Birthday Wishes for You

My very best friend is a little over a year older than I am and she is fighting aging like a spitfire!  She's trying all manner of treatments {not going to go into that, you can imagine!} to hold back the hands of time.  We are incredibly different in that aspect; I don't do anything special since I've begun to age.  I refuse to color my hair, although I'm sure it would make me look younger, no shots of chemicals in my face, no special wrinkle creams - none of that for me! This year I made a birthday card that would remind her of her {our} younger years when we both were figure skaters.  I actually had a blue skating outfit like the the girl on the card is wearing.  I also included some little trinkets that will hopefully brighten her day and remind her that getting older really isn't THAT bad.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Brush Markers
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
MFT/Die-Namics Pure Innocence stamp, Have an Ice Day
MFT/Die-Namics Pure Innocence die, Have an Ice Day
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX
Lawn Fawn Bayou Backdrop, #LF1624
Metallic Blue Card
Find it Trading, Jeanine's Art, Frosty Ornaments Paper Pack, #JPP10006
Your Next Stamp, What Not Sentiments Four, #CYNS-172
Hero Arts Ink in Amethyst 

My skater was stamped on watercolor paper and colored using my Zigs.  The blades of her skates are silver gel pen just to add some sparkle.  While she was drying, I cut a panel of the background paper and attached it to the white card base.  Then I used the Bayou Backdrop's water die to make my iced-over pond which I cut from a metallic, light blue, paper.  I stamped the sentiment onto some white card, cut it out with the oval die, and then proceeded to attach all my components to the card.  I think it's really cute!  Coloring the skater was an experience; I'm trying to get used to coloring people and, while I didn't use alcohol markers, I don't think any practice can hurt!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial.  The Pure Innocence line of stamps and dies are just so cute and the uses for the characters are endless!  Plus, they are fairly inexpensive.  Now that you have heard all about my best friend's war against time, what do you do to try to stop the clock?  Are you an anything and everything person or like me, a nothing at all person?  I'd love to hear your comments!  Be sure to leave your info so I can stop by your blog and leave you some love!  In fact,  I'd love for you to follow me on any social media platform you choose, be it Blogger, Pinterest, or Instagram.  All the subscribing buttons can be found on the right side of my blog.  Have a wonderful day!  Christi

I am entering my Birthday Wishes for You card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper - M, Anything Goes
Just for Fun - M, Use Blue & Silver
Sweet Stampers - #28, Winter/Snow
Creatalicious - #155, Anything Goes w/ Option of Winter Fun
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #403, Birthday
Stamping Sensations - Fabulously Feminine 
My Time to Craft - #388, Winter Birthday
Crafty Catz - #444, Anything Goes w/ Optional Twist of Birthdays
Cut it Up - #165, How's the Weather? {my skater is outside in the cold!}
Double D Challenges - Looking Back in Time
Bastel-Traum - #73, Stencil and/or Die

Mom's Birthday Card

This month for Not Just Cards Anything Goes theme, I decided to use my Happy Birthday card for my mother. I can't sleep so I figure maybe I will write up some long overdue posts.  If you are a regular reader, you know my mother is essentially blind; she can see shadows and a bit more on a good day.  In case you aren't familiar with my mom's sight issues, here is a quick rundown: she has advanced glaucoma and macular degeneration.  She stopped using her glaucoma medicine after she retired thinking Medicare wouldn't pay for the drops. By the time she let me know there was a problem, she had already lost a good bit of sight in her left eye.  For her birthday this year I made her a card she can touch and actually feel the layers of the flowers and leaves and, if it's a good day, hopefully see.  By the time you read this she will already have the card since her birthday is June 27th. I'm sure she loves it!   

What I Used to Make My Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Altenew Layered Rose Die, #ALT1787
Coordinating Shades of Red Card
Coordinating Shades of Green Card
Memory Box Happy Birthday, Upright Script, #99684
Dimensional Dots

I also wanted to share the versatility of this rose set - so I am going to show you some different combinations you can make with the dies.  Here is a little "cheat sheet" I made.  The dies are in this order; the outline, the detail, and the base die.  Don't forget, if you want to make the picture bigger, just click on it!

For example, this sample uses the base die and the detail die.

This rose uses the base and the outline die.

This leaf uses the outline die layered over the detail die.

The base die and the outline die were used to make this leaf.

And, finally, this leaf uses the base and the detail dies.

I'd say you get a good value with this set!  When I made the card, I used different shades of red for the roses and green for the leaves.  I began by cutting my lightest shade with of the base die, the middle color is a bit darker and I used the detail dies, and finally the darkest shade was used for the outline.  I glued all the pieces together and let them sit overnight under my

Another Peek

drying tile just to ensure they'd be nice and sturdy.  I layered the roses on a vanilla card blank, moving them to the left hand corner so I'd have room for my sentiment.  Also, I used dimensional dots to mount the last rose {it's the one closest to you} just to give the card a little pop.  Then I attached the leaves around the flowers.  Lastly, I cut out the sentiment from the same card I used for the outline of the roses.  The computer seems to have dulled the two darkest reds a bit and it's difficult to see the difference in them.  You'll just have to trust me on that!  I hope to see you at Not Just Cards; it's an easy Anything Goes theme and you have all month to play :) 

Hope you are having a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by. ~ Christi

I am entering Mom's Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Always Happy Birthday - M, Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Let's Craft & Create - #140, M, Anything Goes, option: Lots of Layers
Cardz TV - #60, Anything Goes
The Cat's Pajamas - #349, M, Birthday

WINNER from our 5 Year Birthday Bash at Challenges for Days!

Thank you ALL for playing in our Challenges for Days 5 Year Birthday Bash!

I LOVE being a part of Challenges for days, but there is absolutely NO

way I could do it without my wonderful teamies!

So, thank you ALL -

Zoe Sanderson {who started all of this!}

Donna Flowers

Jane Willis

Nana Connie

Kathy Kirby

Carol Fagg

Cheryl Schoeman

Marlene Atkinson

April Story

Swati 

Mary Trainer {on break}

and welcome to our new volunteer
Lucille :)

And my winner is:

Christine

from

With a Very Grateful Heart

Christine, please send your info to ChallengesForDays@yahoo.com 

with a note as to who's blog {Christi's} you won with.

Under the Water with Lawn Fawn {and a giveaway!}

Today is a VERY special day!  Challenges for Days {a challenge listing blog that I am very honored to run} is having a week long Birthday Bash celebration and YOU are invited! All you need to do to be in the running for the prize pack I have donated {picture below} is comment on on this blog post and the Challenges for Day's Monday post and you could be today's winner! We also have a Super Giveaway on Saturday so be sure to check Challenges for Days every day this week so you can enter!  Now, on to my nice, cool Happy Birthday card.

For the celebration I wanted to use my brand new Lawn Fawn goodies so I constructed this Shadow Box birthday card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Blue Card {for shadow box}
Assorted other Color Card {for the critters}
White Card
Lawn Fawn Sentiment - Was a Freebie from Lawn Fawn
Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card dies, #LF1486
Lawn Fawn Ocean Shadow Box Add On dies, #LF1705
Lawn Fawn You are Sublime stamp set, #LF1686
Lawn Fawn You are Sublime dies set, #1687
VersaFine ink, Onyx Black
Tutti Design Cross Stitched Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
Double Sided Tape

When I make a card like this I like to cut out all the components of the main

portion, in this case the Shadow Box, first.  I also cut out a few more of the waves in different colors of blue.  I could tell you how to construct the Shadow Box, but Kelly Marie at Lawn Fawn makes the BEST videos {and I am not a video learned - I much prefer to have instructions written out for me}, they are SO easy to follow - and of course, you can stop and start as needed! So, for instructions, I suggest you pop over to YouTube and watch.

Once I constructed the box and put the waves in the card {I decided on 3 waves and made the middle wave

a lighter blue}, I began to cut out my critters.  I used a little bit of both sets, designing where I wanted everything to go.  I have to say, I adore that little lobster - he is so cute and happy! Once everything was attached, I put the Birthday banner on the top of the card.  There you go! Each time I make one of these cards it gets easier and I think this one only took me a few hours {I'm kidding, maybe a half an hour!} and I really love the pop out factor of them - and the fact they still fit in an A2 envelope! Fantastic!

Now, don't forget to go over to Challenges for Days and comment, after you comment here, for a chance to win this AWESOME prize pack! The celebration is

You Could Win This Prize Pack!

going on all week, with a Super Saturday Giveaway where some sweet sponsors have generously donated some prizes.  Thank you so much for all your support through the years and I hope that both Art Without Anxiety and Challenges for Days are around for at least another five years {I'll be SO old then. . . } Fondly, Christi

I am Entering my Shadow Card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics - #33, Fun Folds
The Library Challenge - The Little Mermaid
A Gem of a Challenge - Summertime/Holiday
The Fairy & The Unicorn - Under the Sea
Crafty Catz - #426, Anything Goes w/ Dies and or Punches
Cut it Up - Under the Sea
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Dies and/or Punches
Die Cuttin' Divas - #378, Lots of Layers
a2z Scrapbooking - Birthday Bash
Animal Friends - #64, Underwater

A Birthday Card for Lexie

I belong to a bunch of Facebook groups and in one of them there was a post looking for birthday cards for a girl named Lexie.  She was turning 21 and suffers from autism; the poster asked everyone who could to send her a card.  I had just gotten another bunch of unbranded dies in the mail {every day is a holiday when you order dies from China - you never know what you are going to get on any given day!} so I decided to use them to make Lexie's card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Shimmer Pink Card
Pink, Blue, Light Green, Green, Coral and Yellow Cardstock
Unbranded Dies {all of the Frames}
Sue Wilson Dies, Blushing Rose, #CED1448
Your Next Stamp Whatnot Sentiments Four, #CYNS-172
Hero Arts Ink in Bubble Gum

I had so much fun making this card! It is completely out of my comfort zone to mix and match dies from different sets and manufacturers and I was honestly surprised at how well this card came out.

My favorite parts are the roses and leaves.  I used light green for the top of the leaves and a darker green on the bottom; the roses have a light pink shimmer card on the top and a darker pink on the bottom.  I am just thrilled at how cool they look!

The card is fairly self explanatory - I cut the dies, layered them and attached them to the card.  I stamped the sentiment and nestled that in the center.  Easy peasy!  Lexie should be getting this card in a few days and I hope she likes it! 

If you'd like specific information on the products I used, drop me an email using the "Contact Me' form on the right side of this blog.  I hope you and yours are enjoying the weather - it's been so hot out here in Colorado we are breaking records!  AND PLEASE remember to bring your animals inside after dark for the next few days; fireworks can traumatize an animal so badly that they'll run until they get lost, run into traffic or even pass away from fright.  Let's all have a wonderful 4th of July {and a belated Happy Canada day!} - Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Birthday Card for Lexie in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts - M, #49, Anything Goes Option: Say it with Flowers
Incy Wincy - Flowers
Scrapbook Stamp Society - M, #144, Anything Goes, Option Use Dies and/or Punches
Dies-R-Us - #100 Anything Goes using Dies Carried by DRU
Lost Coast Portal - #56, Something Beginning with B {Birthday}
a2z Scrapbooking - M, Birthday Bash
Always Happy Birthday - M, Happy Birthday

The Guys Have it at Stinkin' Inkers

The monthly theme for June at Stinkin' Inkers is The Guys Have It.  My man just so happens to have his birthday in May, so by the time you read this post he's already gotten his card and he loved it! Of course he did, I made it for him.  I hope you like my creation, too!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
Red Card
Tiny Graven Alphabet {company out of business}
Silhouette Cameo
Free Font - Loki-Cola from dafont.com
Die-Versions Whispers Retro-Car, #DV-528 {retired but available}
Wink of Stella in Clear
Numbers Embossing Folder {local craft big box}
Homemade Dots
Craft Foam {see this post to read about the foam I used}

I had an idea in my head of how I wanted his birthday card to look.  Part of my inspiration came from the fact that my man is a Coca-Cola™ addict.  He drinks the stuff like it is going out of style.  I knew what I wanted the front of his card to say and to tie in his soda addiction {he calls it pop.  I guess it makes all the difference depending on where you grew up. It will always be soda to me.}  I chose a free font to design and cut the word "classic" for the front.  That was the easy part.

Before I even started my Silhouette Cameo machine, I decided to stamp the part of the sentiment leading up to the word "classic."  Some of you may remember how difficult it was to stamp personalized sentiments with the old fashioned wood mounted stamps.  Well, that was what I used on the front of this card.  And, honestly, I was stunned that I only had to stamp it once.  Of course, it's far from perfect but I wanted the words to be sort of wonky

Sparkle & You can see the
numbers a little bit

anyway
 {plus I knew I'd never, ever get the letters in any semblance of a line so I had decided if it was readable, it would work.}  Once that part was done, I sized the "classic" to fit on the panel for the front.

Then I made my car.  I cut out red card and some craft foam and glued them together.  I used clear Wink of Stella a few times {letting it dry in between coats} to give the car a sparkly finish.  All the components of the card were set aside while I took a piece of black card, embossed it with an old embossing folder I had, which was nothing but numbers, attached the white panel with the sentiment on it, and glued on the "Classic" I had made with my Silhouette Cameo.  In hindsight, you can barely see the numbers from the embossing folder, so I could have

Dimension!

skipped that step but, since it doesn't hurt the card any and since there was NO WAY I was going to stamp out all those words again letter by letter (!), I continued on and attached the white panel.  I also thought that perhaps I should have used dimensional dots, but the card was glued, so that was that.  

Lastly, I attached the foam backed car and the two plastic dots.  I made the dots out of Perler beads; they have a slight dimple in the center (that seems to only happen with the black ones) but he doesn't notice that sort of stuff so no worries.  I hope you decide to make at least one masculine card and join us at Stinkin' Inkers - I'd love to see you there!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my You're Not Old, You're a Classic card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge - #85, Happy Birthday
Always Happy Birthday - M, Anything Goes
Simply Create, Too - M, #139, For a Male
Crafting by Designs - For the Boys
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards in Envy - Let's Hear it for the Boys!
Dream Valley Challenges - #180, For a Man or Boy
Tuesday Throwdown - #395, What a Guy!

And One More Birthday Card

** Looking for the giveaway?? Go HERE

This card has been in the making for a while.  I love the Rose Oval die and I've been thinking of a way to use it and show off how beautiful it is; this is the result!  Honestly, I'm not sure who is going to get this card, but since this is the beginning of "Birthday Time" in my world {seriously, so many people that I know, including me, were born  in the next few months!} I'm sure it won't hang around too long.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Creative Expressions/Sue Wilson Rose Oval Die, #CED4330
Quitefire Designs Happy Birthday Plain & Simple Stamps, #5899
Piccolo Embossing Enamel in Royal Sterling
Watercolor Paper
Zig Clean Color Markers
Unbranded Background Die
Detail Watercolor Brush
Embossing Ink
Distress Ink in Twisted Citron
Light Green Card

For this card, the first thing I did was to cut the Rose Oval die using watercolor paper.  I knew I wanted to watercolor the beautiful flowers and leaves, but I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to do it.  After much thinking, I decided to use Clean Color Markers and a water brush.  I knew the water brush would cause the ink from the markers to run, but I think it gives the look of a painted image.  Besides, I was using complimentary colors so a little blending wouldn't be a bad thing.  I colored and re-colored the image for days, using the water

brush and layering the color to get the look I wanted.  I left the rose oval alone for a few days and I actually contemplated just trashing the whole thing, but after showing it to some friends, I decided to carry on. 

Once the die cut was colored and was completely dry, I used some liquid embossing adhesive fluid.  I had already poured a bit into a small bottle just for this type of use and I used a small paintbrush to add the fluid to the oval, then added the embossing powder, painting and embossing a bit at a time.  It took a few coats to get the coverage I wanted but I think the effect was totally worth

Another Look

the effort.  

Finally, I used the oval that was the middle of the already cut piece and stamped the sentiment on it using Twisted Citron ink.  I'm really pleased how the ink and the background die cut highlights the green leaves; it matches much better in person than it does on my monitor.  I'm glad I didn't throw it away as I love this card.  I want to thank you for visiting and all of your comments.   They really mean the world to me as I still struggle with the "Is this really good enough to show other people" syndrome.  I'm working on it and slowly beating that little voice in my head into submission! Fondly, Christi

** Looking for the giveaway?? Go HERE

I am entering my One More Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Die Cut Divas - M, April Showers Bring May Flowers
Make my Monday - Embossing {wet or dry}
Dies R Us Challenge - #96, Flowers
Always Happy Birthday - M, Anything Goes - option: Flowers
Everybody Art Challenge - Flowers {#2}
Try it on Tuesday - Die Cut and/ or Stencils
Fab 'n Funky - #392, Embossing {wet or dry}
Double D Challenges - M, Flowers
Moo-Mania - Flowers
Scrapy Land - Anything Goes

April Showers Bring May Flowers

For the theme this month at Stinkin' Inkers, April Showers Bring May Flowers {use flowers}, I decided to use some Tim Holtz background stamps and I had so much fun making the first one, that I made a twofer!  While it did take some time to make the "Birthday Wishes" card, I adore how it came out and it was worth the effort.  For the other one, who doesn't like rainbows?  To make it easier to describe each card, I've divided the cards by the sentiment but here is a picture of the two cards:

What I Used to Make my Card {Birthday Wishes}
White Card Base
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Vines and Roses Stamp, #CMS298
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Labels, #660060
My Sentiments Exactly!, Handwritten Sentiments, #Y500
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Clean Color Markers
MISTI

I made this card first.  I wanted to color each individual part of the stamp a different color to mimic a painting.  I started with the leaves on the stamp and I used the Clean Color Markers in two shades of green.  First I used the light green and then I used the darker green to give the leaves some depth.  Then I colored the flowers using two shades of pink, again starting with the lighter shade and using the darker shade last.  It took a while to get the colors as vibrant as I wanted; the key to this technique is keeping the stamp on the MISTI in the same place for all the stamping.  I even cleaned the stamp between colors without taking it off.  Since the markers I used are water color, I just used a baby wipe in between colors.  

Once the background was done, I trimmed it down and mounted it on a white card base.  The sentiment was stamped on a piece of white scrap, using black ink, then cut out using a die from the Labels set.  Lastly, I attached the sentiment to the card.   

I am entering my Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - #149, Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - #424, Floral Greetings
Happy Little Stampers - M, May, Watercolor Challenge















What I Used to Make my Card {Thinking of You}
White Card Base
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Vines and Roses Stamp, #CMS298
Tim Holtz Crazy Talk, #CMS236
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Labels, #660060
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad, Spectrum
MISTI

It was much easier to make the Thinking of You card.  All I did was ink up the stamp using a Kaleidacolor ink pad and stamped it onto some white card.  I trimmed down the stamped background and attached it to the card base.  The sentiment was stamped in black and cut out using one of the dies in the Labels set and then attached to the card.  

Picture from Simon Says Stamp

If you don't have this stamp set, it comes with two different background stamps and both are very pretty.  You can also purchase the other pattern {the one I didn't use to make these cards} as a mounted stamp from Stampers Anonymous, #X1-2994, called Roses.  But, for a few dollars more, you get both background stamps and they are cling mount to work with your stamping system.





I am entering my Thinking of You card in the following Challenges:
The Paper Girls - #150, Rainbows
Not Just Cards - M, April - Anything Goes
Always Fun Challenges - #56, Flowers
Crop Stop - M, April - Anything Goes, Spring
Creates and Makes - M, April, Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - #424, Floral Greetings
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

I hope my cards inspire you to join in the fun at Stinkin' Inkers; after all, who doesn't have a few flower stamps in their collection? And you can use those wonderful flower embellishments that have been hanging around, like I did in last year's Stinkin' Inkers April challenge, which was our very first one.  Thank you for hanging in for the long haul, I know this post was a bit long and I truly appreciate your support.  Fondly, Christi

It's Birthday Season!

Most of the people in my life celebrate their birthdays in the next 4 months and I just found out that April 21st is my favorite boss's birthday; I literally made this card in a few hours since I was seeing her the next day and then she had some time off.  I wanted to be sure she had this in time for her birthday.  Deana, my boss, loves the color pink and the bunnies have a special meaning between us, so you know the card had to include both! Here is the card I made for her:

The colors actually do match in real life!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Avery Elle Balloon Elle-Ments
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Stamps, #LF1587
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Dies, #LF1588
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Die-Namics Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero, March 2018 {used the word Birthday}
3mm Gems {these are marketed for nail art - MUCH cheaper than craft gems!}
Pink Glitter Card
Light Tan Card
Pink and White Card
Hero Arts Ink in Bubble Gum
Hero Arts Pink Accent Pearls
Momento Ink in Tuxedo Black

I was really pressed for time {I typically take at least a day to design a card} but I had this type of birthday card in my head since I got the Balloon Letter

Dies. I grabbed 2 pre-colored bunnies and set them aside; these were left over from my spring cards and colored with Inktense Watercolor Pencils.  I cut out the word HAPPY using the Balloon Elle-Ments and accented them with tiny gems.  I got 12 colors of these gems in the nail art section - I think I paid about $6 for the bunch and they come in their own little container!  I have enough of these to bling everything and anything for quite some time.  If you want info on where I got them, send me an email using the contact form on the right side.  

Next, I attached the string cuts, styling them as needed so the bunnies could hold the balloons.  

I stamped the sentiment {it is incredibly hard to find a birthday stamp - tons of Happy Birthday, but just birthday? Thank goodness the Hero Arts monthly kit had one!} on some white card, cut it out using the stitched oval stax, and then used a larger oval to cut out the glitter card.  I know in the photos the pinks don't look like they match, but they do compliment each other in real life just fine {I hate it when I can't make the colors look right!}  I attached the sentiment oval onto the glitter card and set it under the tile to dry and adhere really strongly - I've found that glitter card doesn't always take to something attached to it, so the weight of the tile works wonderfully.

Meanwhile, I adhered the bunnies and the balloon letters to the card base.  I used some pink pearls I had and punched out some tiny hearts from the left

Another Look

over pink glitter card.  I arranged the pearls and hearts where I wanted them, then attached the sentiment.  I'm very pleased how well it came out and how well the design transferred from my head to actual paper!  She loved the card and that's another birthday down! You can be sure I added it to my calendar so I won't be caught off guard next year.  

Thank you SO much for stopping by! Since you have read this entire post I will let you in on a secret - my giveaway is coming up by the end of this month! One of the requirements is going to be that you are a follower of this blog, so why not do that right now while you are thinking of it and so you'll get notice of the giveaway.  I'm actually thinking of having two separate prizes, but more info on that will be in the post.  I appreciate all the follows and comments; I read each and every one! I hope you got a bit of inspiration from my card and I'll see you soon ~ Fondly, Christi

PS: She LOVED the card :) xo

I am entering my Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Pattie's Creations Challenge - #145, Bunnies and/or Ducks
Cute Card Thursday - #527, Pretty in Pink
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards in Envy - It's Birthday Party Time!
Sweet Stampers Challenge - Too Cute

A Truckload of Happy Birthday

Hey everyone - this is my FIRST post for the Simply Crafty SVG's design team! I'm honored and want to thank Sandy for accepting my application.  I know I'm going to have a BLAST playing with all these cool SVG's.  My brother's birthday is coming up and it's SO difficult to get anything for him, even a card is hard to make for him.  He watches every sport there is, and is online when he has free time.  The only other hobby he has is taking photographs {and, I might be biased, but they are beautiful !}.  When I saw the Christmas Tree Delivery Truck on the website I immediately decided I'd make a truck delivering his gift!  In order to do that, I also used the Presents Gift Card Holder - perfect!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Simply Crafty SVG's Christmas Tree Delivery Truck file
Simply Crafty SVG's Presents Gift Card file
KaiserCraft 6.5 x 6.5 Paper Pad, Frosted, #PP1005
Light Brown, dark brown, black, silver, sparkly silver & red cardstock
Dimensional Dots

The "card" 

I am really horrible at figuring out what I need to cut with what colors - it's something to do with my lack of depth perception {ok, I don't really know if it is, but that's my story} but I had decided I wanted to make my truck in hues of brown, so I cut the card portion out of a good, sturdy, light brown, card.  One of the absolutely COOL things about Simply Crafty SVG's is that each and every design comes with an PDF Instruction file! No more wondering where the heck this part goes!  I have to admit I did not look at the directions PDF until I was almost done with the card, so my assembly is a tad different than the one you'll get with the file.

Then I cut all of the truck embellishments out of dark brown card.  After I put

Pieces

on some of the truck embellishments, I did refer to the instructions since I couldn't figure out where all the parts went.  Once I did that {looked at the directions}, it was easy peasy.  I used dimensional adhesives to pop out my fenders and the door.  I adhered the silver accents to the door, the tires {which I cut out of black card}, and the front grill.  I didn't use all the truck embellishments; I didn't want to gussy up the truck too much since it is for my brother.

Just the Gift

Almost Flat

Once the truck was finished, I started on the gifts I wanted to put into the back of the truck.  Using the Simply Crafty SVG's Presents Gift Card File, I edited the
smaller of the two gifts to make it an open-at-the-top envelope instead of the slider that goes on the gift card.  Unfortunately, the bigger gift was too big to fit in the back of the truck.  I cut the smaller gift and the bow, out of some wintry KaiserCraft card; the bow is cut from super sparkly silver card.  I then altered the small gift box and made a small card to fit inside the box.  I found the Happy Birthday already printed on some ephemera I had, glued that to the little card, wrote "my favorite brother" {it's a joke, he is my only brother!}, some birthday wishes and I was done!

Another View

Simply Crafty SVG's has an awesome bunch of freebies on their site, as well as some very reasonably priced files.  I think if you take a look, you'll be amazed by the awesome files {plus, it looks really good for me!}  Please don't forget to follow the Simply Crafty SVG's blog - there is tons of delicious inspiration coming up and you don't want to miss it! Since I don't have the A9 envelope to fit this card {it told me in the PDF instructions what size envelope I'd need!}, I'm also using the freebie envelope set file, it's a definite MUST have!. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! ~Christi

I am entering my Truckload of Happy Birthday in the following challenges:
Try it on Tuesday - Vintage {the truck is vintage & so is my brother - hehe!}
Unstampabelles - M, #76 - Anything Goes, TWIST - Something New {the SVG file for the card is new!}
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes TWIST - Birthday
2 Sisters on a Blog - M, #12,  Make a Man a Card
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - #145, Anything Goes
TTCRD - Anything Goes