February 28, 2011

A Never Could Forget Your Birthday Card

Isn’t that what they say about elephants? *smile*

Hello Everybody, I hope you had a GREAT weekend!  Time just flew by this weekend for us.  Shopped until we dropped on Saturday and cleaned out the garage yesterday – a job WAY over due!! Things fall back to the norm today moving into the last day of February and with Spring just around the corner!  YEAH!  A little reminder for ya’ll, not this weekend; but the next, we set our clocks UP an hour!  Don’t Forget!  Spring Forward!

ANOTHER REMINDER ~ As we enter March, please know that this will be your last month for items in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Check your lists make sure you have a plan to finish out that list within the next few weeks.  If there’s anything I can help you with I am only an email away!!!  This is the one big sale event of the year, you need to take advantage and not miss out on all those great items that Stampin’ Up has to offer.

Now what was that about that elephant?  Never forgets? *smile*  That’s the message for my card today.  This card is something a little different from me, hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it…

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I put my Ice Cream Parlor DSP to work.  Combined it with a little Peach Parfait, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight card stock.  The smaller scalloped circle and the three little circles at the upper right hand side are from the self adhesive die-cut sheets that come with the DSP.  I added the three little stars from an on going stash of mine.  I ran the Peach Parfait thru the Big Shot with a CB EB folder, added a little roping from the balloons to the elephants trunk and tied a small knot.  To bring in a little more Pacific Point and balance,  I punched the photo corners and tucked them just behind the Peach Parfait piece.  I was done!

A peek inside ~

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And it will say “I could never forget your Birthday”…*smile*

Card Supplies Needed ~ all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – W. White, P. Parfait, P. Point, O. Olive, D. Delight and Ice Cream Parlor DSP
  • Punches – MS balloon and elephant punches, 2” circle and 2 1’2” scallop punches, photo corner
  • Misc. – MS twine, white gel pen, gems from my stash

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you could find a little inspiration for your next card!

Take care, come back and see me tomorrow you just might see a blast from the past using this same Ice Cream Parlor DSP. *smile*

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February 25, 2011

PPA82-CAS-Elements of Style-Scallops

It's time for a new PPA inspiration challenge!  This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge (PPA82) is to use scallops in your paper crafting project. And this was the picture given for your inspiration.  Cool… I love those colors and had to give it a try!

                 

              

 

This is my take on the above picture ~

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I decided my colors would be Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke,Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and some BoBunny paper I had on hand.

I first matted the card, used the large scalloped circle die for the base of the focal point cutting off two sides to form a square.  Then using Baja Breeze ink with just a touch of Always Artichoke (trying for that  blue/green ocean water color) sponged the outer edge darker, gradually coming to the center lighter as I went. Stamped and embossed the Koch shell, added the flourish to represent the ocean grass, of course, you need a little sea life….sea horses (dusted them with dazzling diamonds), clam shell and star fish.  Now here is where my biggest critic (Larry) will get me….I bet you anything he will say… “Linda…you don’t find clam shells with sea horses!”  And I ‘m going to tell him….”in this sea you do…..I need scallops!” LOL  I made a scrunched flower in blushing bride to give the feel of coral, sponged the edges with a brighter pink for contrast.  To make the clam shell, I used the circle scallop punch and cut a portion off, but leaving a straight edge at the bottom.  I then added BaJa Breeze to the bottom of the shell making it slightly smaller than the top piece, putting glue dots on each side.  When you attach the top piece to the glue dots the shell will ever so slightly pop up; thus, giving to a opened mouth look……..remember the picture?  And that was it!


The inside ~

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TIP:  Hiding an ink smudge!  I got so aggravated at myself, just when I thought I was done and examining things closely…..I spotted a smudge!!
What am I going to do now…..do it over “I think NOT”.  I then remembered  viewing http://Heartwarmers from Vicki.blogspot.com/ she had tips on how to cover up smudges.  Going back and looking at the front of my card in the lower left hand corner…..see those three  half pearls?  The middle one covers my smudge perfectly!  Someone was trying to tell me something, because I think it looks better with those small circles there than when they were not there.  THANK YOU VICKI!! *smile*  Go figure….you just never know! 

Supplies needed ~ all SU unless otherwise posted

  • Card stock – B. Breeze, A. Artichoke, W. White, B. Bride, V. Vanilla and BoBunny
  • Ink – S. Suede, R. Rose, B. Breeze and A. Artichoke
  • Punches – MS Sea Horse, MS Star Fish, 1 3/4” Scalloped Circle, 1” Scalloped Circle (Eckess),  Scalloped border and the large scalloped die
  • Misc. – Dazzling Diamonds, Seam Binding Ribbon and Tim Holtz die and half pearls from my stash

Looking back now…..I think this probably should not be said, BUT I only wish that I had sponged that Koch Shell to give it some highlights.  Just a little tid-bit for you in case you try something like it!

 

Okay good people another task completed.  Hopefully you found a little inspiration somewhere on my card, have fun stamping and until Monday – have fun, be safe and God Bless!

As Always ~

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February 24, 2011

A Springtime Vintage Card

This designers series paper by Stampin’ Up is exactly what it says “Springtime Vintage”.  I often look at it and just remember all the fond memories I had as a child at my Grandparents.  I could almost swear that she had a bedroom wallpapered in one of these prints. *smile*

It’s funny thinking back…..my Grandmother tried to teach me to sew.  Note I said “tried”….. now I don’t even sew a button on unless I absolutely have to. LOL

Anyway………..here’s my card

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I snipped each large flower out individually and then rearranged them into a bouquet and added half pearls to the center of each.  Used my ole standby Two Step Bird Punch for the stems and leaves. I popped the bouquet up with dimensionals on a MS doily.  There is not many cards that I will make that is not matted somehow or another.  I tried using the eyelet border punch all the way around the card, but it was  too much, but at the same time the white edging seemed to make the  whole thing pop.  I compromised and only did a portion of it….at the two corners.  If you look close you’ll see the base for the card is premade with raised dots by Bazzill. It looks like I ran it thru the Big Shot with an EB folder.

And a look inside…..

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Yes that’s right, I cut out another flower! *smile* Can you see the raised dots here a little better?

Supplies needed ~ all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – Pretty In Pink, W. White, Springtime Vintage DSP and Bazzill
  • Punches - Eyelet Border Punch and Two Step Bird Punch
  • Misc. – Ribbon and half pearls from my stash – MS doily
  • And the regulars - paper snips, adhesive and dimensionals

It really did not take a lot of materials to make this card nor a lot of time.

I sincerely hope all is well with you, have an awesome day and many thanks for stopping by!

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February 23, 2011

A Little Lattice Work

Good morning or evening, which ever the case may be for you.  Either way, I am glad you took a minute to stop by for a visit.

For the last couple of days I have been constantly working on cards, trying to get ahead, I have a LARGE project to complete within the next couple of weeks and I need at least a week to work on it and get it off the ‘to do’ list…I’ll be sharing that project with you when I get it finished ~ one tip – I have at least 60 to make and each one has approximately 25 – 30 pieces….you do the math. *smile* Fun fun fun!

For todays card I was determined to use the lattice die from Stampin’ Up!  Like so many other things, I have had it for a while and have been wanting to use it.  You’ll be seeing more of it with me!

 

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        I really like black and white cards….some with a splash of yellow or some with a splash of red I’ll take either way. Stampin’ Ups Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler suits me to a tee!  The sentiment is only half of “hello baby” from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I can see me using that a lot in the future. Added the tag to the bow with a small piece of twine.  Took an 1/8 hole punch holes to make the dots in the center of the flower. I did go around the flower and pull up on each petal to give it an overall ‘LIFT’.  That was it, you should give it a try. *smile*

A peek inside ~

       

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Supplies needed ~ all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – B. Black, W. White, D. Delight and G. Green
  • Stamps – Teeny Tiny Wishes
  • Ink – B. Black
  • Misc. – Daisies die #2, little leaves, Lattice die, ribbon and twine from my stash and a MS punch

Tomorrow is a card made with Springtime Vintage DSP.  Come back again, same time, same place.  As always, I’ll leave the light on for ya!

Have a good one!!

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February 22, 2011

Jarrett’s St. Patty’s Day Card

As I was saying yesterday, Jarrett likes his little critters whether they have fur, fins or just plain ‘skin’ yes that’s right ~ skin…..like snake skin! *NO smile* He is all boy and doesn’t shy away from a lot but is the sweetest little guy you would ever want to meet! *BIG smile*

Now I am not a mouse lover by no means, but there is just something so stinkin cute about these little guys on a card and thinking of Jarrett and his furry little critters, left only one way to go………..a mouse!

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Clean and simple, attached the clover onto the stem of the Two Step Bird Punch ( what in the world did I EVER do without that punch ) put it in this little guy’s hand and set it just at the tip of his nose.  For a little added dimension, I wrapped some twine around the green card stock on the left side of the card, tied on a wooden button with a matching green shamrock. I just had to have a little bling in there somewhere; thus came about the three gold half pearls.  Maybe he’ll think that’s his little pot of gold……..I think NOT!

A peek inside ~

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Thank you for letting a mouse in your house today!!   *smile*

Supplies needed ~ All SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – W. White, G. Green
  • Stamps – stampabilities
  • Misc. – Twine, half pearls and wooden button from my stash MS punch

Y’all come back tomorrow, same place, same time……….I’ll leave the light on for ya!!!

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February 21, 2011

Getting Ready For St. Patrick’s Day

A HAPPY MONDAY To All!  Hope your weekend was good - all too short I’m sure. 

A couple days ago I got to thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and I needed to get a couple cards done for the grandchildren.  Funny how things change with time…it used to be that girls went first!*smile* not sure how all that works these days, but I’ll start with Ansley’s today and Jarrett’s tomorrow.

Ansley’s ~

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I tried to make Ansley’s on the girly side, added a splash of spring color and got out my Peachy Keen stamps.  Put a happy face on each clover added the stem and leaves from the Two Step Bird Punch for height.  Two small hearts made the bow tie and a petal off the Daisies #2 die made the longer tie…notched out one end for the ‘windsor knot’.  MS  punch for a little Irish lace.  Used a CB folder for the background and mounted it all on Whisper White.  Don’t those little faces bring a smile to your face?

A glance on the inside ~

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Each clover is popped up with dimensionals and used my bone folder to curl up each leaf of the clovers.  Of course a tiny pot of gold will be added! *BIG smile*

TIP:  I can’t remember if I shared this with you or not, if I did please excuse it…….I’m sure it will happen again! lol
For those really fine lined areas (such as the stems on each of these clovers) that you want to tack down….glue dots!!  Just roll them up on your fingers….like spaghetti – long and thin ~ they work like a charm!

Supplies needed ~ all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – W. White, G. Green, D. Delight, and C. Coral
  • Misc: – Ribbon and brass brad from my stash, MS punches and circle punches

Okie dokie my stamping friends stay tuned same time and place tomorrow for Jarrett’s card.  Remember he likes those fuzzy little critters……actually any critter!

Thanks for visiting!!!!!

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February 18, 2011

Which Owl Made the Goal??

I was asked to  make some birthday invitations for twin boys that were turning 10 and LOVED football.  Can I tell you what a challenge this was for me…..I don’t like football to begin with. *smile*  One twin – Collin – likes the Vikings (team color – purple) the other twin – Jake – likes the Jets (team color – green).  They were in my stamping room one afternoon and seemed to be in awe over the cards they saw using the owl punch.  And that was all the info I had to work with.  I went to work and this is what I came up with ~

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I wish I had taken more pictures at different angles.  I made both owls spin 360 degrees.  I mounted them just like you would a spinner card using pennies.  They just did not slide up and down…..only round and round.  If you placed your finger at the owls ear and gave it a little flick, they spun around.  By placing the football in the goal posts, I was trying to give the effect of making a goal.  But, by which player?  Spent a ton of time trying to make a football helmet that would fit these little guys…..eventually gave that up.  Their Jersey  had to settle for their name in their favorite team color.  Each was computer generated.  The first goal post I made got knocked down…….My biggest critic (remember him-Larry-my husband) said I had made soccer posts!!OOOOPS!  Had to watch a football game to get them redesigned. LOL Just two white strips placed on top of green hopefully gave a football field effect.  I did not take a picture of the inside, but it was your usual: Your Invited with date, time, place,etc.

Oh…. If I only could have added ribbon even a flower or two!!!! *smile*

Supplies needed ~ all SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – B. Black, B. Gray, G. Green, W. White, C. Chip, D. Delight and P. Pie
  • Misc. – Ticket Corner and Owl punches
  • Of course the regulars – dimensionals, adhesive and glue pen

The Weekend is upon us, hope you enjoy time with family and friends.  Take care and I’ll see you back here on Monday……I’ve made a couple of St. Patricks Day cards to share with you.   See Ya Then!!

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February 16, 2011

A Feminine Birthday Card

I had no inspiration nor any particular reason for making this card today.  It was one of those days where I just felt like dabbing into those water colors a little bit and usually along with that comes the involvement of paper snipping as well. I decided to make it a birthday card knowing its one that’s most often used by me. 

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I still have not replenished my brushed gold paper.  And again, I cut out the oval frame and brushed it with my gold leaf pen. With gold eb, I heat embossed the gold script on the inside.  Choose the the stamp set I wanted, it had a flower that curved just enough to fit the outside of the oval nicely, added a couple punched leaves and I was pretty much done.  The longest time was spent snipping out the flowers, they are a little on the fragile side, but well worth it when all was said and done.

And the inside ~

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And no I did not snip out this flower, just left it stamped. *smile*  

TIP:  Today it’s more like a reminder than a tip.  Keep two pairs of scissors on hand - one for paper and the other for ribbon.  I learned the hard way, tried to make one pair of scissors do for both jobs.  It doesn’t work, not for me any way.  There is one little tip though…..I love my SU scissors and have two pair I use the most.  They look identical – so to tell which one I use for paper and not for ribbon – I tied a small piece of scrap ribbon on the handle.  Now I know which one to grab for all paper work without having to stop and think which one to pick up.

Supplies needed ~  all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – Always Artichoke, W. White, and P. Plum (retired)
  • Stamps – Asian Artistry, En Francias and Sincere Salutations
  • Misc. – Water colors, MS leaf punch, gold leaf pen, ribbon from my stash and CB folder

Thanks again for stopping by.  I hope you have an awesome day!!!

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February 15, 2011

PPA80 ~ Vintage Fashion


Those Were The Days…..that’s the theme this week for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. If you have not done so, please check them out.  You’ll find, as always, a lot of inspiration for your next card. 

I received my SU order last week and just today had the chance to unpack everything.  Awe yes mate I am the cow’s tail I do believe.  Everyone else has been on board with this beauty of a stamp set and I am just getting mine.  Wouldn’t it be so nice to be able to get every single item that you like from SU in the very beginning!  I have a check list that never seems to get shorter just longer and longer,  do you ever notice that with yourself? *smile*

I did not make this card with the PPA Challenge in mind, but it suddenly dawned on me that it would qualify and decided to enter it……

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Did you notice that I cut off both…the basket that was in her hand and the grass that she was walking on?

This reminded me of the silhouette pictures that my Grandmother used to have hanging in her wallpapered living room.  Hers were always black and oval in shape.

Here’s the inside…..

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 TIP:  After adding the lace around the oval card stock it made it difficult to adhere the whole thing to the card.  I happened to have extra thick (1/8 in.) dimensionals on hand and it worked perfectly.
 
I have seen crafters add lace, a little at a time working it as you go, on the back of card stock with double sided tape.  I choose to run thread thru the lace and then gathered it up just until I reached my measured length. This way I had control of how much got gathered and where.

Supplies needed ~ all are SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card stock – S. Suede, V. Vanilla, B. Black and K&Company
  • Ink – B. Black and Clear ep
  • Stamps – E. Blossoms and Hodgepodge Happiness
  • Misc. – Victoria Lace, spellbinders, Antique Brad, Beautiful Wings die and mini brads from my stash

Thanks for stopping by and if you saw something that you liked leave me a comment.  I would love to hear from you *smile*

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February 14, 2011

Thinking Of You Card…

Good morning to all!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I sure did, my daughter and her family made a surprise visit home this weekend.  It was so nice to kick back and relax for a couple of days and enjoy the grandchildren.  We all took in the movie ‘Gnome and Juliet’ and got our fill of popcorn and other little goodies!  Isn’t it always good to have the family TOGETHER!

I had blue on the brain when I made this card the other day.  I have always liked brocade blue and decided to put it to use……

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I combined it with Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke.  Topped it off with a double bow.  Something a little different for the sentiment – I used a CB die that came as a set with an EF, no stamping on this card.

And the inside ~

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TIP: Note on the front of the card how perfectly SU 1/4 inch ribbon fits through one of the scallops of the scallop border punch.

As I am sure some of you have experienced at one time or another, the card is really much prettier in person than in these pictures.  I had a mini crash picture taking course this weekend.  We’ll see the results of that later in the week when I start taking new pictures.  Camera or Operator Error….lol *smile*

Supplies needed ~ all SU unless otherwise noted

  • Card Stock – B. Blue, V. Vanilla, A. Artichoke and K&Company
  • Punches – MS hydrangea, McGill leaf, CB die, Scalloped Edge Border and Two Step Bird punches
  • Misc – V. Vanilla ribbon and half pearls from my stash

Get that coffee or tea going tomorrow morning and I’ll meet you right back here!!  Until then, take care and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

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February 11, 2011

Paper Players ~ Theme Challenge #33

 

                    

I’ll be entering this card in the The Players Paper Challenge today   Have you had a chance to check them out (www.paperplayers.blogspot.com/)?  The entries are all really beautiful.  Again their theme is something ‘romantic’.

Here it is….Mr. Birdie carrying a long stem rose to the love of his life!  Believe it or not, the inspiration for this card came from a commercial. This guy had a long stem rose in his mouth for somebody.  I told Larry …there’s a card.  You know Larry, my biggest critic!

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I have been wanting to do a black and gold card for awhile, I decided to take advantage of this challenge and put that combination to work.
Problem being I had used up all my brushed gold paper.  I then thought about that gold leaf pen I had stashed away.  I ran a gold line along the edge of my card stock.  Next problem, my tip on the pen was so well worn that it would not give me a good clean edge.  Okay no worries here, just popped another very vanilla layer on top to give the appearance of a sharp clean edge.  Used that pen on the bird as well.

To make a small rose bud was another challenge.  But the Boho Blossom punch came to the rescue.  Punched out the scalloped flower, trimmed off the edges to form a V, rolled it up added a glue dot on the inside and attached it to the leaf of the Two Step Bird punch.  I liked the fact that it was small and ended up looking like a heart.

The inside is to represent his sweetie awaiting his arrival….I don’t know, does one bird know when another is on its way???  This one seemed to!

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TIP:  A nice paper saver:   With a ruler, run a gold edge down all four sides of your paper.  It appears to be two layers.

Supplies are all Stampin Up unless otherwise noted ~

  • Card Stock – V. Vanilla, B. Black, A. Artichoke and C. Cobbler
  • Ink – gold leaf pen
  • Punches – Circle, Two Step Bird, Boho Blossom, Scalloped edge border and MS heart
  • Misc - V. Vanilla ribbon and gold half pearls

That’s my card for today hope you enjoyed it as much as I did making it. As always thank you for stopping by and I look forward to your next visit!

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February 10, 2011

“Love Is In The Air”

This is the theme over at The Paper Players Challenge this week  The rule being make a card/project with ‘a romantic flair’.  I believe this really leaves the field wide open.  I am trying to complete a card that I could use as an entry for this challenge.  I have completed all needed Valentine cards, but thought of making a card that could be used for any occasion where an expression of love is needed, i.e. anniversary, wedding, engagement maybe even birthday.  This is still a card “in progress” so I am only going to share a small part of it and hopefully tomorrow you can see the whole card.

I have to tell ya….my biggest critic is my husband, he loves to come up stairs each evening and see what I have come up with and he usually starts with “if I were you” …. I’d change…...  He’s really notorious for “you need something in that corner”, and you know what really gets me, a lot of the time he’s RIGHT! Go figure!  I wonder what he will come up with on this card?

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I already see an adjustment that needs to be made.  I’m going to snip that little tiny ridge on the flower (yes…that’s suppose to be a flower, as a matter of fact … a heart shaped one).  It just amazes me how the slightest flaw will show up in a picture. *smile*

Don’t forget to come back and check me out tomorrow!  In the meantime take a look at www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/ there are a lot of great entries so far!

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February 09, 2011

Two Birds ~ same nest

I tried to make my interpretation of a bird on a nest.  I recently acquired this new CB folder and was anxious to try it out.  I am also expecting my SU tulip framed EB folder in today’s mail.  I am equally sure that my bird and nest will look just as good with that folder.  But I have a tendency to get a little antsy when I get a brainstorm for a card.

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As always, it takes the most time just trying to figure out your color combinations and playing around with your focal point.  But after you get past that this is a quick card to make.

And the inside ~

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I liked it so well I got thinking about next years Christmas card!  Yeah I know…..we just got over this years!  But if you only knew how crazy it is, around that time of the year for this household, you would be thinking ahead too.  So with Christmas in mind……Thinking about it now, this card could be an all round winter card for any occasion.

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I punched out various leaf designs in a couple different shades of green cardstock popped each one up at a different angle and different heights using dimensionals and glue dots, snipped out a couple pine cones added some dazzling diamonds on them and you’re done.  Same nest, just added one blue bird on one card and a cardinal on the other one.  I did sponge around the edges of each bird.

Supplies need ~

  • Card stock – A. Artichoke, M. Moss (retired) C. Cobbler, B. Black, Not Quite Navy and W. White
  • Ink – C. Chip and Not Quite Navy
  • Stamp – Sincere Salutations, pine cone from the dollar bin at a local craft store
  • Punches – Two Step Bird and McGill
  • Misc – Ribbon from my stash, Spellbinders, white gel pen and dazzling diamonds

Hope you enjoyed my little birdies!  See all my stamping friends tomorrow…..don’t be shy (like I used to be) leave me a comment I value each and every one!  Hope your day is a good one.

 

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