A Suess-ish Happy Birthday

Every week on Splitcoaststampers, there is a sketch challenge hosted by Rox71. She is prolific, I tell you, and when I'm struggling for a jumping off point for a card, I search through those I've saved to my favorites file. Rox supplies exact measurements for each piece of the card, which makes me want to kiss her! I was drawn to this one because of the large center panel and the cute triangles on the sides.


When I pulled out the retired It's a Loop Thing DSP and went to Fun & Fast Notes because the drawing style is similar. Well, once I stamped the cake image, I wasn't so fond of that large center panel anymore! My cake was too small. So, I stamped it a few times, stacked the cake layers, and created a bigger cake! I used my Aquapainter and Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink, and Baja Breeze to color my "red velvet" cake. A little glue on the heart "flames" and they were glitterfied with Dazzling Diamonds! I popped all the layers up on Stampin' Dimensionals, which created a shadow for the cake without having to draw one in.

The triangles were created by cutting a 1 3/8" square in half diagonally. I noticed Rox had cute snowflakes on top of each of her triangles, so I set about to create a similar effect. I didn't notice until I was done tying the knots of white ribbon that I'd adhered the points of the triangles to the base of the card. I wasn't about to redo it though!

I'm so not a pink girl, but I hope someone who's having a birthday soon is so I can send it off! Speaking of birthdays, I need to get my father-in-law's card in the mail! Gotta go before the mailman comes!

Sweet Storage Reminiscent of Crayons...

The minute I saw this fabulous flip top box created by Kirstin Davies of PaperTreeLane.com, I knew I had to do whatever it would take to make one of my own. For the small price of $5 to purchase the tutorial, I had detailed, step-by-step instructions, complete with pictures, for 2 sizes of these great boxes. Think Crayola crayon box, but for cards!

The one I made is the smaller of the two versions she demonstrates how to construct, and it isn't really full with 9 cards in it! It uses 2-8.5" x 11" sheets of card stock, and it's quick and easy. The decorating was the part I lingered over, including a 30 min. experiment of creating the button closure, and it was a very relaxing, therapeutic venture.

The base is Baja Breeze (please bring it back, SU!), and the coordinating DSP is from A Walk in the Park, which I'd also love to see return.

I can't share the details of this creation here, but if you'd like to make this and some cards with some friends, I can make that happen. These will make great coworker, neighbor, teacher Christmas gifts. Why not get ahead of the holiday craziness and plan a time to get some of these socked away? You'll be glad you did and so will the friends you invite. Contact me for details.

Simple Card. Great Cause.

This Thursday, I'm heading down to one of our Atlanta Ronald McDonald Houses to host a night of card making for those in residence. I've been told there will be about 20 parents and kids who could choose to participate in this activity. I saw this card on Tessa Wise's blog and adapted it for kids who have fine motor skill issues. Since many won't find using scissors something fun to do, all they'll have to do is stamp the hearts on the squares, glue them down, and someone will help with the ribbon and the "i love you" sentiment (all stamps from retired Love Matters set). The card stock used for the 1 3/8" squares is Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, and Pumpkin Pie. The base is Riding Hood Red. I love that I can put my just-retired InColors and some older ribbon to good use!

This is the card I'm bringing for the adults to make. It too uses retired InColor card stock, but these folks won't know and won't care! It also has just one color of ink used--Basic Black. This simplifies and expedites things, since the stamps won't have to be cleaned between uses. I've stamped the flower and the leaves so that all that will have to be done once the panels are stamped and the edge is punched is some cutting. I hope they'll like them!

Being able to encourage people through cards is the main reason I craft. Being able to invest some time in order to make a small difference in the day of someone who is in the midst of a trial I couldn't begin to imagine jazzes me so much!

There are many ways you can be involved at your local Ronald McDonald House. Find your area's house by clicking on the link. The house manager will be happy to inform you of volunteer opportunities available so that you can encourage these families during their time of need.

New Stamps, Soon-To-Be Old Colors

The 2008-2009 InColor Collection is about to be history, and I still have plenty of card stock and ink. I was asked to make a card for a friend who is under a lot of stress because of the care she's providing to her mother who's dying of lung cancer and is living with her and her family.

The card is supposed to be encouraging, so I went with Pacific Point card stock and the bolder colors of Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango to create a cheerful look, and supplemented those with Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. I've really enjoyed working with this palette, and I know already that the new InColors are going to have to grow on me before I'll use them as readily as I've used these.

The layout for this card was inspired by a card I saw by Lorri Heiling. She was kind enough to send me the measurements so I could craft something of my own instead of just admire hers! She calls it a "gate fold" and here they the specs: 4.25" x 11". Score at 2", 3.75", 7.25" and 9". Thanks, Lorri!

The sentiment is on the outside of this card because the friend who requested it wants it to be signed by a group. To me, that meant I needed to leave lots of interior white space for messages. There are two panels that are not shown in the photo, besides the center square, so I think this will be sufficient space.

Just for the record, this sentiment is from Gratitude, a set I picked up 3 years ago and is my "go to" message for encouraging someone. It's stamped in RHR.

Hope you're enjoying a quiet Sunday. Since my husband and Dad read my blog from time to time, I want to say "Happy Father's Day" and sorry for forgetting to post a card in time!