Happy Birthday to my Favorite Muggle

My best friend Rachael's birthday is only a few days after my own. Every year, we have these great joint birthday parties that include roller skating to boy band music, bars and tiaras or karaoke. It's always a good time. Sadly, we haven't been able to do anything for the past two years, but I'm looking forward to next year. It'll be epic.

She is my fangirl partner and expert in all things Harry Potter. When I was still only a few weeks pregnant, we took a trip to Universal and even though I couldn't ride anything, I still had a total blast with her. 

Recently, I discovered Sandra of The Sassy Club and down the rabbit hole I went. There have been so many stamp sets I've purchased since then, but her Harry Potter sets are by far my favorite. The background was blended with Dusty Concord, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot. This set also came with footprints so I tried to recreate the ending credits of the third movie, but I think I was too neat with them. Either way, I'm glad with how it turned out. 

I have a few more stamps from The Sassy Club to play with (so many really....) so I'm looking forward to future cards!

 

Birthday Girls!

Ruby Anniversary

Last month, we celebrated my in-law's 40th wedding anniversary. 40 is the ruby anniversary (my mother-in-law received beautiful ruby earrings from Tiffany's!) so we "kids" wanted to help them celebrate. We decorated the house and had food catered by their favorite restaurant. (The same place I got married, funny enough)

For their card, I had a different idea in mind, but time got away from me and I had to come up with something quick the night before. I had just gotten the Simon Says Stamp Dandelion message set and I was itching to use it. The distress oxide background was created with Picked Raspberry, Dried Marigold and Squeezed Lemonade. Then I embossed a small sentiment on black cardstock and called it a day.

Simple cards can be beautiful too!

 

Happy 71, Sailor!

This year, my dad turned 71. Last year, due to the pandemic, we celebrated his 70th birthday over facetime since he lives in a Veteran's home and they had closed the place to all visitors. This year, I thought we would be able to see him, but it was only through plexiglass and we weren't allowed to give him any of the presents or food we made him. Instead, a nurse collected all of our things and all we could do was wave. It was rough. While I am very grateful for the care he receives, the toll of this pandemic is starting to wear me thin. I'm hoping once the vaccine becomes more wildly available, normal visitations can resume.

For his card, I again created a distress heavy card. I love this sunset, but this time, I also created an ocean since my father is a Navy man. I used washi tape to create the horizon.

Sky colors: Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry, Dusty Concord, Chipped Sapphire.

Ocean: Tumbled Glass, Broken China and some Black Soot in the edges

I also took a white gel pen to create the waves. The sentiment is from an old Penny Black stamp set which I believe I've used for him before, but doesn't make it any less true!

Hope that wherever you are, you're able to see and hold your loved ones soon! 

 

Wasn’t he a cute sailor?