Decoder Card

Today is my nephew's 3rd birthday, and in the attempt to find a cool card to make I came across the decoder card tutorial on SCS, I thought this would be the perfect 'cool' card for a little boy! You can see the tutorial here.

Also, I had just started to play around with Michelle Zindorf's style of backgrounds and this is my very first card using her style....it isn't the same piece of artwork that she does, but I hope to get better at it. I think the brayer with different color layers really make wonderful backgrounds. Check out her blog here.

For the decoder bags I used a marker to color in the bags so that I could leave out the ties that was binding them together, this left me room to write my message.

Lots of cutting and popping up to give dimension. And I tied the decoder window on the corner so that it can be tucked into the card for mailing.

It's hard to see, took me a while to get a picture that would show anything, but in real life, it comes out pretty well.

I used the googlie eyes for the critters, I thought it would be more fun, and it's all about fun!!

Sets: Under the Stars, Pines, Canvas
Accessories: Buckaroo Blue, Soft Suede, Confetti White, Old Olive, True Thyme & Whisper White cardstocks, Various Inks, Googlie Eyes (3 & 4 mm), French Blue Ribbon (retired), Aqua Painter, Brayer, Sponge, Square Punch & cutter, Red Cellophane.

First day of High School

Can you remember your first day of high school?
I do, I remember what I was wearing (picture mid-80s, yikes....not sure if the styles are any better today) and how we all sat in the gymnasium for much of the day. I remember seeing all my friends and acting silly while we pretended to listen to what was being said. It was the start of 4 great years!!

Well, my daughter is starting her adventures in high school today. I can't believe my baby is going into high school. Am I really old enough to have a high school student for a child?? I have an infant too, so that makes it all really surreal.

I noticed these adorable backpacks on SCS and knew it would be the perfect first day of school type card. I've loaded it with candy and $$$$$$$. Yup, lunch money and special money. When we did the freshman orientation, we stopped by the school store and she eyed the sweatshirts. So, we figured that it would be a nice first day of high school type gift to give her the $$ to go in and pick one out. I know it's something that will get lots of wear over the next 4 years.

I used Textured Eggplant for the pack, I thought it looked more like the actual fabric of a backpack. Then I had to go onto my computer to print out the extra layer on the top flap for her school info. 2013, what a year to graduate!!

I also pulled out a retired wheel that I have which is perfect for those lion paw tracks!!! Maybe I'll get more use out of that wheel over the next 4 years as well.

Happy High School to my little girl. Praying for you as you go along this journey. I know it will be a wonderful time in your life. We are all so very proud of you and will be here for you every step of the way.

Stamp: Paw Tracks Wheel, Initial Stamp
Accessories: Textured Eggplant cardstock, So Saffron cardstock, Eggplant ink, Apricot Grosgrain, Eyelets, Velcro, Sticky Strip, Paw Brad

Everyday is a gift

This is the first time I've used this set. I've admired so many of the cards made from it. Very classy/traditional styling. I really liked how so many stamped the sentiment right over the cross, so I had to give that a try too.

Another one of our Ocean's 11 bloggies has a birthday this year, so this is for her, Happy Birthday Karen/Saved By Grace. I hope she had a great birthday!

I used my CuttleBug on the Designer Paper...doesn't look much like DP, but it really is, just a more solid color. You have to be careful when using an embossing folder on DP, it's not as thick as cardstock and can tear.

Set: Refuge & Strength
Accessories: DP Patterns Pack, Blue Bayou, Whisper White cardstocks, Blue Bayou, Black StazOn and Creamy Caramel inks, Primas, Stickles, CutterKit, Sponge, CuttleBug, Blue Bayou Ribbon

Remember Your Childhood View Master ?

I think it was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid. I had one set of wheels that were Winnie the Pooh and they came in a green can that held them and the view master itself and I'm sure I looked at them a billion kazillion times ;)

Over on SCS they have a tutorial for this technique and it's so fun and easy!! Take a look when you get a chance, I'd love to see what you come up with.

My niece's birthday is today and I wanted to send her a 'cool' card, she's 7 this year and I figured it was a great year for something like this. I pulled out my Loads of Love with the Accessories along with my retired Boatloads of Love. The wheel has presents, dogs, flowers and hearts. I hope she has fun turning it to see what comes up next.

Happy Birthday Madison, enjoy your day!!! We love you!

Set: Boatloads of Love, Loads of Love & Accessories
Accessories: Prints Pack DP, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Gable Green & Confetti White cardstocks, White Taffeta, Anchor Punch (Martha Stewart), Silver Cord, Black EP, Inks w/Aqua Painter