Making Me Happy!

Making cards makes me happy!  Have I told you that before?  Well if not, let me say it again . . . "Making cards makes me happy!"  For two days I have basically just made cards and played in my studio, and I have had a blast!  I'm feeling better today, thanks so much for asking, and think I have dodged the sinus/upper respiratory infection bullet. this time, but I think that being able to stay home and do what I love doing has helped - it truly is therapy for me!

Anyway, my friend and regular card-buying customer, Phyllis, had asked me to make some more birthday cards, so today that's what I've done.  They are all different, but I love every one of them!  Up first is 'A Special Wish' . . .

Product Info:

• Base card stock is Die Cuts With a View
• Card stock for matting is from my scrap bin
• Image is from clip art software
• Button and ribbon and twine from my stash
• Sentiment printed on ivory card stock

Tools, Tips and Techniques:

• Base of card cut on Cricut, Walk in My Garden cartridge, card2 set on 5"
• Polka dotted mat was cut on Cricut with Songbird cartridge, frame3 set at 4 1/4" and mat was cut on 4 1/4" using shadow feature
• Sentiment tag was tied onto purple bow using one of my favorite new things - cotton twine from Walmart's hardware department!

And can I just say I am LOVING my new Cricut Songbird cartridge?  It's got many, many options, but my favorite are the 6 new 'frames' that I can use instead of drooling over all the latest and greatest Spellbinders dies!  My budget is limited, and I've found the 'Nesties' are expensive and have limited uses.  But I got this whole Songbird cartridge, complete with font, frames, and all kinds of goodies for less than $20 and free shipping on eBay - much more goodness for the money!

Okay, enough about that, let's move on to a card that is sweetness itself!  Welcome to 'Many Happy returns' . . .

Product Info:

• Card stock is all Die Cuts With a View
• Patterned paper is a scrap I've been hoarding from an old My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus' stack
• The image is from clip art software
• Ribbon is crinkled French seam binding from Bluebird Lane etsy shop
• Gems are from Prima e Line
• Stickles Diamond used on her hair bow and the pink flowers
• Very old button (Maybe mother of pearl or bone?) is from my stash

Tools, Tips and Techniques:

• Base of card cut on Cricut, Walk in My Garden cartridge, card2 set at 5"
• Frame cut on Cricut, Songbird cartridge, frame1-s set at 4 1/2", and mat cut set at 4 1/2" using shadow feature
• To make the fluffy bow, I cut the 3 colors (pink, blue, green) of seam binding to length and tied a knot in each end.  Then I tied the bow and untied the ends and trimmed.  I threaded the antique button with a bit of the blue seam binding and glued it onto the bow.

I think that is the sweetest image!   Next card is 'A Blessed Birthday' . . .

Product Info:

• Card base is one purchased in a large package with envelopes
• Patterned paper is K&Company Blue Awning Blue and Ivory Damask Flat Paper
• Card stocks for matting are Die Cuts With a View
• Vintage glass button and organza ribbon are from my stash
• Image is from clip art software
• Sentiment printed on ivory card stock

Tips, Tools and Techniques:

• Pretty much everything was cut by hand.  The only technique that is noteworthy is that I cut a small slit in the folded side of the card using a craft knife, and pulled the ribbon through from the inside, and that allowed me to do a 'wrap' around the front flap of the card

I love the blending of the dark blue and pink on that card, and the image is so sweet!  And the last card up for today is "Party Like It's 1959" . . .

 Product Info:

• Card base is one purchased in a large package with envelopes
• Patterned paper is another piece hoarded from the old My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus' stack
• Mat is a scrap of Bazzill card stock, embossed using Cuttlebug and embossing folder 'Spots and Dots'
• Flowers are Prima
• Stickles 'Star Dust'
• Corduroy button is Nikki Sivils
• Vintage image from clip art software
• Sentiment printed on white card stock

Isn't that the cutest picture!!!  That little boy in the center sure looks happy, doesn't he?  Anyone who grew up in the 1950's, like me, will recognize the style of clothes and such, and I loved the play on words with the 'party like it's 1959' sentiment.

So, that's all from me today!  Tomorrow I have to get out and run a couple of errands, so I won't be making any cards most likely.  But next time I do, you can count on seeing the latest right here!  Take care everyone, Becky