First Sight Birthday CAS

More cards for my birthday card stash! These are simple to make, and you can make them in a variety of color combinations to mix things up. I used some of the new In Colors for this batch. Now I'm eye-balling some other color combos, like something with Autumn colors. And maybe instead of the butterfly, have a little cluster of leaves. Hmmmm.......ideas are popping!

Don't forget to check here tomorrow evening for the Fall edition of the Control Freaks Stampers' Tour de Freaks!

Here are the color combinations:
Flirty Flamingo/Watermelon Wonder, Dapper Denim/Marina Mist,
Emerald Envy/Pool Party, Sweet Sugarplum/Rich Razzleberry

Here's the "How To"
 Image panel: Whisper White 4" x 5-1/4"
 Butterfly: Emerald Envy 1-1/2" x 2" and Vellum 1" x 1-1/2"
 Mat: Emerald Envy 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
 Card base: Whisper White Thick 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored and folded at 4-1/4"

1. Using Pool Party ink, stamp flourish from First Sight and grid from Timeless Textures on image panel. Use Emerald Envy ink to stamp greeting.
2. Emboss image panel with Pretty Paisleys embossing folder, adhere to mat and then both to card base.
3. Punch Emerald Envy cardstock with Elegant Butterfly Punch, and Vellum with Bitty Butterfly punch. Adhere vellum butterfly to larger butterfly with a glue dot. Place a coordinating Enamel Shapes heart on top so glue dot doesn't show. Mount butterfly on card with a Stampin' Dimensional cut in half.

  Product List

First Sight Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Stamp Set

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

Emerald Envy Classic Stampin' Pad

Big Shot

Pretty Paisleys Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Elegant Butterfly Punch

Bitty Butterfly Punch

2016-2018 In Color Enamel Shapes

Glue Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals 

Bringing Birthdays Back

As I mentioned in a previous post, Shannon West has started a movement to bring back the sending of traditional birthday cards in the mail. Too often these days we rely on social media to stay in touch, and I believe we are drifting further apart as a result. We can spend several dollars on a cup of coffee in a coffee shop, but then think it's too expensive to send a card or letter. Really? In my opinion, forty-nine cents isn't too much to tell someone happy birthday, or even that you're just thinking of them. And that birthday card might be the only one they get! How can you NOT send a card?! Okay, hopping off my soapbox now.

I did forget to mention in that post that I am also participating in the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement and will send a birthday card to anyone who sends me their name, address, and birthday. I promise to try to get it sent on time! (And if you want to reciprocate, my birthday is February 6th.)

The card above was sent to someone who didn't even ask to be a part of it, but his keynote speech at the Stampin' Up! Convention a couple years ago really touched my heart. I noticed his birthday was coming up (one good thing about Facebook, I guess), so I asked for his address. I hope he likes it!

I liked it so much that I made eight more similar cards, using up some neglected DSP. If you want to make some quick, cute birthday cards, these would be just the ticket!

Card base: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" colored cardstock to coordinate with DSP, scored and folded at 4-1/4"
Image panel: 3" x 4" Whisper White
Mat behind image panel: 3-1/8" x 4-1/8" same color as card base

Stamp balloon strings first, making sure to leave room for the stamped small balloons at the top. Stamp small balloons in whatever color your card base is, unless you are using black. (But I guess if someone is having one of "those" milestone birthdays, black balloons might be appropriate!)

If it's a darker color, stamp off once to produce a lighter color. The dots at the bottoms of the balloons can be full strength. On a scrap, stamp the large balloon and dots as you did for the small ones. Punch out with balloon punch or fussy cut, and pop up on Stampin' Dimensionals. Add whatever greeting you want. I did stamp the bow on the first card, but ended up tying little baker's twine bows for the others. I think they looked cuter.

Supplies listed below are for the first card.
STAMPS: Balloon Celebration, Sky Is the Limit (SAB)
CARDSTOCK: Basic Black, Whisper White, Cherry on Top DSP Stack
INK: Basic Black Archival, So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Watermelon Wonder
ACCESSORIES: Balloon Bouquet Punch, Clear Wink of Stella, Stampin' Dimensionals