Butterfly Birthday

Hello and Happy Friday or, as I call it in my house, First Saturday.  It's a little name I came up with when I started my four 10-hour days, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.  First Saturday sounds like a lot more fun than Friday! OBVI!  Is it?  YES!  I can sleep in, sleep all day, or just nap.  I'm sensing a theme.  

Speaking of themes, I made a card for a coworker (a different one, LOL) that I wanted to be awesome.  Is it?  I don't know.  She thinks so but, as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am the most critical of anything I make.  I think it's pretty, but not all people will.

This particular coworker makes me laugh, gives me guff and sarcasm on a daily (sometimes minutely) basis, has my back and goes out of her way to make my work like comfortable.  Who does that?  She does.  Always.  And I appreciate her so much.  Not only that, but the poor thing is my backup for when I'm home on FMLA leave and sometimes that is a lot.  She never complains, never says anything and always asks me how I am.  Truly a lovely person.

A lot of people think of nature when they think of something lovely.  Trees, roses, butterflies, tulips, etc.  For her, I chose butterflies because to me they represent lightness and joy.  Which she is to me.

Stamp Sets Beautiful Butterflies and Poppy Perfection by Simon Says Stamps; Pattern paper and cardstock unknown but more than likely came from a Simon Says Stamps kit.

 

Thank You Card

Hello and Happy Thursday!  Or, as I like to call it, early Friday.

Sometimes things go a bit awry.  Sometimes things go smoothly.  And sometimes there are things that just make your heart smile.

This week's card was made for a person that showed great kindness to me during a very difficult time.  There are never enough words for those times and all we can do is hold them dear to our heart.  A simple thank you does not suffice; neither does a simple card.  But in those times, a card is all we can say.  A handmade card always lets the receiver know how heartfelt your thank you is.

Brown cardstock by Bazzill Basics; Black cardstock by Recollections; Pattern cardstock, ribbon by Who the Heck Knows 🤣; Thank You stamp by Simon Says Stamps Follow the Rainbows stamp set; Enamel Dots by Pink and Main.

Hello and Happy Sunday!  It's also Father's Day, so Happy Father's Day to all of you who fill that role.  I hope that you have had a fantastic day!  To Chet, who for all intents and purposes is my dad, I love you very much and am so amazingly blessed that you are in my life.

These past few days have been a combination of sunny and nice; chilly and windy; and just plain icky with thunderstorms.  Really, summer?  Really?  Where are you?  I know that technically you are a few days away but, for the sake of my sanity, can you just act like you're here already?  Mother Nature is starting to get on my nerves.  Probably mad because I didn't give her a card or present for Mother's Day.  Maybe I would have if she'd straighten up just one time.  Maybe.

Speaking of cards, my coworker had a birthday and since she is always the one that passes out birthday cards for everyone to sign, I decided that she needed a special card of her own.  No store-bought one for her after everything she does for us all.  I wanted something special and soothing, as well as something florally (is that a word - it is now) and feminine.

This is what I came up with.  It has her personality all over it.  She was pleasantly surprised and I was so happy that she liked it.  Isn't that what we all hope for - that the person we've made the card for loves that it was made personally for them and not mass-manufactured?  I know that's why I do it.

White cardstock by Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Peacock cardstock cardstock by Simon Says Stamps; Soft Yellow cardstock by unknown; Yellow ribbon by American Craft; Embossing folder by Darice; Sunflower Garden stamp set by Simon Says Stamps; Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento; Gold sequins by unknown; Make a Wish sentiment by Tim Holtz.

Craft Roulette Challenge #168

 Hello and Happy Friday!  I hope you have had a productive week and I wish you a beautiful weekend ahead.

Well, here we are; Friday night.  I've been waiting all week for this.  ALL. WEEK.  Friday night is Craft Roulette, which I've already advised you is completely addictive.  This is officially how I am spending my Friday nights now.  Seriously?  My social life has gone steadily downhill since I found this show.  It's a sad, sad situation when I'd rather watch and wait for the challenge parameters than go out to dinner.  

Tonight's guest was Maymay Helms.  Yes, THE Maymay!  I love her!  Such a talented, talented lady and so true to heart.  It was a great time watching her create.

Ready for tonight's parameters for this challenge?  Alright, here we go!

Project - Kid's Card; Color - Citrus Orchard colors; Element - Spring Scene; Random - Metallic or Foil.

The wheel hates me.  That's just all there is to it.  Pure, unadulterated hatred of me by an inanimate object.  I stay home on a Friday night for THIS?

My first thought for this card was to use my "Sarah" stamp.  WAY back in the day I was a DOTS consultant (before they even became Close to My Heart) and had to have this stamp.  It is still one of my favorite stamps to this day and perfect for any card, especially a kid's card.  The only problem was that I didn't know what else I wanted to use to accomplish this torture - er, um, task.  Yeah, that's it, task.

After digging through my supplies, this is what I finally came up with.  I tried to see it from a kid's perspective, so hopefully I accomplished that.

I feel like I met all the parameters.  The brightness and the use of  this particular stamp gives the appeal of a kid's card and that quote on the inside - PRICELESS; my Citrus Orchard colors are in the rainbow and grass; the Element of the Spring Scene shows with the grass, rainbow and clouds, as well as the flower in the girl's hand; and the Random element of Metallic/Foil is the silver lining behind the clouds. What do you think?

White cardstock by Neenah Classic Crest in Solar White; Blue cardstock by Bazzill; Green and silver metallic cardstocks by Close to My Heart (older); Patterned paper by unknown; Sarah stamp by DOTS (older); Rainbow is My Favorite Color stamp set by Simon Says Stamps; "You Make Me Smile" inside quote by Inkadinkadoo; Picked Raspberry, Dried Marigold, Squeezed Lemonade and Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Inks by Tim Holtz for Ranger; Pear Tart and Black inks by Memento; Alcohol markers by Ohuhu; Cloud Dies by unknown.

Traveler's Notebook

 Hello and Happy Wednesday!  Halfway through the week and still hanging on!

Summer is almost here and we all know what that means...vacation.  Whether we staycation or vacation or just take a day off here and there, many of us love the warmer weather for no other reason than it simply lifts our spirits.  Then there's me, who LIVES for the warmer weather. It can be 90 degrees outside and I'm still cold.  True story...just ask anyone.

A couple of summers ago I was planning on taking a nice vacation to the ocean, but that didn't pan out.  However, I had recently found a swap for a Travelers Notebook, so I checked it out.  Of course, I didn't exactly know what that was.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I had no clue as to what that was.  "Notebook" gave me a clue, obviously, but I had no idea what set a Travelers Notebook apart from a regular notebook.  Apparently, I don't get out much.  What the What?  These things were everywhere! I watched both of the videos, posted by Vianney Creates a couple of times and was intrigued.  In the first video, the instructions for the cover, inserts and other pieces were covered.  In the second video, the dashboard and pockets were covered.  Vianney really does a great job of explaining and showing how the notebook should go together.  It looked like so much fun that I decided to join the swap.  I found that watching the videos before starting on the project really helped as I was able to picture in my mind just how I wanted mine to turn out.

First, the cover was cut and laminated, along with any extra decorative pieces that one might want included.  The inserts were next and I laminated mine as well.  I didn't have to, but I figured that as with any other paper object, the more use the more wear.  My hope was that whomever received mine would be able to use it for a while to come.  {I forgot at the time to take a picture of the front of the third notebook, but you can see the back cover of it next to the pocket in the next section. You can also see mine in the reveal right here at 27:55}

Next came the pocket, dashboard and bookmark (which needed to have some Washi tape wrapped around it).

I did add pockets and embellishments to the notebooks.  Overall, this was a great project and super simple and quick.  I joined another swap a bit later and you can see my journal from there right here at 1:42:06.

A Very Special Sympathy Card

Hello and Happy Monday!  The beginning of the work week came all to soon (at least for me).  Ugh.

Today, one of my dear friends was on my mind and I was thinking back to when she used to live near me and we worked together.  I miss her dearly.  She is one of the most positive, loving and pure people I have ever met in my life.  She has a very special place in my heart.

A couple of months ago, she lost her dear husband, who was also one of the most loving and kind people I have ever met.  You couldn't have met anyone more family-oriented if you tried.

Not living near my friend any longer, and not wanting to call and intrude on the pain that their entire family was feeling, I went to my craft room and made a card.  Actually, I ripped it apart like six times, because it had to be absolutely perfect.  Nothing I did seemed to be good enough to show how I felt about these people. 

One of the things that I have always felt when around these friends is soothed.  Just a sense of peace that I knew I was accepted for me, flaws and all.  That didn't deter them from treating me so incredibly well.

After struggling so hard to make the perfect card, this is what I came up with.  I just felt them both as I finally came to this end product.  May he ever remain in peaceful slumber and she always feel that love he had for her.

Solar White cardstock by Neenah; Dark Blue and Plaid cardstocks by unknown; Dimensional Shell Stickers by Spellbinders (Under the Sea Magic card kit - no longer available); Embossing folder by Recollections; Enamel dots by Pink and Main.

Craft Roulette Challenge #167

 Hello and Happy Saturday!  I hope your day is treating you well.

A few weeks ago (three to be exact), I was watching Cathy Zielske on YouTube and she mentioned that she was going to be on Craft Roulette the upcoming Friday.  I had no idea what she was talking about, but I never miss a chance to watch her on anything if I can help it.  She is one of my very favorite crafters and I love her smooth, simple style.  Of course I had to see what this show she was going to be on was all about.  The first ten minutes I was out.  Nope, not for me.

But...I realllly wanted to see her in action, so I decided I'd try again the next day.  Worst idea EVER. I was hooked!  I don't know what was wrong with me the first time, but this is a very fun show.  Basically, a wheel is spun and parameters are set and those parameters need to be on your challenge submission. Obviously, there is no obligation to participate in the challenge, but if you wish to do so, you certainly may.

It was intriguing and so much fun to watch as the hostess, Mary Gunn, and Cathy Zielske crafted such different projects using the same criteria.  Completely amazing! That totally did it for me.  Off I went to make my own project and submit it.  Flash forward to this third week and here I am again.  This show is addicting, I tell you!  ADDICTING! (And that dang 20-minute intro where all the submissions are shown is just...WOW.  The ideas and talent that are shown are simply inspiring.  This week featured Laura Bassen and whoa, that woman is amazingly talented!

This week, #167, the challenge parameters were quite interesting.  Yikes!  What we had to work with was this:

Project - Thank You card; Color - Farmer's Market colors; Element - Rhymes with "Bee;" and Random - Punctuation.

SAY. WHAT. My brain began to hurt.  Seriously.  But, by goshfulness, I was going to do it.  I'd already submitted for the last two weeks (I''ll do posts for those another time) and I didn't want to break my streak, even if I ended up in an institution.  Let me just say that was a viable option.

So, after careful swearing...um, I mean, sweating, I came up with this.  The Thank You greeting speaks for itself; my Farmer's Market colors are plum, green, yellow and neutrals; my Elements to rhyme with "Bee" are CofFEE and DaiSY; and my Random punctuation are the two jewels on the side of  "thankful" acting as single quotations.

Please, Mary, don't do this to me again.  Really, I mean it.  

Purple cardstock from Bazzill (olddddddd); Solar White cardstock by Neenah; Dry Brush background stamp by Stampin Up (discontinued); Daisy in Coffee Cup stamp unknown; Alcohol Markers by Ohuhu; Mossy Green and Soft Suede ink by Stampin Up; Gold Jewels by Crafter's Square; Enamel Dots by Pink and Main; Big Tag Die by Pink and Main (discontinued); Embossing folder by Stampin Up.