Handmade card: Conguero birthday

Today was my co-worker's birthday. He is a talented conga player who counts Ray Barretto and Tito Puente as his idols.  I had quite a bit of fun creating a unique personalized birthday card. He had admired one of my previous cards, that was a sympathy card though. He mentioned how beautiful it was and how he could not afford a card that detailed. I made it a point to ask him specific questions about his passion, playing the congas. That information helped me to create this card. Enjoy!!!

Yoshi card: double birthdays

Today marks the birthday of two very members of my family, my brother-in-law and our close friend. I had a tough time outdoing my last creations for them. My brother-in-law loved his, and now I'm just waiting to hear back from our friend. You be the judge...

This is Marie's card above! I went for vintage themed and colorful.

For my brother-in-law's card I used one of his favorite Yoshi photos. The paisley resembles one of his dress shirts, and the saying "Eat,Sleep,Play,Repeat" defines Yoshi's favorite things to do.

Family page: United

Every family has a set of photos that define the relationship between siblings. I believe this set of photos does just that. Brothers united from childhood until today. Enjoy!

Handmade envelope: Betty Jo's Giddy Up

When I created this envelope I saw it clearly in my mind's eye. I almost felt the wind brushing through my own hair....weird, but true. What I had been told about Betty Jo was that she was a very independent and active 80 years young. She runs her own errands in her trusty van she has owned since forever, loves her family, loves Texas wild flowers, and is a huge Aggies fan. I absorbed all of that information and created this envelope for her card. Enjoy!

Handmade card: Betty Jo's birthday

Every once in awhile I get commissioned to create handmade cards for someone special. This particular birthday card is for a friend's cousin who is 80 years young. Even though I had very little notice I was incredibly pleased at the result.

Handmade card: Aloha birthday

 

Hawaii was the inspiration for this one-of-a-kind birthday card. I was commissioned to create this card for a lady who loves to travel to Hawaii. She loves the history, look and feel of the place. I did not want to just get a hawaiian landscape and call it DONE. The vintage poster I found was the perfect image that screams Polynesian escape.

 

The fake palm frond was created by trimming a prima paper leaf from my stash. Heidi Swapp bling and Invisibles polka dot patterned paper completed the look. The color on the paper was from several shades of Tim Holtz distress ink.

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Handmade Card: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

 

Vintage planes, trains and automobiles inspired this travel card. It would be perfect for anyone who has returned from, or is heading on a great trip. The slide shows the Taj Mahal under the caption "Going Places." I love the chevron background as a symbol of coming and going while traveling to and fro.

 

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Stay tuned for a variety of different creations in the weeks and months to come.

Scrapbook: Home Grown family

 

 The cute little baby girl in the photos is my mommy. Wasn't she adorable?! 

The building was her home for her first few years of life, and it seems the fun thing to do was go onto the fire escape for an impromptu photo shoot. I took the photo of the building on my first and only trip to New York in 1999. To go into the building would have been nice but I did not want to push my luck. 

The background paper is some torn sheets from a music book I purchased at half price books (for $1). I love great clearance deals.

 

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Sneak peek: Back to the books!

It has felt like forever since I created a full 12x12 scrapbook page. I was inspired by some vintage pictures I had stored away... More to come!

Handmade card: Congrats Circus

This is more of a vintage Congratulations card. I saw the paper with the ferris wheel and circus... and thought vintage! It would be perfect for someone who has overcome some serious obstacles and come out the other side.

Tim Holtz' lost and found paper was perfect for the old fashioned photo booth picture-look. I love playing with inks and this card was no exception. My style can  wind its way into vintage looks in no time.

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Handmade envelope: Blissful

This envelope was created to match the  card to follow tomorrow. In a way my favorite challenge of  cardmaking is making sure the envelope complements it. I trust you will think I hit the target on this one.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Stay tuned for more goodies.

Mini Book: Nurture Your Soul

My brother just started a new job and I thought since he was going through a little slump I would make him a mini book that would inspire him and act as a good luck charm. On this SU On Board Bitty Book I used Sandylion Patterned Paper (PIRATES TREASURE MAP), Frances Meyer PP (WILDWOOD BOUQUET), Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint (MAGENTA Quinacridone), We R Memory Keepers PP (BOHO CHIC WHIMSY WILD), Sticko Label Lingo stickers (ZEN LABEL), Sticko Style Getaways (Travel Abroad), 7 Gypsies gaffer tape (BROWN double-stitched), Stampin Up rubons, and Fresh Cuts Accents (VINTAGE TRAVEL).