25th Birthday Wishes for a Beautiful Sister!

Just a couple days ago my younger sister, Esther, celebrated her 25th birthday! She is a beautiful lady inside and out. I'm so excited to be living just half an hour away from her soon! She is expecting her first baby in just one short month - can't wait to meet the little one!. A couple weeks ago, we were able to get together for a short time and snap pictures of our baby bellies together! 

To make Esther's birthday card, I used last week's RetroSketches challenge as a guideline:

I love the starburst technique! So easy to do! I put some simple instructions together a while ago in one of my blog posts - click here to see it. Since Esther has a bubbly, outgoing personality, I thought it would be fun to use bright colours and different patterns. Here's how it turned out:

And a matching envelope to complete it:

I love the colour combinations in this designer paper! 

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great long weekend! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Metro Type Alphabet

Paper: Smokey Slate, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Kaleidescope DSP

Ink: Smokey Slate

Tools: Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Envelope Punch Board

A Mid-Summer Update and a Dinosaur Card-in-a-Box

Another month and a half has flown by! Summer is a busy time and seems to leave less time for crafting and more time for traveling and spending time outdoors. It's been a great summer so far. Just last month my parents came for a visit and we all went camping on beautiful Vancouver Island, touring around parts of Victoria - what an awesome trip! We've had some hot days here in Prince George, which I am not complaining about. I love the summer heat! However, along with the dry heat we've had some serious forest fires throughout B.C., which are still raging in some parts of B.C. One morning, not too long ago, there was a fire fairly close to Prince George, covering the city with thick smoke and a red haze, making it seem like night time until 10AM! 

A lot of changes will be coming up for my hubby and I. Not only are we expecting our first child in January, but we are also moving back to our home province of Ontario!! It's going to be a bitter-sweet move, as we have grown to love the beautiful scenery of BC, but we are stoked to be moving closer to family and friends, especially with a little one on the way! 

I have been crafting on occasion this summer, making birthday cards for family members, but also completing orders for friends and Etsy customers. Just recently, a friend asked me to make a pop-up baby shower card for her nephew's baby shower. She makes adorable baby items and needed a card to go along with her gift. I may have mentioned TC Creations before... Here's the picture of a blanket she made to use as inspiration:

I had to put my thinking cap on for this one! Since I have no dinosaur stamps, I thought it would be fun to make punch art characters. I did some Pinterest searching and found some great ideas. I created the characters using papercrafting blogs as inspiration and adding my own personal touch. Here's the finished product:

Adorable, right!? I just love how it turned out! The green dinosaur was inspired by Song of My Heart Stampers, the adorable baby dino was inspired by KB Papercraft, and the stegosaurus was inspired by Stamps 'n Jewels. I had to play with the sizing of each dinosaur by using smaller punched out shapes so that it would fit in the card-in-a-box. It was challenging, but so worth it! Each panel was layered with Early Espresso cardstock and Tempting Turquoise DSP. 

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to blog more often as time permits. I really miss it and can't wait to spend more time participating in card challenges and sharing my creations with you! 

A Mini Getaway and Father's Day Recap

It's been a while since my last post! With the weather warming up and summer just around the corner, it leaves me with less time indoors and less time for crafting. I feel like I've neglected my craft supplies lately! But, all in all, I'm really happy summer is almost here. I've already enjoyed a mini getaway just a couple weekends ago. My hubby and I drove down to Fairmont Hot Springs, BC where we met with some of our siblings and enjoyed a weekend of golfing, relaxing in the hot springs, soaking up the sun by the pool and going for a scenic hike next to beautiful Moraine Lake! It was a great time and well worth the 10 hr drive to get there! Here are some photos my husband took of wildlife along the way:

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Our Father's Day was quiet... It's times like these I wish I was closer to home! We made sure to call home and give our best wishes to our Dad's! I sent a card to each of them, to let them know we are thinking of them.

This one was for my Dad:

I made this one last year with my Dad in mind. He loves the ocean and boats, so I thought a nautical-themed card would be perfect for him. 

I made a nature-themed card for my father-in-law:

I love the Canadian goose stamp in the Wetlands Stampin Up stamp set. The sketchy style of these stamps makes it look like a drawing. I think this is a very fitting card for my father-in-law as he loves the outdoors! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Card-in-a-Box for a Baby Shower

I'm lovin' these card-in-a-box requests! I was asked to make one for a baby shower - a baby girl. I started with a brown card base and added a bunch of baby elements - any that I could think of - in the colour pink! 

Using punch art, I created a little onesie, a small bib and little baby shoes. A rattle was stamped and cut out, and a banner was created, hanging from the back panel. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: To the Moon (Verve), Little Additions (ret.), Rain or Shine (ret), Button Buddies (ret)

Paper: Early Espresso, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Subtles DSP, Love Impressions DSP (ret)

Ink: Strawberry Slush

Tools: Petite Banner punch, 1/2" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Word Window punch, Small Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Trim Border punch (ret), Owl Builder punch (for the hearts)

Accessories: Strawberry Slush Ruffle Stretch Trim, Early Espresso bakers twine, Rhinestones (Michael's)

Punch Art Owl Doctor

I had a request to make a graduation card for someone whose family member just graduated and is now a doctor. I knew I wanted to incorporate punch art in this card (one of my favourite 'techniques') and came across an adorable doctor/nurse get well card using the Owl Builder punch. I loved the clever stethoscope on the doctor owl and thought I would use this idea for the graduation card. Playing along with Mojo Monday's latest sketch, everything came together so nicely:

I used the Arrows embossing folder to add some texture to the card front. A strip of chevron designer paper in Midnight Muse is embellished with pleated ribbon in Baja Breeze (one of my favourite retired Stampin Up colours). I created the stethoscope using the Small Oval punch and the circles from the Owl Builder punch. The graduation cap was created using the Curly Label punch (to create the peak at the bottom of the cap) and the top of the cap was cut free hand. 

I finished it off with a matching envelope, which was so easy to make using the Envelope Punch Board! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Card Ingredients: 

Stamps: Family Reunion (ret.)

Paper: Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze (ret.), Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Comfort Cafe DSP (ret.)

Ink: Midnight Muse

Tools: Owl Builder punch, Curly Label punch (ret.), Small Oval punch, Arrows Embossing Folder

Accessories: Baja Breeze pleated ribbon (ret.)

Happy Bear-Day to a Brother-in-Law!

A couple weeks ago, my brother-in-law and two nephews came to PG for a visit to go bear hunting with my hubby. They had a great time! A week later, Julian celebrated a birthday. I decided to continue with the bear theme and create a card with black bear punch art. I found a great punch art image on Pinterest and decided to CASE it, making some slight changes. 

I love this bear! It's perfect. And so easy to make! 

Inside I wrote a pretty funny bear-day message, using bear puns. He should get a kick out of that! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Loved Ones

Paper: Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White

Ink: Black Staz-On

Tools: Ovals Nestabiltiies, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Small Oval punch, Owl Builder punch (for the eyes)

Horse Punch Art

One of my many nieces, Leah, celebrated her 10th birthday last week. Leah is a beautiful girl, inside and out. She has a big heart and a love for her family and for animals. One animal she absolutely adores right now is her horse. So I knew I had to incorporate this in her birthday card this year! I found this adorable horse punch art card on Pinterest and decided to CASE it, changing the colours a bit to resemble her horse.

I used Stampin Up's core'dinations cardstock in Early Espresso and the woodgrain embossing folder to create the background. Using an xacto knife, I cut out a square piece from the center. To create the horse, I used the Owl Builder punch for the head and eyes, the wings from the Bird Builder punch for the ears, the Boho Blossoms punch for the tuft of hair on the head, and the Small Oval punch for the hooves. I love how cute this character is! 

Here's wishing Leah a very Happy (belated) Birthday!

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso Core'dinations Cardstock, Sahara Sand, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery

Ink: Rose Red

Tools: Owl Builder punch, Bird Builder punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Small Oval punch, Itty Bitty punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's)

An Aviator Baby Boy Card-in-a-Box

I had a request from a friend to make her a second baby boy card-in-a-box. You can see the first one I made  for her by clicking here. I was excited to make another one! The last one matched so perfectly with the fabric she used to make her gift, and this time was no different! She had aviator-themed fabric that looked like this: 

I used the colours and theme in this photo as inspiration for my card. Using punch art, I created a couple different style planes and used part of the Cupcake Builder punch for clouds. Here's how it turned out:

Cute, right? I just love this fold! My next project is a baby girl card-in-a-box. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Zoo Babies, To the Moon (Verve Stamps)

Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pool Party, Smokey Slate, Basic Black, 2012-2013 In-Colour DSP

Ink: Island Indigo

Tools: 1-1/4" Circle punch, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Owl Builder punch, Cupcake Builder punch, 1/2" Circle punch, 3/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Large Oval punch

Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's), Letter "C" foam sticker (Michael's)

Belated Anniversary Wishes

It's been a while since my last post! It was a relaxing, yet busy long weekend with family visiting from Alberta. I've also been taking a bit of a break from blogging/cardmaking, trying to finish a scrapbook album I've been working on of my hubby's training/career history. But now that I'm a bit caught up and have some free time on my hands, I'll be slowly getting back into making cards, entering challenges and sharing my creations.

Last week, my parents celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary! I made a special card using the easel fold and here's how it turned out:

I stamped the flowery image on Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock, fussy-cut some of the flowers and popped them up on the card, adding pearls in the center of each of them:

I followed these simple instructions found on YouTube to make this card. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Memorable Moments

Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Calypso Coral, Staz-On Black

Tools: Label Framelits, Square Lattice embossing folder

Accessories: Crisp Cantaloupe button, pearls (Michael's)

Double Slider Card

What a beautiful day it was yesterday! So warm and sunny!  My hubby and I got to enjoy the outdoors by taking a hike at a recreational park just outside of town. We hiked around a beautiful lake, taking pictures at the lookout point and walking down to the water. Our dog, Keta, especially enjoyed it and was wiped by the time we got home! 

I had a couple requests to make Mother's Day cards this past week and wanted to try a different fold. This one is called the 'Double Slider'. I love it! Once put together, it really is a mystery to the person who receives it - these are the best kind of cards! 

Just pull the tab and both ends slide out! 

Here's a softer colour combo using the same pattern and stamps as the one above:

Cool, right?

Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy Mother's Day

Here's wishing my Mom and Mother-in-law a very Happy Mother's Day! 

It's holidays like these that I wish I could be closer to home. To show each of them that I am thinking of them, I sent a unique pop-up greeting card. Using the card-in-a-box fold, I filled it with tulips and butterflies. Love how it turned out! 

I am entering this card in the theme challenge over at The Pink Elephant. 

"Mother's Day" 

To all the mothers and mothers-to-be, have a Happy Mother's Day! 

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP (ret.), Retro Fresh DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Bird Builder punch, Beautiful Wings embosslit die, Scallop Border punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch
Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's)

Judo Punch Art!

I have a friend who loves to give me the most fun challenges when it comes to making greeting cards! This time she asked me to make two thank you cards for her kids' judo instructors. I wasn't quite sure where to start, but I knew punch art was going to be involved! Often I find inspiration on Pinterest. I found a recipe for karate kid punch art and decided to CASE it, but make it somewhat my own. I made one a boy character, and the other a girl. For the card layout, I used the latest sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

How cute are these characters?! 

I had a lot of fun making these! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Made for You (ret.)

Paper: Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Pistachio Pudding, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip. 

Ink: Staz-On Black

Tools: Circles Nestabilities, Diagonal Strips embossing folder, Small Oval punch, Word Window punch, Small Tag punch, 1" Circle punch, Owl Builder punch (for the eyes), 1/2" Circle punch (for mouth & ears)

Accessories: Pistachio Pudding ruffled stretch trim, Crisp Cantaloupe ruffled stretch trim

Baby Boy Card-in-a-Box

My favourite card fold lately has become the "card-in-a-box". I just love the fact that they pop open and then fold flat, perfect for mailing! Recently, a friend of mine asked me to make a baby boy card-in-a-box with grey chevrons and turquoise accents. I had SO much fun making this card! I chose to use one of the cutest stamp sets from Stampin Up called "Zoo Babies". Here's how it turned out:

Probably my favourite baby boy card ever!! How cute are those little animals?! I also love this colour combo. The bright turquoise against the grey looks fabulous and is so perfect for a baby boy! I added a plain white piece of cardstock (with a couple stamped animals on it) on the back of the card for a space to write a personal message:

And the best part is, the lady I made this for had a matching gift to go with it:

The fabric on this diaper carrier and blanket match perfectly with this card! Check out TC Creations to see this lady's adorable products! 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Zoo Babies, Little Additions

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray, Whisper White, "I Am Me" DSP

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray

Tools: Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Owl Builder punch (for the heart)

Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's)