Wise Owl

Today we attended a 50th Surprise Birthday Party for my uncle-what a wonderful and sincere man. I sure lucked out when my parents chose him for my godfather! Oh how I wish I had this card already made as he would have been a perfect recipient for this wise owl. I used the opportunity to create a masculine card from the colors at SPCC and devised the design based off the Inspiration in Action sketch. At first I had a butterfly die for the main image but decided that it wasn't that manly so I switched to the owl (from the template here) and viola! I don't have any sentiments related to owls or really any non-generic happy birthdays, so what you see here is my own handwriting. I'm really liking the textures on this card, from the woodgrain, to the bookprint and the linen.

Supplies Used: SU Creamy Caramel and Very Vanilla Cardstock, SU Close to Cocoa Ink and Marker, SU Woodgrain and Linen Background Stamps, SU Basic Gray Satin Ribbon, SU Metallic Brads, Book Pages, Glue Dots, Sponge Daubers

Sunset

No matter where I am or what I am doing, I will always appreciate the beauty of a sunset. (And a sunrise for that matter, I just don't see them as often.) And the beautiful simplicity and grace of butterflies. This card uses the colors at SPCC this week, and the design is based from the sketch at Inspiration in Action turned on it's side. Even though the layered butterfly with a button body isn't a new idea, I'm proud that I think I thought of a unique way to create the antenna and head by wrapping the floss around the body of the butterfly and then securing it with a knot. All by myself, as my three year old says. (If you have seen this method before please let me know so I may give credit where credit is due. Thanks.)

Supplies Used: SU So Saffron, Very Vanilla and Only Orange Cardstock, SU Glossy Paper, SU Only Orange and So Saffron Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Alabastor, SU Baroque Motifs and Happy Harmony Stamp Sets, SU Butterfly Dies, SU So Saffron Button, Vanilla Floss, White Embossing Powder, Fiskar's Scallop Edge Punch

Happily Ever After

We've been married almost eight years. Sometimes it feels like a very short time, others it feels like an eternity already. My childhood name became my past with one walk down the aisle next to the man that had been my foundation for twenty three years only to turn around twenty three minutes later with a new last name walking next to the man that would become my footholds for the rest of my life. How bittersweet and exciting at the very same time. Anyways, I really hadn't thought of my own anniversary while making this card, I was just inspired by the Inspiration in Action Sketch, the frayed twill ribbon and the shabby chic design and colors. I thought they together would make a perfect anniversary or wedding card. Here's wishing me and my husband another fantastic eight years and I hope many more.

Here's the Goods: Blush Blossom and Kraft Cardstock, Twill Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Sahara Sand Marker, Versamark Ink, Spunky Spots SU Wheel, Love It and Lots of Thoughts SU Stamp Sets

Cheers To You...Or Me

I'm so excited (Cheers to Me!) that I found the following challenge, Inspiration in Action while browsing the operator samples at Stamping411. Gretchen has given me a cause to pull out my SU only supplies and create! (Or I think they can be SU only, not sure!) I was excited to create my own background paper and interpret the sketch in my own style. I love sketch challenges and hope to participate in this one again. (I also hope to update with a better picture of this card sometime soon.)
Here's the Goods: SU Really Rust texture cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, SU Earth Elements Ink, SU Brads, SU Scallop Punch, SU In the Spotlight and Lots of Thoughts stamp sets, Twine, SU Word Window Punch