Birthdays, Birthdays, and More Birthdays

This is the month for birthdays in my family. There are many more scattered throughout the year, but February takes the cake. *wink*  What was it about May....oh, never mind, we won't go there. :-)

The anniversary of my birth is this month, too, so just for fun I decided to sign up for various restaurant "clubs" to get a free birthday treat. (Hey, in these times of tight $$, I won't turn down a freebie.) As I was doing it, I was struck by just how OLD I have become. What hammered that little nugget home?  When I entered my birth date, I had to scroll and scroll and scroll to get all the way down to the the year I was born. Geez.

Wanna know what else makes me feel positively ancient? My Baby Girl will turn 30 in a week and a half! How can that possibly be?! Just last week I was dropping her off in front of high school for the first time. And the week before that, she was playing teacher with all her stuffed animals lined up as her students. Wahhhhh!!!!

Okay, before I shuffle off with my walker to find the Geritol, let me share a couple birthday cards with you. The CAS kick continues all this week, with various incarnations of the same layout:

Stamp: Got Treats (W-119114, C-120627)
Cardstock: Whisper White (100730), Early Espresso (119686), Blushing Bride from Designer Series Paper Pack (Level 1 Hostess 121028)
Ink, Stampin' Write Markers: Early Espresso (119680), Soft Suede (120973), Blushing Bride 119807 (In Color Set)
Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Scallop Rectangle Clearlits Die (118872), Big Shot (113439), Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119262), Basic Pearls (119247)

You probably can't see it, but there are tiny dots of Crystal Effects with Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the cupcake. Oh well, looks good IRL!

Stamps: Got Treats (W-119114, C-120627), Perfect Punches (W-117022, C-120516)
Cardstock: Whisper White (100730), Early Espresso (119686), Blushing Bride from Designer Series Paper Pack (Level 1 Hostess 121028)
Ink, Stampin' Write Markers: Early Espresso (119680), Soft Suede (120973), Blushing Bride 119807 (In Color Set)
Accessories: Crystal Effects (101055), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023), Early Espresso 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119964), Early Espresso brad (Neutrals pack 119736), Scallop Rectangle Clearlits Die (118872), Big Shot (113439)

Thanks for visiting today! Up for your enjoyment tomorrow is a Spring-y card. (No, it doesn't jump around; it just kind of lies there.)

Another Birthday and Sneak Peek!

This card is for my friend Jen from SCS.  We became online friends, and then got to meet a couple years ago when she was here visiting relatives.  Now she's back in town for a visit, and I get to meet her for lunch and see her adorable munchkins!

This card was way out of my comfort zone, but I tried to make something that would appeal to Jen's funky sense of style.  The sneak peek is that Sweet Summer stamp set that will be available during Sale-A-Bration for FREE, with a qualifying purchase!

Stamps: Sweet Summer (available Jan. 25th), sentiment Grunge Rock
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Classic
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

So Shelli Challenge

Shelli Gardner, co-founder and head honcho... uh, honcha... um, fearless leader of Stampin' Up! has a blog, called So Shelli, and a monthly challenge.  This month she has challenged us to use a color combination from the fabulous new Color Coach.  She said, and I quote: "Branch out of your usual color comfort zone and try a new combination."  Holy carp, did I push out of my comfort zone with this card!  And, wonder of wonders, I really like it!!!  (Hmmm, methinks I need to use the Color Coach more often, lol.) 

I knew I wanted to use the deep gold of More Mustard for the sponged sky around the masked sun, so I was curious to see what other colors the "Coach" recommended.  I never would have thought of Cajun Craze and Night of Navy, but once I pulled out the cardstock and held them together, they just clicked! 

Stamps: Just Believe (W-116948, C-120453)
Cardstock: More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684), Night of Navy (100867), Shimmery White (101910)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), More Mustard Classic (103162), Cajun Craze (119671), Night of Navy (102977)
Accessories: Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), Curly Label Punch (119851), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275)