Happy Birthday Lizard

My daughter's friend had a birthday this weekend, and she's really into fur-less critters of all kinds.  She has quite a collection, and I think the most beloved is her lizard.  I knew her birthday card had to have a lizard on it, and fortunately, I actually have a lizard stamp!  Long, long ago, Stampin' Up! sold a stamp set called Southwest.  I dug it out and used the lizard for her card.  Since hers is yellow and orange, I wanted to use those colors, and the Sweater Weather DSP was the perfect choice.  I also thought it would be funny to have the lizard saying "Happy Birthday" so I used the Word Bubbles Framelits.  It's a very simple card, but it makes me smile, because I'm pretty sure it made a very special girl smile, too.

Supplies

Stamps:  Southwest, A Little Birthday Cheer
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write Markers, Crushed Curry Ink Pad
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, and Whisper White card stock, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories: Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits

So Sorry {Circle Card Thinlits}

Soft and subtle is always the way to go when making a sympathy card, and these two patterns from Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper are just that.  The two colors, Tangerine Tango and Sahara Sand, also happen to be a great combination on the tree/branch image from Thoughts & Prayers. 

It's good to keep sympathy cards simple, as well.  Someone once told me that the most meaningful card she received when her father passed away was one from a family friend that simply read, "I'm so sorry."  She knew that sentiment was heartfelt, and no other words were needed.  Now, this card allows for room to write a few more words than that, but if you speak from the heart, long sentiments aren't necessary.

Tips & Tricks

• One of the very first techniques I learned was to use markers!  I stamped the entire image in Sahara Sand, then colored the flowers right on the rubber with my Tangerine Tango marker.  If using two darker colors, don't layer your colors!  You'll end up ruining the tips of your markers.  However, it's perfectly fine to use a darker marker over top of a lighter color ink.

Supplies

Stamps:  So Sorry, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  Sahara Sand and Early Espresso Classic Ink, Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write Marker
Paper:   Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, and Naturals White card stock, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Circle Card Thinlits, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Pearls Basic Jewels, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

Gently Falling

I'm not sure what it's like where you live, but this is the perfect card today.  I have the window open to let in the (very) crisp air, just heard the school bus drive by for the first time, and there's a cup of tea steeping in my kitchen.  It feels like fall today.  I LOVE fall...it's my favorite season.  And I love leaves, because leaves mean fall to me.  So on this first fallish day, a card with leaves is the perfect thing!

Tips & Tricks

• Ruffled ribbon is beautiful, but ruffled crochet trim makes it tricky to when trying to adhere those leaves.  Use a double layer of Stampin' Dimensionals on either side of the crochet trim to make the leaves stick
• Two-step stamps can be frustrating to line up.  Clear mount stamps are a great solution, as the clear block makes it easy to see the first step.  If you're not a clear mount fan, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig!  Or better yet, don't sweat it...there's not need for perfection with these leaves, especially if cutting them out!

Supplies

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  Soft Suded and Tangerine Tango Classic Ink
Paper:  Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper, Naturals Ivory,  Soft Suede, and Crushed Curry card stock
Accessories:  Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Pearl Basic Jewels, Crochet Trim, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimentionals

Truly Grateful Joy Fold Card

I've been wanting to do a Joy Fold Card at club for a long time.  I've had the instructions printed out and sitting on my desk for probably a year.  And when I sat down and thought about what to make this month, I realized that Truly Grateful was the perfect set for such a card. 

I like making cards with unusual folds...it keeps the recipient on their toes.  And it's always good to try new things, simply for the challenge of doing something new and different.  I've said before how I love Sweater Weather and Truly Grateful together, because they both just scream fall to me.  But since it's only August, I didn't want to make this card be too fall-ish...it's still summer, after all!  So the lighter tones in this particular plaid were perfect for this card.  I would never have thought to pair Crushed Curry and Soft Sky together on my own, but I LOVE how they look together!  See, another new thing for me to try!

In case you aren't familiar with Joy Fold cards, here's how they look when opened:

The layers unfold to create a really interesting card.  The little wood slice on the front is adhered with a Stampin' Dimensional, so that the smaller flap can be tucked in behind it to keep it secure.

Tips & Tricks

• Use a Stamp-a-ma-jig!  That's how I was able to line up the woodgrain image...it's not big enough on it's own and needs to be stamped twice.  I'm pretty good at eye-balling, but this one requires the SAMJ! 
• Stamping Chocolate Chip ink on watercolor paper or Naturals White card stock allows you to watercolor without additional ink!  Just use an Aquapainter and pull ink from the image you've stamped.  It's OK for the image to bleed this time!

Measurements

• Chocolate Chip (card base) ~ 4 1/4" x 8 1/2"; score at 5 1/2"
• Soft Sky ~ 3" x 8"; score at 4"
• Crushed Curry DSP ~ 4" x 5 1/4"
• Plaid DSP ~ 4" x 2 3/4"
• Chocolate Chip (top layer) ~ 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Supplies

• Stamps:  Truly Grateful
• Ink:  Chocolate Chip
• Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, and Naturals White card stock, Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper 
• Accessories:  Aquapainter, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Simply Scored Tool, Decorative Label Punch, Linen Thread, Sponge
  

Truly Grateful

Ah, fall colors, plaid, and woodgrains (OK, plus linen thread)...three (four) of my favorite things.  This may be a simple card, but there are several textures and patterns going on.  The plaid comes from the Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper, which is available in the Holiday Catalog.  (Let me know if you need a copy!)  And check out the wood slice image stamped across the Cajun Craze stripe.  It goes beautifully with the woodgrain texture embossed on the Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock.  This card just makes me think of fall, my favorite time of year.  Although I'm not quite ready for it yet!

Stamps:  Truly Grateful
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Early Espresso Core'dinations, Cajun Craze,  and Sahara Sand card stock, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Linen Thread, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds, Sanding Block