Cheese-y Birthday Card

I can't believe I haven't posted this card yet and now the cute, funny Giggle Greetings set is getting ready to retire. My sister turned 40 last September and she had this awesome party. It was lots of fun! Since it was a milestone birthday and she was going all out, I wanted to make her an extra special card while still being sisterly and poking a little fun at her age. Here's the card I made her.

The stamp on the front is from the retired set Just Sayin' but I thought "You're how old?" was perfect here. The word bubble framelits are also retired. If you don't have this set and coordinating framelits you could just put the mouse there or maybe add a Happy Birthday stamp in the corner. The mouse is just an oval punch for the body and heart punch folded in half for the head with small punches for the eyes and nose. Whiskers are drawn with the retiring white gel pen.Then I punched a small hole (probably using 1/8" circle punch but since I made this last September, that's just a guess) and put some coordinating Baker's Twine through it for the tail. Very easy, but cute (for a mouse).

 It's a trifold card so it opens like this. I put a slice of cheese behind the message on each flap so that it coordinates with the front and keeps the theme throughout. The cheese is just made by punching random circles in a few different sizes and then doing some sponging. Be sure to have some of the circles go off the edge of the cardstock.

 Here's a different shot of this panel so you can see the stamp better. It says, age is something that doesn't count unless you're a cheese. This stamp is from Giggle Greetings. I colored a Basic Rhinestone with a yellow Sharpie and put it on the flame of the candle.

Here's the card all the way open.  I used some assorted messages in here from some different sets including Endless Birthday Wishes and the retired Let Your Hair Down. I figured Never Too Old to Party was appropriate given the bash she was throwing.

 

 And, of course, I had to decorate the envelope. I used the circles that were cut from the cheese slices and sponged them a bit before SNAILing (is that a verb?) them on the envelope.

 My card was inspired by this one made by my very talented customer, Lynne Sposito.

That's one of the many things I love about stamp club. Stampers often bring projects they've made and share with the group. We all get more ideas that way and it's fun to share in the creativity of others. Stamp club is open to anyone - either with a commitment or without (and just coming on the months you're able). It's offered two times per month and the next ones are Saturday, June 18, 10:00am and Tuesday, June 21, 6:30pm. We'd love to have you join us!

Watercolor Shadows and Highlights Technique

Here's another Stampin' Up! video I'd like to share with you. Great information to help you improve your water coloring skills. Enjoy!

This isn't the exact card made in the video, but it uses the same technique and the same stamped image. You may recognize it from the catalog.

TSSC 366 - Giggle Greetings Birthday

Here's my design team sample for this week's Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge. I used Giggle Greetings. Those stamps really do make me giggle. Okay, I'd say I'm more of a chuckle person than a giggle person - but you get the idea.

Supplies:

Stamps: Giggle Greetings

Ink:  Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey

Cardstock: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Moonlight DSP (retired, but I have some extra if you want a pack)

In case the picture isn't clear enough to be able to read the sentiment, it says, "age is something that doesn't count unless you're a cheese." This saying is perfect for my family. Cheese and crackers is a nightly snack for much of my extended family.

Here's this week's sketch. Use it to inspire you!

 You can link your project and see the rest of the design team samples at the Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge site. Remember, the challenge now goes for two weeks so you've got plenty of time to play along.

Regular readers of my blog and facebook page may be having a sense of deja vu as they see this post. The TSSC challenge recently went from weekly to bi-monthly. Because June had 3 Mondays, there was a little confusion on the dates and this got posted last week. I pulled it and am now posting it on the correct day.