Birthday, Sympathy and Anniversary

Hello there.  I have three cards to share today, and they are for lots and lots of different challenges. First up is a graphic birthday card.  I had a lot of fun piecing this one together--kind of like a puzzle.

The challenge this week at Simon Says Monday is to use any one Simon Says Stamp brand product, so I pulled out the Mod Circle Frame Die and the Sending and Wishing stamp set to make this birthday card.  I cut the Mod Circle Frame die in each color, and used 3 layers of black for the 'wishing' word.  I used the colors at ColourQ #291 and am also entering at Seize the Birthday with toppings:  use the negative, Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge Die Cuts / Punches and AAA Cards #39 birthday extravaganza.

I used the serene color scheme at the Paper Players #244 as my inspirational jumping off point for my next card.  These colors said 'sympathy card' to me, so that is the direction I went.  I started by sponging Distress Cracked Pistachio ink through a screen stencil on to Sahara Sand card stock.  I stamped my bird image (from PTI Iconic Images) in WPlus9 Ocean Drive ink on the stenciled area, and then added my sentiment.  Looked a little too stark, so I impressed it with a woodgrain impression plate.

I am also entering this card at Addicted to CAS #63 Birds, Addicted to Stamps and More #144 CAS, and CAS on Sunday #58 Cheer Up, Buttercup.  

And, I am still making anniversary cards for my mom.  Here is one I made using the sketch at Happy Little Stampers--I know I keep using this sketch, but it is a very fun one and quite versatile.  I pulled out an old favorite stamp for this one--remember PTI Dot Spot?  I paired it with Wet Paint and Happy Everything for a fun mod look.

I discovered a new-to-me challenge at Craft Stamper Take it Make it May Challenge Anything Goes: must use a stamp, so I am playing along there for the first time today.

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Make it Monday Pocket Cards

I have a quick post this morning with a card for Make it Monday #68:  Pocket Cards.  I made a birthday card for my father-in-law, and this card will be dropped in the mail immediately.

I've been mulling over buying Guidelines and/or Guidelines Two, but realized that there were some images in Iconic Images that I had never played with, that could tide me over until I made my decision.  This is what the card looks like all assembled.

Here is the pull out card.  I recently bought Birthday Bash Sentiments from someone on the PTI forum, and I just had to add that little 'to YOU' that he will see when he pulls the card out of the pocket.

I hope I have some free time later this week.  I've got lots of ideas for more pocket cards using some of my new goodies I bought from the May release.

If you have an opinion on Guidelines or Guidelines Two, I'd love to hear it.  Also, links to sample creations would be great.

Don't forget, to come back later to see the surprise for our May "The Twelve Kits of Christmas" post.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps:  Iconic Images, Think Big, Framed Out, Birthday Bash Sentiments

Paper:  Kraft, Ripe Avocado

Other:  Framed Out Die, Rustic Jute twine

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