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

Retro Fresh Angled Tag Topper Punch Card

I have another busy card filled with arrows today.  I think I've decided that I like this one from a couple of weeks ago after all, so why not try another take on the arrows?

This card uses paper from the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper, and I just love the color combination.  As time goes by, I am loving Coastal Cabana more and more, especially when it's paired with Tangerine Tango. 

Tips & Tricks

• I wanted to add some arrows to the card to go along with the arrows on the paper.  The Label Card Thinlits set has two different arrows in it.  Actually, the Circle Card Thinlits set also has an arrow, so if you have either set, you can cut out some arrows!

• See that little strip of Coastal Cabana in the middle?  By cutting your card stock 4" x 1/2", it will fit perfectly into one of the lines of arrows in the Arrows Embossing Folder.  It adds just a little bit of subtle texture that this card needed.

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Sayin', Gorgeous Grunge
Ink:  Coastal Cabana
Paper:  Retro Fresh DSP, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, and Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits,  Label Card Thinlits, Arrows Embossing Folder, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Stampin' Up! Angled Tag Topper Punch

I'm not quite sure where to start with this card, because I'm not quite sure what it is.  There is a LOT going on here.  It's one of those cards that never started as a plan in my head (most do), and I just kind of sat down and started using some new things.  All that to say, the jury's still out on this one...I'm just not sure what I think.  But I do love the colors!

Tips & Tricks

• If you're stumped for a good color combination, start with an element that picks the colors for you, such as the Retro Fresh Washi Tape I used here (Designer Series Paper will also do the trick!) I only had to look to the tape to know that I needed to pull out Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango and Coastal Cabana. (When I say Coastal Cabana, I start singing "Copacabana" in my head.  Does this happen to anyone else?  No?  OK, what can I say?  I grew up listening to Barry Manilow, and I'll admit, I still like him.  Although I do prefer the younger, less plastic version of him.)

• The Angled Tag Topper Punch...you just need this.  That is my tip.  :)  No, really...this looks like it wraps around the Very Vanilla card stock, but I really just punched two tags.  So easy!

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee, Gorgeous Grunge, Map it Out
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, and Tangerine Tango 
Paper:  Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, and Tangerine Tango 
Accessories:  Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits, Label Card Thinlits, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Linen Thread, Retro Fresh Designer Washi Tape

And you really need to listen to this (but really just the first 3 1/2 minutes).  You'll thank me every time you pull out Coastal Cabana. :)

Now I can't stop...here's a bonus, my favorite. :) 

Just Sayin' Sweet Sorbet Card {Sale-a-Bration}

Can you tell I've been on a Sweet Sorbet kick lately?  This polka dot design is definitely my favorite.  My kids loved it too...there were gasps of delight when I pulled this piece out of the package.  They must get their great taste from their mom.  Ha!

I haven't played with the Just Sayin'/Word Bubbles bundle nearly enough, and I knew this paper was perfect to pair with those products!  I also wanted to use Summer Starfruit.  That's a color that seems to evoke strong feelings from people, one of those that you either love or hate.  I happen to really like it, and will be sad to see it retire in a few months.  But I will say that I don't think there are a lot of colors that look great with it.  That's one reason that the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper is so great...they color matching has been done for you!  And I happen to think that Pool Party and Basic Black are two of the best colors to use with Summer Starfruit.  Thanks for doing the hard work for us, Stampin' Up!

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Sayin'
Ink:  Summer Starfruit and Pool Party Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Sweet Sorbet DSP, Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

For what it's worth, Summer Starfruit also looks great with Midnight Muse, which will also be retiring May 31.  Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, and Primrose Petals will retire with them.  It's sad, I know.  But don't sit around crying about it, though...let me know if you'd like to stock up before they're no longer available!