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.

A sparkling white thank you

Well, this card certainly shows my love for dies. Cheery Lynn Designs Lace Corner Deco I die.  It's intended for corners, but it also makes a unique focal point in the middle of my card.  I am entering this into Cheery Lynn Designs blog challenge #166 titled Winter Whites.

I also used Simon Says Stamp Thanks Craft Die S202. Doesn't that thanks add just the right amount of sparkle to the card?  I also filled in the spaces in and around the corner dies using a clear Wink of Stella pen.  If you look closely, you might see the glitz there! I am entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog Anything Goes challenge. Everything sits on top of the Spellbinders Fancy Postage Stamps die that I used for the background.

Happy Birthday to My Sister!

I created this mini album for my sister's birthday.  I don't think she has ever received a mini album ... she only makes them.  I am entering this into Cheery Lynn Design's Challenge 143 Silver and/or Gold.  I've listed the dies I used along with the photo.

In addition, I am entering it into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge titled Simon Says ... Emboss It; my project has several embossings, including dry embossing on the flowers using some of Tim Holtz's Texture Fades embossing folders and heat embossing using stamps and some gold embossing powder.

Below:  check out the cool Cheery Lynn Design Lace Corner Deco I.  It is in a pack of three that I can see myself using a LOT!

I also used my Cricut Expression 2 to make the beautiful flowers.  I am so happy that I purchased the Flower Shoppe cartridge.  It has come in handy many times, as is evident from this album.

Below:  don't you just love the flower?  I used Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals die along with grungeboard and a lot of doodads.

Below:  the English Tea Party Doily was cut and fan folded to make a little design under the flower.  Don't you love that flower?  My sister made it ... is it okay to regift something back to the person who gave it to you?

Below:  I just love this butterfly!  It's another Cheery Lynn Designs die from a set of three titled Small Exotic Butterflies #1 with Angel Wings. Check out the deco corner, too!

 Below:  it was fun to just free-form cut the flower and then add stickles to give it the bling.  The silver blue leaf is from a Christmas flower pick.  I used some Adirondack Alcohol Ink to give it a blue tint.  The bling in the corner is a package of gold holographic glitter that was in my stash; I stamped a Tim Holtz design and then added the glitter to the top. Unfortunately, there's no label, so I don't know who to credit for this gorgeous flash of golden shine!

Below:  the letter press is a grunge block that is a Tim Holtz creation. Check out his post with a video tutorial to see how to make one for yourself!

Below:  this is how the mini album looks when it's fanned out from the front and back.

Below:  don't you just love all of the goodies that I used on the ring?

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the paper that I used.  It's K&Company's Julianne 12x12 paper pack.  I couldn't find it online anywhere ... waaaahhhh ... I love this paper, and my stash of it is rapidly being depleted.