Butterfly & Blooms Birthday Card

Hey crafty friend!  Today I'm sharing the birthday card I'll be making for my church ladies' July birthdays.

The fresh new patterned paper pack, All Abloom, is full of pretty patterns.  I layered two of them for the card base, and punched 4 different patterns with the butterfly punch and layered them, securing with a linen thread wrap.  

The vintage newsprint is awesome! It's Typeset Specialty DSP, and I used it for the "Happy Birthday" strip as well. 

I scrunched and bunched a knot full of Pink Pirouette seam binding ribbon for a bit of a shabby look because none of the fancy bows I made seemed to complement the card. 

The burlap ribbon did a nice job of warming up an otherwise sherbet-y card.  I like the way the butterfly stack turned out!

Inside:

I'm playing with these two fun card challenges.   Click on the pictures to visit them and join in the fun!

Who doesn't love choices in a challenge??  I picked a diagonal tic-tac-toe of BIRTHDAY, PATTERNED PAPER, & ANY SHADE OF PINK. Fun!

And this sketch is going into my permanent go-to file.  I flipped it upside down.  

Have a blessed and creative day! ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  From My Heart

INK:  Mossy Meadow

PAPER:  All Abloom DSP, Typeset Specialty DSP, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Pink Pirouette seam binding ribbon, In Color Sequin Assortment, Linen Thread, Burlap ribbon 1-1/4"

OH HAPPY DAY! Adoption Congratulations

For the first time in a good, long while, a color challenge hasn't been a stress to me!  Here's a card I made for a friend's recent adoption finalization. They are a super sweet family and I am SO happy for them!

The colors from our latest challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. Super juicy and summery, right?

I created a large shaker window and used Fringe Scissors to make this great confetti!  I was able to snip up little squares of all the challenge colors, plus Silver Glimmer Paper!  The little one is 2-1/2, and he's going to love it.  He'll probably rip it up to get to the confetti, but that's okay :D

Here's an inside look at the making of the shaker.  I cut several Shaker Frames into quarters and ran them around the outer edge of my shaker area.  Then, make the confetti by criss crossing  the fringe scissors to make squares. Placed a square of Window Sheet over it (acutally I attached it to the opening of the Lost Lagoon layer for the card front with Sticky Strip).  Added a double layer of Dimensionals, since the Shaker Frames are 2 Dimensionals high. 

Inside, I made him a little name tag.  (His first name was left off til after the photos were taken)

And there you go!  Won't you stop by Hand Stamped Sentiments and play along this week?  I'd love to see how you use these fabulous colors!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Starburst Sayings, Hip Notes

INK: Tangelo Twist, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey

PAPER:  Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Window Sheet

EMBELLISHMENTS:  InColor Sequin Assortment, 3/8" Stitched Stain Ribbon in Hello Honey, Essentials Wooden Elements, Shaker Frames, 

TOOLS:  Fringe Scissors, Big Shot, Starburst Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Diagonal Stripes embossing folder

OTHER: Dymo label maker

Hip Notes Thank You

Just dropping by with a quick thank you note, using Retro Sketches current sketch.  I kept it super clean and simple, as I was trying to do a card and run out the door to deliver it in 10 minutes!

It's embellished with a few tiny circle punches from the Owl Builder punch (eyes) and some star sequins from the In Color Sequin assortment.  

As you can see, I flipped the sketch to suit my need!  

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:  All from Stampin Up unless otherwise noted.
STAMPS:  Hip Notes
INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black
PAPER:  Island Indigo CS, All Abloom DSP, Whisper White, Champagne Glimmer
EMBELLISHMENTS:  1/4" Stitched grosgrain in Basic Black, In Color Sequin Assortment

Sequins & Hardwood Christmas Card

A little more Christmas prep in June, as I join the challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges with a pretty inspiration photo.  So I created a card with a little country style, but glammed up a bit with gold sequins and Brushed Gold cardstock.

Here's the inspiration piece:

The Framelits panel was heavily misted with Champagne Mist Ink, but there's no way I could get a good shot of it.  A nice, big bow at the top with Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon. 

Inside, from More Merry Messages. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a blessed and creative day!  ~Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages, Hardwood, Jolly Jingles

INK:  Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Embossing

PAPER:  Brushed Gold cardstock, Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon, Gold Sequins, Linen Thread, Deco Label Framelits

Halfway to Christmas! **[Merry Monday 114 & The Challenge #9]**

Today it's officially halfway to Christmas Eve!  Can you believe it?  I know I just posted about the beginning of summer yesterday, but tonight we'll be watching ELF, my favorite modern-day Christmas movie.

My card celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. Our Daily Bread Designs makes precious and uplifting Christian stamps!

I am using Merry Monday's challenge to use sparkle and shine on my card, so I chose to use an understated chalkboard effect with a glimmer paper mat, then embellished with my vintage silver stars.  I think it gives it an ethereal look.  Also, for a little more sparkle, a shiny, silver bow under Baby Jesus.

He is our gift. 

I used a scrapping kit from a couple years back by Stampin' Up, and it has these great coordinating pre-cut strips, so I used them for The Challenge sketch, both inside and out. 

Stop by these inspiring challenges and play along!  

SUPPLIES:  All Stampin' Up! except where noted. 

STAMPS:  For Unto You (Our Daily Bread Designs), Christmas Messages

INK: Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER:  Crumb Cake, Silver Glimmer, Merry Moments Simply Scrappin Kit

EMBELLISHMENTS:  1/8" silver ribbon, silver star sequins (my stash)

Summer is Here! Watermelon Slice Birthday Card

In celebrating the official kickoff of summer, I have a juicy, sweet watermelon card to share!

Complete with punched watermelon seeds that are glazed with Dazzling Details, and a big chomp taken out.

White organza ribbon tied around the front, and a layered "Happy Birthday" tag. 

Since it's a slightly smaller card than a standard A2, I created a custom sized envelope with SU's Envelope Punch Board.  The little watermelon on the envelope front is made with the Kind and Cozy stamp set, and the seeds are hand drawn with a Stampin' Write Marker. So cute!

To create this card, start with 3 concentric circles, one slightly smaller than the next.  I used my really old Creative Memories circle cutters - it was the "medium outside" set, if that makes sense to any of you!

A 1-3/4" scallop circle punch makes the teeth marks :D.  I had to punch the white and pink separately from the Wild Wasabi card base because it was too thick to punch together. 

The seeds are the smallest heart in this heart trio, each one hand trimmed as shown.  

Finishing them off with Dazzling Details makes them look SO real.  Amazing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed and creative day!

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  Label Something, Word Play (ret), Kind and Cozy
INK: Memento Black, Strawberry Slush
PAPER:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, In-Color 2014 paper pack.
EMBELLISHMENTS:  5/8" White Organza ribbon, Dazzling Details, Strawberry Slush thick baker's twine
PUNCHES:  2-1/2" circle, 1-3/8" scallop circle, small oval,
TOOLS:  Envelope Punch Board.

Masculine Thank You with Traveler

I have so many thank you notes to write this week!

My 13 year old son was in the national finals at Disney for the Christopher Columbus Awards, and was treated like royalty for a full week.  Preparing for finals week has been a huge process, so this card will go out to everyone who helped - financially, emotionally, and otherwise!  

Here are the guys. CJ is on the right.

CJ loves this card, it has plenty of guy-ishness.  Traveler has been my new favorite stamp set since it was available for preorder, and this new paper, Typeset, is thin and ever so vintage looking!  

I stamped the globe image onto watercolor paper and used an Aqua Painter to lift color off of the inkpads and paint the globe, using Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, and Hello Honey.  Sponged the edges with Hello Honey.  The ribbon across the front is Mossy Meadow 3/8" Stitched Satin, and it's AWESOME.  Very shiny!

Who'd have thought I'd love these new In-Colors so much?  They are so rich and usable!

Inside:

MEASUREMENTS:

Map print DSP: 2-3/4" x 4"

Mossy Meadow Matt:  3" x 4-1/4"

Map stamp panel: 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Mossy Meadow matt:  1-3/4" x 2-3/4"

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Traveler

INK:  Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Memento Black, Crumb Cake

PAPER:  Typeset DSP, Basic Black, Vanilla, Mossy Meadow

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Mini Brads, Mossy Meadow 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon, Linen Thread

Merry Monday Challenge 113 - Deck the Halls

Here's a sweet, non-traditional color combo for Christmas from Merry Monday Challenge. Pink, silver, and white.  I made a shaker frame with silver stars, sequins, and rhinestones, topped with a full triple bow.

To make the shaker frame, I used the Ornament Framelits to cut 2 white ornaments.

Punched the center of the top ornament with 1-1/4" circle.  

Ran it thru the Big Shot with the new 2014 Lovely Lace embossing folder. 

There are rhinestones adhered randomly to the inside of the shaker so it always seems to be in motion, and then some InColor sequins, and some silver bits from my vintage stash of craft supplies. 

Closed it all up in a shaker frame circle, and heat embossed the images on the card front.  

Scattered some more silver sequins about.  

And there you have it :D

Almost halfway to Christmas!  

Check out Merry Monday for gorgeous samples from the designers!  

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Merry & Type, Christmas Messages, Jolly Bingo Bits

INK:  Versamark, Silver Embossing Powder

PAPER:  Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS/TOOLS: Shaker Frames, Lovely Lace Embossing Folder, In Color Sequin Asst, Window Sheet, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch

Hello Darling {Birthdays are Better with Sequins}

Happy Day to you!  Today I have some new goodies to show off.  Here's a birthday card  featuring Hello, Darling with the matching embossing folder.  So pretty!  These are just the flower stamps I've been longing for. The sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments was a fantastic layout to show off my pretty flowers!

Check out the little pouch of sequins!  I made them from a clear cello envelope.  Picked out some sequins that match my colors from the In-Color Sequin Assortment and sewed them up in a little rectangle.

Here you can see the gorgeous colors in the sequin pack.  Wow!  They are singin' my song with all this sparkle. The little pouch was adhered to the backside of the sentiment panel with Sticky Strip.

Inside...a strip of DSP from All Abloom, a great paper stack in the new catty.  Beautiful Birthday is a retired stamp, but I keep it because it's so elegant!  

The envelope is stamped to match, and it's all ready to sweeten my sister's birthday!

Here's the sketch:

Head on over to HSS and play along.  This is a great sketch to work with!  

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Hello Darling, Happy Day (retired), Beautiful Birthday (retired)

INK:  Hello Honey, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Melon Mambo, Strawberry Slush, Memento Black

PAPER:  All Abloom DSP, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS/TOOLS:  In Color Sequin Assortment, Clear Envelope, Lovely Lace Embossing Folder, Spiral Border punch

Look Up to Father - Father's Day Card

Here's the Father's Day card I made for my husband this year.  

I love this tree stamp!  The trunk is amazing - look at the detail!  I used Stampin' Write Markers in several colors to hand paint the stamp, then die cut with a Window Frames Framelit, and sponged the sky above and the grass below with Soft Sky and Certainly Celery. I dabbed a little gold in flecks around the edges, too, and tied a bunch of linen thread around the bottom.  A little piercing and two mini brads to finish it. 

I love the way it turned out!  I was inspired by a similar card by Amanda Corbet and changed it up to use the stamps I wanted.  Look Up to Father was a limited edition stamp and is now retired, but it's still available as a digital download.  So you can purchase, recolor in MDS, and print perfectly every time!

Here's the inside.  I "huffed" on the stamp once I used it for the front image and restamped it over my sentiment.  It gives a nice lighter image that echoes the front.  

Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLIES:  

STAMPS:  Look Up to Father, Teeny Tiny Wishes

INK:  Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Gold Metallic

PAPER:  Moonlight DSP Paper Stack, Blackberry Bliss, Basic Grey, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Linen Thread, Mini Brads, Piercing Tool

BIG SHOT: Window Frames Framelits

PUNCHES:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Sweet Baby Banner Card HSS187

It seems like there are many sweet babies entering the world this spring!  It's been a while since I've made a baby card.  Using a mix of current and retired stamps, here's my latest one.

I have loved this retired stamp, "Bringing Baby", since the moment I saw it.  That sweet vintage baby, oh my goodness!  I use it whenever I can!  The layer that the baby & stork are on is stamped with a circle stamp with Versamark for a very subtle pattern, it's hard to see in the pictures. Hearts a Flutter is used to make a little cluster of banner pieces, anchored with a piece of Tea Lace Doily and a Vintage Faceted button.  Sweet Baby is still currrent (yay!) and tops the chevron ribbon.  

The vanilla card base is scored twice on the top and bottom of the card front for a little extra texture, and the panel in the center of the card is 2-3/4" x 5-1/2".  The edges of most of the pieces are very lightly sponged with Crumb Cake for a subtle vintage feel.  

Inside, is a simple Congratulations and the Bringing Baby is stamped off twice with Crumb Cake and then stamped over the word for a little repetition of the card front.

Come over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the other samples using this pretty color combo!  Click on the image below.

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Hearts A Flutter, Itty Bitty Banners, Bringing Baby (retired), Sweet Essentials (ret)

INK:  Pistachio Pudding, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake

PAPER:  Very Vanilla cardstock

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Vintage Faceted Button, Blushing Bride Chevron Ribbon, Linen Thread, Tea Lace Doily, Basic Pearl

TOOLS:  Sponge, Big Shot, Simply Scored

BIG SHOT: Hearts A Flutter Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits