Birthday Wishes

Today is my mom's birthday. I sent a card to go with her present that I brought back from Denmark.

The glittered and patterned paper from K&Co didn't need a lot of embellishment - it was so fun and festive already. I added the "birthday wishes" sentiment using alphas from Cosmo Cricket and a stamp from Crafty Secrets.
 

Birthday Junk

Today is my dad's birthday. I'll be visiting them next weekend, so I sent up a card to reach him in time.

One of my favorite ways to spend a birthday is junking. Here are pics of some of the treasures I found recently.

Vintage jewelry box and old cabinet cards.

Brittle pages from an old scrapbook.

I shop for holiday and seasonal items all year. I'll use the album in my Halloween decorating. I love old handmade felt decorations and ornaments. The figurine is a souvenir from Hot Springs, AR.

Old books and doily. Yes, that is another dictionary.

I picked up this treasure at a small flea market in Copenhagen. I've been wanting one, and was so happy to find it. It's a tiny notepad and pencil. It had a chain on it at one point and you could wear it around your neck to have with you everywhere.

When you pull the pencil out, the hinge opens to reveal the notepad.

 

Birthday Girl

Today a special friend turns 6! She's such a big girl now that she's going to school. I sent a card with a little treat just for her tucked inside.

I used a combination of scraps to create a soft pastel color theme.

Happy Birthday Ella! I hope it's a magical day!
 

40th Birthday

Today is Husband's 40th birthday. We're celebrating in a place he's always wanted to visit (photos to come soon). Here is the card I made for him.

I used Prima and Crate Paper papers with a scrap of vintage wallpaper. 
  

Birthday Cards

I worked on quite a few birthday cards, and I'm happy to say that several will be published in the next few months. Here are a couple that didn't make the cut.

This first card is so feminine and fluffy! I used papers from Bo Bunny and Basic Grey, along with vintage sheet music and an old image. I topped it off with a poofy tulle bow.

This next birthday card uses Prima paper and flowers with 7 Gypsies printed tissue. I added the bouquet of flowers to complement the pattern on the paper.

 

Creativity

Yesterday was my wonderful friend Julie's birthday. I had to be sure she received her gift before I could share it. Here is the card I tucked in her package:

I used neutral colors and a variety of textures to match the beach image.

And here is the hanging I made for her. I love the fun, fresh colors. I used a variety of patterned papers, flowers, and a journaling tag with a cute vintage style. I added quotes to the tag to inspire her when she is crafting.

Maybe I need to make one for myself to gather some inspiration.
 

Birthday Boy

Tomorrow is our nephew's 5th birthday. I don't know what they feed him, but he is getting so big! I made a card to tuck into the package we're sending. I always struggle with masculine cards, but I thought fun and colorful would do the trick.

I used up some scraps of Sassafrass, GCD Studio, and Bo Bunny papers. Then embellished with washi tape, ribbon, and more scraps. I used a "5" cent ticket and painted chipboard frame.

Happy Birthday Angela

Today is our niece's fourth birthday. They are all growing up too quickly! I made her a colorful and playful card to celebrate her special day.

I used Webster's Pages paper and some old Basic Grey paper from my stash. Then I embellished with sparkly flowers and alphas.
 

Birthday Cards

I have some birthday celebrations coming up, so I made a few cards.

This card uses a pretty turquoise wood grain print from My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper yellow plaid, Prima cutout, and Elle's Studio tag along with antique lace and hand dyed seam binding. I tied on a bright yellow birthday candle.

This card uses a fabulous pattern girl with birdcage that I purchased recently. I used the green in her dress to set the color scheme.

And finally, this gate-fold card uses Webster's Pages paper and a new stamp I purchased at Michael's last week. I covered the inside with vintage sheet music.

Happy Birthday Debbie

Today, my favorite 9-year-old is turning 10! My friend Julie's daughter Debbie hits the double digits. I made her a special card to celebrate the day.

I used a fun patterned paper from Pink Paislee, and some flowers and trims to embellish this card.

Pretty in Pink

I bought some new paper and used it to make a few cards. Here are a couple of them.

This first card uses supplies from the latest Little Black Dress kit. Paper is Basic Grey and Bo Bunny.

I made another card using Crate Paper patterned paper, lace, vintage trim, and an image from Crafty Secrets. I added Stickles to the ballerina's flowers. This one is going to my niece, who just started taking dance lessons. She is the cutest little ballerina!

Happy Birthday Handsome

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. He claims that he "feels" old. He looks the same to me. I am always stumped at what to get him for a gift. This year, I decided to let him buy whatever electronic gadget he wanted and send him up in a small plane to go flying.

I did take the effort to make him a card.

I used a great Webster's Pages paper. I thought the numbered pattern was perfect for a birthday card. I added ribbon, lace trim, a few flowers, and a button tied with a baker's twine bow. I used a Pink Paislee stamp and Cosmo Cricket stickers to create the title. I mounted it all on a kraft paper background - one of my new favorites.

 

For You

I was inspired by the snippet of a project I saw on Teresa McFayden's blog to create a birthday card for our Little Brother. He turned 15 last week and we took him to Six Flags to celebrate. We've been matched with him through Big Brothers/Big Sisters for the past 5 years. It's been such a rewarding experience for all of us.

Anyway, here is the card I made for him. I started with vintage sheet music and patterned paper from My Mind's Eye. I stitched a border on the papers and then stamped randomly using a Crafty Secrets stamp and black ink.

I added the scallop-punched border and made the flower by cutting circles with a circle punch and folding each circle into a petal. I cut a tag shape from the reverse of the My Mind's Eye paper, inked the edges, and made the sentiment with my Dymo label maker.
 

Happy Birthday Layla

My niece became a teenager over the weekend! I remember when she was little and had her hair in braids or pigtails and she would sing and dance for us. She only performs now when she's playing a video game. She's grown up so fast! We used to send her Disney Princess gifts. This year it was the "Eclipse" DVD.

Here's the card I made for her. I added pink seam binding to the Fancy Pants banner. I layered some older Basic Grey papers I had in my stash.

I added a little eyelet ruffle and stitching all around.

This year, my goal is to use all these beautiful papers I have in my stash and not buy new paper, no matter how much I love it. With all the great new products coming out of CHA, I hope my resolution lasts!

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I am fortunate enough to be spending it with her in NJ. Here is the card I made for her special day.

I used some festive patterned paper scraps and a die cut swirl and journaling spot for all the patterns. I added vintage crochet trim, flowers, and Cosmo Cricket alphas.

Here is a closeup of some of the details.

I also made this altered bread board to hang in her kitchen.

I used Webster's Pages papers, a page from an old cookbook, vintage doily and crochet trim, and little silverware what-nots. I cut out the images and layered them pop-dots for added dimension.

I tied on some matching ribbon and she's ready to be displayed.