Happy 50th Birthday, Joe!

Another big event at our chorus retreat, was a celebration of the 50th birthday of our coach, Joe Connelly. I needed to make a card that was roomy enough for everyone to sign, and was special enough to double as a "gift"

Here is what I created:

I used images of items from his childhood (well, except for the big-wheeled bicycle) and followed a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (#177)

 The inside is an exploding box with a cupcake in the center. It is supposed to be a cupcake anyway, but I had attached the base to the base of the card before I realized I had forgotten to run it through my crimper; it does not have that cupcake wrapper feel, but I was not about to take it apart to fix. 

The images from the outside of the card were stamped inside with Versamark, so it would not be so plain, but would not impede signatures. 

The frosting is embossed and the candle is a drinking straw. The flame was made by tying different lengths of orange ribbon and securing them with a brad (so they would not shift) then stuffing all of that into the straw. 

Other than the crimping mistake, I am quite pleased with how this came out. 








Card Details:

Image: SU

Sentiment: SU

Cardstock: Bazzill, SU, unknown dp

Ink: Memento, Versamark
Coloring: N/A

Tools: Nestabilities, embossing folder, unknown brad

Embellies: unknown ribbon, drinking straw

Baby (Doctor) Who

At our Retreat, my chorus had a baby shower for one of our members. I was asked to provide a card for everyone in the chorus to sign. The soon-to-be mommy is a HUGE sci-fi geek. She loves all things Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, etc, but how do you get any of that into a baby card? 

It took me several days, but I finally stumbled upon an idea. I used the phone booth from the SU set, 'Feeling Sentimental', to produce a Tardis. By googling "Tardis images", I found a background I could recreate.

Coming soon from a Galaxy near You...

I sliced around the edges and adhered it to a panel underneath, using Velcro to keep it closed. Underneath, the image of the baby on the moon seemed just right for my sci-fi theme.

 

 

The next Doctor!

The whole card then opens up for everyone to sign. The party was great fun, and I am proud to say my card was a hit!













Card Details:

Image: SU, PSX

Sentiment: Made with individual unknown letters

Cardstock: SU, GP

Ink: Memento, Kaleidacolor
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Reinkers and alcohol, cotton balls, SU punch, Velcro

Embellies: Embossing powder, unknown ribbon, unknown brads

Singing in the Rain

It poured yesterday, it rained more today, and tomorrow it is going to snow. So much for that "in like a lion, out like a lamb" thing.

Linda's May/June theme in the 'Hood is posted, so I figured I may as well make it. I don't know why I did not work on the swaps that are due sooner, especially as I know exactly what I am going to do with them, but that is the way it works sometimes. 

Ok, so back to Linda...
She wanted us to "make a card that represents some activity you love to do outdoors", I assume in the summer. 

As you may or may not know, I am allergic to the sun. I spend all summer in long sleeves and capri pants; No shorts and tee shirts for me... except when it rains. I love those overcast days!

I am sure Riley is singing as he stomps in those puddles; I know I would be.


 






I do not think I have ever done this before, but I am entering this card in multiple challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches (#179) - Thank you for the sketch
Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog (#144) - Create Your Own Background (not only the trees; if you look closely, you can see the yellow panel is streaked to simulate rain falling - did you notice it is falling in the same direction as the drops in the image?)
Crafting When I Can (#90) - Favorite Hobby or Activity




Card Details:

Image: Riley and Company, Cover-a-Card

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: Hammermill, GP, SU

Ink: Memento
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Nestabilities, Cover-a-Card

Embellies: unknown ribbon

Late (Again)

Yesterday marked a holiday that I, not so much celebrate, but observe every year; I call it "Dagnabbit! I forgot my BILs birthday AGAIN!" His birthday is March 2, but I never think of it til March 3. (Well, except last year. Last year I was actually on time!)

Recently I have been thinking about this large box of card kits in my closet, and that I should go through them and create. I saw this snail who is perfect for a belated birthday card. 

Tuesday Morning Sketches #290), created this adorable layout and the card kit provided the rest. (I would have preferred the snail to be green, but could not find a marker combo to coordinate with the designer paper.)

These little guys are happy to be on their way to Florida, where they will be much warmer (and drier)










Card Details:

Image: unknown

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: GP, unknown dp

Ink: unknown
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Nestabilities

Embellies: unknown ribbon

New Life

Let me start by saying I love, love, love, Love, LOVE this theme!

Every once in a while a swap is posted that really gets my imagination flowing, and I cannot wait to jump in. Even then, though, the card I create seldom translates from brain to paper the way I envision. But this time, this theme, this sketch, this card, embodies that rare moment when it all comes together perfectly.

Maryann is our hostess this time around in the 'Hood. And by this time around, I mean for March/April (I have gotten rather ahead of myself in the card-making department). Here is what she wrote: "March and April remind me that spring is coming. Along with spring comes new life: of grass, the gardens, flowers, the baby deer, all the new baby chicks, and all the creatures of this earth. Let's make a card for a new life. It could be a baby card, flowers in bloom, etc. Let your imagination run wild. Have fun!"
Immediately I knew what stamp set to use, and as soon as I saw Tuesday Morning Sketches (#286), it all came together in my mind. All that was left was to get it out onto (into?) paper.

Card Details:

Image: SU

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: GP, SU

Ink: Memento
Coloring: N/A

Tools: SU punch(es), MFT die (grass)

Embellies: Unknown ribbon

Whipper Snapper in Color

Once again, Barb is hosting her Whipper Snapper (or Penny Black, but I did not join that one) swap. This time around, we are to use our favorite color combo for crafting. For me, that depends on my mood, the stamp, or what catches my eye at any given moment. My newest WS stamp (that I have not already used in a previous swap with Barb) is a flamingo, so on the day I created this card, my favorite color combo was pink, more pink, and a little pink for variety's sake.

Card Details:

Image: Whipper Snapper

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: GP, SU

Ink: Memento
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Nestabilities

Embellies: Generic ribbon

Let's Get Naught-y!

I have to admit, it was not until I was checking the exact title of the Sisterhood's March/April theme, that I realized the Jan./Feb. theme had one, too! I only saw the nautical part of the theme, not the naught-y part in the title. Mine clearly does not have that last twist, as I made a Sympathy card. Oops Fortunately, this month's hostess, Kelly, was happy with what I made.

I did not realize the challenge blog where I got this sketch was defunct until after I had made my card. I have since deleted it from my bookmarks, so I cannot even give them credit. My apologies; I never really expected I would get around to blogging it. (2/20/14 Edited to add: Hold the presses! I found it. The sketch came from Sketch N Stash Challenge Blog. I found it while looking for the hostess of the sketch challenge for the card in my next post. Yes, usually I do save these things, but again, never really believed I would blog it)







Card Details:

Image: Love You to Bits

Sentiment: SU

Cardstock: GP, SU

Ink: Memento
Coloring: N/A

Tools: Reinkers, alcohol

Embellies: Generic baker's twine, unknown brads