Boy's Birthday Balloon

Inspiration

I made this for a little cousin (a couple of times removed) who is turning 2 this week. I thought this digi from Sassy Cheryl's was perfect for a little boy.

Ingredients

Note: finished card size is 5" x 7"

Stamps

Crazy for Cupcakes (SU!)

Birthday Balloon Boy (Sassy Cheryl's Digis)

Paper

Pacific Point	5" x 10", scored at 5", and 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
Marina Mist	4 3/4" x 4 3/4"
Birthday paper (unknown)	2 3/8" x 4 5/8"
Only Orange	2 1/8" x 3 3/8"
Stamper's Select White	2" x 3" 1/4

Ink

Pacific Point (SU!)

Epson RX620 Printer

Accessories

Ribbon (SU!)

Metal Dots (Colorbok)

Scor-Pal

ATG (3M)

Cutter Bee Scissors (EK Success)

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD and MAT

Start with a piece of dark blue card stock measuring 5" x 10", score at 5" and fold.

Cut a piece of light blue card stock measuring 4 3/4" X 4 3/4". Stamp the balloon in dark blue ink across the top of the light blue card stock mat. Mount a piece of patterned paper measuring 2 3/8" x 4 5/8""on the bottom half of the mat.

Adhere a piece of dark blue ribbon across the mat, covering the "seam" where the patterned paper stops. Mount the mat to the front of the card.

IMAGE

Resize the image to 3" in height. Print the digi stamp on white card stock, and trim to a rectangle measuring 2" x 3 1/4". Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors:

• Hair: E30, E35, E37
• Skin: E000, E01, R20
• Balloon: YR02, YR04, YR07
• Shirt: YR02, Orange SPICA
• Shorts: B02, B06
• Flower: Y13, YR02, YG13
• Shadow: C0, C2

Cut mats for the image - dark blue card stock cut to 2 1/4" x 3 1/2", and orange card stock cut to 2 1/8" x 3 3/8". Mount the image onto the orange, and the orange onto the dark blue. Mount in the center of the card front.

Finish by mounting 3 blue metal dots in the upper right corner of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing You

Inspiration

This is a fun birthday card I made using an OLD sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers. It is sketch challenge SCS32 (you can tell how old it is - they are on sketch 390!!). It's a cute card with a paper latch - really easy to make and looks great. I made this card for a nephew, although it is gender- and age-neutral. You could send it to anyone; everyone loves cupcakes!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Stamps

Crazy for Cupcakes (SU!)

Wishing Birthday (Verses Rubber Stamps)

Paper

Taken with Teal	5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4, and 2 1/4" x 3 1/4", and 1/2" x 4", and 1/2" x 1 1/4"
Mediterranean Cafe (DCWV)	2 7/8" x 5 3/8", and 3/8" x 4"
Certainly Celery	4 1/8" x 5 3/8", and 2 1/8" x 3 1/8"
Stamper's Select White	2" x 3"

Ink

Versamark (Tsukineko)

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Rich Razzleberry (SU!)

Accessories

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

SPICA Markers (Imagination International)

Zip-Dry Glue

ATG (3M)

Scor-Pal

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Cut a piece of teal card stock measuring 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", score it at 4 1/4", and fold. Cut 1 1/8" off the long edge of one side of the card - this new short panel becomes the front of the card.

MAT LAYER

Cut the patterned paper to measure , and mount it on the short front panel.

IMAGE

Stamp the image onto white card stock measuring 2" x 3". Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors:

• Cake: BG49
• Icing: YR12, Teal and Orange SPICAs
• Candle: G21, Mint SPICA
• Flame: Lemon SPICA

Mount the image panel onto mat layers of green (2 1/8" x 3 1/8") and teal (2 1/4" x 3 1/4"). Mount the image on the card front, centering it near the top of the front panel.

SENTIMENT

Cut green card stock to measure 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". Stamp the sentiment in teal ink in the upper right corner - this will show even when the card is closed. Mount the green sentiment panel on the inside of the card.

LATCH

Cut a small piece of teal card stock, about 1/2" x 1 1/4", and use glue on each end to mount it vertically near the bottom of the card front. Mount a piece of patterned paper (3/8" x 4") onto a piece of teal paper (1/2" x 4"). Slide it through the latch across the exposed part of the inside of the card until there is about 1 1/4" to the right of the edge of the card. Fold the paper strip (it may help to score it before you fold) and glue it to the back of the card. Note - I use Zip Dry instead of my ATG for the latch and closing strip to ensure these parts will not detach from the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Dads Are Special

Inspiration

I made this card for my FIL's birthday - he turned 83 on February 22! I cased it from a card by Elizabeth Jones that was published in the book Best of Stamp It! Cards.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size: 5" x 7"

STAMPS

Growing in Unity (Unity Stamps)

Father's Day Centers (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Paper

Chocolate Chip	7" x 10" scored at 5"
Old Olive	4 7/8" x 6 7/8"
Not Quite Navy	4 1/4" x 4 1/2"
Very Vanilla	4 5/8" x 6 5/8", and 3 3/4" x 4"

Ink

Chocolate Chip (SU!)

Old Olive (SU!)

Not Quite Navy (SU!)

Accessories

Markers (Old Olive, Chocolate Chip by SU!)

Twine (No Time to Stamp)

Stipple Brush

Glue Dots

ATG (3M)

Tape (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD and MAT LAYER

Cut a piece of brown card stock measuring 7" x 10", score it at 5", and fold. Cut a piece of green card stock measuring 4 7/8" x 6 7/8" and mount it on the front of the card.

SENTIMENT LAYER

Cut a piece of vanilla card stock measuring 4 5/8" x 6 5/8". Use a stipple brush with brown ink and lightly stipple color around the edges of the card. Stamp the sentiment in blue ink in the bottom center of the panel. Cut three pieces of twine about 6" long, and tie them together with a knot about 2" from one end. Put a glue dot on the knot and adhere it to the panel above the sentiment toward the right side of the panel. Use tape to secure the ends on the back of the panel. Mount the sentiment layer on the front of the card.

IMAGE

Ink the leaf portion of the tree stamp with green ink. Use the "rock and roll" method with the stamp to ink the outer edges of the tree with brown ink. Use a brown marker to color the trunk, and a green marker to blend a little where the 2 colors meet. Stamp the image onto a vanilla panel measuring 3 3/4" x 4". Stipple around the outer edges with dark blue ink. Cut the image into exact thirds (1 1/4" each).

Cut a piece of dark blue card stock measuring 4 1/4" x 4 1/2". Mount the 3 panels of the image onto the blue card stock, then mount the image onto the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

New Baby Boy

Inspiration

Here's a baby card I made for a co-worker's baby shower. It's plenty big for lots of people to sign inside.

I found the cute "Cuddle Cloud Baby" digital image on Meljen's Designs. I used a sketch from the Sketch Saturday challenge for the layout. It's an older sketch - challenge 192.

Ingredients

Note: Finished Card Size: 6" x 6"

Paper

Blue Bayou (SU!)	6" x 12", scored at 6"
Baja Breeze (SU!)	5 7/8" x 5 7/8"
Classic K Bailey Mat Pad (K & Company)	3" x 5", and 2 1/2" x 4", and 4" x 5"
Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)	4" x 5"

Ink

Digital print - Epson RX620 printer

Stamps

Cuddle Cloud Baby (Meljen's Designs - Digi Stamp)

Accessories

Grand Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Classic Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

SPICA Glitter Pens (Imagination International)

Baja Breeze Ribbon (SU!)

White Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Peg Bow Maker (Unity Stamps)

Brads (Paper Studios)

Paper Piercer

Scor-Pal

ATG (3M)

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

The base card is a piece of dark blue card stock measuring 6" x 12". Score it 6", and fold.

MAT LAYERS

Cut a piece of light blue card stock measuring 5 7/8" x 5 7/8". Mount 3 pieces of ribbon around the left side of the mat layer. Twist the white ribbon once before you adhere it to the card. Tie a white ribbon bow, and mount it over the twist in the white ribbon stripe.

Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 2 1/2" x 4", and mount it horizontally above the bow.

Cut another piece of patterned paper measuring 3" x 5". Using a paper peircer mount 5 brads across the bottom of this piece of paper. Mount it vertically on the right side of the card front.

IMAGE

I resized the image to a length of 3". Print the image on white card stock, and cut/emboss it using the largest plain oval nestabilities. Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors:

• Cloud: BG70
• Hearts: R32, R37
• Stars/Dots: Y15, Lemon SPICA
• Swirls: Sand SPICA
• Skin: E000, E02, R20
• Diaper: BG72, BG75, BG78

Using blue patterned paper, cut/emboss the smallest Grand Scalloped Oval die. Mount the image oval onto the scalloped oval, then mount this onto the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Children's Birthday Cards

Inspiration

In May last year, I blogged a card I made in response for a request for a child's birthday card that could be used for either a boy or a girl. The order was actually for a set of cards, and I ended up making two designs in a variety of colors. I thought I'd catch up today by showing you both designs. The first is made with the Side-Step design, and the second is called "Make a Wish".

Side Step Balloons

Ingredients

Note: Finished Card Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Daffodil Yellow (SU!) -or- Bashful Blue (SU!) -or- Lavender Lace (SU!) -or- Pixie Pink (SU!) -or- Gable Green (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Whisper White (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Inks

Daffodil Yellow (SU!)

Bashful Blue (SU!)

Lavender Lace (SU!)

Cameo Coral (SU!)

Apricot Appeal (SU!)

Pixie Pink (SU!)

Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps

Birthday Whimsey (SU!)

Party Stampin' Around Wheel (SU!)

Happy Birthday (Posh Impressions)

Accessories

SU! markers

Twine (No Time to Stamp)

Scor-Pal

Zip Dry Glue

ATG (Scotch)

Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Line up the 5 1/2" side of the colored card stock in your paper cutter at the 3" mark, and cut from 1" in to 6 1/2". You now have 3" on one side of the cut, and 2 1/2" on the other. Score the 3" side at 1", 2", 3 1/4", 4 1/2", and 6 1/2". Score the 2 1/2" side at 4 1/4".

Fold the 4 1/4" score line down (a mountain fold). Starting with the 1" score line, fold down (mountain); 2", fold up (valley); 3 1/4", fold down (mountain); 4 1/2", fold up (valley); and 6 1/2" fold down (mountain).

The base side-step card is now complete.

IMAGES

Stamp 5 balloons in 5 colors of ink on white card stock, and trim closely. Stamp the border using the wheel stamp using black ink on white card stock, color with SU markers, and trim to 5 1/2" in length. Stamp a present on white card stock and trim closely. Color the cake rubber stamp with SU markers, and stamp on white card stock and trim. Stamp the sentiment onto white card stock. When you cut this one out, leave enough white paper below the sentiment to cover the back step - this becomes the space for a signature.

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is simply a matter of gluing the images to the panels of the card. Before you glue the last balloon in place, cut 5 lengths of twine and tie a bow around them. Glue them to the card, and finish with mounting the last balloon to the bunch.

Make A Wish

Ingredients

Note: Finished Card Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Ingredients

Paper

Daffodil Yellow (SU!) -or- Bashful Blue (SU!) -or- Lavender Lace (SU!) -or- Pixie Pink (SU!) -or- Gable Green (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Patterned paper - coordinating colors (Paper Pizzaz)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (5 pieces)
Whisper White (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Inks

Daffodil Yellow (SU!)

Bashful Blue (SU!)

Lavender Lace (SU!)

Cameo Coral (SU!)

Apricot Appeal (SU!)

Pixie Pink (SU!)

Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps

Big Birthday Calendar (SU!)

Accessories

Fancy Tag Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Sponge

Scor-Pal

ATG 714 (Scotch)

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

Images

Stamp the candle outline in black 3 times on white cardstock. Stamp the blue circles decoration in blue on the candles. Cut the 3 candles out. Stamp the solid flame in yellow 3 times on white cardstock. Stamp the flame outline in black over the yellow, and cut the 3 flames out, leaving some at the bottom the adhere to the candle sticks. Attach the flames to the candles.

Sentiment

Cut and emboss a tag from the white paper, using the fancy tag die. Before removing the tag from the die, sponge blue ink on the areas at the ends of the tag. Stamp the sentiment in the center of the tag.

Assembly

Assembly is simple - just layer the colors and designer paper to match the sketch. Add the candles on the center blue mat. Adhere the tag sentiment below the candles.

Inside the Card

Mount the remaining dark blue panel inside the card, followed by the white panel. Stamp the sentiment on the white, and your done!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Bright Future

New Heartfelt Creations Release!

Are you ready for a new Heartfelt Creations' release! This new Chateau Gate Collection is magnificent! The intricate detail in each of the designs is absolutely beautiful. This collection features 9 PreCut Stamp Sets and one beautiful new exclusive Spellbinders die designed for Heartfelt Creations. And, of course, be sure to leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog to give some compliments on all the gorgeous designs by the team this week - they have outdone themselves! If you comment on the HC Blog by January 17 you'll be eligible to win the entire Chateau Gate Collection release valued at $174.90. The winner will be announced on January 18! I have a couple of cards on the blog today, so I'll have another post tomorrow with my second card.

And, by the way, if you're in the Dallas area, Heartfelt Creations has a booth at the Stamp Scrap Art Tour in Mesquite this Saturday & Sunday. I'm doing the make & take at the booth - stop by to see me & pick up the new collection!

Inspiration

As soon as I saw the New York City stamp in the new Scenic Vista set and the and the "bright future" sentiment in the new Door to My Heart set, I knew exactly what I wanted to create! Designs don't usually pop into my head, but this one did. And it's a pretty easy one - I used my COPIC airbrush, and did some sponging to create the lighting effect - I like the way it turned out.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size: 5" x 7"

Paper

Early Espresso	7" x 10", and 4 1/8" x 4 3/4", and 1 1/2" x 3 3/4"
2009 Specialty Designer (SU!)	4 7/8" x 6 7/8"
Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)	4" x 4 5/8"
Metallic (Wassau)	4 1/2" x 5"
So Saffron (SU!)	3/8" x 2 1/2"

Ink

Versamark (Tsukinko)

Early Espresso (SU!)

Peach Parfait (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3444: Scenic Vista PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3449: Door to My Heart PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

HCD 710: Decorative Oval Window Die (Heartfelt Creations)

Ribbon Tag Trio 2 (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Copper Tinsel embossing powder (Judikins)

Heat gun

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

COPIC Airbrush system (Imagination International)

Eclipse Masking Tape (Judikins)

Ribbon (Michaels)

Sponges

3-D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives)

ATG (3M)

Scor-Pal

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Cut a dark brown card base measuring 7" x 10", score at 5" and fold.

MAT LAYER and SENTIMENT

Cut a patterned mat layer measuring 4 7/8" x 6 7/8". and mount onto the card face. Cut/emboss a ribbon tag from dark brown card stock. Stamp the sentiment in dark brown ink onto yellow card stock measuring 3/8" x 2 1/2", and mount onto the ribbon tag. Thread ribbon through the tag, and mount across the bottom of the mat layer. Mount the mat layer onto the card front.

IMAGE

Cut a piece of white card stock measuring 4" x 4 5/8". Stamp the buildings using Versamark ink, and heat emboss with copper powder. Mask the building and a horizon line. Airbrush a sunrise, working from a light center to an orange/red border. I used these COPIC colors: Y21, YR23, Y38, and R05.

Before unmasking the building, use a straight edge mask, and sponge light orange ink in straight lines out from the buildings to create the sun rays. Now remove the horizon mask from the lower part of the image, and mask the entire upper part of the image. Finish with a darker orange/brown spray with the airbrush. I used E08.

Mount the image onto a piece of dark brown card stock measuring 4 1/8" x 4 3/4", and mount at the top of the card front. Cut/emboss the decorative window die from copper paper, and cut out the inner frame. Use foam squares to mount over the image.

Comment on the HC Blog!

Remember to leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog by January 17 to be eligible to win the entire Chateau Gate Collection release valued at $174.90. The winner will be announced on January 18!

Stop by the HC Booth in Mesquite!

I'd love to meet you - please come see us at the HC booth at the Stamp Scrap Art Tour in Mesquite this Saturday & Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bundle of Joy

Inspiration

Here's a card I made for a coworker who has 3 little girls, and just was blessed with a little boy! He has so much joy in his life!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Brocade Blue textured (SU!)	5 1/2" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2"
Blue Polka Dot (Paper Patch)	4 7/8" x 4 7/8"
Brocade Blue (SU!)	4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Whisper White (SU!)	3" x 3"

Inks

Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps

New Bundle (Image Tree)

Accessories

Big Shot Pro (Sizzix)

Grand Scallop Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Eyelet Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Corner rounder punch (SU!)

Watercolor crayons (SU!)

Watercolor brush

Adhesive gems (Recollections)

Scissors

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Cut the base card from the textured card stock, measuring 5 1/2" x 11", score at 5 1/2", and fold. Place the scalloped nestabilities die just above the fold, and cut/emboss to create the shaped card. Cut the polka-dot paper square measuring 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" and round all 4 corners. Mount on the front of the card. Cut/emboss an eyelet square from plain blue card stock measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2". Mount on the front of the card.

IMAGE

Stamp the image in black ink on a white card stock square measuring 3" x 3". Round all 4 corners. Color the image with watercolor crayons. I use a traditional water color brush - very small - with a little bit of water and a paper towel to blot the brush or the image when I think there's too much moisture.

After your image is dry, mount it onto the the eyelet square on the card front. Finish with tiny adhesive gems.

Thanks for stopping by!