Happy Birthday

While I rarely use patterned paper, I had a yen for a bit of plaid in order to make a few cheery December birthday cards.  Pre-printed papers seemed to be the way to go and I am happy with the cozy results . . .

The bottom of the card features snowflake dies that were used with an embossing sandwich instead of a die cutting stack:  this gave the panel some wintery-themed texture which I hope the camera is kind enough to pick up . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, My Mind’s Eye Pajama Plaid, Generic

                           Textured Cream

Stamps:        Prickly Pear Poinsettia 2, Hero Wavy Birthday

Inks:               Archival Rocket Red, ColorBox Gold, Distress Brushed

                           Corduroy

Emb Powder:   Ranger Claret, Unknown Detail Gold

Dies:              DieNamics Horizontal Stitched Strips, Mama Elephant

                           Peek A Frame, Prickly Pear Poinsettia Flower,

                           DieVersions Snow Flurries

Doo Dads:    Adirondack  Acrylics Cranberry

Thanks

This last of my Thank You note series features one of my favorite backgrounds . . .

Here are the simple instructions:

1. Crumple a piece of waxed paper.  Smooth it out and lay it on your cardstock.

2. Sandwich this between two sheets of typing paper and iron – no steam.

3. Let cool and sponge on your favorite soft colors of any dye ink.

4. Overstamp and/or embellish with whatever images you like.

The crumpled wax will act as a resist and give you a softly textured background.  This is a quick and easy method that never fails.  Try it!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, generic textured Oatmeal, Beckett Candlelight

Stamps:        Stacy Leaf Border, All Night Media “Thanks!”

Inks:               Stampin’ Up Always Artichoke, Hero Soft Brown, PTI Chai,

                           Chamomile, ColorBox Cream White

Emb Powder:   Stampendous Ivory Pearl EP

Dies:              Cheery Lynn Small Exotic Butterflies #1

Doo Dads:    Antique Gold frame, Crackle Accents, Distress Antique

                           Linen Stickles

Thanks

This card is for the second wonderful neighbor Bob who helped me out by walking our happy little dog Tater during my broken ankle follies of summer's end . . .

It features four of my favorite leaf designs which I thought Bob would appreciate as he loves to take long walks in our beautiful countryside every day.  Tater loved them too!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Bazzill Julep, Generic Green scrap

Stamps:        Judikins Four Leaves, Starving Artistamp Zig Zag Stitch from

                           her Altered Stitches Sheet, Lawn Fawn “Thanks”

Inks:               ColorBox Frost White, Stampa Rosa Blanco Opaque White

Emb Powder:  Judikins Opaque White

Impr Plate:    Papertrey Ink Woodgrain

Pencils:         Derwent Inktense Felt Green, Sherbet Lemon,

                           Apple Green

Dies:              Papertrey Ink Angled Label, Memory Box Lorelei Outline

                           Leaf (portion)

Pens:             Gelly Roll White & Clear Star 

Too Cute

When one of our parishioners had her first baby recently, this was the card I sent . . .

It will be a good while before Baby Alexa will be jumping rope like the little golden charm girl is doing, but she's definitely on her way!

Cardstock:   Coordinations Just Peachy, Champion Snow Day, Strathmore

                           Ultimate White

Stamps:        Stampendous Baby Girl Block, Studio G Too Cute

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Lawn Fawn Say Cheese, DieVersions Hint of Lime (“Alexa”),

                           Tim Holtz Labels

Watercolors:     Zig Clean Color Light Pink, Yellow

Doo Dads:    White paper lace trim, gold charm, Stickles Buttercup

Hugs & Kisses

I've been having fun lately with border stamps, banners, and birds.  The fact that all of these elements begin with the same letter is merely a whimsical coincidence . . .

The color choices of lime, black, white, and deep red were borrowed from a very attractive commercial sign I pass by frequently . . . it was such a fresh combination that I always wanted to try it out on a card. 

So here it is:  a little art deco, some loving, time-honored text and a soaring red bird of happiness . . . I think we're done here, folks!

Cardstock:   Bazzill  Parakeet, Strathmore Bright White

Stamps:        Judikins Bollio Whimsy, Stampendous Wedding Vow,

                           Marianne Collectables Banners & Text “Hugs & Kisses”,

                           PSX Screen Background

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              My Favorite Things Vertical Stitched Strip, Lil Inkers

                           Stitched Mats: Rectangles,  Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty Banners,

                           Signs of Spring 1 (bird)

Watercolors:     Zig Real Brush Geranium Red, Yellow Green, Inktense

                                Poppy Red

Doo Dads:    Wink of Stella Silver, Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black

You Are Amaziing

While I was recently on crutches for six weeks with a broken ankle, two of my fantastic neighbors stepped up to the plate and divvied up the dog walking chores between them.  This card is my Thank You to Ed, my wonderful next door neighbor who took the evening shift . . .

The reason for the bunny image?  First, I think it's adorable.  Second, Ed actually has a sweet little bunny for a pet!  I think he'll like this little take on what could easily be termed his family portrait . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill “Old Gold”, Admiral, The Paper Cut Matte Coate White

Stamps:        100 Proof Press Rabbit Squared, Judikins Origami

                           Background, Amuse “You are Amazing”

Inks:               VersaFine Majestic Blue, Ancient Page Saffron

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence, Adirondack Denim

Dies:              JustRite Four in a Square, Spellbinders Classic Scalloped                                                          Rectangles Small, Savvy “Thanks”

Inspire

This card is actually a birthday card for our Orthodox priest, Father Gregory . . .

 He has been working with a group of Black protestant clergymen in South Jersey who are very interested in learning more about the Orthodox faith.  I thought a collection of African motifs and some positive text would be a nice encouragement to add to his birthday blessings . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos #110 Jute

Stamps:        Jim Stephan African Motifs, Vap Scrap “Inspire”

Inks:               Hero Black, ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Ultimate Crafts Magnolia Border, DieNamics Tag Builder 5

Emb Folder: Taylored Expression Weathered

Doo Dads:    Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black