Happy Birthday in Stitches

I just finished this card and figured I would take the picture and get it loaded on the website before I started another card (I have a habit of putting it off and then I'm left holding a stack full of cards that I have to load and document). 

The carnation used on this card is home made.  Click here for my tutorial for making these flowers.  They are simple to do and look quite real when they are finished.

The background is some patchwork quilting I did, at least I think that's what it is.  Anyway, I had a bunch of scraps of Stampin' Up!'s designer paper and because it's so beautiful AND I hate to waste even the tiniest bit of paper I figured this would be a perfect time to use it.  Once the whole sheet of cardstock was full with the pieces fitting together, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Bigz Top Note die.  Once I had the patchwork shape of the top note, I ran it through the Big Shot again in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder this time.  There, that definitely gave it a unique look & texture.

I had some misc clear stamps I used for the Postal H in the upper right hand corner and the Cross Stitched Happy Birthday sentiment in the lower right hand corner.  Once I stamped the sentiment I took about four different colors:  Concord Crush, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, & Wild Wasabi and their matching sponge daubers and did some pouncing, which gave it a cool effect. 

Another step, not sure why I did it, but I guess it doesn't look too bad is a button with silver DMC floss strung through holding an apple shaped charm. 

So, with the name of this post, were you expecting a funny card?  Not quite, but it is fitting considering the sentiment is to look like it was cross stitched & embroidered, hence the "stitch" in the title.  I don't usually use stamp set's from other manufacturers but with the quilt theme, I wanted the sentiment to blend smoothly with everything else - yeah?

Feel free to leave a comment on this project. Remember if you are kind enough to add yourself as a follower on my blog, I will do the same for you as well. Please just let me know your website.

God Bless you and thanks for stopping by!!

Inky Hugs

~Shawnie Bartron

Remember, if you’re not covered in ink, you’re not stampin'!

Visit my online Stampin' Up! store 24-7. Click on "Shop Now" http://Shawnie.StampinUp.net

A Card & a Story

I hope it's as Sunny and beautiful where you are at as it has been here!  I've got to tell you.  I am so happy to be back home finally (took 15 years to get here, but it's better too late than never, right?!)  Real quick, I've got to share a story before I proceed.  There was a mamma kill deer who was trying to nest to lay her eggs, and for some reason she chose our graveled driveway!  She has since laid her egg/eggs and with 2 black labs (bird dogs) on the property, it's been pretty entertaining to watch her lure a prospective predator away from her nest.

One of the dogs will get close to her nest and she will fly closer and plop herself on the ground, turn on her back and roll around flapping her wings like she's in distress.  Once she get's the dogs attention, she keeps flopping further & further away from the nest, luring the dogs away.  I have never seen such a thing. 

You've got to figure if it's the birds nature to lay their eggs on the ground, they have got to have some kind of a system to keep predators away from the nest.  I was so enthralled with the activity going on outside my scrapping window that I didn't think to get the camera until it was already over. 

She got the dog's attention and once the dog took to a run to get to her, she flew off just far enough that she could get away from them.  Bill said that is normal, but it just amazes me how nature works!

so now, on to the card:

This card was inspired by Aly Schilling.  I love her creative talent and am always inspired by her. 

Goodies used to create this card:

• Brad
• Embossing Powder – White
• Punch – Circle Punch
• Ribbon
• Stamp Set – Warm Words
• Stamp Set – Winged Things
• Stampin' Up! Designer Paper
• Technique Used – Heat Embossing
• Technique Used – Sponging / Pouncing

I look forward to seeing your comments here on my website.  Please drop me a quick note here and tell me what you think! 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Blessings & Inky Hugs

~Shawnie Bartron

Remember, if you don't get ink all over yourself, your not stampin'!

Visit my online Stampin' Up! store 24-7.  Click on "Shop Now"
http://Shawnie.StampinUp.net