4th August

My middle brother lives near the beach in sunny Southern California, so I always use at least one of those themes in designing his birthday cards.  This year, the sun won out . . .

The little brass charm of a crown acknowledges that he is indeed King for the day.

Happy Birthday dear Bro!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Carrot Cake, Canson Mixed Media #98  

Stamps:        Impression Obsession Summer: August, Motivet 4th

Inks:             Ancient Page Saffron, Mandarin, Sunburst, 

ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            TEMU Rectangle Dotted Effect, TEMU Circular          

Stencil:        Honey Bee Radiant  

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Gold Leaf embossing paste, Prima Say it in

Crystals: Brass Crown embellishment

UH OH

 Having some computer and camera problems - will be back on schedule ASAP!

It's the Journey

More fun from my Scrap Box . . .

This is a Guy Card, so I kept the basic layout fairly simple and with a minimum of fuss.  The background is the piece from my Scrap Box and I liked the gentle energy it adds to the composition.

Cardstock:   Unknown Brown textured, Canson Aquarelle #90        

Stamps:       Purple Daisy “It’s not the destination…”

Inks:             Distress Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain,

Tea Dye, ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White, Ranger Gold

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, DieNamics 

Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle, Marianne Rectangles             

Stencil:        Hero Zig Zag Pattern

Doo Dads:    Prima Say it in Crystals     

DAD

Dads are famous for being able to fix just about anything.  My Dad sure could!  So I thought a few tools might bring back memories of how grateful we always were for their skills . . .

The faux magnetic panel behind the tools looked a little flat, so I took small pinches of silver embossing powder, scattered them over the panel, and heated to fuse.  I left the particles grainy instead of heating them until they were smooth . . . the slightly rough texture seemed right for the theme.

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Fossil, Bazzill Raven      

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Distress Brushed Corduroy, 

Encore Silver

Emb Pwdr:   StampAMania Silver Dollar

Dies:            Sizzix Sassy Labels & Stitched Frames, TEMU Gear, Repair

                    Tools, DieNamics Bright Lights Alpha: “DAD”

Emb Fldr:     Spellbinders Blistered

Make A Wish

After a deep dive into my scrap box . . .

I unearthed a few textured pieces I thought went well together.  A few added inks to enrich the colors, plus some shredded edges for added dimension and a bit of bling at the top, and my card is complete!  I think I’ll keep my Scrap Box on my worktable for the time being . . .  

Cardstock:             Bazzill Tan, Scrap Box: Matted Background     

Stamps:                Unknown Texture

Inks:                      Distress Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Peacock Feathers

Dies:                     InLoveArts Make a Wish   

Doo Dads:              Prima Say it in Crystals

Happy Birthday

My first birthday card to my new nephew-in-law . . .

My niece Becky really scored when she met Mike, our newest addition to the family.  He's a great guy and just right for her.

I thought a leafy spray against a brick wall background would work for this Guy Card.  A raffia tied knot instead of a bow also seemed to fit.

Welcome to the family, Mike!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Palo Verde, Scraps White 

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed

Dies:            Ellentina Whimsical Brick, Lil Inker Stitched Mats

Square, Memory Box Lorelai Leaf, TEMU 

Happy Birthday                  

Doo Dads:    Sparkle & Sprinkle Fantasy Gold, sequins        

Cheers!

My latest craze?  Layouts with some fun stitching on them . . .

A stitched panel topped with a Foamiran flower  adds some cheery perkiness to the layout.  Stitched cards take a little longer to make, but the needlework is so therapeutic that I think it’s well worth the time.

Cardstock:   Recollections Purple, Strathmore #184 Mixed Media, 

Bazzill Rainforest    

Dies:            Tim Holtz Stitched Rectangles, Pink Fresh Nested

Squares Diagonal Stitch, AlteNew Cute Open Rose,

 Simon Says “Cheers”                 

Doo Dads:    Foamiran White