Special birthday

Tomorrow is my oldest granddaughter's 17th birthday so I gave her several pads of patterned paper to look at and choose what she might like me to use on her card. This floral from Basic Grey was one she said she liked. This being my inspiration I began planning. I chose the Stampin'Up set called Bloomin' Beautiful because it always makes a lovely card...The single flower is done in Soft Plum (ret.), Perfect plum and Always Artichoke stamped onto SU Shimmer White paper sponged with Soft Plum and accented with Stickles Diamonds. The card is over sized (6x6) Soft Plum textured with the words 'bloom' stamped on the left side and sparkle beneath the flower. To finish I used white organza ribbon I had in my stash and a stick pin made from the SU Pretties Kit with pearls and crystals.

Rebecca and her younger sister enjoy making cards with their mom or me, so I wanted to make this a very special birthday card. Rebecca has become a lovely young woman so I want her to know how special she is to us. I rarely stamp sentiments inside of my cards trying to write something especially for the recipient letting them know this card is just for them. The inside is Whisper White with a border of the floral paper and stamped with "may all your wishes come true" from the Heard from the Heart set. The rest is a personal note to Rebecca.

Those of you who are grandmothers know how special and unique each grandchild is just like our own children are. For those of you who still have grandmothers here of earth, you are treasured beyond measure in their eyes.

Blessings to all today and everyday!

Special anniversary card

On August 24th a very special couple is celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. I say "special" because theirs is truly one of those rare and special marriages. They were high school sweethearts who have been "soul mates" ever since. Jan & Tony, you are the greatest!

The card has an Elegant Eggplant base with the lovely Level 1 Hostess stamp Because I Care as the image on Whisper White framed with designer paper "Lap of Luxury" as a frame. The hydrangea is stamped in Elegant Eggplant and Always Artichoke, accented with Pretty in Pink, Lovely Lavender markers and Dazzling Diamonds.Narrow ribbon and a gem finish the design which came from a class that I assisted with. The sentiment is from Hugs and Wishes.

School Day Friends

Yesterday I attended our team post SU convention meeting, an event that is always fun. For the 'Shoebox Swap' I decided to use this stamp which is in the Greeting Card Kids set. I just love the images of cute children and couldn't wait to make a card with one of the stamps.

Do you remember your first day of school each year with the excitement of seeing friends and meeting new kids? There were always new shoes, new dresses in my case, a new bookbag & lunchbox...dating myself?...you bet! Yes, those were the 'good old days'. Now school starts in August or sooner, kids (boys & girls) wear shorts and sandles but the excitement remains the same from generation to generation. There are friends to see, so much to learn and hopefully a good year for all kids!

Products are all Stampin'Up:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Fundamental Phrases
cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and watercolor paper
Ink: Basic Black, various markers
Accessories: Spiral Border Punch, Aqua Pen, Paper Piercing Tool, Crystal Effects for the apple

I hope this card has evoked some memories for you as it has for me. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time....Have a blessed day!

Sympathy card

I really like "Thoughts and Prayers" stamp set from Stampin'Up because it is so versatile. This time I am using it in soft pastels. I have paired it with reitred Barely Banana textured paper, scraps of dsp from a few years agao and Very Vanilla. I colored the tree with markers using the 'huffing' method to stamp on the cs. Then I accented the leaves with Pretty in Pink marker. The tree inks are retired Mellow Moss and Close to Cocoa. I sponged the background in Mellow Moss.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

Water spritzed floral

This is another card from yesterday's class, one that came from the SU Convention that Denise attended. Using watercolor paper the image was stamped by inking the stamp with SU Markers, then spritzing the stamp with a mist of water to give a muted look to the image. Bashful Blue cs was added then torn with the watercolor paper to give a ragged look. Pear Pizzazz ribbon and a Not Quite Navy button were added to the cardstock then mounted on Not Quite Navy. The Spritzer tool was use with NQN marker to add dimension. I have not added a sentiment leaving it to be added when I decide on how I will use this card. The stamp set is Just Believe a brand new set from the current 2010-2011 Stampin'Up! Ideabook and Catalog.

Soft smudged background

This card was made at a class yesterday. We took Soft Suede reinker smudging it onto Whisper White cardstock with a wet sponge giving the paper a variety of shades. The Medallion was stamped with Versa Mark. Craft White was used to accent the center of the medallion and for the words which come from a Level 1 Hostess Set called Afterthoughts. Whisper White cs and Soft Suede cs provide the framing.
The techinque of sponging the ink on the cs gives an unusual background for the stamp making your card a one of a kind look.