A special Birthday Card for a very special Sister-In-Law!!!!

Just recently Splitcoast Stampers had a Color Challenge called "Pink Pudding", using the Stampin' Up colors "Very Vanilla", "Pink Pirouette" and "Pistachio Pudding" and I love that color combination so I decided to use that challenge to make my sister-in-law's birthday card which I gave to her today and she loves it!!!  By the way, I do not have any of that Stampin' Up cardstock, so I just went on line and found out the RGB codes and made some using my printer and white cardstock!  Also, the desert for that challenge was "No Stamping"...so I did not use the first stamp!!! So here we go....this is a "front-on" photo of it and the next one is like a side view.

And here is a close-up view.

For the ovals, I used my Spellbinders Petite Ovals SM and at  the base of the ovals I used one of my new Anna Griffin embossing folders.  The pretty flowers were cut using my Silhouette Cameo and a free flower file by "Doris the Crafter" at the UK Scrapper's site.  You can download her free flower file here at the UK Scrappers site....BUT you have to be a registered member for one month if I remember correctly!  The "greenery" was all done using Memory Box dies and the butterflies are my design that I gave away back in October and if you did not get the free file, you can go here and scroll down to go to the free download!  The tiny butterflies were from a Martha Stewart punch.....I punched them twice, the top layer was punched using pink vellum and then I used some liquid pearls on the body.  The "happy birthday" was done by me in the Silhouette software using the "Black Jack" font and then cut with my Cameo and then I used VersaMark Watermark and clear embossing powder which I heat set...did this three times!  Almost forgot to mention that I used my "Clear Wink of Stella" on the vellum butterfly wings and on some of the greenery.

Here is a photo of the inside of the card.

My DH chose the wording on the inside....and hey it is his sister...LOL  Of course, she thought it was funny!  I actually did the border for the inside using my Silhouette Studio software and scans of the images...I made that entire section a "print and cut" and then added some liquid pearls to the inside of the flowers!  The font I used is "2 Peas Mr. Giggles".

Now for the fun part............my "signature label"!  I decided to make one special for this card, so I found the image (coloring book image on Google) and colored it to match the card in Photoshop and then took it into my Studio software and made me a "print and cut"....this was so much fun and it looks so cute and original!!

And not last, but not least......I had to make a pretty box to place it in.  This was a box file that I made years ago using my Pazzles Inspiration software.  I used some craft cord around the oval and cut some pretty corners with a Cuttlebug corner die...added a bow and some bling and here it is!

For those of you that never visit the Splitcoast Stampers site, please go by and check it out.  I've found that when I do the "challenges" it inspires me to create new card designs and this one was so much fun!

Thank you so much for stopping by and I would love it if you would leave a comment about my creation.....now get busy and create something!!!

Supplies List

Papers:  Recollections "Ivory" 110 lb.,  Wausau "Bright White" 65 lb., Vellum

Ink:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Watermark" and Stamp-n-Stuff "Detail Clear Transparent" embossing powder for the sentiment

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo",  Pazzles "Inspiration Creative Cutter", Sizzix "Big Shot", Ranger "Heat It"

Accessories:  Offray "Pink Bow", Jolee's Boutique "Dual Tone Prizm Spinel", Needloft "Craft Cord", Recollections "Pearls", "Tender Leaves", "Small Olive Branch" and foliage portion of "Fabulous Phlox"  Memory Box Dies, Spellbinders "Petite Oval SM", Cuttlebug "Corners", "Clear" Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker, "White Opal" Liquid Pearls, Anna Griffin "Francesco Lace" embossing folder

Good News & my "Red Poinsettia Card"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited and so thankful to God and all of y'all for your prayers!  Thank you so much.  The results from my PET scan yesterday are good.......no signs of cancer and I don't have another PET scan scheduled until until March 18, 2014!!!!  Everyone there said that I was looking so good!  The only thing I did not like is that I have gained 5 lbs....but the tech that does the PET scan said that that is a good sign as it means I am on the mend from all of the radiation.  Awww, now I can breathe for a while!!!

OK, now back to my passion (besides my DH), crafting!!!  I have completed the "red poinsettia" A2 Frame Card and have photos to share.  

For this one, I did not use the clear embossing powder, I just gave the ink on the vellum a bit of time to dry and I actually think it's better NOT to emboss as I think it cuts better.  I used a couple of "Bic Mark-Its" to color this one.  For my darker color I chose "Rambunctious Red" and for my lighter color I chose "Sunset Orange" and I rather like how it turned out!  For the sentiment I used the "1 Bicarbonite DNA" font and I cut it out of a vinyl sample from signwarehouse.com that they sent me ages ago called "Champagne Gold Holographic"...love it!!!  Here is a close-up of the poinsettia.

Now, here are a couple of photos of the back of the card, showing the easel.  For this one I actually cut three of the easel and glued them together.  I did not score them with my cutter, instead after I glued them together I scored it with my Scor-Pal and I actually liked that method much better than cutting it out of cereal box and then having to paint or cover it with paper like I did with the first poinsettia card.

I will be making a "signature" label to go on the back of each card.....maybe using a "Christmas Bell" or "Christmas Tree" shape...have not decided yet!

Hey, once again, thanks for all of the prayers and support...they mean so much to me and thanks for stopping by.  Hurry back!!!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supply List

Papers:  Bazzill "Smooth White", Velllum, The Paper Company "White W/Gold Dots" Decorative Paper

Stamps:  "Pretty Poinsettia" digital stamp by Jane Beljo

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", Sizzix "eClips"

Accessories:  Offray Ribbon, Recollections "Pearls", "1 Bicarbonite DNA" font, "Champagne Gold Holographis" Vinyl,  Zig "Wink of Stella Clear Brush Tip" Marker

I LOVE this poinsettia image!!!!

OK y'all, I was "surfing" a few days ago and came across this card that made me want that digital poinsettia image.............so I went looking for it and found it here and purchased it!!!  I then proceeded to make me a print and cut file of it in black and white so that I could print it on vellum, lay clear embossing powder on it, heat set it and then color with my Tim Holtz Markers (for my lighter color I used "Spun Sugar" and for my darker, I used "Worn Lipstick") and my Clear "Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker".  I liked the poinsettia so much that I decided to use it on a Christmas card for my sister-in-law.  This card does not open...I used an easel that I cut with my Sizzix eClips as my SIL likes to place cards on display in her built-in bookcase by her fireplace.  I sure hope she likes it!!!  Here are a couple of photos.

Here is a close-up.

For the "glitter stripes", I once again used the Silhouette "Double-sided Adhesive Sheets".  I'm thinking about making another card just like this one for my other sister-in-law, but make the poinsettia red and use gold accents instead of silver .  If I do that I will post some more photos.  Thanks for stopping by and hurry back!!!

Finished Card Size:  A2 (4.25"x5.5")

Supply List

Papers:  Bazzill "Smooth White", Velllum

Stamps:  "Pretty Poinsettia" digital stamp by Jane Beljo

Ink:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Watermark"

Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", Sizzix "eClips", Ranger "Heat It"

Accessories:  Stamp-n-Stuff "Detail Clear Transparent" Embossing Powder,  Silhouette "Double-sided Adhesive Sheets", Offray Ribbon, Recollections "Pearls", "Alex Brush" font, Oracal "Ultraleaf Cast" 3.5 Mil Vinyl, Recollections "Extra Fine Silver Glitter" Zig "Wink of Stella Clear Brush Tip" Marker

I'm still "coming up roses"!!!!!!

I hope y'all don't get tired of roses.  I had to play a bit more last night, using some thinner cardstock, plus I made this one about 1.25 inches in diameter and I like it much better!  It's also easier to work with!  I used  "Plasma Blue" 80 lb. Canson "Effects Papercraft" that I bought from Michaels several years ago.  It's iridescent and I think it's some of my favorite paper that I own.  By the way, the lovely paper I placed my rose on is some Colorbok that I bought at Walmart!  At any rate, I just thought I would share this with you....so thanks for stopping by for a little visit.  Please let me know what you think of this one!

I forgot to add that the FREE cutting file for this rose is in the previous (May 4th) post, in four different formats.  Enjoy!!!

OK, let's talk about "paper flowers"!!!

Hey y'all, I know....I've not been here lately, BUT I have been very busy!  I came across a thread at the Makes the Cut Forum and that got me started on paper flowers like you would not believe!!!  Check this out:

and here is a close-up!

These are what is called "fringed flowers" in the world of quilling and Cecelia Louie designed a cutting file for those of us with digital cutters.  When I saw this, I just had to purchase it.  If you are interested, you can find it at her Etsy site here!  The file includes a really nice PDF with very good instructions and  DXF, STUDIO and SVG formats.  Thanks Cecelia!  The "plate and stand" that I used is a free fill download by Sue Lough in the UK and you can obtain it here!  I did alter the plate a bit for my project, but I love her file...thanks Sue!

OK, so now on to "My Paper Roses"!  I "googled" paper flowers looking for a really good rose file.  I found videos showing how to make them, but not a file that I really liked, so I proceeded to make my own and I'm sharing it with all of you.  When you download the file there will be a link to a video by "shabbybeautiful" that I used for my inspiration, in fact here is a link to her video!  Here are the first two roses I made using my file.

For the largest one I used Bazzill smooth white cardstock and for the smaller one (which I brushed with some yellow pigment ink in the centers with a stencil brush) I used Colorbok Textured White Cardstock from Walmart....it is a bit thinner.  I'm also going to try this with some other thinner cardstock I have in my stash and some 24 LB white paper from Epson.  Why don't you download my FREE file and give it a go....just put your own "spin" on it!!!  Just click on the file format of your choice below to download the file!

MTC

STUDIO

SVG

WPC

I would LOVE to hear your comments on these roses and my file! Enjoy!!!

Someone VERY special had a birthday on the 28th!!!!!

In 2009, I served on the Pazzles Design Team and through that association I gained a very special friend named Sue Reynolds and even though we've never met face to face, I feel like I've known her forever!  So, needless to say, the card I made for her birthday had to be as special as she is!  By the way, some of you may know her as "HotPaws"...........she is the creator and owner of the "HotPaws Pen Tools" that work with  a number of the digital cutters...like the Silhouette Cameo, Silhouette SD, CraftRobo, Wishblade, Pazzles Inspiration, KNK Zing, Black Cat Cougar, Cricut and BossKut Gazelle! Here is a photo showing her Pen Tool and some of the many different types of pens that you can use with it.....

such as, from left to right:  Spica, Martha Stewart Marker, Signo, Zig Millennium, Sharpie Ultra Fine Point, Stampin' Up Marker, Gelly Roll and a Pentel "Slicci".  The "Slicci" is very "skinny", so when I use it, I use a "pencil grip" around it to keep it in place.  As a matter of fact, I just got through using the "Slicci" on this card!  If any of you are interested in the "HotPaws Pen Tools", you can find the information you need here!  I highly recommend it and Sue's customer service is the best!  And no, I'm not prejudiced or biased............I'm just speaking the facts!

Now, on to the card.  Here is a photo of the front of the card, which measures 5 1/4" by 5 1/4" square.

There are a few things that I would like to point out about the card front.  First off, the "Border Frame" was designed by me using a Silhouette America "Border" file and I used the "HotPaws Pen Tool" with a Pentel "Slicci" pen to make it and the gorgeous "Medallion" (which you will also see on the "Inside View" of the card) and "Label" were designed by another close friend of mine, Teri Frank......isn't it lovely?  I used different sizes of a Silhouette America "6-Petal" flower file to make the flowers and the "Geometric Background" is also a Silhouette America file.  Everything was cut using my new Silhouette "Cameo" which I just love!

Because this card was going to be mailed, I decided it would be best for me to design a "card box" for it.  I did this design in my Pazzles Inspiration Studio Pro software and it was cut using my Pazzles Inspiration digital cutter except for the "Geometrical Background" which was cut using my Cameo.  I used another one of Teri's "medallions" on the front of the box...just love it!

Here is a photo of the card in the box I designed.

For the inside of the cards I decided to use another one of the frames made using the "HotPaws Pen Tool" and the "Slicci" pen.  The text was printed on vellum with my Canon Pixma and then I covered it with clear embossing powder which I heat set.  Right beneath the vellum is another of the "Geometric Background" digital die cuts.  I also used two more of Teri's "medallions" inside of the card.

And last, but not least, is the back of the card, where I used another one of Teri's labels!

By the way, Sue loved her birthday card and I loved making it for her!  Thanks for stopping by and I would love it if you would leave your comments here at my blog!!!

Finished Card Size:  Lg. Square (5 1/4"x5 1/4")

Supplies


Papers:  Bazzill "French Vanilla", The Paper Company "Ivory Paisley on White", Strathmore "Translucent Vellum"
Ink:  Tsukineko "VersaMark Dazzle", Tim Holtz "Antique Linen" Distress Ink
Tools:  Silhouette "Cameo", Pazzles "Inspiration", Ranger "Heat It"
Accessories:  The Paper Studio "White Half Pearls" and "Faux Pearls" (flower centers), Pentel Silver "Slicci" Pen, Martha Stewart "Rose Leaf" and "Branch" Punches, Stamp-n-Stuff "White Pearls Translucent" and "Detail Clear Transparent" EB Powders, JEJE "Peel-off Stickers" (silver trim on box lid), Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, HotPaws "Pen Tool" for Silhouette "Cameo"

Hey y'all, looks like I'm casing Elly again!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just love her creations!  You can see the one I've cased here.  My sister-in-law's (Lillian) birthday is coming up February 25th and I decided this card would be the perfect one for her.  She is my husband's baby sister and we have a really great relationship!  

Here is the front view of my version of Elly's card....you will notice that I did not use a sentiment on the card front because I think it would detract from the beauty of Elly's design (please click on the photo to see an enlargement with all of the tiny details):

Here is a closeup of the centerpiece of the card front:

While check this out......my new way of adding antennas to butterflies.  The butterfly punch that I used is small so I used tiny pieces of beading wire with some liquid pearls at the tips and let them dry on my craft mat!  What do ya think?  Another thing I want to point out is that I made an outline mat for the small Spellbinders "Fleur De Lis" die that I used for the centerpiece.  The leaves and flowers were cut using my Pazzles "Inspiration Creative Cutter".  The leaves were a free SVG download from MTCSCAL e-files.  If you have a digital cutting machine and have never visited his site, you should...........it's wonderful!

Thanks for stopping and please be sure to visit Elly's blog.... I promise she will inspire you to make something really beautiful!!!  I believe I'm one of her #1 fans.

After Wednesday, I will be posting another card that I made this past week for a dear friend's birthday.  I can't post it now because she does check out my blog occasionally.  At any rate, please stop by later in the week to check it out...........I did something really different on it!

Supplies


Paper:  K&Co. "Ancestry Mat Pad", DCWV "The Luxury Stack" (flowers) and Bazzill
Tools:  Pazzles "Inspiration Creative Cutter", Quicutz "Revolution"
Ink:  Tim Holtz "Old Paper" Distress Ink
Accessories:  Martha Stewart "Punch Around the Page Swirling Lace" and "Monarch Butterfly" punch, Scor-Buddy, Spellbinders "Fleur De Lis" Pendant, Recollections "Pearl Stickers", Making Memories "Deco Metal Sticker" (lg. flower center)

Wonderful Gift Box!!!!!!

I found the idea for this gift box here and if you check out her entire blog, Elly does some absolutely beautiful work!!!  I set about making a cutting file for this project so that my Pazzles Inspiration Creative Cutter would do all of the cutting for me, which is always nice!  The only thing that was not done using my PI was the Spellbinders Labels Two and the Martha Stewart "Eyelet Lace" punched border.  The "dahlia" flower is from a template I purchased from "Fred She Said" (you can find it here) and I even set it up for my PI to cut all of them out for me!  Something else that I want to point out is that I've used some silk wallcovering samples from Lowe's in the making of this box and............I LOVE it!!!

Here is a photo of the top of the box:

Here is a photo of the box opened up.....as an extra security I used some brads to attach the box tray to the card section:

And last but not least, here is a close-up photo of the flower I made:

I used this gift box to hold a Christmas gift.  Thanks Elly for the marvelous idea!!!

Supplies


Paper:  Bazzill "Mystique", Strathmore "Parchment" and "Silk Encyclopedia (silk wallcovering samples from Lowe's)
Ink:  Tim Holtz "Old Paper" Distress Ink
Tools:  Pazzles "Inspiration Creative Cutter" and Provo Craft "Cuttlebug"
Accessories:  Spellbinders "Lables Two", Spare Parts "Brads"

50th Wedding Anniversary Card..............

Just recently my sister-in-law (the one that lost her husband and almost her own life in a horrible auto accident last year) asked me if I would make a 50th anniversary card for some dear friends of hers and of course I said that I would be happy to! The wife used to be a client of mine and is a friend also. I got to thinking of the Splitcoast Featured Stamper Challenge for the week of May 15th when Cathleen (aka/ctorina) was the featured stamper and back in April she had made a card that I thought was absolutely stunning...but then I think all of her work is stunning!!! You can see the card I'm referring to here and I decided to use it for my inspiration. When you case a card of a "featured stamper" you are to change at least 2 or more things on it and I changed a lot more than 2 and one of the ones that I changed was the "orientation". Here is a photo of the front of the card that I made:

And here is a photo of the back of the card I made:

Here is a close-up of the flower that I made using a cutting file designed and sold by Laurne Meader (here is a link to her blog where she has a wonderful video showing how to create them and here is a link to her online store where you can purchase the cutting file and it's only $2.50 (so worth it!). She has a lot more really nice cutting files!!!)

Here is a photo of the inside top of the card where I included the photo that was on their invitation to make this card even more of a keepsake!

And here is a photo of the verse that I used on the inside bottom of the card:

I guess that you can tell that this card will not fit into a regular A7 envelope...so I decided to design an "A7 Card Box" that I can cut using my Pazzles Inspiration Creative Cutter! Here is a photo of the front of the box I designed:

And here is a photo of a side view of the box:

Finished Card Size: A7/5"x7"
Supplies

Papers: Neenah, Recollections (black), Black Suede Gold Mirror Cardstock and "Sparkling Papers" by WorldWin
Tools: Pazzles Inspiration Creative Cutter, QuicKutz Revolution, Provo Craft Cuttlebug
Accessories: Spellbinders (LG Classic Ovals, LG Classic Ovals Scalloped, SM Standard Circles and Labels Two), Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page "Double Loops" (border for box sides) and "Floral Vine" & "Garden Trellis" Deep Edge Punches, Peel-Off Stickers, Want2scrap "Black Half Pears", Mark Richards "Gold Half Pearls", "Gold" Stickles