#38: A tradition, of sorts...

The first card I posted on this blog last year was the card I made for my Mom for Mother's Day, 2007, so I guess I should keep up with the tradition. (Is something a tradition when it's only been done twice? Close enough, I guess!)

My Mom is one of my biggest fans when it comes to the cards I create. She has been battling Alzheimer's for several years, so I find that she enjoys cards that are kind of bold and obvious-- she can't really appreciate things like subtle stamping or shading. So I get a kick out of using some of the offbeat Sizzix dies I have and she always enjoys receiving them, too.

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*Sizzix Originals Die: "Toaster"

-Toaster made with Crayola Brand "Stardust" Inkjet Sticker Paper

*Sizzix Originals Die: "Toast, Butter & Jam"

-Toast made with PSX Paper Designs 12x12 "Antique Wallpaper" and edge colored with a gold/brown Sharpie marker

*Pink background paper by Frances Meyer, Inc. (unknown pattern name)

*Sentiment is computer generated

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#33: Baby Shower Invitations

Ooooh! I had so much fun creating and making invitations for our niece's baby shower! Our other niece is hosting it and I was honored to bits to be asked. I made three samples from which she could choose:

Although she really liked the bunny (choice #3), we decided that at this time of year it looked too much like Easter. It was then a split decision between #1 and #2, so in the end, I made 15 of each of them.

I've never really had to make duplicates of a card before and was a little worried about churning out any kind of volume. However, once I got going, it wasn't a problem at all. The information regarding the shower (inside) was computer generated, so that part was a breeze.

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•All stamps: Studio G (from Michael's & AC Moore)

•Bunny: Sizzix Die

•Small white embossed frame (baby bottle invitation) and white embossed folder ("It's A Shower!" invitation) are Wilton wedding supplies. The frame is for placecards and the folder is part of a kit for making wedding programs.

•Pink & Blue velvet ribbon (glued back-to-back to form one doubled-sided ribbon) by Berwick ... I've had for about a million years

•White ribbon with pastel dots by Offray (from Wal-Mart)

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#27: Good things to come in 2008

Our darling niece, Jenny, and her sweet husband, Mike, will be having a baby this year, after many-many-many months of hopeful anticipation. Her due date is May 14th, although we all know how accurate things like that can be.

I love the inside sentiment of this card, which I had to computer generate since I've never found a stamp that comes close. It sure sums up the wisdom of parenthood, especially for those experiencing it for the first time!

It says "You won't change diapers as much as they'll change you."

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Bunnies & Hearts Die Cuts: Sizzix

Diaper Pin Stamp: No-Name cheapie from AC Moore, stamped in VersaMark and embossed with clear EP

Ribbon: Offray

Pewter Heart Snap: Making Memories

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#22: I'm so busy at other people's blogs, I ignore my own

Especially at this time of year, there is just so much wonderful sharing going on that I seem to spend all my blog time oogling the talent of others. Also, my stamping desk is covered with wrapping paper, ribbon and cats-- which makes it difficult to create!

Since I don't make my own Christmas cards (gasp! I know, I know-- I should be ashamed), I'll share with you a recent trifold creation, made for a friend who became a grandma for the first time. It's a combination of Versamark background stamping, heat embossing, Sizzix die cuts and my first attempt at making do-it-yourself rub-ons with an inkjet printer and transparencies.

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Bunny Stamp: 79¢ no-name purchased in 2001 at Big Lots
It's A Boy Stamp: unknown
Sizziz Original Bunny Die
Plaid Printed Paper: Spring Gingham by Remember When™
Sentiment: Computer generated

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#10 Can't tell I'm a stamper by my cards, can you?

I absolutely adore rubber stamping and have been at it for more than 15 years (and untold hundreds-- thousands?-- of dollars later). But lately, I seem to be using a lot of other techniques in my card making, instead.


Some of that may be due to several recent massive purchases of Sizzix items that are going for pennies on the dollar, as they unload "old logo" inventory. However, I think the real reason is because I recently completely cleaned and reorganized my stamp room. Good heavens! I found stuff by the truckload that I had forgotten about... It was like Christmas, only it was all stuff I wanted!


Anyway, this card is for a co-worker who just celebrated the arrival of a new grandson. Jodi's husband is a minister, so I searched for a sentiment they would appreciate, although it's computer generated. It says "Babies are bits of stardust blown from the hand of God." Inside, I wrote "From God's hand to your grandparents' hearts. Welcome, Noah!"


The star is a Sizzix diecut, covered with pigment ink and glittered while still wet (Art Institute Transparent Glittering System-- not sure of color names, but a pretty royal blue on the edges and white in the center.)

The very center of the star has a small resin charm in the shape of a baby bib

#7 Embossing and Chalking and Eyelets and Ribbon and Border Punches and.....

This card is one of those everything-but-the-kitchen-sink types, and I'm pretty sure that because of that, it doesn't want to scan or photograph very well.
The embossed and chalked rose is enclosed in a Sizzix diecut (one from the red die of the Rivet Frame Combo). I stippled the entire frame, but the color at the corners is really falsely accentuated-- maybe because of the pink eyelets???

Ah, who knows? I like what it looks like in real life and I guess that's what counts.

And, since I LOVE the look of embossing, I' m thrilled to pieces with the wonderful tutorial that Nancy Ward has posted on her blog, Paper Friendly. She's done all of the hard work of figuring out beautiful embossing results using our old red clunker Sizzix machines-- you've got to see it! It's a keeper-- as is her entire blog!
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com/2007/06/make-it-easy_23.html