Open Gate Birthday Wishes

I gave this Cuttlebug challenge a try - too bad I was one day too late.

Texture Embossed Card: To Cuttlebug or not to Cuttlebug?

I decided that since I already have the Silhouette SD, the texture boutique would suffice.

In the short time that we've been together, my relationship with the Sizzix Texture Boutique has become one of love.

It came just in time for me to wish a friend a happy 2 year wedding anniversary and another friend a happy birthday. Its amazing what a little texture can do to a solid color card stock. These cards were surprisingly very easy to make. WYSIWYG.

Birthday Card: Mark your calendar

Thanks to all that inspired me for this one.

Printed calendar: Member Gallery Post @ Two Peas in a Bucket
Faux Stitching on calendar: Finally Friday @ Two Peas in a Bucket
Doily: Valentine's Day Cards @ Marth Stewart
Printed calendar and date cutout: Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas 2008

Birthday Cards: Part I - Top Load Notecard Holders

I'm SUPER excited about these three birthday cards. These are inspired by Kerri Bradford's Signed.Sealed.Delivered. Kit. I decided to step away from bi-fold cards for a little while and went with top loading 'notecard holders' since they can't really be called envelopes. And I finally got to use the Polka Dot paper I bought on sale from Print Icon. I'm so happy I did!
The problem with making cards so far in advance is that I don't get to post about them until the recipients have received them. But the upside of having time to think up a likable idea outweighs the cons. So, details of each card will come within the next two months.




P.S. I sure hope I'm sticking with the etiquette guidelines that D*S recently posted. I need to be mindful of always crediting the source of these inspirations. Hopefully none of it is considered copying.

P.P.S. Something is terribly wrong with Safari now that I've moved to Snow Leopard on my MacBook. What the heck is going on!? I find it odd that Firefox works better than Safari does on my Mac. Tisk tisk. First time I have to talk down on Apple. It's a sad sad day.

Gift Wrapped 30th Birthday Card: Bows Glitter and Embossing

I got to practice a new technique and refine two others. This was inspired by Martha Stewarts Holiday Gift Wrapped Cards idea.

Refined technique #1: How to tie a perfect bow. Too bad the ribbon preferred to be straight. I'll never use that style of ribbon again.

Refined technique #2: Glittering. My sister wouldn't be happy if I told her I used spray adhesive for the '30' glitter tag. But, I do have to say that the 3M spray adhesive I used is great. It's super tacky, doesn't stain and doesn't curl the paper. All other adhesives are just nightmares to work with.

New Technique #1: Embossing. looking at the pictures, the embossing looks like it can be both ways. Either you see drops that look like water that form an outline around the letters (this is the melted embossing powder) or you see the letters raised off the paper (just an illusion). A little messy for the first time but not too bad huh? Especially since I'm too cheap to buy a heating tool and opted to hold an iron within millimeters of the paper instead.

Birthday Card: Reincarnation of Bon Voyage Plane

Look familiar? Minor adjustment - this time it's a birthday card to a dear friend that lives far away. And instead of just a regular blank page, I made it a cloud that folds down. I hope she likes it!

Gift Wrap: Something Luxurious for a Man

As much as I love glitter, flock, embossing, cutting, ribbons and the color pink, I try to be mindful when it's time to hunker down and work on a man's project.

I would like to credit Martha Stewarts Craft Department for the idea. I must have seen this months ago and it just stuck!

I asked my uncle what he wanted for his birthday. He said 'Something Luxurious'. I said 'like what?'. I should have known better than to ask such a silly question because he responded with the definition of the word luxurious. So, ask and you shall receive. [insert smily face here].