Belated Birthday Card

I can be really bad at getting cards to family members on time.  And I have a wonderful neice whose birthday is on Christmas Day.  I almost always miss giving her her birthday card, in the business of getting ready for Christmas....  This year, I even had her gift bought early, but still didn't give it to her on time.  Then, once I miss it, I seem to put off correcting my mistake...

But I am working on it!

Anyway, I wanted to try something fun for my neice's belated birthday card.  This ended up not being as girly as planned, and I'll have to try this technique with other papers, but overall, this is a pretty cool technique.  This background technique is called Bargello.  I found it on Splitcoast Stamper's website, HERE'S the link for complete instructions.  You basically take thin strips of paper, and lay them out on a sheet of paper, but I think I'll try our Sizzix Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets next time.  Then you cut that up at a 90* angle, so instead of strips of designs, you now have strips with little blocks of the designs....the instruction photots show it much better than I can explain.

I think I will try this again with some girlier paper patterns!  Small patterns work best; even those larger polka dots are almost too big...

Recipe:

Stamps:  Bring on the Cake

Cardstock:  Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White, Frightful Sight DSP

Accessories:  Labels Collections Framelits, Big Shot, Cajun Craze 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots Ribbon, Stampin' Sponge

Elegant Lines card

 Today's card features the Embossing Folder Elegant Lines.  I first embossed a layer of Whisper White cardstock.  Then, I cut it into 3 equal pieces, and layered it onto a piece of In Color Cardstock. 

Add a piece of Poly-Twill ribbon tied with Baker's Twine,(shown at right).  A few butterflies (Beautiful Wings Embosslit) and Rhinestone Jewels add the finishing touches to this multi-purpose card.

You can use this card for a number of occasions, even leaving it blank until needed.  You can add the banner with Happy Birthday whenever you are ready to use it.

Below, I have it shown in Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade, but at my stamp-a-stack, I had all the In Colors available.  We decided that the Blushing Bride card made a lovely baby card, and the Concord Crush card was very striking, being such a deep rich color.

Happiest Birthday

My mother-in-law's birthday is on Groundhog's Day, and she commented last year on how my cards always get to her right on her birthday.  And I laughed because being on time is something that I truly struggle with in life.  Well, she must have jinxed me, because I did not get her card to her on time.  But that does not mean that I love her any less.  I have a fabulous mother-in-law; she's supportive, helpful, and wonderfully kind to me and my kids.

I wanted to make a special card, using some of our new products, but not necessarily in the usual way.  Starting with the Apothecary Art stamp I chose....this one is meant for a larger frame, but I cut it with a smaller one so that I could layer the next frame.  That next frame is Pool Party cardstock, cut out then sponged with Soft Suede ink, while still in the framelit.  Then there is a Soft Suede strip cut out and layered on as well.  I colored the flowers with markers, and sponged the edges with Soft Suede.  I hope she liked it!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Apothecary Art, Bordering on Romance

Cardstock:  Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Markers, Big Shot, Framelits, sponge