Custom Cardmaking is a Challenge!

Hip Hip Hooray! 

It's another weekend and I've got time to STAMP IT UP!  : )

For the past three hours or more,  I have been working on creating this "custom" card for a friend at work to give his wife for their upcoming 7th wedding anniversary.  I'm not sure why, but I find it much more difficult when I'm creating for someone else.   All I had to go on was that it was their 7th anniversary.   He didn't suggest favorite colors or whether it should be a romantic or fun theme.  I did ask for ideas, but he just said to do whatever I thought she would like.  Oh my, that's even more pressure.  ; )

I've been seeing a lot of these fun little pennant banners on cards so I had that idea in my head.  First, I was going to use 7 of them and number them 1-7.   As you can see, I've only used five pennants and simply stamped a "7" on all of them.   If you're wondering how I made them, I used my Cricut and the diamond shape on the "George & Basic Shapes" cartridge set at 1-1/4".   Then I just had to cut them in half.  I used naturals white and layered with early espresso brown.  

What I would really *love* to know, because I'm a newbie with a Cricut... is there a cartridge that has a pennant banner like this that you can cut all in one piece?    And while I'm asking, if you own a Cricut, what are your favorite "go to" cartridges?  Please leave a comment below so we can all read your suggestions!  Appreciate it!  ♥  

I couldn't decide what to use for a sentiment on the front and both "Happy Anniversary" stamps I own were simply too large and elegant looking.   So, I used my computer and a couple different fonts to type out "Celebrating US!"     Then on the inside I used a stamp from the "Best Yet" Stampin' Up set . . .

the inside...

The base of the card is 5-1/4" square of Early Espresso brown.  The designer paper is an oldie from my stash and don't ask me why I decided to use it.  ha ha     Recently, I ordered a few different colors of this awesome baker's twine from an Etsy Shop.  It's quite inexpensive and so great to work with.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of it on my future cards. 

Thanks so much for blogging by today!   I hope you're enjoying your weekend and finding time to do what you most enjoy!

Smiles 2 U All . . .

Quote for Today ~
A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. ~Paul Sweeney

Oh Baby! It's the Verve Fan Hop!

"Sometimes the smallest things

take up the most room in your heart."

~ Winnie the Pooh

I love this quote and just bought the stamp online a week ago from VERVE Stamps.  Their service is remarkable and so are *all* their products.  Oh, how I wish $$ was no object, as there are several sets I would love to have!  Which is just one of the reasons I created this card today. ;)   Verve is having a Blog Fan Hop and there is a $30 Gift Certificate as the PRIZE!   Oh Baby, I could really use that!  ;)

Don't you think the Winnie the Pooh quote is perfect for a baby card?  Although I'm not so sure that using designer paper with *elephants* really goes with the saying!  But I've been hoarding this Oh Baby Girl paper by Basic Grey long enough.  As you'll see, I couldn't bring myself to cover up the cuteness, so not much layering on this one...

Die cut shape is from "A Cut Above Dies" by Verve

the inside finished to coordinate with the outside...
stitching, button & linen thread too!

Blogger is being a challenge today and I just lost half of what I typed.  ugh!  Oh well, I really just want to give a shout out and a very warm welcome to all of you who may be visiting my blog for the first time as a result of the Verve Blog Hop.  Thank you for stopping by and do come back again real soon!   ;)

Enjoy every minute of your weekend!  Smiles 2 All of U !

Quote for Today ~

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg

Friendly Challenge Brings Happy Mail!

Today I'm happy to share some lovely creations by a dear friend, stamping buddy, and fellow Nebraskan ~Gail Slagle.   We became acquainted a couple years ago through my blog and now I'm excited that Gail has finally decided to start her own blog ~ What a Load of Scraps & More!  

Gail and I really enjoy exchanging cards and "goodies" and when I sent her a Valentine card last month, I enclosed these little white paper doilies and challenged her to see what she could do with them.  Well, would you look at this!  WoW!   She certainly rose to the challenge, didn't she?!  They are both such beautiful cards.  The funny thing is that she forgot to take photos before she sent them to me, so I get to be the first to show them to you!  hee hee  :)

The designer paper on this baby card has a touch of glittery sparkle to it which makes it even more special. And of course, the stitching adds such a sweet touch too!  Love it!

the inside is as pretty as the outside!

And this is the card she created to send me a little note.  Oh my!  Can you say "gorgeous"?!  You know I adore the shabby chic distressed look.  When I see this, I wish I had the stamp set and those beautiful butterfly punches from Stampin' Up! 

Oh by the way, I also want to mention that Gail is a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  I'm sure if you need any products, she would be more than happy to place an order for you.  Will you please stop by her blog and leave her some stampin' love?   I know it would make her *smile*!  :)

Thanks so much for blogging by!    Have a happy day!

Quote for Today ~
All glory comes from daring to begin. ~ Eugene F. Ware

Pretty in Pink & Paper Lace Doilies!

Happy Hello!   I hope you're finding time this weekend to do something that makes you *smile*!  For me, that means spending time in my craft room!  :)

I've been seeing several cards lately with these sweet little paper lace doilies so I picked up a couple packages and gave it a whirl.  What do you think?  Aren't they pretty?   I did use a few of them on Valentine's, but I think they can work for any occasion too.

This card is a 5-1/4" square of Pear Pizzazz with a piece of pink and green plaid cardstock from my stash.  (DaisyD's - Birthday Plaid)   I zig zag stitched around the plaid paper, attached the doily & ribbon and layered the plaid onto the cardstock base.  The cute little felt flowers are from Stampin' Up! and I'll admit that I've been hoarding them.  Why?  Because I ♥ them!  ;)



The inside is finished off with a stip of the plaid paper.

And because I've been such a slacker at posting to my blog lately, I'm going to surprise you with TWO cards in one day!  Can you believe it? ;)

This card is a standard 4-1/4 x 5-1/2", so I put the doilie right smack in the center as the focal point.

The Sending Happy Thoughts stamp is from Stampabiities. Once again, the pretty floral paper is from my never-ending stash I've been trying to use ...instead of buy, buy, buy!   That's difficult to do since I always want the latest and greatest.  Do you hear me?  I thought you would.  ;)

That's all for today! 
Sending Happy Thoughts your Way!  : )

Quote for Today ~

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~ Frederick Keonig

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

Wishing you all a very

 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

the inside...

 Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays and I did actually manage to get a few Valentine's made and mailed out this week!  Yay me!  :)   Today I baked chocolate cupcakes for my Mr. Wonderful and for all the wonderful guys I work with.  ♥   I sure wish I could give each one of  U a cupcake too!   But, since I can't, I want to at least wish you all a very Happy ♥ Day. . . one that is filled with many reasons to *smile*!

Thank you for stopping by!  Hugs & Smiles,

Today's Quote:
What the world really needs is more love and less paper work. ~Pearl Bailey