Baby Announcement Cards for Nina

Quote for today:

If you haven't got all the things you want, be grateful for the things

you don't have that you don't want. Unknown

Baby Announcement Cards for NINA!

The card at the top is a sample only. It is NOT a photo of Nina. I just wanted to show how the photo would fit on the inside pocket. I also show the various stamped colors on the envelopes. I know there is only one colored envelope. It is the only color I had that was close. I stopped buying colored envelopes when I started getting my general paper supplies at XPEDX.

The photo is one of my many nephews, but it was just the size I was looking for. Also this isn't the image I originally tried to load. I got errors with the other image, and finally gave up after three attempts. The overall image quality of most of these cards is poor. I apologize for that. I tried to shoot them in a hurry to get them to her mother so she can get them out before the baby gets any older! (lol) ; D I normally take 2 or three shots of each one. I shot one only of each, and most of them stink! But you can still get the general idea...

These baby card announcements were made for a friend of mine. I was pretty happy with the way they turned out, and she said she was happy with them, too. Thank goodness! ; )

I was so glad she didn't mind that each of them was different. I don't usually enjoy making too many multiples of a card, hence I do not take orders for weddings, parties, etc... But these were kinda fun. I blocked out the names just in case she didn't want all the information on my blog. I actually made 40 different cards. This is a sampling of them (just slightly more than half).

I found a few "onesie" cards on SCS, and scoped the various shapes and techniques that were used. This is a combination of what I liked or thought would work best for me combined from all of them. These are not exactly perfect because I had to draw the template freehand for the overall shape and the "pants" pocket on the inside. I only found the 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 size on the internet, but that was not large enough for the photo she wanted to send, so this card is approximately 8 1/4 X 5 1/2.

Here goes...

Supplies will be listed at the very end...

I had to delete the inside of the card above from my post. I guess "sleepy eyes"

did not "edit" it properly. Sorry!

Another time the hasty photo-taking shows (above)!

I used a LOT of paper for this project. I needed mostly soft colors, and didn't have much 8 1/2 X 11 paper to accommodate that. I used all 12X12 sheets. Hence it was the first time I cracked open my Bazzill paper that I ordered from QVC. YES, I have been hoarding it!

: ) But it worked out well because I needed some of the extra paper for the matting on the front.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill, The Paper Company, DCWV; Patterned Paper: PSX Paper Designs, Frances Meyer, Inc, Karen Foster Design, Flavia/ Colorbok, Rainbowworld by Masterpiece
Studio; Specialty Paper: DCWV (Nana's Nursery), Colorbok (glitter), DCWV (glitter); Sentiments: Computer generated; Accents: Stickers : Miss Elizabeth's (gold flowers), some unknown (butterfly, crown, flower bouquets, hearst ( maybe DCWV or JoAnn's Crafts), Sandylion (butterflies, purple flower), Sticko (mini flowers, mini hearts), Nicole (larger hearts), Papercraft Inspirations (misc.), Alphabet stickers/ unknown; Tools: circle punch by McGill, Templates: multiple embossing folders by Cuttlebug and Sizzix.

“...love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it” Maya Angelo

Thank you for your visit. I appreciate your comments. I hope you will return, soon!

HUGS!

RAE

Sweet 16

Quote for today:

There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity.

Tom Peters

This is a birthday card I made this morning for a Sweet 16 party my son and I were invited to. He has known the young lady since they were in the 2nd grade. She was his grade school crush for several years. They have remained friends through the years although they have both attended several different schools since. I always say there is nothing like the friends "who knew you when..." : )

Supplies: Cardstock: Precut card base/Walmart, A Paper Co (black); Patterned Paper: DCWV/Stack 7; striped tissue paper (flowers)/unknown; Specialty Paper: glitter/walmart; Sentiments/Stamps: Inkadinkado, Anitas, Stampendous (large background); Accents: crystal brad/Making Memories, flowers (tissue paper); sticker on envelope (DCWV for Mom); Ink/Chalk: Rubber Stampede, Stampin Up; Tools: border punch/ EK Success, mini flower punch/ EK Success, Med. tissue flower/ McGill punch; Sizzix diecuts #16; Templates: Cuttlebug

“...love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it” Maya Angelo

Thanks for stopping by for another visit. I appreciate it!

Hugs!

RAE

More Mother's Day Cards...Finally! (and assorted)

Well, it was tough getting these cards done, but I finally finished. Probably a day or two later than I should have. : / But perhaps the recipients will see them on my blog! (silly) I did put them in the mail (I actually drove to the post office on thursday after work, unfortunately it wasn't early enough for everyone to get their card on time...SORRY!)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

TO ALL THE GREAT MOTHER'S OUT THERE.

YOU INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE ME!

Thanks for ALWAYS having my back!

I LOVE YOU!!!

SUSAN, BETHANN, LESLIE, JUANITA, KAREN, DOREEN, ROSE, KATHY, MOCHA, KIM, LISA, JULIE, PAT, VALDA, LILLIE, CANDACE, ALISHIEA, AIDAH, AMIE, JORDAN, TAKIYAH, JENNIFER, ADA, MARJORIE, ANGIE, BRENDA, MARYKAY, STACEY....AND ALL THE REST! (hope I didn't forget anyone, it sure wasn't intentional if I did!)

Quote for today:

Nothing is worth more than this day! Goethe

I also have needed to deliver an assortment of cards lately, so here are a few to share...

Ray and Jordan moved! Congratulations on your beautiful big new home!

Supplies: Cardstock: The paper Co.; Patterned Paper: (beautiful new paper by) DCWV (they're killing me with all the new designs!) called "Cafe Mediterranean"; Specialty Paper: DCWV glitter cardstock stack; Sentiments: K & Co.; Accents: homes (unknown stickers); Tools: heart punch & tree punch by EK Success; Templates: embossing folder by Cuttlebug

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Ron and Danelle had twins! Now I know I should have made a "twins" card, but I just had too many cards to make to find a design...

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV square embossed 6X6 cards, The Paper Co..; Patterned Paper: Unknown ; Accents: corners from Oriental Trading crafts, turtle and bunny/ K & Company; Other: Chalk by Pebbles, Inc

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Letrell & Aaliyah celebrated their birthdays!

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV patterned envelopes, The Paper Co.; Specialty Paper:transparency by 3M; Sentiments/Stamps: Stampin Up; Accents: party hat/unknown; Ribbon/Fiber: JoAnn's; Ink/Chalk: Stampin Up; Templates:Cuttlebug

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Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Co., Xpedx; Accents: Sequined Mini flowers (dollar store), brads/ JoAnns crafts; Templates: Cuttlebug

Photo: Other:

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A very late birthday for Jade...

Supplies: Cardstock: A paper Co.; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Accents: silk flowers,/AC Moore, brads/ JoAnns crafts, gold leaf/AC Moore; Ribbon/Fiber: AC Moore Ink/Chalk: Stampin Up

Templates: Cuttlebug

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These were Mother's day cards to a few friends and family members.

Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Co.; Sentiments: Computer generated;

Accents:silk flower/ AC Moore, Jeweled brad/ K & Co. Ribbon/Fiber: AC Moore; Templates: Cuttlebug

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Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Co., Specialty Paper: Vellum/ The Paper Co.;

Sentiments: printed on vellum/computer generated; Accents: silk flower/ AC Moore, 3 D butterfly/K & Co.; Photo: Postcard

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Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Co.; Patterned Paper: DCWV; Sentiments: computer generated,

Accents: rhinestone/ unknown; Ribbon/Fiber: satin/ AC Moore; Ink/Chalk:(Other) watercolor pencils; Tools: patterned scissors/ Fiskars; corner punch/Stampin Up

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Based the cardstock colors below on the silk flowers in my collection that I thought would look good on this black and white image. I was very happy with the end result! I know it probably looks like I have two pinks, but they were actually very different colors.

Supplies: Cardstock: precut cards from AC Moore (black), Pastel colors & Red/ Bazzill & DCWV; white/ Xpedx; Patterned Paper: DCWV; Specialty Paper: Notecard set/; Sentiments: Computer generated; Accents: rhinestones in flower centers/ unknown, silk flowers/AC Moore, JoAnn's; Ribbon/Fiber: hemp/Jewelry cord/The Beadery; Tools: border punch/EK Success, Heart punch/ EK Success;

Thanks for visiting. I appreciate your comments. I hope to get back into the challenges after one more large order of cards is completed.

“...love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it” Maya Angelo

Hugs! Rae

A Few Mother's Day Cards

A Quote for Today:

It's not the mistakes you make, but how you react to those mistakes that makes all the difference. Julie Wainwright

It's about time I finished these Mother's Day Cards!...

It's about time I completed these cards for Mother's Day. My sister Bethann, inspired me with this post to return to these large silk flowers for Mother's Day this year. (Thanks Bethann!)

I'm going to do one supply list at the end. The last card is not 100% completed because it is not going out for Mother's Day, I just wanted to see how that color would look. I could even use it for a birthday card.

Supplies: Cardstock: The paper Company; Patterned Paper: Making Memories (diamond and striped bolds), Black and White Oriental Trading; Specialty Paper: LaCreme Stack by DCWV; Colored vellum

Sentiments: Computer generated; Accents: Rhinestones/ Oriental Trading; Silk Flowers/ Garden Ridge in Virginia, Large heart and Flower Brads/ unknown ; Ribbon/Fiber: Black & white/ JoAnn's ; Ink/Chalk: Rubber Stampede/black; Tools: flower punch by Stampin Up; Templates: cuttlebug/various

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“...love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it” Maya Angelo

Thanks for stopping by, I do appreciate your comments.

Rae

Allentown Convention and a Thank You card

(Finally a new post!) hahaha...

Quote for the day:

Some people miss the message because they are too busy checking the spelling. (contributed by Maynard C. Carney)

That could really be me!! (aaaaarrrrrhhhhh!)

Heirlooms Allentown Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival

This is our second convention of the season. My friend Karen drove to Allentown so we could check it out. We also ran into a friend from Stamp Camp, Katherine. It was another great time, with another free "make and take".

I know I didn't need these pearls and rhinestones, but....

(sorry Helen & Bethann, I'm keepin' them! grin)

LOVED THIS PAPER!!! This is something I don't usually do- buy beautiful paper in single sheets, but once I bought the ribbon below, I saw this, and I just HAD to have it! It is made by S*E*I. It is double sided, and some of the stripes are metallic- both sides are showing in the picture. The ribbons are just gorgeous! Can you tell the one in the front is my favorite!

More ribbons that I don't need. But I have never seen this type of rick-rack before. Just had to have them. Of course I couldn't decide on the colors, so I bought a little of each!

These are some new stencils I found at a super discount to add to the multitude I already own. Aren't they cute? I guess I will be using them with my pastes...

I patronized the Clear & Simple Stamp Company. It was the first time I had seen them at convention, and I think their stamp sets are so cute! There were so many more, it was a hard decision to make.

And last but not least...my card! This was a thank you card I sent to someone VERY special! ; )

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill, DCWV, The Paper Company; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey/ aged and confused: sublime collection flower, and corrugated embossed, MM (Making Memories) diecut circle, K & Co./ green dots; Sentiments/Stamps: Stampin' Up/ Sincere Salutations; Accents: Barcelona/ copper staples/ EK Success; Ink/Chalk: Stampin Up: Cranberry Crisp, Really Rust, Rose Red; Tools: EK Success punch, EK Success Fastenator; Templates: Cuttlebug Misc. folders

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“...love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it” Maya Angelo

Thanks for visiting....I really do appreciate your comments...

Rae

Fences, First Spring Convention and a coworker departs

I'm going with a funny quote for today...

My quote for today is:

There are three ways to get something done: do it yourself, employ someone, or forbid your children to do it. Monta Crane

This is my first post in a while, and in terns of creativity it will be extremely short.

A lot has been going on lately (as in everyone's life- smile). I had surgery a week ago and I am still recuperating from it. I can't sit comfortably on the computer for too long (or on the sofa, or at my desk, etc...) :0 I just wanted to talk about a few things that have transpired in the past 3 weeks or so.

First, I went to see the play Fences at my son's high school. I didn't know any of the young adults in the play, but I felt a pride in all of them. They were so good in their roles. It was all put together by my son's 10th grade English teacher, Joshua Rothstein. He recruited college students from Drexel (I believe). They did the directing, set decoration and worked the camera. This was the first year the school put on a production of it's kind, and I predict next year the size of the drama club will grow. Great job!!

I think Mr Rothstein is one of the best teachers my son has ever had (and he is young so he will just get better, if these darn kids don't discourage him too much!) I told him I was contemplating going to see Denzel Washington on Broadway in New York City, but his ticket price was a lot more reasonable. :)

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Two weeks ago my friend Karen and I went to the first convention to kick off Spring and Summer! ;) It was not too far away. Less than an hours drive. It was also VERY small. Next weekend will be the convention in Allentown. Probably won't make that one due to the amount of walking that is necessary. : (

Next... it will be time to be register for Valley Forge in July!

These are the goodies I selected after careful contemplation. I am looking for a way to get off the computer for the inside of most of my cards, so I went for the rubber stamp verses....

These three packs came from "Stamp Camp" Company. I just love her rubber stamps. She also has them mounted, but of course the value is in the unmounted. I actually came home and used one of the sets to complete the card at the end of this post for my coworker who resigned.

The females above came from "Chapel Road ArtStamps" It is called Four faces. As yet unused. I may use them for some ATC's I have in mind. I just liked the images. (so many ideas....so little time...)

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These were the few tools I purchased. I have been looking at this glue gun since the big convention in Valley Forge, PA. I picked up another white gel pen (I love that look on cards), and first time picking up the black gel pens, which I look forward to using in a similar fashion.

...and yes of course I plan to do some stippling on my cards! Why on earth else would I have bought those stippling brushes?!? ; D

I bought some Spellbinders borderabilities and I just had to have those butterflies. Butterflies are pretty much "in" right now, right?

OOPS! I almost forgot about these cool keys and key locks along with these great ways to say "Thanks" in several different languages. I am always making thank you cards, so I do look forward to using them soon. :)

And last, but not least, my latest Cuttlebug folder that came with a metal diecut. It was very pricey, but they won't be in the stores for another year, probably...

The dragonfly came from a company called "Artful Legacy", and the umbrella from "Sweet Impressions". They both had some other cool stuff, but I ran out of dough. :) I did more than enough damage for one convention anyway. Hope you enjoyed the peek!

Well, that's it for Convention. I have one card to share below...

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This is the card I made to say farewell to a lady I worked very closely with over the past fifteen or so years. She decided to resign and stay at home. So I made her a "Things to do..." card with a set I purchased at convention. I wasn't 100% thrilled with how it turned out, but in the end, I didn't have a lot of time...so I just went with it.

I will say it was definitely designed with her in mind. Purple is her favorite color and she is BIG into hearts. So I thought a purple heart shaped card was in order.

I found a small template that I enlarged until it was big enough to fill 5 1/2 X 11" paper.

I also embossed three pieces of purple paper. One deep, and the other two much lighter. The lighter ones I used to cut out and glitter with an eggplant glitter, then mount over the same image on the deeper purple cardstock.

Supplies: Cardstock: The Paper Company; Patterned Paper: (mat) Hot off the Press;

Sentiments: "Things I want to do"/ Stamp Camp, Congratulations/ River City Rubber Works Clear Stamps ; Stamps: Brenda Walton for Inkadinkado Flourish box, Autumn Leaves/ Swirls V:1 (inside); Ribbon: sheer lavendar / AC Moore; Ink/Chalk: lavendar/colorbox chalk, Stampin Up/ elegant eggplant; (Other) Color Medium: Gel pen Black glaze, glitter/ eggplant by PK glitterglitz; Templates: Oriental Trading Heart Shaped Card, Cuttlebug folder; Tools: Heartpunch by McGill Creativity

After I shot it, I added her name on the front for that final personalization. It helped a little. :) But I did not re-photograph it. I don't plan on making any more cards like this one.

Thanks for checking in to see what I have been up to. I have several projects to work on now that need almost my immediate attention, so I look forward to healing a little more each day so I can get to them!

See you next time...

Rae