Happy 9th Birthday Kalino!

Yesterday was the Little Guy's 9th birthday. This is the card I made for him.

The card started with this Silhouette design. Instead of using a number in the middle, I used the same photo I used on his Evite.

This kid loves his birthday. For example, on New Years Day he said "8 more months until my birthday." And he's been counting down every 1st of the month ever since. He also loves to have his party on his actual birthday, and since it's summer time, we have been able to accommodate his request. He invited 8 friends from school to play laser tag at Laser Quest in Mountain View. He attended a birthday party there last month and was totally excited to have his party there. Since they didn't open until 2PM, we took all the kids out for burgers at In N Out before driving to the party location. He had a great time. Here's a collage I posted yesterday on Instagram.

I did very little crafting for his party. Kalino and I decorated small water bottles with By the Numbers Papertrey Ink patterned paper. My friend Judy added numbers to the bottles so the kids could keep track of their own bottle. I also wrapped the same Papertrey Ink paper on jars that I up-cycled to hold the spoons and forks (didn't include a picture).

Instead of giving a traditional party favor bag, I bought gift cards at Baskin Robbins and made these gift card holders (Kristina's pattern). I added a photo of Kalino with a speech bubble that says "Thanks for making my day sweet." I used the Phonto app on my iPhone to create the speech bubble on the photo; I love my iPhone!

I researched laser tag cake ideas on Pinterest. I found several that all had glow sticks. I found several packs of them at Big Lots for $.60 for a pack of 4. Just stick the glow sticks in and "break" them to start the glowing effect. I had Costco customize their All American chocolate cake. I asked them not to put chocolate shavings on the perimeter. I also asked for neon-colored frosting. Did you know that Costco customizes more than just their sheet cakes? You can even take swatches of color and they will color-match the frosting to your color(s).

Thanks for stopping by!

Matching Card & Gift Card Holder

Hey there! It's been a busy couple of days. I've been creating our annual photo Christmas card. Instead of Christmas cards, my cards will arrive closer to New Years...sigh. I'll post it here in a couple of days.

Before I forget, please go to this post and add your name for some blog candy. Deadline is tonight!

Here's a card and matching gift card holder that I designed for PSA Essentials. The stamps come from a set called Smirk Happy Holidays. The designer paper comes Stampin' Up. The gift card holder template comes from Kristina Werner.

Thanks for stopping by!

SMIRK COUPLE CARD Ingredients

Stamps: Smirk Happy Holidays (PSA Essentials)Paper (all from Stampin' Up): Jolly Holiday designer series paper, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive Ink: Cabernet (PSA Essentials)
Tools: 1.75" circle punch (Stampin' Up), 2" circle punch (Fiskars), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)
Other: Baker's twine (Etsy), rhinestone (Michael's), Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, foam tape (3M), Copic markers, Old Olive buttons (Stampin' Up), white gel pen (Sakura)

SMIRK COUPLE GIFT CARD HOLDER Ingredients
Stamps: Smirk Happy Holidays (PSA Essentials)
Paper (all from Stampin' Up): Jolly Holiday designer series paper, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Cherry Cobbler Ink: Cabernet (PSA Essentials)
Tools: 1 1/16" circle punch (EK Success), 1.25" circle punch (All Night Media)
Other: Old Olive ribbon (Stampin' Up), rhinestone (Michael's), gift card template (Kristina Werner), Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, foam tape (3M), Copic marker, brads (Making Memories), Velcro

A Gift Tag & Some Gift Card Holders

Wow, the hours each day pass by too quick! I started this blog post this morning and it's already after 10 PM. Yikes!

Instead of finishing this blog post, I was a regular Martha Stewart in the kitchen today (well, not really..you'll see why in a second). I baked a raspberry cheesecake for Sweetie's party at work tomorrow. It's almost done. It's chillin' so I can add the raspberry layer before the night is done. I roasted eggplant and red, green, and yellow bell peppers. I burned the eggplant! What a waste. I didn't burn the peppers. I made what I call a Martha Stewart pressed sandwich. I'll have to give you the recipe here at another time. It's yummy!

Today, this tag and some gift card holders I created for PSA Essentials were featured on their blog today.

Here's a gift card holder that I cut using my Silhouette cutter. The reindeer stamp comes from a set called Smirk Merry Christmas.

Here's how the gift card holder looks on the inside.

This next gift card holder is from a template from Kristina Werner. Love this template! I've used before (here and here). The reindeer stamp is from another Smirk set called Smirk Happy Holidays.

Here's a view of the inside. Go forth my dears and make some gift card holders and tags!

There are several ways to win some PSA Essentials products. You have until tomorrow night (Wed, December 15th @ 11:59 PM EST) to enter this giveway. Paper Crafts Magazine and PSA Essentials also have a giveaway on their Facebook pages, but you have to hurry!

Well, I've got to get to bed early. I'll be on an all-day field trip tomorrow with Kalino and his classmates. Later!

PAPER PINWHEEL TAGMaterials UsedStamps: Christmas Tree (PSA Essentials)
Paper: Kraft (CA Paper Goods), Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up), patterned paper (Stampin' Up) Ink: Hunter (PSA Essentials)
Tools: Silhouette digital cutter and tag design, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser (Tonic Studios), Crop-a-Dile (We R Memory Keepers), 1" circle punch (Stampin' Up), 1 1/16" circle punch (EK Sucess), 1.75" circle punch (Stampin' Up), Scoring Board (Martha Stewart)
Other: foam tape (3M), ribbon (Stampin' Up), Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, button (Papertrey Ink), baker's twine (Etsy), Copic marker, Zots adhesive

MERRY CHRISTMAS - TREE GIFT CARD HOLDER Materials Used
Stamps: Smirk Merry Christmas (PSA Essentials)Paper (all by Stampin' Up): Jolly Holiday designer series paper, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cabernet (PSA Essentials), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Tools: Silhouette digital and giftcard design, 1.75" Circle punch (Stampin' Up), 1.25" circle punch (All Night Media), Scoring Board (Martha Stewart)
Other: Tombow Mono Metal Liquid Glue, baker's twine (Etsy), red rhinestone (Michael's)

REINDEER GIFT CARD HOLDERMaterials Used
Stamps: Smirk Happy Holidays (PSA Essentials)
Paper: patterned paper (American Crafts), white (Papertrey Ink), Kraft (Stampin' Up) Ink: Black (PSA Essentials)
Tools 1 1/16" circle punch (EK Success), 1.25" circle punch (All Night Media)
Other: baker's twine (Etsy), rhinestone (Michael's), gift card template (Kristina Werner), Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, foam tape (3M), Copic marker, brads (Making Memories), Velcro

Muchas Gracias With Gift Card Holder

I made this masculine card and gift card holder for one of the hardest working people at school; our daytime custodian. 

He is a man of many talents. Anytime we need fruit cut for a fruit platter, he does it so well. He knows how to carve swans out of fruit! I've never tried doing that. Every Monday morning, he cooks a large pot of oatmeal for the staff to enjoy. For the awesome breakfast the school made us volunteers last month, he was the head chef making omelets-to-order. For the Latino Cultural Performance, he was one of the dancers. Any event the PTA organizes, he's there helping us. We couldn't do our job well without him.

I added a gift card holder to the inside of the card, similar to the one I posted yesterday. I gave him a gift card to Lowe's.


Thanks for stopping by!

Card Ingredients (All Stampin' Up except where noted)

Stamps: Agradecimiento

Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, To the Nines Speciality Designer Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Tools: Crop-a-Dile, Word Window Punch

Other: brads (Michael's), Linen Thread, foam tape (3M)

Thank You With Gift Card Holder

Hi my dear paper-crafting friends! Thank you for all the sweet condolence message you sent me regarding my aunt. They were very much appreciated. The circle of life continues. One of our best friends gave birth to a baby girl this morning.

Today was K's last day of school. I made this card for his teacher. The "Thank you" was cut with my Silhouette machine. This card is the same basic design of this card from last Fall. I used my sewing machine to do the stitching on the border. Do you have a Sakura Quickie Glue pen? You should get one. It is perfect for glueing intricate designs.

On the upper inside flap of the card, I created a pocket for a gift card. Mrs. A loves Starbucks, so I thought that would be practical gift for her. She is such a nice lady. I really enjoyed helping at school.

She also gave me gifts today too; so sweet! Thanks for stopping by.

Card Ingredients (all Stampin' Up except where noted)

Stamps: none

Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, Tea Party Designer Series Paper

Ink: none

Tools: sewing machine with black thread, Word Window Punch

Other: Sakura Quickie Glue pen, buttons (Papertrey Ink & Making Memories), Zots adhesive dots, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Christmas Gift Card Holders

Can I ever get enough of these gift card holders? I guess not. I loved Kristina's template when I saw it on Two Peas in a Bucket. I made 11 different ones in the last week. Here are 5 of them. If I get time, I'll post a photo collage of the other 6 later.

Christmas is just hours away, and my poor little one is sick! Kalino has a fever. He never takes naps anymore, but this morning he was in his room playing. Before long, I couldn't hear any noise upstairs. When I checked on him, he was in bed asleep! Amazing! He woke up a few hours later with a definite fever. He thought he had slept all night long, so he greeted me with "Merry Christmas, Mama!" He was a little confused when I told him it was only the afternoon on Christmas Eve. So, I'm off to tend to the little guy. Feliz Navidad!

Gift Card Ingredients
Stamps: Holiday Collection & Tarjetas Con Bordes Festonados (SU)
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Holiday Treasures DSP (SU), Mistletoe & Pear (BasicGrey)
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Punches: Square Scallop, 15/16" squre, circle punch, Martha Stewart snowflake
Ribbon: Alpine, Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Whisper White (all SU)
Other: Kristina's template, Wreath sticker (Sandylion), Fabric brad (K & Company, thanks Char!), Red Felt Fusion (Queen & Co.), felt snowflakes (SU), gold rhinestones (Me & My Big Ideas), Tombo Mono Metal glue, Velcro, SU square clear button

A Gift Card That is Actually a Crafting Tool

I didn't think I would have time for Kristina's Color Inspiration Callenge #35 this week. It would've been the first time I missed it. I'm knee-deep in making gift card holders, our annual card, wrapping gifts, planning my son's Kindergarten holiday party, etc., so I knew I could use the colors this week to make a gift card holder for a gift card I bought at Target on Monday. The colors this week are:

This gift card can actually be used as a brass stencil for snowflakes. It feels like a real brass stencil. I paper pierced one of the snowflakes and cut it out with a 1" circle punch. That is the layer on top of the felt snowflake. Run, don't walk, to your nearest Target if you want one of these gift cards. This would make a great gift for our crafting friends.

I used Kristina's template and instructions for this gift card. I added a tiny Velcro closure to the holder.


Gift Card Holder Ingredients

Stamps: Holiday Collection (SU)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Baja Breeze designer paper, Very Vanilla

Ink: VersarMark, Close to Cocoa

Other: Clear embossing powder, brads (Making Memories), Kristina's template, brass stencil (Target gift card), piercing tool, 1" circle punch, yellow button (Making Memories), Tombo Mono glue, raffia thread (Studios Blackbird), Baja Breeze felt snowflake (SU)

Happy 10th Birthday!

Wow, I'm running late on Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenge #31. I made this card with a pop up gift card based on this Hero Arts YouTube video by Jennifer McGuire.

My niece, Gabi, turns 10 next week. In the second photo, I show the inside of the card. You see a Starbucks gift card...that's not her gift. I didn't want to ruin the surprise in case she sees this blog.

I based this layout on p. 4 of the SU 2008 Occasions Mini catalog.

Pop Up Gift Card Ingredients
Stamps: Birthday Whimsy
Paper: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Parisian Summer DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark
Punches: 3/4" circle, scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, Fiskars scallop border, Fiskars 2" circle
Other: White embossing powder, Heidi Swapp chipboard, Sakura Gelly Roll, Martha Stewart Circle Cutter, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain ribbon

Grease is the Word!

This week's Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge was "Grease". I've seen this movie many times since seeing it in the movie theater. I can't believe it's already been 30 years! Ouch...how the years fly by!

I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to create. The music is the biggest inspiration for me. I've been humming the songs since Saturday. I thought of making a card related to the "Hopelessly Devoted to You" song.

I found this photo in IMDB.com. The idea hit me...Danny Zuko's leather jacket! It was a little ambitious since I didn't have too much time, but here it is. I made a gift holder for movie tickets. At Christmas time, I like to give small gifts to people like our mail carrier and our favorite storytime children's librarian. I appreciate them and want to let them know they do a great job.

I started out by distressing basic black cardstock. I ran it several times (in different directions) through my paper crimper. I also got out my frustrations on it by crumpling it up into a tiny ball. I cut a diagonal slit in the paper. I used my sewing machine to sew in a faux zipper. The collar was a little difficult to make. I sewed it too. I love how the silver snaps give it an authentic look. I copied the Grease logo and cut it out of red cardstock. I used a pencil to draw in the word "Great". I used by Sakura gel pens to outline and fill-in the letters. I added a little tag with the word "Job!" to complete the sentiment (sorry, I hate taking pictures at night..I need better lighting).

Movie Ticket Holder Ingredients
Stamps: none
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red
Ink: none
Other: paper crimper (Fiskars), corner rounder, Crop-a-Dile, Making Memories snaps, Making Memories brad, redline tape, dimensionals, sewing machine with black thread, Sakura black, white and silver gel pens

Altered Starbucks Gift Card Holder

Recently, you'll notice I'm a bit obsessed with making gift card holders. Just in the last 2 weeks, I've posted a few entries: here and here.

When Theresa posted this Elaine Turner Tote for week 10 of the Designer Handbag Inspiration Challenge, I loved the enormous flowers. I didn't want to do a card this week, but I couldn't decide what I wanted to create.

I went to Costco on Wednesday (the same day Theresa posted this challenge). Costco is now selling packs of Starbucks gift cards. I bought some and loved the nice vanilla cardstock gift card holder they came in. The holder also had some velvety texture on them. I took apart the gift card holder and traced it onto some designer paper...not a good idea. The paper I used was not thick enough for the project. When I was thinking about Theresa's challenge, it came to me that the gift card holder was vanilla colored...just like the inspiration handbag. That's when I realized I wanted to alter the gift card holder.

I started by taking a large dinner plate and using it as a template to cut a nice curve off the top. I used the SU Die-cut Blooms as a template to cut flowers in other colors. I used various circle punches and also cut circles by hand to get the effect I wanted.

The following collage shows the gift card AFTER and BEFORE I did anything to it. Thanks for looking! Voting starts tomorrow morning on Theresa's blog. Have a good weekend.

Gift Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Paper: Basic black, Green Galore (I brayered the ink onto cardstock, since I didn't have any Green Galore), So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, black glossy, fushia, Starbucks gift card holder

Ink: ColorBox Frost White

Other: White embossing powder, tan ribbon (blog candy from Theresa), black/white ribbon (Michael's), silver snap (Making Memories), felt flower (Making Memories), dimensionals, Martha Stewart black marker

More Gift Card Holders

These are more gift card holders I made on Saturday for World Cardmaking Day. Last week, I made these gift card holders. Again I used Kristina's wonderful template and instructions. All 3 use the same Thank you stamp from Tarjetas con Bordes Festoneados. The designer paper used is all scraps from my scrap box.

On Saturday morning when I was surfing all your creative blogs, I saw a few of Sherri Barron's blog entries (here, here, and here) with faux metal tags. I love everything she makes, so I was immediately inspired to to get out my silver embossing powder. Last month, Adriel from Two Happy Stampers created this cool faux metal tag. I had been wanting to make a tag since I saw Adriel's.

Gift Card Ingredients
Stamps: Tarjetas con Bordes Festoneados
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, shimmery tan cardstock (CA Paper Goods), designer paper from My Mind's Eye & SU
Ink: Basic Black, ColorBox Silver
Other: Square scallop punch, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, black ribbon (Michael's) foam tape, dimensionals, rhinestones (Michael's), black button, scallop edge punch, Martha Stewart pink twill ribbon, velcro, silver embossing powder

Robot & Princess Gift Card Holders

Thanks Kristina for the great instructions and template for these gift card holders! Like Kristina, I started my gift card holders with kraft paper. I love kraft paper. This project is also for the Verve "Gettin' Krafty" challenge (VVPP06). Kristina's instructions didn't call for Velcro closures, but I added them.

I made these gift card holders, because we were invited to a birthday party today at my friend Rebecca's house. Her son and daughter were celebrating their 7th and 5th birthdays. My sweet hubby started getting a sore throat the other day. I started getting a sore throat last night. I didn't sleep well, either. Kalino had been looking forward to the party because it was a pirate/costume party. He had his pirate costume ready. He was an upset little "Jack Sparrow" when I told him we weren't going to the party, because we didn't want to spread our virus around. Rebecca was going to have crafts for the kids and she was serving Hawaiian food. Rebecca and her husband are like my Sweetie and I...we love Hawaii!

Robot Gift Card Ingredients

Stamps: Birthday Whimsy (SU)

Paper: Kraft, Mr. Roboto DSP (Cosmo Cricket)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: 3/4" circle punch, foam tape, Making Memories brads, Velcro, Tombo glue

Princess Gift Card Ingredients

Stamps: A Little Love (SU-retired), Clear Stamps Greetings (Heidi Grace)

Paper: Kraft, white, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip DSP, Pretty in Pink DSP (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: scallop edge punch, Stickles, dimensionals, rhinestone (Michael's), colored pencil, Making Memories brads, Velcro, Chocolate Chip Polytwill ribbon, pink ribbon (Michael's), Making Memoires eyelet, Tombo glue

Happy Birthday Target Gift Card

Here's another card with the gift card on the front of the card. This card is for my niece, Krista. She's turning 12. They grow so fast.

Card Ingredients
Stamps: Birthday Whimsy (stamped ...and many more! inside the flap)
Paper: Parchment paper (CA Paper Goods), BasicGrey Oh Baby! Girl Matchbook Kit
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Making Memories brads, BasicGrey ribbon, corner rounder

Holographic Happy Birthday

As a kid, I loved holograms. As an adult, I still love holograms. When I saw this gift card at Target, I had to get one for my niece Alyssa. She's turning 10 soon. Since I had to make this card quick, I decided to use the gift card as the focal point of the card. Super fast!

Card Ingredients
Stamps: Birthday Whimsy
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Real Red
Other: BasicGrey ribbon, Making Memories brad, foam tape, corner rounder

Happy 18th Birthday

I'm in a rush to pack, but I need to create 3 cards before we leave. Three nieces are celebrating birthdays in the next few weeks. We fly out bright and early tomorrow morning.

This card is for Analisa who turns 18 on Aug 6th. I like gift cards...receiving and giving. I don't know how to shop for girls anymore, so this gift is a no-brainer. I wanted to design a card around the gift card.

This card started with some BasicGrey paper that is part of a Matchbook Kit. I rubbed the raw chipboard with Rose Red ink.

The matchbook flap is attached to the pink cardstock with eyelets. The paper on the inside of the flap is yummy. I got it from my local scrapbook store. It it almost like cloth. I can't remember who makes it.

Card Ingredients
Stamps: Happy Birthday (A Muse Artstamps)
Paper: Parchment Pink (Only the Best), DSP (BasicGrey- Oh, Baby! Girl Matchbook Kit), brown stone textured paper (don't know who makes it)
Ink: Rose Red, Basic Black, StazOn Jet Black
Other: BasicGrey ribbon, Making Memories staples, Chipboard (Heidi Swapp), Clear Square Sticker (A Muse...blog candy from Theresa), flower (blog candy from Jenn), rhinestone (Me & My Big Ideas), corner rounder, eyelets (unknown source), glue dots