Oodles to Share--Day 5: Birthday Flowers

This is another card that was inspired by one I saw on another stamp company's blog. It featured their stamp set, but when I saw it I saw our Boho Blossoms Punch and the wing from the 2-Step Bird Punch and knew I could craft my own version using SU! products.

I chose a panel of Crumb Cake as my base and drew 2 lines using my Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker for the stems. I punched out 14 leaves using the 2-Step Bird Punch (from retired DSP) and positioned them along the stem lines. I punched out 7 of the largest flower in Whisper White and an equal number of the smallest flower in Rose Red. Quickly and easily, and with no stamping at all, I had the flower border I wanted!

I thought about adding a little button to each flower, but decided to use Hemp Twine knots instead. Glue Dots made it easy to place these right where I wanted them. I used one of the sentiments from You're A Gem, as well as a retired Happy Birthday stamp from It's Your Birthday, all inked in Rose Red. Then I decided to personalize the card by using an alphabet from the stamp company whose name I cannot mention where I originally saw the card design. She loved it!

Don't be afraid to adapt a design you see using another company's products. With a little creative thinking, it's easier than you think!

Oodles to Share--Day 2: Aviary Background 2

When I created this patterned paper using a trio of birdcages from the Aviary stamp set, I ended up with enough for two cards. For this one, I chose Marina Mist as the coordinating color to the Very Vanilla card stock, a Crumb Cake mat, and Crumb Cake ink. I stamped the popped up birdcage in Early Espresso this time, and I like the boldness of the contrast. I added a little 1/8" Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon because it was laying on my desk, begging to be used.

The tiny word "friends" is from the Tiny Tags that was designed to scale for the Simply Adorned jewelry line (see my post on this here). I'm happy I found a use for it with cards as well. I copied my layout from my other card I made, but when I mounted it on MM, the wheels began to turn again. I had seen a card that had what looked like a bookmark as a design element on it, and I mimicked that a bit on my card.

I added some 5/8" Victoria Crochet Trim and used one of the stamps from You're A Gem, currently offered in the Occasions Mini, and had the look I wanted. I love that the coordinating Stampin' Write Markers that SU! offers make it easy to create elements that are two-toned and match the color scheme of the card.

Just because cards are fun to make, and I'm glad I have these in my stash for when the occasion arises to encourage a friend.

Cards for a Blogger Friend

Two and a half years ago, I met Robin of All Things Heart & Home. We both were followers of a woman's blog and that woman had organized a get-together of all those who followed her so that we could get acquainted with each other. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. Robin and I met again for only the second time face to face, and shared lunch. I love it when friends I make online become IRL (In Real Life) friends too!

I wanted to share a little something with her from my world of paper crafting, since I knew she'd appreciate something handmade. (The woman is crazy talented in home decorating, and I'd love to have her opinion on how to repaint our interior spaces!)

Robin's blog logo (which isn't on her blog right now for some reason) features a birdcage and bird and I thought I could use Aviary and take my lead from her color scheme to craft some cards. I used Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, and So Saffron.

The Scallop Trim Border Punch created a nice complementary border to the scallop circle that contains the focal image. It was super fun to put a little grouping of buttons together, each tied with linen thread. The corduroy Baja Breeze button originally was a brad, but I cut off the brad prongs and adhered it to the card front with a glue dot. The rest of the buttons are from the Soft Subtles collection.

The little saying is from You're a Gem, a stamp set in the current Occasions Mini catalog, and it features 8 tiny sized greetings. I used 2 of these and made 4 cards total. She loved them so much she said she'd have to be really moved to actually send them out. I told her I could always make her more.

I hope you're finding ways to incite friendship with those God has placed in your life. Robin and I have slowly nurtured a relationship through exchanged blog comments and emails over the past few years, so feel free to think outside the normal constraints. You may find yourself in possession of a true friend!