Pop Up Birthday Card for my Dad

I wanted to make a tactile card for my dad who is legally blind, so put the pedal to the metal... err, how about the fingers to the keyboard and metal to the paper (as in the blade on my machine cutting paper) and created this wonderful Happy Birthday pop up card. I dug through my files for the perfect card that I remembered seeing somewhere and found the svg file by one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Penny Duncan. If you've never heard of her you don't know what you're missing because she is one VERY talented lady! Hop on over to her blog when you have a chance and just drool over her art. She's also got an Etsy shop where you can purchase some of her products and collections.

Dad can see outlines and shadows, so I used a dark background cardstock layered with light shadows. The embellishments are from K&Company and were chosen because they bring back fond memories of camping  with my family as a kid (lantern), how my dad provided direction for my life (compass), how he was always doing something with his hands, sometimes requiring cleaning fluid to clean up; and 49.... well it's just there!

Card for my step-father-in-law's 90th Birthday

Saturday we'll be celebrating my step-father-in-law's 90th Birthday, so I made a special card for the occasion. I bought the DCWV Heirloom Stack a while back and finally pulled it out. I love the vintage and masculine papers included in that stack and hope to make more cards with it soon. The colors remind me of his favorite chair and the decor of their living room.

Pretty cherries decorate this upcycled note card

This card is one of four in a set of blank note cards that I listed today in my Etsy shop Eco Chique Boutique. I wanted to show you how something as simple as a picture from paint chip samples, a little ribbon and an embossing folder could turn in to something so beautiful. I love the way she is holding those luscious cherries in a heart shaped pile in the palm of her hands. I hope this goes to a good home and brings a smile of joy to the person who receives it!

June's Take 12 Page for Ella Publishing

Submitted this for Ella Publishing's Take 12 for June

This is what a typical June day looks like around our yard and garden. There's Mike throwing the ball for Katie who in turn hides it between her front legs. There's Harley jumping around like Wire Fox Terriers do. Charlie lazily hanging around hoping Harley won't eat him up for dinner. Oh and the pears are ripening quickly! Eegads there must be a gazillion of them on that little tree!!!

Another prize from Ella Publishing!

I was so excited when I found out that my entry for Ella Publishing's Take 12 Project was randomly chosen for the May prize!!! I haven't received it yet because the book is still fresh off the press, but you can go to the author's web site to read all about it. The book is called Everyday Storyteller by Jennifer Wilson and promises to fill the reader with oodles of ideas about scrapbooking as a way to tell your life stories. Let me tell you, if ANYONE needs a book like this it's ME! Last night I found not one, but TWO journals on my nightstand from 2009, the year my daughter got married. One had exactly ONE entry and the other just a few! SHEESH! So maybe formal, written journals are not my thing you say? You're probably absolutely correct-o-mondo! Here's the site with all the scoop on her book and guess what? You can order it online! Yup, either download it or order the print and download version at Everyday Storyteller. Oh and did I mention that her baby girl is named after my daughter Emily? Well she doesn't know me from Eve, but she obviously has good taste in baby girl names! I can't wait to go look at all the blogs listed on the contributors page and soak up all their awesome talent! If only I had my dream iPad so I could do the reading in the car (as a passenger of course!) while headed down to Wichita to visit our parents. Please keep my dad in your prayers as he recovers from a bad infection (cellulitis) in both lower legs. He's been in the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics, so is in very good hands. Have a beautiful Sunday (or whichever day of the week you're reading this!)