Happy Birthday, Dad!

Have you heard we're in for a huge snowstorm this week?  In our area outside Chicago, we are expecting about 18 inches of the white stuff Tuesday/Wednesday (although I heard that one computer model is predicting up to 34 inches!!!!) 

I guess "snow on the brain" was my inspiration for this birthday card I made for my Dad.  I like the look of this stamp, but everytime I use black ink on it I always think it looks too dark, so this time I thought I'd try a snowy look.  I like it!  In fact, I think I might have to make a couple more of these to add to my stash.  I would have done them all earlier, but I ran out of ribbon - darn, guess that means I need to go ribbon shopping!  (tee-hee!)

I'm not sure why the card looks kind of wonky in this photo.  I think I need to investigate how to take better pictures of my cards.  That might be a good project on Wednesday during the snowday it looks like we'll have.

I was hoping that this week would bring good health to our home, unfortunately, my little guy is still coughing a lot.  So, he staying home again today - my older son was so excited to go back to school today after missing three days last week.....we're so lucky that he loves school! 

I hope you and your families are all healthy and if you're in the path of this upcoming snowstorm, I hope you stay safe and warm.  Seems to me it will be the perfect time to stay inside and get inky!

recipe:  stamps:  Inkadinkado trees, Stampendous Happy Birthday; ink: Tsukineko Versamark, VersaMagic Jumbo Java; Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder; The Paper Co Kraft, Chocolate Truffle; JoAnn's ribbon

I'll Hang on to You!

It's me again!  Three times in one day!  WOW!  This is one of the cards I made for my wonderful husband for Father's Day.  I haven't decided if Changito represents me or one of our boys clinging to his leg.  We all hang on to him tightly!

I'm not quite sure how I did it, but after I finished coloring the jeans, I realized that they looked like they actually had texture to them.  Now to figure out how I did it, so I can do it again! 

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Hang On set; paper: Deja Vu, The Paper Co.; ribbon JoAnn's; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Coffee Bean inks

Dad's Taxi Service

This is the card I made for my Dad for Father's Day (I'm a little late in posting it....sorry!)  I just love my Changito images!  Inside the card I used to computer to print "Thanks Dad, for always picking me up when I need a lift!"  The background paper is from Creative Memories.  I crumpled it up (crumple?  is that a word?  it is now☺) then flattened it and ran my Gingerbread ink pad over it to age it a bit.  My other favorite embellishment on this card is the pop-top from a Pepsi can that I used like a buckle on the ribbon.  How's that for recycling?

I still have one more card I think I'll post tonight.  I know it's a shock!  I told you I was busy creating last week - I have a lot to show you!

It's not too late, you still have time to get inky today....

recipe:  stamp: Stampendous Changito Driver; CM Map Paper, The Paper Co.; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; JoAnn's Ribbon; Pepsi pop top; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Gingerbread; Mark Richards adhesive metal nail heads

I'm late!

I love this cuckoo clock image by Hero Arts. I initially got it because I had forgotten to make birthday cards for my brother and my brother-in-law (who both happen to have the same birthday, April 1st. What are the chances of that?) This card was for my BIL, my brother's was a bit different, I'll post that another time. Inside this card I used the computer to print "Oops! I'm late! Hope you're birthday was happy!"

I colored the image twice using my Prismacolor pencils and then cut one of the images apart and layered them with pop-dots. This is a nice way to create dimension, without the added bulk of a ribbon.

I like to use the computer to customize the insides of my cards. A lot of times I have a hard time finding just the right sentiment on a stamp, so I make my own on the computer.

recipe: stamp: Hero Arts Cuckoo; paper DCWV neutral stack, Prismacolor pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Crystal glaze, Sakura Star Gel Pen

Thanks for popping in! Take time to be creative today!

Be Joyful

Like many papercrafters, I sometimes have a "mental block" when it comes to creating masculine cards. So, I eagerly joined Jacki's challenge at www.thecardcastle.blogspot.com. This stamp set was given to me by a friend and I am in the process of making her a set of notecards using each of the stamps. So, this card will be going to her eventually.

Once I decided on the layout, the card came together quickly since I used a DCWV Mat Stack. Those little stacks make it so easy to coordinate your papers.

recipe: Stamp: Stampin' Up Elegant Inspirations; Ink: Tsukineko Graphite Black; Paper: DCWV Green Stack, La Creme Mat Stack; Creative Memories Circle Cutting System; Mark Richards Metall Nailheads