Thanks for the Lift!

 There's always something to be thankful for....always! I'm so grateful for a friend who is willing to pick my son up from wrestling practice EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  I thought it was about time I did something about it and say "thanks" and try and make up for it. I made her a card so that I can tuck a gas gift card inside.  I was also thrilled to be able to use this sentiment. I'm sure it is geared more toward someone who did some "cheering" up, but it is perfect for my purposes, so I'm going with it!

I colored the die cut hot air balloons using Copic markers.  I then added some Star Dust stickles to certain portions of the balloons for some sparkle and shine.  The clouds were stamped using "London Fog" ink.  Some were stamped off once, but others were used full strength.   I did a little bit of machine stitching since some of the pattern papers that I used look like fabric.  All of the papers are from Authentique and I have had them for over TWO YEARS and I have never used them...not even once.

I added a bit of decorative tape to the lower left corner for some added interest and well as a few gold sequins scattered across the "sky".  The ticket detail was already printed on the pattern paper.  I hope she enjoys her card as well as the gas card! Thanks for fluttering by!

Birthday Girl

 Happy Monday! The weekend went way too fast, as usual! We did have a great time with extended family as we celebrated the return of our nephew from serving a mission in Russia! It was such a thrill to hear him speak in Russian. He got to meet our baby for the first time as well when we greeted him at the airport on Tuesday. Lots of things to celebrate, hence today's card. One of the sweet little girls in our culdesac had a birthday so I needed to whip up something girly and sweet for her.

 Today's mojo monday sketch was perfect for the ideas that have been swirling in my head. I have been wanting to make a tiny tassel garland on a card for some time now and finally got to work. The sketch doesn't show anything at the top so I decided to use the blank space as the backdrop for these tiny tassels.  I was just experimenting, but by the time I got them all done, I was running out of crafting time, so the "experimental" ones had to do.  If you have ever made a tassel garland, you will know just how easy they are to make and so inexpensive. The background was dry embossed with the faux wood embossing plate from PTI. I just love the dimension it gives.

 I chose to use the circle image to create a little wreath of flowers. I knew some would be stamped and some would be out of felt. I really like how the mix of materials makes everything pop.  The mini felt roses were actually made out of one flower. I knew they would be too big if I used the whole thing, but used in two pieces, it was PERFECT! I love how they look so different, too. The one on the bottom was from the first portion and the one on top was from the second. I also used some adhesive pearls and flower sequins.

The flower sequins came from the "Shakers and Sprinkles" kit and they were perfect.  I had a lot of fun working on this card and I hope the birthday girl likes it also.

Thank you "sew" much!

 I needed one more quick thank you for one of my PTA friends that helped me with the teacher dinner last month. I made these for everyone else, but she has a gluten allergy so that wasn't an option.  I have always wanted to make a sewing themed thank you and this was the perfect opportunity.  I just grabbed one of the dollar store travel sewing kits and added this little tag.

 While I could have made the entire presentation a little more "splendid", if you will, I didn't want the other ladies to regret having to have chocolate instead of a sewing kit! LOL! Anyway, it just needed to be simple, yet fun!  I have only used these thread cards from the "hanging by a thread" set from PTI once, but I love them. I love Nichole's clever use of her favorite literary and television characters on some of the images. This one in particular references Anne and Gilbert Blythe from the "Anne of Green Gables" series, which is one of my ALL TIME favorites. I'm thinking I'm going to need to work some of these into a fun gift for my book club!

I obviously wanted to work some "sewing" themed elements into the card so I did  a little zig zag stitch at the bottom using my sewing machine, I also added a pin which when I add them to cards or gifts, I use wire cutters to snip off the sharp end. I don't want to injure the recipient.  I created a small felt rose and added a button to the inside. The finishing touch was the accordion medallion to the back and a few dew drops for some shine.  Quick, easy and fun! I hope she likes it!

Birthday Bag Challenge

 I'm back again with another birthday design to share with you. When I was searching my stash for a gift bag the other day, I realized how many bags I had without matching cards. If you will remember, I made a little "challenge" for myself to create matching cards for all of the cute gift bags I was getting at the dollar store. It was a little  bit of an inspiration challenge for me. Today's card was created using the newest Mojo Monday sketch as well.

 The pattern paper I used on today's design is a double sided piece, which I love!  The stamp set is "Tag It's #10" from PTI and I think I have only used it once! Shame on me!  It is a cute little set and worked perfectly with this week's sketch. I always love what Julee comes up with.  The sketch included a diagonal piece which I chose to place a little more emphasis on. I ran it through my cuttlebug using the same embossing folder that I did on the previous card. I then die cut it using the ticket punch. I think it gives it a little more visual interest.

 The gift back had some sparkly embossing on the words so I chose to use some Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the star image to recreate the feel a little bit.  Lots of sparkles and sequins for whomever the recipient of this card will be!  I like being prepared for crazy days when I just need to run to my birthday stash and grab something quick. I always like having a coordinating set as well.

You can see the card with the bag here.  It is a super cute bag and in the end, I am not sure I did it justice. I have a few St. Patrick's day things I want to make, so stay tuned for those.  Thanks for fluttering by!

You are just plane cute!

 First birthdays; the most epic of all birthdays!  Today's card was made in honor of a super cute 1 year old who just happens to live next door! He is such a sweetie and I wanted to make a little card to go with his gift to celebrate his special day.   They really have a passion for airplanes at their house, so I thought I would incorporate one into my design. I also chose this particular sentiment because of the part that says "Enjoy the Ride". I knew that it would be easy to add a "vehicle" of some sort and in this case, an airplane.  The plane image is from the "Little Hot Rods" set from PTI and has a coordinating die cut.

 I stamped this diagonal line image to represent a candle. I then added a star for the flame and added some sparkly stickles for some shine. I didn't have any intention of covering the candle up, but in the course of design, it just looked best to place it there.  

 The background was embossed using a cuttlebug embossing folder that I have had for years, but it really is a classic.  I added a little bit of blue bakers twine to the side for some extra detail and texture.

Of course since the cute little recipient is so adorable, I just had to add one of the coordinating sentiments with another airplane to the inside.  A few clouds finish it up and all I have to do is wait for the stickles to dry!  Thanks for fluttering by!

Valentine Birthday Hugs and Wishes!

 A VALENTINES birthday! How fun is that? Emma is off to one of her friend's birthday parties tonight! I had forgotten that her birthday was actually ON Valentine's Day, but when we got the invitation, I remembered right away.  My sister has a February birthday as well and I remember always being so jealous when she got to take her birthday cupcakes to school all decorated with pink frosting and ju-ju hearts on top! I had a summer birthday so I NEVER got to take cupcakes.

 Pink frosting and ju-ju hearts were in mind when I made today's card.  In all of my heart crafting I found lots and lots of heart shaped things including this cute button that is the PERFECT topper on this sparkly, sequined cupcake.

 I was happy to remember that I had this sentiment for today's card because I was thinking all about Hugs and Wishes instead of Hugs and Kisses!

I made a concerted effort to leave the 14 and February showing at the top. How fun to get paper specially made with your very own birth date!  Easy Peasy and hopefully Emma's friend will like it.  Well...the 14 days of Valentines have come to a close. I have had so much fun! My kids and I took around all of their treats and cards today and had so much fun! They loved their cards I made them!  Have a wonderful day and thanks for fluttering by!

Fly Away With Me...Valentine!

ETA: I will be posting something for Valentine's Day, too! I just thought I wouldn't get my project posted for the 13th, but I did! yay! A-ha! I made it! Did you think I wasn't going to do it? Well...I thought I might not do it, but I did it. It is 10:55 pm as I am typing this, but I didn't want to let myself down. I said 14 days of Valentines....so you're gonna get 14 days of Valentines! While I was busy "not crafting" today, I had so many ideas swirling around and my mind was literally going to burst if I didn't get this done!

 I have had this hot air balloon set for years, I have probably used all of the included sentiments EXCEPT....this one! Yay! I got to use it today and I love how it turned out!  I was originally going to do an airplane card, but these sweet balloons were calling my name.

 Included in the set are bold images as well as the line art images and I always use the line art for some reason. I really like coloring them, I guess. Today was no exception. I added a generous addition of stickles and sprinkled a few sequins for shine! I really love how the cloud on the left turned out. It was just a fluke, but it was perfect! I love happy accidents like that, don't you?

I can't believe tomorrow is Valentine's Day! I really hate when things like this sneak up so quickly and while I THOUGHT I was amply prepared, I still have a pan of caramels to wrap and strawberries ready to be dipped. Thank goodness tomorrow is Saturday and I have lots of helpers. I can't wait to give my kids their presents and take them around to deliver their Valentines to friends! Thanks for fluttering by!