Happy Birthday Mom

Alrighty. My last birthday for November.  And because I'm such a last minute girl (i know, you're shocked!), I really struggled with this one.  {I think I say that every time.}  The problem this time was that I knew I had all these birthdays coming up and did them one by one, as they came.  Well, I also knew that we were going out of town on her birthday, and did I hurry and get them all done in plenty of time so that I wouldn't have to rush last minute? No, of course not.  So I finished all of my other cards and left my mom's for last, cuz, her birthday was the last one for the month.  This is where it gets really sad.  I truly did not feel I had an image for her card that was just right, so I went looking at Mo's (yeah, i spend a lot of time there).  Now, at first, I'm sure you'd think, uh, isn't that image for little girls?  But I saw the potential for bright colors.  And if there's one thing my mom likes, it's bright colors!  Don't believe me?  Check out our family picture below.

Don't be mad, mom! It's a great picture.

Notice how we all kind of blend together? This was total coincidence, by the way.  And then, there's my mom.  Bright red dress with bright red shoes.  Yep, I think I made the right call filling her card with lots of bright colors.  FYI, we went on a cruise and took my (prone to seasickness) mom for her very first cruising adventure and she didn't chuck once! Way to go mom!  So, all in all, I'm gonna have to say it was a very successful birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Stamps: Fancy Flourishes (PTI), Birthday Surprise (Verve), Image: Sugar (Mo's Digital Pencil Too), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pink Pirouette & Pale Plum (SU!), Paper: Bermuda Bay (SU!), PTI white, Accessories: Nestabilities, Copics:

Happy Birthday Chance

Have you ever had a thought that started out brilliant and then later thought better of that thought but then couldn't think of anything other than that thought? K, if you're still with me, then that's what happened here.  I saw this image (again, Mo's digital pencil, but you can only get it for free here) and thought I would use it for my upcoming boy birthday.  Who doesn't know & appreciate Jack?  Coming across something unimaginable...an unbelievable fortune for the taking.  I love this image because it shows the unknown for Jack. Of course, we know what's going to happen, but he has no idea.  And to me, it's like life.  We have no idea what's coming and it could be great.  Sure, it might not be, but who wants to look at it like that?  So, anyway, let me tell you where the doubt came in.  I wanted to use the image for a boy I know, but he was turning 13.  Then I thought that it might look a little young for him. I didn't want to offend him, but then I got stuck & couldn't figure out anything else to use.  I mean, I really couldn't. It was like my brain was blocked from figuring out any other option.  So, I colored the image, printed up a sentiment from my computer (yep, I thought of that. brilliant, huh?) and put it together.  He got it and I have talked to his mom about a billion times since then, but we've both been so distracted by life that I keep forgetting to ask if he chucked it as soon as he opened it.  Oh, looking at the card I was reminded that I need to give Krista some credit here.  I had the card pieces sitting on my desk how I wanted it laid out. I got a phone call, and while I was on the phone, she moved the pieces around and made it look like this.  This is so much better than how I had it.  So thank you Krista! And Happy Birthday, Chance.

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment: computer generated, Ink: Vintage tea dye (PTI), Paper: white, kraft & Ripe Avocado (PTI), Accessories: Copics:

Happy Birthday Ashley

You may have noticed that I really love this stamp set.  I use that flower like it's my only stamp.  I love it!  Ok, I guess I love those polka dots, too.  Didn't think I would, but I do!  And I was aware while making this card that I used the same sentiment with the flower on my mother-in-law's card. But that's just because I really like the way they look together.  Anyway, this card is for my sister Ashley who is turning 19. She lives all the way in Las Vegas and I miss her terribly.  I won't gush about how awesome I think she is, but just know the awesomeness is there. There's no denying it.

I had to really dig (way back to last year!) to find a picture where she wasn't making a goofy face or rolling around in the driveway (don't ask), cuz she does that. But here she is, on the right. Those guys in the back would be my dad & my brother.  And you know all those other people...

Anyway, Happy Birthday Sissy! I love you!!!

Stamps: Friends til the End, Vintage Picnic & Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Paper: black, white, Sweet Blush & Berry Sorbet (PTI), Accessories: Copics:

Oh, Baby

I believe this is the only non-birthday card I have this month.  I managed to squeeze in a card for my niece's baby shower...well, the shower I couldn't go to.  She already knows she's having a boy, which made my job much easier.  She's registered for some fabulous baby stuff, but she doesn't live here, so I'm just going to mail the card and a gift card for said fabulous stuff to her.  She hasn't lost her love for shopping yet, so I'm sure she won't mind going out to ooh & aah over all the cute stuff herself.  I love buying baby stuff, but since I'm sooo totally done having babies, it can be a little bittersweet.  You can buy the booties, but you won't get to smell them on a baby's sweet little feet.  Or the tiny baby clothes that you can't imagine would fit on anything but a doll. Oh, how I miss all of that.  It takes me back to when my girls were babies...then someone from the other room yells, "Mom! She's wearing my sweater!" or my personal favorite, "Mom! She's looking at me!"  Yes, still.  *sigh* Snaps me right back to reality and I wonder what in the world I was thinking to start all of this in the first place.  Once again, I blame Shawn.

Stamps: Oh Baby (Hampton Art), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue (SU!), Enchanted Evening (PTI), Paper: white & Enchanted Evening (PTI), Bashful Blue (SU!), Accessories: Copics:

For Shawn & Krista

Yep, it's that time again. It's my annual post wishing both Shawn & Krista a very happy birthday.  Boy, times sure have changed.  It used to be so cute, the two of them having their birthday on the same day.  People would comment on the coincidence of it, and Shawn would joke how she's the gift that keeps on giving.  And then it was more like, poor Shawn, always getting forgotten on his baby's birthday.  Now they would both like their own birthday and it's my fault for not holding her in just a little longer.  Well!  I say it's always a miracle when a woman can eject a human being from her body and live to tell the tale.  Even more a miracle when she decides to do it again.  Well, this woman learned after the third time to quit while she was ahead.  And,  was even thoughtful enough to have that last baby in July, well away from everyone else's special day.  You're welcome.  Now, on to the cards.

I struggle with Shawn every time I give him a card.  I don't know why.  It's not like it has to be overly masculine.  He's pretty secure as far as all that goes.  {if you know him, you probably just chuckled and agreed with me. am i right or am i right?}  And I could pretty much scribble 'I love you' on it in crayon and it would probably come across the same as something like this one.  Yep, this one's a keeper!  Um, Shawn, not the card.  But I may just do that next time and see if he notices.

This card is very much Krista, who is 12(!) today.  She loves green and black.  She's very understated.  Ok, so maybe the card is a little bright for her taste.  And that ribbon...she's not that ribbon at all.  But the other girls voted on polky dotted ribbon or solid black and the dots won.  The teensy spot of pink will probably be very frowned upon once she looks at the card. I showed Tiara for her approval and she actually gasped at the pink bow.  "But mom, there's pink on it!"  Ok, really people?  I can only use so much green without feeling like I've gotta break out!  And I love using green on my cards. Sometimes you just need more, know what I mean?  Anyway, we all know that this whole card making thing is really about mom and no one else.  With that said, Happy Birthday!

Shawn's card: Stamps: I have no idea where that present stamp came from or who made it. Sorry. Sentiment from Birthday Basics (PTI), Ink: Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado & Enchanted Evening (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: white, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado & Enchanted Evening (PTI)

Krista's card: Stamps: You Say It's Your Birthday (The Cat's Pajamas), Simple Little Things & Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spring Moss (PTI), Paper: white, black & Spring Moss (PTI), Accessories: black Swiss Dot satin ribbon (PTI), Copics:

So Gray

Ok, I'm a little behind in making my bamillion November birthday cards, so I'm gonna throw up one of my extras.  It's funny how I have all these birthdays and this card isn't really fitting for any of them.  I like the colors and may go in this direction for Shawn (gee, guess I better think fast since his birthday is Sunday!), but the card itself isn't really him.  And just to make things interesting, besides my 6 more birthdays, (altho, I really feel like I'm forgetting someone) I've got a baby shower on Saturday that also needs a card.  While I can't actually make the shower, I've got a card and baby gift to send out for that as well.  Phew!  Man oh man, I better get to work since I need to get 3 guy cards made in the next week and we all know how much I love making those!

Stamps: Giga Guidelines, Background Basics: Text Style & Damask Designs (PTI), Ink: Smokey Shadow (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Going Gray (SU!), Smokey Shadow (PTI)

Happy Birthday Mrs. K

Ok, yet another November birthday.  This one is for one of our beloved teachers at the elementary school.  All 3 girls had her in the first grade and we still just love her to pieces.  She's one of those squishy teachers that never raises her voice, calls all the kids friends (as in, ok friends, let's take out our math workbooks) and keeps in touch with them 10 years after they've left her classroom (yep, still hugs Darien every chance she gets).  Tiara still goes in her classroom to help her out sometimes.  She just leaves an impression and I dare anyone who's had her to say they don't love her.  Impossible!  Well, that's all the gushing I've got today.  You want more, you're gonna have to come back next time!  Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Life, Vintage Labels, Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Beautiful Kindness (Verve), Ink: Sweet Blush & Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Vintage Cream & Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Accessories: Nestabilities

Happy Birthday Theresa!

Hmm, this is very interesting.  I made this card a little over a week ago and yet I don't remember it looking like this.  I thought it was different.  Not a lot different, but still.  How odd.  Oh well.  Obviously I made it, it's got my name on it.  Yes, people, sometimes I can be this big of a dork.  Wow, now I'm really hoping that my sister-in-law liked it.  I've talked to her a bunch of times this week and the subjects have been so important, I keep forgetting to ask her if she even got it.  Her mail is a little funny and she doesn't always get it. She lives in the middle of noflippinwhere.  Well, gee, if she read my blog {mental note: tell Theresa to read my blog}, she could let me know right here!  K, just so you all don't think I've completely lost my ever lovin' mind, this is just what I sound like when I've got several birthdays, a funeral, H1N1 (which I just heard a cat got?!  good gravy!) at my schools and multiple family issues happening all at once.  Hopefully one day (in, saaay, 20 years or so) things will calm down a smidge.  Fingers crossed!

Stamps: Giga Guidelines, Vintage Labels & Background Basics: Text Style (PTI), Birthday Surprise (Verve), Ink: Aqua Mist (PTI), Bermuda Bay (SU!), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Vintage Cream & Aqua Mist (PTI), Bermuda Bay (SU), Accessories: Nestabilities

Happy Birthday Izzy

Hello, November!  It's a little crazy that it's November and yesterday it was around 80° here.  Not to rub it in for you people that actually have winter, and all the shtuff that goes with it.  Trust me, I've had my fair share of harsh winters (5 total, good enough!), didn't love it and can sympathize with those of you not feelin' it.  But wow.  If you are having yucky weather where you are, maybe it'll make you feel better to know that this "yes, no" weather is making our allergies just insane!  It's cold, it's (not quite) hot, it's cold, it's (not quite) hot.  It's wacky is what it is!  Anyway, starting off our November birthdays is my mother-in-law, whose birthday was Sunday.  I had a different card for her, but I had to veto it and decided simple was better for her.  I went back to one of my favorite sets, Friends til the End.  I used a lighter color scheme for her, even though she's got a very bold personality. *patting myself on the back for phrasing it so nicely*  Aww, she knows we love her, and no one could ever accuse her of being shy!  And that's all I've got to say about that.  Have a fabulous day!

Stamps: Friends til the End & Vintage Picnic (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Paper: Groovy Guava (SU!), white & black (PTI), Accessories: Mike's ribbon colored with R02, Copics: