Clean & Simple Birthday Card

I needed to make a more masculine birthday card than usual and I had just gotten this stamp from Unity Stamps so I thought I'd use it and see what I could come up with.  I hope you like it!

What I Used to make My Card:
White Card Base
Unity Stamps . . . say it big May 2019 Sentiment Kit
Picket Fence Studios Gem Mixers, Reflections, #GM-104
Imagine Crafts Kaleidacolor Pad - Spectrum
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

Before I get into the making of this card, I need to toot some product horns. First, it's a shame that the Kaleidacolor pads have fallen out of favor as the one I used to make this card I've had for the last 20 years {!} and I've never had to reink it and it has never let me down. If ombre or rainbows find themselves in your art on a regular basis I can't recommend these pads enough. Second, I typically don't write about gems or sequins; there are so many out there and they all serve to brighten our cards. But, on a whim, I ordered the Reflections Gems from Picket Fence Studios and they are stunning!! I can't even describe the colors you get in this mix, but it is literally breathtaking. Honestly, I had balked at the price as it is a bit more than I typically spend for bling, but I am SO glad I took a chance. I am finding myself looking for ideas to make cards so I can use these gems! Fantastic quality! Now, on to the card, it was super easy! I inked up the stamp with the spectrum pad and stamped it directly on the card, then stamped the sentiment, trimmed it and adhered it.  After placing the gems, the card was done.  Whilst maybe not your typical masculine card, I like it.  Most of the men in my life don't do "men" things like hunt and fish so I can tell you I will be using this design to celebrate their birthdays! And who doesn't like rainbows? I was inspired by the challenge at Inspiration Station to use my Kaleidacolor pad to make this easy card!

I hope you don't mind my little sales pitch at the beginning of the post. I know I appreciate it when a fellow crafter recommends something, and I hope you do too. Thanks so much for popping in and I hope you have a wonderful day! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Birthday {Happy 11th Birthday!!}
Inspiration Station, #11 - Color my World
NBUS Challenge, #29 - The stamps & gems are new :)
Sisterhood of Snarky Stamps, #190 - C is for Colorful
Try it on Tuesday - Keep it Simple

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

Have a Wonderful Time

One of my best friends is taking a trip for a few days {literally 4 days} and I, along with the Man, will be house/dog/cat sitting while he is gone.  It's going to be a hectic week, {made 100% more hectic because I took a tumble off one of those invisible curbs on Monday & cracked a rib!} but he'll be back sooner than later.  However, this is the first time he is leaving his home and his animals, and he's losing his mind with worry {he's a worrier anyway, one of those people who worries about Christmas in July.  I don't get it.}  I thought a little card for him to open on the plane would ease his mind. UPDATE - he's home, had a blast, Lily {the cat} & Bear {the dog} missed him terribly :)

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Unbranded Frame, Cat & Dog Die
Cat Punch {over 15 years old!}
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut, Wonderful, #DC214
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Gelly Roll White Ink Pen, #10
Scrap Paper

Now, I know there are some of you who detest unbranded dies.  Personally, I've nothing against them until they start to try copying copyrighted material.  I say "try" because I see lots of mistakes in the pirated dies.  I won't buy them, but that's just a personal choice.  I only buy the unbranded dies in designs I've never seen available in branded dies.  If I've posted something created with an unbranded die and you know of an exact branded match, please let me know!  Now that the yucky stuff is out of the way, let's get on with the card.

I started with cutting the paws and bone frame out of dark brown card, and one of three dogs that came with the frame.  I colored the front leg/paw of the dog

Another Look

white because Bear, his dog, has a white leg.  His cat, Lily, is a beautiful little gray kitty and I used an ancient punch for her.  I attached the frame and the animals to the white card base and when it was dry, I stamped the sentiment on the very top of the card.  Then I stamped the "wonderful" on white card, cut it out, and attached it to the card.  I didn't have very much time, but I think I did a nice job.

Thank you for visiting, I appreciate every one who does.  I also read every comment.  Hope you are having a wonderful day! ~Christi

I am entering my Have a Wonderful Time card in the following challenges:
Cardz 4 Guyz - #192, Travel or Transport {hope this counts!!}
Back to Basics and Beyond - #1, Matting and Layering {also, DT tryout}
Double D Challenges - M, Friendship
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes w/ a Critter {or 2}
A Perfect Time to Craft - M, Always Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge - #137, Anything Goes, Option: Use Dies and/or Punches
Cut it Up - #146, Bugs and/or Critters
TGIF Challenges - #156, Because Kindness Matters {this is actually a RAK, since it's from his cat & dog, not from me}
Creative Friday - #203, For a Boy/Man

Challenge Graphics

TGIF Challenges

Double D Challenges

A good day has both COFFEE and YOU!

I just recently started drinking coffee again. I stopped years ago due to some stomach issues and found that English Breakfast tea was delicious and didn't give me ulcers. Granted it wasn't only the coffee that gave my ulcers, but I successfully got rid of everything that was causing them <wink>.  That was years ago and since my honey drinks coffee I began drinking it again.  I try to limit myself to one cup a day (unless I'm going out with my sister - then an ice cold, sweet, coffee drink is a must) and I still crave Dunkin' Donuts over Starbucks (Dunkin' Donuts are far and few between out here in Colorado.)  I felt that this adorable card could be given to anyone with whom that you enjoy a cup of coffee.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
StampCouture Small Cup with Foam Heart (Brand New)
Sentiment from STAMPlorations Literary Caffeine-Ations (Big Grins by Becca Cruger) (First Time Using the Set)
Brown Card (2 shades from stash)
Distress Marker in Festive Berries
Versamark Ink
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Pop Dots

My Custom Stamp

I recently needed to get a new "Stamped by Christi" stamp for the back of my cards.  My old one had finally seen enough ink and I put it to rest.  I love to support small businesses, and I found StampCouture on Etsy, to make it even more special they are practically local to me! Honestly, I had contacted - via Etsy contact - every manufacturer of custom stamps in the USA that were listed and they were the ONLY ones who got back to me!  But I am SO glad they did because I had many conversations with them about how I wanted the stamp to look and they were fabulous to work with.  While I was waiting for my custom stamp I browsed their shop and just had to pick up a few more stamps - this adorable coffee cup with the foam heart being one of them. The others are patiently waiting their chance to be used.  I highly recommend StampCouture if you ever need any custom stamps or if you are in need of some adorable little whimsical stamps. They kept in contact with me, even through the busy holiday season, where extremely helpful and the prices were very reasonable (and I get no commission from any manufacturer or company just because I link to or write about them!)

OK, now back to the card.  I used one of the coordinating brown papers from my stash and stamped the small coffee cup with Versamark ink sort of in a

Another Look at the Card

pattern, but I wasn't too careful about the placement of the cups.  Once that was finished, I trimmed the panel to fit the card (since I always use A2, 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, I typically trim a panel to 5 1/4" x 4". If the card size or panel sizes are different, I will mention it in my post. Taking the Festive Berries Distress Marker, I chose one of the cups and colored in just the heart portion.

I then stamped the sentiment and the coffee cup onto a darker brown cardstock using the Jet Black ink. I used some thin Pop Dots to adhere the panel to the card.  Making this card brought back so many memories of when I first began stamping - the awe of watching embossing powder melt for the first time, finding amazing products like chalk, Versamark ink and the pure wonder of the entire art form.  It has inspired me to play with some of the products that were around when I first began stamping.  So, I'll be breaking out cool stuff like Shrink Plastic, Veggie Leather as well as some other "oldies but goodies" in the near future.  Is there any old product or technique that you loved to play with when you started stamping?  Please leave me a comment! Thank you SO much for sticking with me, and this post.  I'd love for you to become a follower. If you let me know in your comment that you have begun following me, I'll be sure to do the same for you.  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my "Coffee & You" card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper - (M) February's Challenge - Love Hearts
STAMPlorations CAS Challenge - (M) Anything Goes w/ option of Hot Pink
STAMPlorations Theme & Sketch - (M) Stamp Retro (theme)
Simon Says Stamp, Monday Challenge - Young at Heart (too much coffee makes my heart race like when I was young and literally used to race <grin>)
Use Your Stuff - Love is in the Air (Use Hearts)
Addicted to Stamps - #141, Love
Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday Challenge - The Color of Love
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - (M) Use Something New
DL Art Thankful Thursday, #197 - Anything Goes option of Thank You
DL Art Monthly Linky Party - (M), February, Anything Goes