Well…..did anyone forget to turn their clocks forward?
I have a long post for you to read today and I hope that you can find some “me time” to read and take it all in! Personally, I look forward to this time of the year as to me…it makes me feel like old man Winter will be leaving us and time for that glorious Spring to arrive….chirping birds, blossoming trees, green grass….longer days…just a time that makes us feel alive!
I have a cutie for you today and if you pop back on Wednesday you will see a complimentary goodie that I added to this care package for my dear friend and downlines Dad! Ramsey’s Dad is turning 90th this week and naturally that in itself it a milestone and a time for celebration! When Ramsey speaks of her Dad….she instantly “lights up…has that beautiful smile…and you can instantly see sheer joy” when she talks of her sweet and oh so active Dad!
Several weekends ago when I went to an “Adult Therapy Weekend” at Ramsey’s house in beautiful Annapolis Maryland…(that’s what I call a fun girls only (and Milo) crafting time) we naturally chatted the weekend away with “life happenings” between us and her Dad came up! She was working on many different cards to shower her Dad with and I thought….I want to do something for him as well!
Heck, when you turn 90….it calls for a special card and I think that I have a fun one for you today! I am working with the stamp set, Picture Perfect Birthday from the Occasions Catalog. I think the first thing that you are going to know about this that I love is……it is a photopolymer stamp!
Yep, when I see that it is a Photopolymer….it instantly has some “brownie points” in my eyes and if I like the other elements that I look for – it goes right to the top! Do you remember some of the elements I have been sharing with you in how I look at stamps to see if I really want to invest in them?
Seriously readers…..I have become more and more selective with my stamp purchases as I am the first to admit…it can get WAY OUT OF CONTROL! Look below and see some of the things that I ask when I decide….
- Photopolymer – YEP….I adore the ease of stamping….seeing through for perfect placement….they are easier to see and work with with a Stamp Positioning Tool!
- Great Font and Sentiments – YEP again, these are fun, flirty and smile makers…..very unique and I adore the fact that they use 2 different fonts within one sentiment!
- Will I get mileage ? – DAH….this is one thing we ALL have…..a Birthday! The mileage you will get from these simple candle, sweet bows and festive party horns will last you through many, many Birthdays….and switching up colors….TIMELESS!
There is simply no way that I could ever use all of the stamps that I have and ready for this…..???!!!???!!! I think that there are many…and I mean MANY times that we just keep purchasing stamps and overlook tools and techniques to continue to teach ourselves new ways to craft!
This post today is to show you that you can achieve a great end result by using a “tool” whether it be a Stamparatus…..A Stamp-a-ma-jig….or the squares from grid paper! The reality of it is…we can do things many ways with what we have. I say this because I totally understand and respect that we all just can’t get all of the “newest and latest” out there.
I think what happens is….we turn and look at all of the STAMPS that we have collected and all of a sudden get that feeling over being overwhelmed….perhaps defeated….and guilty! Am I on this Island by myself??? Please leave a comment if this is making sense to you…..That is the very reason that I am becoming more selective in my purchases – this stamp IS a classic and I know that I will enjoy it for many, many Birthdays!
I know that you have popped on my blog to see a card and to be inspired…..but to me, my Blog is even more to me than that – it is a platform for me to be totally honest and to let you know and see how and why we do the thing that we do! It is simple…we love to work with our hands and we only have so much time to do so….I truly try to give you ideas and inspiration in many ways!
Ok – ONTO this sweet card…(sorry…..I just cannot help myself sometimes as I am just trying to teach and let you know that “I get it”) – I am with you that it can be kinda crazy…. the items we collection with this crafting addiction we have – but you have to admit…it is FUN! This WAS the one and ONLY reason I signed up to be a Demonstrator….to get a discount for my habit!
Hopefully you all have heard to AMAZING BUZZ that Stampin’ Up! has developed and I do know some of you already have it from the pre-order….the STAMPARATUS! The WHAT???? I know – it is a crazy word but it is a fun word.
This is a stamp positioning tool to make this thing that we do….not only that much easier, but with precision of stamping, great coverage and saves time! Now if that didn’t sell you…..email me! This will be in the New Catalog that will be unveiled at the beginning of June.
I have had it for several months now and I do love it. As I have blogged before, I do have a MISTI as well as the Tim Holtz Stamp Positioning Tool and honestly, our STAMPARATUS is going to be a game changer for the industry as having that (2) plate system allows you to do so much more in one fell swoop!
Can you see….again, I am being totally honest with all of the things that I have to make this fun thing that we do “real” to you and even though I admit I was super skeptical about the STAMPARATUS….I was wrong – it truly is a game changer, they did a fabulous job.
If you DO NOT have a Stamp Postioning tool…NO WORRIES – you can still make this card with the simple grids from the Grid Paper as the spacing between each candle is 1/2″ (I moved over 2 little squares). Now if you do not have the Grid Paper …..you need to hit the button below and get it – truly a MUST HAVE for this addiction we have and it will be the best $11.00 you will spend.
I knew that I wanted to have 9 candles across (for the 90th plus I like odd numbers with a stamped image) so I just took a piece of white paper and stamped a candle in the middle of my paper….and then kept moving 2 to the right…..and then 2 the left of the center candle!
After I stamped the basic candle image in Lemon Lime Twist I was able to use the 2nd plate of the Stamparatus to either do the polka dots or the stripes on the candles! I used Bermuda Bay and Pool Party. Lastly, I flipped on of the plates and stamped the flame in Crushed Curry.
After I did all of the Stampin’ fun…..I eye-balled the sentiment (whew…that was brave) and finished the focal part of the front. I trimmed that down to 3″ X 4 1/2″ and then matted it a smidge larger in Rich Razzleberry! The 2 other rectangle behind at the exact same size but I ran them through Mr. Big with the Simple Stripes Embossing Folder. Texture always brings a classic interest!
I admit I forget about Embossing Folders and heck – they are right beside Mr. Big…..but when I remember, I am super happy as that extra dimension and effect it gives is perfect.
Here is a peek of the inside of the card…..I forget about doing this for you….but I thought that it was the perfect accent for this card and trust me….when you pop back on Wednesday you will see how I took it a step further for my sweet friends special celebration for her Dad and family! Can you guess?????
One last peek before I go today. I was just super happy with the fun & festive colors and I guess….the total feel of the card! I do hope that you can see that there are many, many ways that we can accomplish a great end result with using totally different products,
The BEST TIP I can give you is….PRACTICE – this is something that we all know that we need to do to “get it” but I do hope that you allow it to sink in. We are all at different levels and that is what is great….any of us can accomplish anything with practice and a positive mindset.
Sorry for this super LONG post but I do hope that it finds you well this Monday! Even though I am super happy that the time has changed…..that silly hour can make a difference……I keep thinking – it’s only an hour!!!!
Below you will see the products listed for this project and I hope to see you on Hump Day so I an unveil the remainder of FUN for Ramsey’s Birthday Celebration for her Dad!
Well, you got my juices going . . . I was going to crochet but decided to SU instead. I know once I get started I will be very happy. Honestly, my craft corner is kind of neat right now and I like looking at it. But I do need to make a few cards. I have all my St. Patrick’s stuff in one container and really need to make about three or four of those. I can’t believe Saturday is March 17th!
So I will see how the rest of the afternoon plays out.
🙂
Happy birthday to your dad ,Ramsey !! What a festive card you built him ,Susan !
I have a jillion birthday sets ,but this set still calls to me because I love the fonts and that adorable bow ! I probably will end up getting it (as usual) I will give in …..Love the tilted cardstock you did which i have not tried yet because I am afraid someone will think it is just plain not even or crooked (sp?)
As always enjoyed your long entry today !! Keep them coming !!
I think I may love the inside of this card more than the outside, but that’s cuz I like those blowy things, whatever they are called. Some make noise and some don’t so I don’t think the name ‘noisemaker’ is entirely right. Anywho… love this set. I’ll probably get it in April. My quota is met so I’m trying to be good, but it is soooo hard. I want it all! Or almost all of it…. anyway I need pretty much everything you show here because we have similar styles.
Sometime you must share photos of your craft room or stamp stash or stamp space. I’d like to see how you have it set up and I’m sure others would too. I suspect you are organized!
Love it! Cue the confetti is my favorite sentiment behind the old one about a birthday without cake is like a meeting! I think maybe you might be silly and make him some confetti, party hat, noise maker like on the inside of your card and maybe a cupcake in a cute decorated box? Whatever, I am sure he will love it as well as the card. I hope when I eventually get the stamparatus that I can make the perfect candles – some of my stripes get a bit off. I am glad I ordered this set.
I am trying to cut down on my stamp purchases but then I see a card made with a set that has one stamp I adore. I just need to keep reminding myself justification! I did treat myself to new cutting blades – yes Susan I know my banana card was pretty rough looking from the old cutting blade! But, I also bought a new mat strip thing as I seem to have something caught in mine and every once in awhile it causing a little miscue.
Ack I gotta get my cohorts who share the same birthday as me, St. Patrick’s Day in the mail! Plus, a few others get a St. Patrick’s Day card. It was funny that last week on the same day I received a B-day card from a stamping friend and then a present from a nonstamping friend too – guess we are spreading it around. Speaking of spreading it around, while I am at it, I can make a b-day card for Ramsey’s dad too – just because 90 years deserves lots of fun cards!
Gotta hit the submit button before I decide to tell a story here!
Happy bday to Ramsey’s dad! Way to go! He is going to love this fun, bright card. I feel ya with the overflow of stamps….it is so hard to resist when the new catalogs come out and someone enables you with their adorable cards and ideas…lol! Can’t stop that love’n feel’in!
Love this cute card, Susan, and how beautifully you decorated the inside as well as the outside. I, too, think the Stamparatus is a game changer. I love my Misti, but I see the extra benefits to the Stamparatus. I may have to put it on my Christmas wish list. Oh, that sounds so far in the future, but it will be here before we know it. Enjoy your day!
Oh my gosh Susan, you are bring happy tears to my eyes!! YOU are the sweetest friend one could have! I can’t wait to see this amazing card in Person!
Ramsey, I am walking the dog to the post office in a few minutes and putting a card in the mail to your dad at your address. I made it at a retreat and wasn’t sure what to do with it but I think the “Looking Sharp” fits someone turning 90 and seems like a perfect fit. I hope he likes it! Hugs my friend!
Hi Susan, What a terrific card! I bet Ramsey’s dad will love it! About your “long” post — it may have been long but couldn’t be more timely. I’ve been having that same conversation with myself -“You, Georgette, do NOT need more stamps…Use the ones you have.”-and, you know what, it’s been really fun to get reacquainted with ones I haven’t used in – well, sometimes not at all. An unexpected benefit is that I’ve moved out of my comfort zone and have been more adventurous about using new products and new techniques, especially watercoloring. I’m lucky enough to have some regular card customers and they have been really enthusiastic about the things I’ve been doing, which is an added incentive. One of my favorite sayings is “You’re never too old to dream a new dream,” or, in this case, “…to learn new things.” Take care.
I enjoy the long posts and stories. Can’t wait until part 2 is revealed! When I received my Stamparatus, I was in awe. I agree it is a game changer! I was not 100% sure I was going to keep my reservation since I have the TH one but glad I did.