A Very Happy Birthday 2 You

I don't remember how I came up with the idea for this card, I think I had some extra frame die-cuts laying around and wanted to use them.

I used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base and added a layer of white, embossed with "musical flourishes".  I die-cut the frames and stamped two in pink and one in black.  I picked out a few birthday sentiments, stamped them in the opposite colors of the frame and adhered them to the white, placing the middle frame on foam tape for dimension.

 It looked like it needed something else so I die-cut the tiny stars and placed them on the card.  Much better!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Framed Out #12, Framed Out #1, 2012 Birthday Tags
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
• Tools:  PTI Framed Out #12 Die, Star Border Die; Cuttlebug Musical Flourishes Embossing Folder
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

It's A Girl!

More and more girls coming into the world....I've been making a lot of girl cards this year!  I bought this baby carriage in my last purchase of Memory Box dies and think it's so adorable!

I used Sweet Blush cardstock for the card base, embossing it with distressed stripes.  I die-cut the doily and edged around it with light pink ink.  I die-cut the carriage in matching pink cardstock and stamped the sentiment on it in black.

I die-cut the banner and stamped "congratulations" on it in black ink.  The carriage is adhered to the doily with foam tape for dimension.  I made the little bow in white ribbon and attached it to the carriage - I think it just finishes it off.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Take Three Summer; Taylored Expressions Bringing Home Baby
• Paper:  PTI Sweet Blush, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; VersaMagic Pixie Dust
• Tools:  PTI Bountiful Banners Die; Cheery Lynn French Pastry Die; Memory Box Baby Carriage; Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder
• Other:  Ribbon; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

I have to confess, I don't know where I got this watering can stamp!  I don't remember buying it....does this mean I have too much stuff to keep track of?  hehe

I stamped the image on white and colored it with Copics.  I mostly followed the colors that were on the actual stamp itself because they looked so pretty together!  Once I had it colored, I decided to mount the image on green to help pull out the green in the leaves.  I used Fine Linen as the card base, running it through the Cuttlebug with my Cane Back embossing folder.  The image is mounted on foam tape for dimension.

I stamped the happy birthday sentiment and added glitter to the flowers.  I gave this card to my mom for her birthday and before I did, added a heart with "mom" on it that I put in the upper left hand corner of the white.  I did that after I took this picture so you'll just have to use your imagination of what it looked like....

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Stamps Happen "Sprinkling Can"; PTI Simple Little Things
• Paper:  PTI Fine Linen, White Stampers Select; Stampin' Up 
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Cane Back Embossing Folder
• Other:  Copics; Martha Stewart Glitter; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Yay! It's Your Birthday (CAS #13)

I think I'm getting a lot of use out of this Watercolor Wonder stamp set!  Like I said before, it's so easy to use and you really can't make a mistake with it!

I used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base.  I stamped a couple of the "paint" images on white in two different colors of ink as the focal point of the card.  I also randomly stamped stars in the same inks.  I added the sentiment, stamped in black ink.

To jazz up the card a bit, I added silver Stickles on the paint images for sparkle.  Easy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Watercolor Wonder, Stylish Sentiments:  Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Lilac Posies, Tuxedo Black; Brilliance Pearlescent Purple
• Other:  Stickles
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sweet Peas Birthday

One of the ladies on the PTI Forum wanted to get 70 cards to give her mom for her 70th birthday and asked people on the forum to make and send a card to her.  It sounded like a nice thing to do - this is the card I sent.

I used white cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Aqua Mist gingham pattern paper.  I die-cut the doily in white and adhered it to the card.    I stamped the sweet peas image on white and colored it with Copics.

I die-cut the seed pack frame in Aqua Mist cardstock, stamping "sweet peas" and "happy birthday" on it.  I placed the colored image in the seed pack opening and adhered it to the card, adding a bit of glitter to the flowers for some sparkle.

I wrapped Charcoal twine around the bottom, threading it with a tiny tag stamped with "70 birthday wishes".

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Year of Flowers Collection, Year of Flowers Titles, Tiny Tags, Gracious Vases, Simple Alphabet
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, Aqua Mist Pattern Pack, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG10, BG13, G12, G82, Y21, Y26
• Tools:  PTI Seed Pack Frame #2 Die, Tiny Tags Die; Cherry Lynn French Pastry Doily
• Other:  Twine; Martha Stewart Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thinking Of You

There are so many Memory Box dies out there!  This is one of my favorites called Prim Poppy.  It's so delicate looking but really makes a statement.

I used white cardstock for the card base and added a layer of light blue pattern paper.  I die-cut the poppy on white and placed it on foam tape to pop it up a little;  I also placed it slightly to the left of the die-cut to create a shadow look.

I decided to make this a sympathy card and stamped "thinking of you" for the sentiment.  I added the two light blue pearls to complete the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Mini Blooms
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV Spring Fling & Summer Days
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Memory Box Prim Poppy Die
• Other:  Kaiser Bliss Pearls; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

50th Birthday

I've been eying this "Big Birthday Wishes" stamp set on PTI for a long time and I finally decided I needed to have it!  I had to make a 50th birthday card so it was time to break out this set!

I used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base and added a layer of True Black cardstock.  I die-cut the 50 and the little scalloped banner at the bottom in coordinating raspberry paper.  I wanted to place the "50" on foam tape for dimension, so also die-cut it in coaster for a bit of support.

After adhering the 50, I stamped the rest of the wording on the card.  I really like that I can add the "th" to the 50 so it reads "50th"!  My final step was tying Charcoal twine at the bottom of the card.  I really, really like this color combo of raspberry, black and white!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Big Birthday Wishes, Signature Greetings
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, True Black, White Stampers Select, Raspberry Fizz Pattern Pack
• Ink:  Memento Rose Bud, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI By The Numbers Dies, Banner Borders Die
• Other:  Twine; Coaster; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

PTI has a new stamp set called "Sketched Shapes" and I've been having a lot of fun making cards with it.  For this card I used Plum Pudding cardstock for the card base.  I cut a piece of white cardstock slightly smaller than the card so a stripe of purple would show on the right hand side.

I die-cut four banners and stamped them in two different colors of purple ink.  Next, I stamped arrows pointing in different directions on 3 of the banners and happy birthday on the last one.  I placed them on foam tape and adhered them to the card.  Yes, it needed "something else" so I added the silver sequins.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Sketched Shapes
• Paper:  PTI Plum Pudding, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Lulu Lavender, Tuxedo Black; VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea
• Tools:  PTI Sketched Shapes Dies
• Other:  Sequins; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Best Wishes Today & Always (CAS #12)

Now for a much easier card!  I haven't used Ocean Tides cardstock for a long time and pulled out a piece, rounding the right hand corners.  I added a layer of matching polka dot paper.

Using my new Boutique Borders set, I die-cut Aqua Mist cardstock, stamped it with the sentiment and adhered it to the card with foam tape for dimension.  I also tied some jute around the spine after I took the picture - it just completed the card a little better.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Boutique Borders Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, Polka Dot Parade
• Ink:  Memento Pistachio
• Tools:  PTI Boutique Borders Birthday Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Mother's Day!

Growing up I always remember my mom in the kitchen making something, whether it was dinner or baking cookies, she always made things homemade.  Rarely did we have take out or fast food!  I'm sure that's why I love to cook and bake so much.....it must be in my genes!  When I saw apron cards appearing on Pinterest, I knew I had to make one for my mom for Mother's Day.

I downloaded the apron pattern here.  I cut the apron shape from white cardstock and added a layer of flower cardstock.  Before I taped it together, I cut blue ribbon for the apron strings and placed it between the layers.  I cut the pocket in blue striped paper and added crinkled light green ribbon around the sides and bottom.  Using green paper, I cut eyelet border and placed it at the bottom, on the pocket and the card top.

My friend Jill sent me a bunch of cooking brads - a perfect addition for the apron pocket!!  I stamped the sentiment in red, die-cut it with a tag trio and added the spoon brad.  I punched holes in the top of the card, placed faux eyelets over them and threaded ribbon through them.

The pocket and the sentiment are on foam tape for dimension.  I just love the way this card turned out!

A closer look:

Close up of the pocket:

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Fillable Frames #4
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV Nana's Kitchen
• Ink:  Memento Love Letter
• Tools:  Tag Trio Nestabilities; Martha Stewart Eyelet Border Punch
• Other:  Brads; Ribbon; Foam Tape; Faux Eyelets
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday - Enjoy Your Special Day

I saw this card a few months ago on Cristina Kowalczyk's blog - Cristina is known for her "clean & simple" cards.  I didn't call this one a CAS card since it took me quite a while to line up all the squares!

I started with a piece of white cardstock, and I guess I "cheated" because I drew a pencil line where I wanted to stamp the squares, otherwise I know I wouldn't be able to stamp them straight!  I used my favorite 7 color combination (purple, blue, light blue, green, orange, pink, red) and stamped each square.  I stamped the extra large birthday sentiment in black.

I wanted to make my card a little different from Cristina's so I ran the white cardstock through the Cuttlebug with my linen impression plate.  I also the added red stars and maraschino twine.  

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Square Prints, Think Big Favorites #24
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Sweet Plum, Summer Sky, Pear Tart, Cantaloupe, Rose Bud, Love Letter, Tuxedo Black; VersaMagic Aquatic Splash
• Tools:  PTI Star Border, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate
• Other: Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

1st Birthday

I struggled with this card trying to come up with the right colors to use.  You would think kid cards are easy to make, but I find them challenging!

I pulled out my Nana's Kids stack of paper and selected the green polka dots and animal sheets to work with. I used a white card base and added the green at the top and bottom, the animals in the middle, separating them with white scalloped edging, created by using a heart border.

I die-cut two circles and attached them to the card with foam tape for dimension.  Next I die-cut a "1" in white and one in blue and overlapped them slightly.  I die-cut a "s and t" and placed it next to the 1.

I wanted to put Parker's name on the front and die-cut it in blue.  I die-cut a couple of banners, stamping happy birthday on them.  I added Denim Twine around the spine and a few more stars on top of the polka dot paper.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Simple Little Things
• Paper:  DCWV Nana's Kids; Bazzill
• Ink:  Memento Blue Danube
• Tools:  PTI Alpha Block Upper & Lower Dies, By The Numbers Dies, Countdown Details Die, Heart Border; Standard Circles Nestabilities
• Other:  Twine; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

So Happy For You

I'm not sure what type of card this is going to be - "so happy for you" - I suppose can cover a lot of occasions.  Maybe an anniversary card?

I used Orange Zest cardstock for the card base - I don't usually like orange but felt like using a color I normally don't use.  I stamped the flowers on white cardstock, using my new Rosie Posie Step 2 stamp set.  This set coordinates with the original Rosie Posie set but adds another layer onto the flowers and leaves - you can see how I did this by stamping the red on the orange flowers and the darker green on the leaves.

I stamped the sentiment and added the little circles randomly on the card.  I mounted the image all the way to the left of the card to leave a little bit of orange cardstock showing on the right.  Last step was adding a little bit of glitter along the bottoms of the flower leaves.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Rosie Posie Step 2, Mini Blooms
• Paper:  PTI Orange Zest, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tangelo, Love Letter, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Tuxedo Black
• Other:  Martha Stewart Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Birthday Wishes (MIM #114 - #2)

I made another card using blown ink from PTI's MIM #114.  After I made this, I realized it's quite similar to Dawn's original card she posted in the video!  I didn't do that intentionally!

I used Hibiscus Burst cardstock for the card base, rounding the bottom corners.  I used a piece of white cardstock that's impressed with my Linen Impression plate.  I blew Summer Sky, Rose Red and Pretty in Pink reinkers onto it for the design. (see my May 3 post for details how to do this).

Using my Limitless Layers circle dies, I die cut a pinking circle in Hibiscus and a regular circle in white, stamping it with the sentiment.  I added a row of stars in orange underneath the sentiment and placed it on foam tape for dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI 2012 Birthday Tags
• Paper:  PTI Hibiscus Burst, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Stampin' Up Summer Sun, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink Reinkers; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Limitless Layers Circles, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Straw
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

sending birthday wishes

I haven't been using my Copics very much lately and was in the mood to color today.  And I haven't used this vase set in a while either!  I started out by stamping the flower image onto white cardstock and colored it.  I used the colors in the flowers to pick out the cardstock I wanted to use.

I took a piece of Spring Moss cardstock and ran it through the Cuttlebug using my Swiss Dots embossing folder.  Next, I cut out the scalloped circle in the Spring Moss and placed it on a layer of Summer Sunrise cardstock and cut a standard circle in the middle of the Summer Sunrise.  I placed the flower image centered behind the Summer Sunrise circle.  Make sense?

I thought why not, so I also die-cut where the sentiment is, using a tag trio die to cut the shape.  I stamped the sentiment and adhered the layering to the white card base.  Final steps were tying Marigold twine around the bottom and adding a little bit of glitter to the flowers.  I really like the colors in the flowers and vase!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Autumn Abundance, Everyday Button Bits
• Paper:  PTI Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  YG91, YG93, YG95, Y21, Y35, Y38, YR21, YR65, E08, E40, E42, E44, B0000, B95
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Tag Trio Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Twine; Martha Stewart Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Wish Big (MIM #114 - Blown Ink)

This is the latest "Make-It-Monday" from Papertrey (found here) and it looked like it might be a fun card to make.  It uses paper, reinkers and a straw.  I have a few Stampin' Up reinkers that I haven't used before so it's nice to use them for something!

I used white cardstock as my card base and squeezed out a few drops of Pretty in Pink ink and quickly blew them with a straw.  The ink just goes wherever it wants to, so you don't have a whole lot of control doing this, but you have to work fast otherwise the ink gets absorbed into the cardstock.

After I was satisfied with how much pink was on the paper, I did the same with Lavender Lace and Rose Red inks until I was happy with the results.  Let me tell you, I felt like I needed a bit of extra oxygen after doing the card!  lol

I decided to use a Fillable Frame #10 die-cut for the sentiment, stamped a red outline and the sentiment in black.  I placed it on foam tape for a bit of dimension and adhered it to a Pure Poppy cardstock card base.

This card was a lot of fun to make!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Fillable Frames #10, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Stampin' Up Pretty Ink Pink, Rose Red, Lavender Lace Reinkers; Memento Tuxedo Black; Colorbox Warm Red
• Tools:  PTI Fillable Frames #10 Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Straw
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy 2nd Birthday

It's hard to believe it's May already!  The Spring weather has been really nice here, but it won't be long and it will be hot and humid.  Yuck!

I saw this card on Betsy Veldman's blog last year and when someone asked me to make a card for a 2 year old, I knew this was the perfect card to make!

I used white cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Spring Rain that I embossed with clouds.  I die-cut the airplane, colored it with Copics and placed it on the card with foam tape for dimension.  I die-cut additional clouds in white and added them to the sky.

I stamped "happy birthday Eddie" to help personalize the card.  Since he's turning 2, I die-cut the 2 and placed it on another cloud.  I attached the plane and added twine on the tail, connecting it to the cloud.

It still needed something else so I die-cut the stars, placing them on the two ends of the card.  This is such an adorable card....thank you for the idea Betsy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Fly Away, 2012 Birthday Tags; JustRite Times New Roman 15 Pt.
• Paper:  PTI Spring Rain, Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Love Letter
• Tools:  PTI Fly Away Die, Heart-2-Heart #6 Die, Alpha Block Numbers Die, Clouds 1 & 2 Collection Die, Stars Border; Darice Clouds Embossing Folder
• Other:  Copics; Twine; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"