'Happy Birthday' Card x3

I get inspiration for my cards from lots of different places, 

but Andrea Walford's style has always caught my attention.  

She makes cards that are clean and beautiful, 

and I've cased many of her creations.

Usually I'm happy with what I make when it's patterned after one of her cards, 

but that wasn't the case with this one. (Sorry, I couldn't find her card to link to!)  

After making card #1, I just wasn't happy with it and thought it needed something else.

So I tried again.  And I really wasn't happy with this one!  

If I had it to do all over, I wouldn't have added the 'birthday' sentiment like I did...

or the patterned paper behind the sentiment!

That brings me to card #3.  I added a circle behind the sentiment, 

and was mostly happy with it this time.

I think if I had it to do all over again, I would've just 

added some rhinestones to card #1.  Maybe I'll try again another day!

What about you?  

Do you ever have days when you're just not happy with what you make?

Supplies:
Paper: 'Dream Come True' (Leeza Gibbons "Wishes & Dreams")
Stamps: 'Happy Everything' (Stampin' Up!)

'Many Thanks' Card

Happy Thursday!

The card I'm sharing with you today was inspired by THIS SKETCH.  

The stamped sentiment is one that I've had for years, but never get tired of using.  

Pop dots were used again on the scalloped circle to give it some dimension.

You can never have too many 'Thank You' cards on hand, right?!

The trick is remembering to USE them!

That's something I'm working on... 

Supplies:

Paper: "Scattered Wishes" (Leeza Gibbons 'Wishes & Dreams'), Kraft cardstock, Cocoa cardstock
Stamps: "Lots of Thoughts" (SU!)
Embellishments: "Basic Rhinestones" (SU!)

'Happy, Happy Birthday to You' Card

I don't think it would come as a surprise to anyone if I openly admitted 

that I'm a scrapbook paper hoarder.  I buy cute paper with every intention 

of immediately using it on a card...then it sits on my table for months.  

Such is the case with this paper.  

I bought it in April, and am now just getting around to using it on some cards.  

Maybe I need to exhibit some self-control and not allow myself 

to buy any more new paper until I've used what I've got.

Okay...don't know if I can stick with that, but it's a good thought!

The card I'm sharing today was inspired by THIS ONE.  

I used some pop up dots on the scalloped circle to give it some dimension.

Here's a close up shot...

Supplies:

Paper: Kraft cardstock, "Dream Come True" (Leeza Gibbons 'Wishes & Dreams'), "Banana Tiny Dots" & "Banana Stripes" (Echo Park 'Dots & Stripes')

Stamps: Card Chatter-Birthday (CTMH)

'Hip Hip Hooray' {Birthday Card}

After a summer of busyness and not much craftyness, 

I'm happy to finally have a new card to share!

The inspiration for this card came from THIS SKETCH.  

I don't usually do much on the inside of my cards, 

but thought it would be fun to showcase the stamped sentiment.

The kraft flower was made by cutting notches out of 1" and 3/4" circles.

Such a fun card!!  I think I may officially be out of my summer craft slump...yay!

Supply List:

Paper: "Scattered Wishes" & "11:11" (Leeza Gibbons Wishes & Dreams line), 

"Banana Stripes" (Echo Park Dots & Stripes), kraft cardstock

Punches: 1", 3/4", & 1/2" circle punches

Stamps: Card Chatter-Birthday (CTMH)

'I didn't forget your Birthday' card

It's been a while since I've been able to sit down and make a card.  

Part of it is due to being busy, the other part is not having any motivation.  

Well, inspiration struck as soon as I saw THIS SKETCH.  Here's my version...  

And the inside...

Have a great Monday!!

'Hi' Card

This card was made several weeks ago, but I'm just now getting around to sharing it.  

I decided to use some colors that I don't usually put together, and liked how it turned out!

Here's a close up shot :)

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

A Few Cards...

It's been a few weeks since I've had the chance to make cards....I hate it when that happens!!  My time is being filled with my kids' activities right now.  If I can make it through the month of April, all will be well!!

Since life has been so crazy, I never got around to sharing some cards I made several weeks ago.  I was inspired by THIS CARD.  Here's my version:

I'm loving the layout of this card!!  Simple, but super cute!

Have a great weekend!

'It's Your Special Day' Card

I haven't been able to get much craft time in lately, and it looks like that's not going to be changing anytime soon.  This time of year is always busy for us.  My oldest daughter is involved in our area's Recreation Volleyball League, and my other 4 kids are starting soccer.  So between clogging, the kids' sports, and Young Women activities, there's not a whole lot of extra time!!  But I love it, and wouldn't change a thing!

This card was inspired by the awesome Karen Pedersen.  Love her cards!!

And a close up shot.  The flower was made using this tutorial.  I'll definitely be making more of those!!

Have a great week!!

'Hello' & 'Thank You' Cards

There are days when the creative juices just aren't flowing.  I was having one of those days, and decided to look through the Spring/Summer 2013 Close to my Heart catalog to see if inspiration would strike.  Boy, did it ever!!

On page #37 (for those of you who have that catalog), there was the cutest card!  I loved it so much, that I dropped everything and made my own version.

Here's what I came up with:

I absolutely love this card design, and plan on making lots more cards with it!!  

Have a happy Tuesday!

'Happy Hellos' Card

I have a box full of scraps of paper that I can't bear to throw away.  When I sit down to make a card, I'll usually look through my scraps first to see if anything catches my eye.  Sometimes I'll find a combination that works, and sometimes I don't.  This time, it worked!  I think you'll recognize these papers from THIS CARD that I shared last week.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

'Happy Birthday' Masculine Card

Making 'masculine' cards is such a challenge for me.  I tend to make them 'girly', even when I don't try!  I decided to try making one that was simple, and am pretty happy with the result.

My goal in making this card was to stick to 2-3 colors, and to not embellish it a whole lot.  How did I do?  Does it look 'masculine' enough to give to a guy?

I think I'll keep working on it!

'Hello' Card

After making my last card (shown HERE), there were some scraps of my prized Pebbles Inc. paper that I didn't want to go to waste.  So I made another card...

 Detail shot (:

The polka dot paper is from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes Soda Fountain Collection, and went perfectly with the Pebbles Inc. paper.

Another fun card that was quick to make.  Love it when that happens!!

'Just a Note' Card

Wednesday already?!  This week is proving to be a busy one, and doesn't look like it's going to be slowing down anytime soon!!

Some of my most favorite patterned paper is made by Pebbles Inc.  This one in particular is called Perfect Day from the Seen & Noted collection.  After holding on to it for over 3 months, I finally decided it was time to use it on a card.  

Have a great week!!

Box of Chocolates {Valentine's Treat}

My kids will be giving their teachers 

a little box of chocolates for Valentine's Day this year.  

Each box is filled with Hershey's Kisses 

dressed up with THESE kisses stickers.

The clear top boxes were made 

using THIS TUTORIAL from Qbee's Quest.

Here's a close-up shot of the 'Be Mine' tag....

I love how it turned out!

These little boxes come together really quick, 

so if you're still looking for gift ideas for Valentine's Day,

you've got plenty of time to make a few of these cuties!  

Have a great day!