High-Five Birthday

For my nephew's 5th birthday, I was able to finally break out my Rachelle Anne Miller stamps that I bought from My Favorite Things before they closed. The images were so cute but I hadn't realized how difficult it would be to color since they were small! I tried blending as best I could but now I know why all my critters are so large normally. I was going to try and add something to the background since it looked so bare, but at that point, I didn't want to mess anything up. (the sentiment already got screwed up a bit so there was a lot of yelling at that point) I was proud of the ombre effect I created with the 5 though!

2025

 An unexpected hiatus- probably one of my longest, but unavoidable. Life has completely transformed since that last post in August 2022. Crafting took a backseat for a long time. I managed to make a few cards but it's been so long that I no longer remember colors, techniques or even who they were for, sadly. So I'm just going to post them without comment. 

I've recently created a new craft space for myself and hope to get back into the swing of it by the holidays. Wish me luck.

A Muggle Birthday!

This card was made for my sister-in-law who is a big Harry Potter fan.  I was trying to decide what kind to make and really wanted to keep it simple and classy.  I also wanted to use my distress oxides but not flood the entire card with it. So I did a few messy swipes with Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade and Scattered Straw, trying to showcase Gryffindor colors.  I also (for the very first time!) messed with water and the oxides using a paintbrush. I simply dabbed it very lightly and honestly, I could have done more, but I was paranoid it would oversaturate the cardstock. Maybe I'll get a little more adventurous with my next attempt! I added a little Harry and Hedwig below and colored those with copics. They are (of course) from The Sassy Club. The banner was from a set I got months ago from Concord and 9th and I really wondered why it had taken me so long to use it! 

A Very Penguin Birthday

 September is very a busy time around here! So many important Virgos in my life so it calls for more birthday cards. I took the Penguin Party stamp set from My Favorite Things and went to town. I really love this Stacey Yacula design and honestly, looking at her portfolio, you'll find SO many cute critters. I'm a sucker for these!

My first card was kept very simple because I had to make a video for my work Instagram and I wanted to come up with something that was quick to craft. I am forever trying to find more crafters out there and I was hoping to find other card-makers (alas, none yet). It was also my first attempt at a video tutorial and I must say, my hat is off to the folks who do this every day. It was exhausting! =) I took a stencil and blended Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch oxide for the background. After coloring my critter with copics, I used 3D foam to pop him up. I then cut a sentiment strip from Simon Says Stamp to finish it off. 

For the next one, I wanted to add a little something extra to the background. I heat embossed the polka dot stamp from Photo Play before pretty much following the same formula from above.

For my last card, I decided to try a different color palate.  This background was created using Spun Sugar, Seedless Preserves and Picked Raspberry. I wanted to try the penguins with the cute banner too. In retrospect, I should have created some kind of platform so it doesn't look like they are floating in midair? Next time!

Also, looking at these now, doesn't the color scheme remind you of something? =)

Birthdays, Galore!

Since I am so behind with these cards, I'm just going to put all of the birthday cards I've made in one post! Summer is a busy time around here!

For this card, I used a Waffle Flower stencil and the Be Her stamps which I love. 

I added some sparkle to her bow with a Wink of Stella pen. No idea why I haven't been using one this entire time!

For this card, I again used Waffle Flower stamps with a stencil. These cards are simple but I love how they come out.

I forgot about this Colorado Craft Company ice cream cone stamp that I bought forever ago. I took out my copics and with this large picture, it was a great blending exercise. 

For my brother-in-law's birthday, I used the Harry Potter stamps I got from The Sassy Club. Hagrid is his favorite character, but he looked lonely so I added Dobby and Hedwig since Hagrid is a lover of all creatures. I used a Waffle Flower stencil with Gryffindor colors. 

For this card, I used a Lawn Fawn ice cream stamp to create multiple scoops. The background was created with Shaded Lilac, Picked Raspberry and Cracked Pistachio and I used the stamp to create my own pattern. I really like how this one came out, but it look a long time to make it look right. 

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?

Sister-Sister Birthday

February 1st is my seeeeester-in-law's birthday and because she is one of my favorite people, I wanted to make something bright and fun. 

I used one of my Whimsy penguins and I really wish they had dies because fussy cutting is so hard! I may need to invest in a better pair of scissors. The sentiment is a stamp from Lawn Fawn. 

Copics:

Body: 0, 100, C1, C2. R20, YR01, Y38, YR18

Present/Hat/Balloon: V12, V15, V17 Y08, Y15

Background Distress Oxides: Dusty Concord, Squeezed Lemonade and Picked Raspberry 

Out on Sabbatical

Hi! Remember me? I used to post about cards and arts and crafts things. Let's just fast forward past where I explain how busy life can get and just show some of the things I've missed posting. Most are from Cricut cartridges and various stamps. Welcome to a plethora of holidays and birthdays:

I have some big projects coming up soon to showcase. Lots of changes that are bringing about plenty of DIY projects. More to come!

Sweeeeet Birthday!

My boyfriend's sister, Michelle is a fan of Finding Nemo so for her birthday, I wanted to use my Pixar Cricut cartridge to make something for her. There are so many great cuts in this cartridge. I also used letter stamps to create the phrases. I made little squirt because who doesn't love him?

Pink Elephants

For my birthday, my boyfriend and I spent the day in the city and of course we just HAD to stop by The Ink Pad. I can seriously spend hours in that store. He bought me the cutest Penny Black elephant stamp and I used it right away for a birthday card. I find that I am pretty obsessed with Penny Black lately. Their critters are just SO adorable and really perfect for Copic coloring.

This birthday card was made for my boyfriend's coworker, Teresa. I met her once at a movie premiere (they work at Blue Sky Studios) and she was one of the nicest people I met that night. I was glad I had a brand spanking new stamp for her card.

Remember when I had made a promise to stop buying paper? I sorta broke that pretty quickly. (Happy to say though, I haven't purchased any this month! Woo-hoo!) The pink background is from a small 6x6 paper pad I bought at Michael's. I used the Elegant Edges cartridge to cut out the scalloped oval that Pinkie the Elephant is stamped on (mind you, I don't think that's his official name, but I'm going with it). It still looked a bit too plain for me so I used the distress ink, Worn Lipstick for the edges. Lastly, adding a purple bow and three jewel accents on the bottom corner, I felt like this card was complete.

Along with my no paper buying rule, I may have to start curbing my Penny Black obsession. We'll see....

When I'm 64!

This year, my Dad turned 64. Let's just take a moment to enjoy that great Beatles song that I've been humming for weeks now....

For his card, I wanted to use these super cute Penny Black critter stamps I got a few weeks ago. These hedgehogs are so adorable!

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye and I wanted to stick to a masculine palate without using the same typical blue colors.

I used the following copics on the hedgehogs:

• Body: E31, E50, E25, RV10
• Hearts: YR04, YR21
• Shadow: BG10

I made the hearts orange instead of red so that they would match. I really like the way this came out copic wise. I'm trying to improve and thanks to youtube, I feel like I'm making progress. And most importantly, my Dad was happy with it!

My parents and I at a birthday brunch after taking my dad to church. Happy Birthday, Daddy-o!