Happy birthday SuZeQ

Sister's birthday was a few days ago, and I used a sample of her "signature" she puts on her creations to make this cut file.

I had asked her to do it, and she kept asking why I wanted it. I had some idea that I would vinyl something even then, but it wasn't until a few days ago that I knew just what it was that I wanted to make.

I used some of the vinyl I purchased a long time ago to cut and then adhered it to a tote bag. Her favorite color combination is blue with lime green.  Sure hope she likes it!

By the way ... did you see the card on yesterday's post that I sent to her ?

Tickled pink

In conjunction with the gift that I made for sister (see tomorrow's post), I put together this card on a whim.  I had seen something on a blog post somewhere (I really don't remember and can't find it) that had a flamingo and words along the lines of "tickled pink" in the sentiment.

So, off I went to Cricut Design Space.  I found a flamingo cut in the freebie section (or was it something I own?), cut it and added some feathers and Glossy Accents to the beak and eye.  Since I'm not too good at stamping, I thought "What the heck?" and used a thin Sharpie in the pen adapter I purchased last year from Amy Chomas' shop; I had it write onto a banner and then cut.  I have a pad of paper that included a small design of flamingos that I thought would be PERFECT for this card, but the color was too dark, and the flamingo just blended into the background.  Waaaahhhh!

All it needed was a few sequins and a pink star on the flamingo's chest to finish it off.  Hope she enjoyed it!

Week 8 of Summer of Creative Chemistry

I created this card using the smudge stamping technique as well as the rusting with embossing powder technique. In addition, I used my Distress Markers to color the little boy's jacket, hat and the backdrop.  I also stamped a bicycle on the bottom right of the page and then used clear embossing powder to make it really shiny. Both are from the Creative Chemistry 102 class that I am retaking this summer through Online Card Classes.  If you haven't taken either Creative Chemistry 101 or 102, I strongly urge you to do so.  There are so many techniques to learn, and the classes are always available for reference.

I really like this quote ... it speaks volumes for my life lately!  "You can't get where you're going without being where you've been."

I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Add Some Texture. The deadline is Monday, August 1 at 8:00 a.m. EST.  The texture is evident in the "rusting" on the gear, the embossing on the bicycle, the crinkled paper for the saying, the softness of the colored ribbon and the smooth film strip.

Step Right Up! to the Step Card!

This is another cut file from Narelle.  I love the step cards, but the thought of trying to measure makes me bonkers! 

I sent this to a friend who was dealing with a difficult moment in her life.  I hope that it put a bit of a smile on her face.

I am entering this into Artistic Inspirations' Challenge 161 Just for Fun.

Sympathy

I decided to create a sympathy card because it never fails that I need one when I don't have time to make one. When I was finished making it this afternoon, my husband said that he needed a sympathy card and wondered if I could make one for him. See what I mean? Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, other occasions ... you know in advance that you will need a card for that occasion.  Not sympathy cards, though.

I've gotten into the habit of making 5 x 7 cards lately. It seems like there's more real estate to do some designing on as well as to add more elements and embellishments. So this is what I came up with.

I am entering this into Cheery Lynn Designs' Anything Goes Challenge #233; I used my Lace Corner Deco I die to layer under the paper.  The challenge ends July 20.

I am also entering it into Artistic Inspirations' Challenge #160 Anything Goes.  The challenge ends July 16.

I cut the fancy thingamob at the bottom from my Cricut Ornamental Iron cartridge and the main sentiment backing from Elegant Edges.

Finally, I used my We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board to make a coordinating envelope.