Birthday ~ Young Man

It must be "birthday boy" week.  My other son got invited to a birthay party, and he needed a card for his friend who is turning 17!  That seems impossible to me.  Wasn't I just a teenager?   I guess not.  :) 

Here is the card my son helped me with.   He picked the papers and told me what colors to add.   Basically it was blue and then Tyler told me his friend's favorite color is orange, so we had to add some orange. 

It uses the retired paper pack Well Worn, but you could substitute one of the current paper packs and make this card.  Daring Adventure stamp set is what takes center stage.   If you need a stamp set to make masculine cards for teens and adults, this stamp set is FANTASTIC! 

I used Teeny Tiny Wishes to stamp Happy Birthday onto the twill ribbon.  Stamping on ribbon is a cool effect.  The tags were punched out using the Jewelry Tag Punch and then I stuck them onto a safety pin.  Cute without being "girly".

Can you spot the orange tag I added?  Sorry, I don't know my Stampin' UP orange colors, but I think I pulled it from the Regals collection.  If you look at the inside you will see the Happy Birthday sentiment my son chose from the (retired) 2011-2012 Hostess set.  He chose it so that I could color the "i" Orange.

This time I didn't fancy up the inside with a money holder.  I had to run to the nearest ATM on the way to the party to pull out more cash so I had something for my son to put inside it.  :)  I rarely carry cash anymore, and the birthday earlier this week wiped me out.   LOL.  

It was great yesterday when I realized I needed a card for a birthday and I could go to my craft room to create it.  I didn't need to head into town and try to pick out a card.  The best part was I got to spend 15 minutes with my son (somewhat) involved with me in my crafting.  As a 15 year old boy, he doesn't find much interest in the creating of cards and scrapbooks, but since I was making something for his friend he humored me and helped by picking out elements.   :)   I cherish times like those.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: Daring Adventures, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper: Well Worn DSP, Not Quite Navy, River Rock
Ink: Not Quite Navy, River Rock, ??? Orange
Misc.: Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry Tag Punch, (retired) Twill ribbon, ??? Orange Brad, Paper Piercing Tool

Birthday Winner ~ Video

You may remember this card from earlier in the week.  Today's video will show you how I decorated the inside.

When kids reach a certain age, it starts making more sense to give them money than toys/games.  Especially when they aren't sure what they already have.   It's always GREAT to receive money, but I wanted to give it in a fun way.  I think I found my new favorite way to give $$$ in a card!

***Note*** If you are viewing this post in an email, you may need to go to my blog to see the video.

One thing I would change if I were to do this again, is I would try using Dimensionals instead of Sticky Strip, so that there would be more room for the money to slide in and out. 

You could play around with different punches and see what works best with the style of your card.  I think the Decorative Label Punch would be fabulous!

One last tip for today, include a BIG Candy Bar, pack of gum or box of candy when you give money or gift cards.  It's fun to give and it feels like you get something tangible.  

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



You're Amazing

Ticket Duo Punch

World Spectacular DSP



Scallop Circle Punch

Circle Punch

FYI

Just a little update for you.  I'm editing a video and hope to get it up tonight, but right now I have to go pick up my son from a birthday party, and then I am going over to help my friend with a project she is working on for Relay for Life.  :)  After that I need to make dinner, and possibly spend some time with hubby...  Who am I kidding?  Video will be up tomorrow.  :)

Here's a little peak at what you will see tomorrow.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

P.S.  I started filming the video yesterday and my battery died.  By the time it was done recharging my battery was dead.  :)  I was tired.  So I needed to film this morning.  No problem.  Except I completely messed it up and didn't realize until I was almost done, so I had to re-make and film it all.  Ay yi yi.  Thankfully, the sun is shining, it's a perfect 75 degrees outside with a light breeze and I get to look at Mt. Rainier as I drive the mile to pick up my son.  Love my life... I really do!

Friendship, Yes Please ~ Mojo 247

Isn't it great when you can start off your day by getting your craft on?  Even though my kids have been out of school for a week, today feels like the first day of summer vacation.  Last week was all about All-Stars... 2 a day practices, schrimage, tournament, etc.  Yesterday we cleaned the house, unloaded the SUV of all the baseball gear, chairs, towels, coats, etc.  Today was like a breath of fresh air.   Nowhere to go, the house was (mostly) cleaned yesterday.  The windows are open letting in the cool morning breeze.  ahhhhh....

Enough about my morning, you probably want to see the card, right?  There was a time when EVERYTHING about card making was difficult for me.  Now, the hardest thing is usually making choices.  Especially about colors/papers.

When I saw yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch I knew which stamp set I wanted to use.  One of my friends (actually all of my friends) have been sadly neglected since baseball season started, and I wanted to send her a card letting her know I was thinking about her.  The friendship sentiment was perfect, and it fit the sketch!



I knew I wanted to use pink, as it is her favorite color, and I also wanted to use background paper in a light shade of blue that looked like wallpaper.  Normally I would grab Beau Chateau, but I had already stamped and cut out the main image in Whisper White and it didn't look good with the Very Vanilla shades of B.C. so I went on a search, and found the awesome paper in last year's hostess paper pack.  :)  See, hoarding paper can be a good thing.  LOL

Yes, this card uses 2 paper packs and a circle cutter that are no longer available, but I am a firm believer in using up what you have.  (Besides I ordered the big circle punch and it hasn't come in yet. ;) 

One of the things I love about sketches is that they are great for using up your scrap stash.   The friendship banner does just that.   I stamped just the top portion of the stamp onto a scrap of Fan Fair paper, and cut it out, then adhered it to my circle image.  You could also just color it in with your marker or a blender pen, but I love this added detail.

To "bling it up" I added some dazzling diamonds to the teapot and a basic rhinestone to the top of the kettle.  My Tammie loves her some bling.  I hope she will feel the love when she gets this card.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: From My Heart
Paper: Fan Fair, DSP Subtle Patterns, Pack, Basic Grey, Pink Pirrouette, Whisper White, Various retired papers
Ink: Basic Grey
Misc.: Scallop Square Duo Die, Dazzling Diamons, 2 way glue, Basic Rhinestones

From My Heart

Scallop Square Duo

Birthday Boy ~ Retro Sketches #17

You can never have too many birthday cards in your stockpile.  I made this card yesterday so that I would have a card on hand for the next birthday party my sons would be invited too.  2 hours later my son was invited to a birthday party.  :)  

Retro Sketchs #17

Each week I enjoy making a card using Retro Sketches, but I often don't make it in top to link it up.  This week, I did!  :) 

The main image is stamped using Black Staz-On onto watercolor paper.  Then I used an aquapainter and markers to "paint" the elephant. 

Instead of punching out a circle, I used a button.  Since my son will be handing it to his friend at the party, I figured the bulkiness wouldn't matter.

**** UPDATE: I have a video in THIS POST of what I did on the inside.  FUN fun!!! ***
Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: You're Amazing
Paper: World Spectacular DSP, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight
Misc.: Corner Rounder, Cherry Cobbler Button, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine

You're Amazing

World Spectacular DSP

Baker's Twine

Designer Buttons, Regals

Scrapbook Sunday ~ Shop Hop Album with Video

It's been awhile since I did a scrapbook Sunday.  There are 2 reasons for that.  1~ I've been making more cards than scrapbook layouts in my limited "free" time as a baseball mom at the end of the school year.  2~ I wanted to show you the entire album at once.  :)

This is an album I made with pictures I took back in Feb. 2008.  I'll let the video explain the rest.  Grab your favorite beverage and take a look at my "finally" completed mini album of the shop hop.  ***NOTE*** If you are viewing this post in an email, you may need to go to my blog to watch the video below.  :)

You may recognize one of these pages from an earlier post.  ;)

Here is a close up of the ribbon detail on my pocket.

The album I used is retired.  You might still be able to find it in the Clearance section at Stampin' UP!  Everything else in the album is a mish-mash of products.  As you saw I got a 6x6 make-n-take page at each of the shops I visited.  Then I made my own 6x6 pages by cutting down (mostly subtles and nuetrals) cardstock.  You get 4 out of a sheet of 12x12 paper.

I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane with me.  I'm heading to the ball field this morning for my son's Tournament of Champions tournament.  We are really hoping that we don't get rained out again.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



Wisteria Wonder Ruffed Ribbon



Wisteria Wonder Baker's Twine

Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies

Little Labels Punch Pack

Scallop Trim Border Punch

This Shall Pass ~ TSOT #71 + Video

The inspiration for today's card came from another great sketch over at Try Stamping on Tuesday.  I just LOVE sketches!!!  :)   If you do too, then you should check out their blog.

Challenge #71

Many times I will use a sketch as a "jumping off" point and stray far away from the original concept.  This time I stuck pretty close to the sketch. 

I filmed a video, and after it was all edited I discovered that it was too long to post on You Tube, so I split it into 2 videos and added a BONUS 3rd video showing another detail you could add to this card.

Part 1 shows how I made the card front.

*Note if you are reading this in an email, you may have to go to my blog to view the videos.*

Part 2 shows how I decorated the inside.

*Note if you are reading this in an email, you may have to go to my blog to view the videos.*

BONUS part 3 shows a decorative touch I added:

*Note if you are reading this in an email, you may have to go to my blog to view the videos.*

Whew...that's a lot of videos and pictures for one post.  I hope you enjoy it!  May your day be blessed with creativity!

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: From My Heart
Paper: Pocketful of Posies DSP, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, + Blender Pen
Misc.: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Pool Party Bakers Twine,  Labels Framelits Die, Big Shot, Dots Embossing Folder (I used my old Cuttlebug, but SU carries one too), Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Punches,

From My Heart

Labels Framelits Die

Fancy Fan Embossing Folder

Baja Breeze Seam Binding

Sneak Peek & Update

Here's a little sneak peek at the card I made today.  I even made a video while I put it together so you can copy me if you want to.  Now comes the hard part... editing my video. 

On a personal note... All Stars is in full swing...

Michael had his first scrimmage last night after pictures.  He looked so good out there on the field.  I'm looking forward to Saturday when the tournament officially begins.

P.S. He also got a haircut!  :)   I guess 2 a day practices in the heat finally made him want to give up the long hair.  :) 

Creative Blessings,
Heather North