

Sentiment Strips

Doo Dads:    EK Success Nostalgiques Paper Clip     

Happy Birthday

This entire card was designed around the mesh background:  a humble envelope liner that once encased an insurance bill.  At least I got some fun out of the bill that day . . .

 

The white flowers are made from Foamiran which can be heated after die cutting to make the petals curve up.  The best part is that after being flattened into an envelope and making it through the mail, they will perk right back up again when removed from the envelope.  LOVE that!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Commercial envelope liner, Foamiran 

White, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Cardstock Silver Shimmer         

Inks:             Ancient Page Indigo

Dies:            Pink Fresh Slim Stitched Rectangles, Kokorosa 

Rectangle Flowers, TEMU Layered Stitched Daisy,

 TRoyal Room “Happy Birthday”, Marianne Butterfly          

Doo Dads:    Couture Creations Glitter Silver Shimmer, Nuvo 

Glitter Gloss          

Hello Fall

Here is the second card I made with tiny tags I’d put together for a stamping EXPO years ago . . .

I hope you’re not bored with my current fascination with tags . . . I’m certainly not and I’ve got hundreds of tag design ideas I still want to try.  ONWARD!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Capri Sea, Stedner Bright White  

Stamps:       Unknown Splatter

Inks:             Ancient Page Pine, Vivid Assorted Colors

Dies:            Elizabeth Stitched Rounded Rectangles, Unknown 

Assorted Tags, TEMU Autumn-Themed Set: Hello Fall                    

Doo Dads:    Stampin’ Up Nature’s Twine: Blackberry Bliss   

Blessings

Years ago, I made pins out of tiny tags to take to a stamping EXPO and hand out as favors.  There were several left over, enough to make two cards with them.  Here’s the first one . . .

The tags vary in shape and were done with various spraying and sponging methods using four very vibrant colors.  Grouped on a card front, I thought they made quite a cute collection . . .  

Cardstock:   Bazzill Typhoon, Scraps White

Stamps:       Unknown Splatter

Inks:             Distress Faded Jeans, Vivid Assorted Colors

Dies:            Mocut Rectangle Stitched, Unknown Assorted Tags, 

Impression Obsession Dragonfly Set, TKOnline 

Celebration Set: Blessings               

Doo Dads:    Oh Naturale Hemp String: White, NUVO Glitter Gloss 

Congrats

My creative odyssey with tags continues . . . this card goes to a dear friend who’s an award-winning chef and has just celebrated his anniversary . . .

I thought this happy chef would suit the occasion perfectly – he makes me smile and I’m sure he’ll do the same for my friend . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, patterned paper 

Stamps:       Stamp Camp Tiger Marble

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Silver marker, Bic marker 

Hot Aqua, Marvy Burnt Umber, Copic Pale Fruit Pink, 

Tombow #515

Dies:            InLoveArts Happy Chef, Celebration Set: “Congrats”             

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

Doo Dads:    Darice Hemp Cord: Turquoise     

Celebrate

Three scavenged tags from my stash, some frou frou fibers I found the same way, and we have ourselves a very colorful card . . .

 . . . maybe a little over the top, but I loved the colors and decided to go for it.  It matches the colorful and happy personality of my friend Vangie which is always my objective, so I think she’ll like it . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Kachina, Scraps embossed w/Purple, Turquoise,

Green

Stamps:       Unknown image

Inks:             Vivid Purple, Turquoise, Tombow #433 marker

Dies:             DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax, TKOnline Celebration

Set: “Celebrate”      

Doo Dads:    Fibers Turquoise, Purple, Queen & Co Pearls Lilac     

Enjoy Today

One of my favorite ways to give small tags a little more visual weight is to back them with a tag that is a little larger and set slightly askew . . .

Stamping the second tag also adds some texture and contrast.  The ties are jute which I like work with because to some extent they can be shaped.  I coiled each of the cords around a pencil and am hoping some of the curl remains after mailing.

 

The flower centers are from a collection of fuzzy fun products I’ve not used in quite awhile.  Time to bring them out of hiding and put them to work!

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Scrap Green       

Stamps:       Carabelle Wood Effect Background, Stampin’ Up Pin Dot

Plaid, Unknown Splatter, Verve Hope Blooms:

“Enjoy Today”

Inks:             Distress Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn, Tea Dye, Kraft 

Soft Brown

Colorants:    Inktense Cadmium Yellow

Waterclrs:    Zig Clean Color Mid-Green

Dies:            DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax           

Doo Dads:    Fun Flock, Orange Jute cords     

Cheers

Currently I’m on a mission to play with as many tags as possible and also to use as many pieces from my scrap boxes in the layouts as I can.  Pure artsy gold resides in those boxes and I’d be a fool to not take advantage of this treasure trove of collected creativity . . .

 

This project began with a large tag I’d experimented on several years ago.  The results were a disaster involving three murky colors and a fling with clear embossing paste.  The solution was to cover up as much of the mayhem as possible while leaving a little of the only part worth saving:  the Celtic background script. 

 

Then I experimented with letting a bit of the original background show through some leafy cut outs.  A few added crystal raindrops and I called it done.  It’s not my finest creation but at least I can look at it without shrieking.  Hopefully, the same is true of my recipient . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Kachina, Inkssential Tags Craft, Scrap Black,

Silver embossed Black      

Stamps:       Judikins Celtic Background

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Distress Weathered Wood

Colorants:    Ink Sprays Purple, Green, Blue

Dies:            Tim Holtz Cut Out Leaves, Lychee Flower Stitched

Circles, TKOnline Celebration Set: Cheers                  

Doo Dads:    Kat Scrappiness Sparkling Clear Droplets         

Bloom

I think I’m at the beginning of a tag jag.  It’s so easy to fall in love with tags . . . fun to find out that such a small space can support an amazing amount of creativity.  Their versatility is every bit as great as that of conventionally-sized cards.  In my mind, tags are the cardstock equivalent of tiny powder rooms where all of the normal decorating rules of size and proportion can be broken to greatly charming effect . . . 

All that having been said, this tag did not turn out at all like I imagined it would.  Still, I like the results anyway.  I even learned a new work-around to use when things go sideways, so that’s always a great step ahead.  More tags to come, so get ready . . .

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Foamiran, Scraps Black, White    

Stamps:       Alias Smith & Rowe Flowers/Swirls Background, Waffle

Flower Script Texture, Waffle Flower Script Texture, 

Zettiology Journey

Inks:             Concord & 9th White, Superior India Ink Black

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Dies:            DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax, Spellbinders Floral

Berry Accents, TEMU Braided Frame Strips, Frantic Stamper “Bloom”         

Doo Dads:    Checked ribbon, Black plastic buttons    

Hugs

Not really sure if this layout works, but I had fun with it anyway . . . 

This one goes to my newly-15 year old friend Justin who is happy when anyone makes a little fuss over his birthday . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Light Denim, Strathmore Bright White, 

Marcos Jute         

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Bark

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky,

Weathered Wood

Colorants:    Inktense Pencils Dark Aquamarine, Peacock Blue

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, DieNamics 

Traditional Tags Stax, Impression Obsession Large

Fence, Bird, TEMU Sentimental Shadow Words: Hugs         

Stencil:        The Crafters Workshop Mini Art Is . . .

Doo Dads:    Suze Weinberg Whipped Paper, American Crafts

Jute Dark Blue     

The Journey

This is the second tag-themed card I’ve retrieved from my pre-made card stash . . .

As before, I made this one at a stamping EXPO Make and Take, so I’ve had to guess at some of the materials list as I don’t own the stamps.  But I love this composition and am grateful to the many vendors at these shows for offering such inspirational opportunities via their Make and Takes.

Cardstock:         Bazzill Horizon, Manila Tag

Stamps:                 All by Stampers Anonymous

Inks:                       Possibly Distress Black Soot, Speckled Egg, Vintage Photo

Doo Dads:              Tim Holtz Arrows and Gear Wheel, Grosgrain ribbon

Your Special Day

A busy Spring and various unplanned challenges have put me behind with my blog as well as with my card preparations for submission to our annual NJ Fair.  So with Time breathing down my neck, I’ve dipped into my previously made card stash to come up with this posting and the next one . . . 

Both cards were made at EXPO Make and Takes, so my Materials List is rather short as I don’t own these stamps and don’t remember their names.  Manila tags are the focal points for each of these cards and this has rekindled my long time love affair with tags and all of their infinite creative possibilities.  I expect to have me some fun in using them for more cards in the near future.

Cardstock:         Neenah Desert Storm, Scraps Black, Manila Tag

Stamps:                 Unknown

Inks:                       Superior India Ink Black

Doo Dads:              Black grosgrain ribbon, Crystal   

Hudson

The loss of a beloved pet who has been a member of the family for over eighteen years is especially hard . . .

As the beloved pet of my priest and his wife, Hudson led a blessed life indeed.  He is now home with his Creator . . . happy and healthy.  Hope I get to meet him when it’s my turn to go Home one day . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Scraps: Brown, Black, Red

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Bark, Our Daily Bread Never

Forgotten, Simon Says Pawprints On Our Hearts, 

Unknown Tiny Pawprints

Inks:             Hero Soft Brown, Superior India Ink Black, Gina K 

Charcoal Brown

Colorants:    Tombow Red, Orange, Purple, Zig Greek Isle, Memento 

Cantaloupe

Dies:            Gina K Master Layouts 20, Scastoe Door Window Set

(Flower Box), CoolifWang Door Window Set, Impression

Obsession Cat Set, Memory Box Alphabet Soup, 

DieVersions A Hint of Lime