Its Saturday! YEAH!!!! That means it Sketch time.

This week we are once again putting our images at a slant! I have no idea WHY, I’m SO stuck on this idea  lately, but I am, and I think its a fun way to place your images for a change.

 click to enlarge sketch-hard to see a little.

This week I did 2 again. One more simpler and cleaner that the other. But both still fabulous! I really like the versatility in the sketch.

  Pomegranate Perfection

OMG! I LOVE this card. Its clean, and simple, yet so elegant. I love that this set can give you many looks. Im totally falling in love the the Bohemian style many companies are coming out with. It seems to be a hot trend.

So I used True Friend by SU!, natural ivory, purely pomegranate, old olive, and choc. chip ink/cardstock. Wide satin choc chip ribbon which is just gorgeous!

This was the first card I did for the sketch, and it easily just fell together. Another quickie card. Maybe 15 minutes.

Next up SAY CHARGE! Not such a quickie card.

 OMG! Don’t you wish you could get your hubby to smile like that not only while you shopped, but while he carried your bags! LOL!

We have to go Back to School shopping and I can promise Jason will not be smiling. He STILL hasn’t realized that we have THREE kids, who GROW, EVERY year, and that clothes are NOT $1.99 for shirts and $5.99 for pants! SERIOUSLY! The looks I get when the cashier hits the TOTAL button, is just SCARY!

This is Retailfellabella! AmyR sent her my way (thanks girl!) and I LOVE her oodles! Wait till I show Jason this card-he will just die.

So my slanted layer to the left is suppose to be like a charge card! Cute huh? The sentiment is from Say Charge, as is the purse in the upper corner (partially covered by the bella image). The floral strip (in place of credit info) is by The Paper Salon, simply ribbon set.

I was so inspired by this paper by Piggy Tails called Little Red Riding Hood (this one is The Forrest) that it was the inspiration of this card. Images are of course colored with my COPIC markers, which I think Im getting better with.

These colors match SU! Soft Sky, banana, and pomegranate. The darker blue was my by fave person-Martha Stewart! I mean that in a crafty way not a lifestyle way. The stitched ribbon was also from Stampin Up!.

I love the flower Ghost Shape by Heidi Swapp on the lower right of the card. Its the shape as the flowers in my paper. Added some bling by K & co, and was done.

So I hope you get to try the sketch. I think weather you have a simple style or like to layer and get mor involved, as my samples show, then this will be a great sketch for you!

If you try it send us a link! We’d love to see your ideas  for it.

Tomorrow more with the Bella’s! Im dusting one off that has gone un-inked for months! YIKES!

Challenge yourself to use an uninked, neglected stamp this weekend. I know I have plenty that fit that category!

Oh HAPPY DAY!!!

I got an honorable mention HERE on Nichole’s Blog for THIS card! I was very excited about that, and surprised. I have tons of ideas flowing for her next set, and alterable item’s.

I am stalking my mail man ALL next week! I have stuff coming form all over . PLUS it my wedding anniversary and we are going away, OVERNIGHT- WITHOUT THE KIDS! How cool is that!

We are going to a really nice restaurant-staying by the lake, and we will go bowling, mini golfing, go carts, and a actual drive in movie theater, where they show 2 movies! They have 4 screens so you have 8 movies to choose from-all current! YEAH!!!

I know BLAH BLAH BLAH-sorry its just been a good day. I figure I share the bad, may as well share the good-ESPECIALLY the good. Who wants to listen/read about a downer all the time,right? We all have our days, but some people are always gloom in doom. That makes me insane.

OK lets get to the card-

I LOVE the SU! set True Friend. Its such a pretty set. I have a few things I’ve made so far, but am holding onto them till later! Got to get you to come back right?

One will be used for my Saturday Sketch! So be sure to check in for that OK!

When I began stamping, I went into my stamp room, and pulled the window blind ALL the way up to let as much sunshine as possible. I planned on using this set-but was unsure what colors I’d put together.

As I opened the window I saw the prettiest yellow daisies! So I thought that would be my inspiration for this card! I dont use yellow alot, so thought it would be fun.

So here is my Dazzling Daisy Design

The feel/colors of the card reflects my happy mood Banana, choc. chip, old olive, Kraft.

Inks are all versamagic dew drops in various colors. Oh and some SU makers for the little dots.

Im LOVING my layout! LOL! I totally enjoy layering, and document ALL my sketches in a book. Great for those HIT A RUT times. I highly recommend it. You can just go through your own gallery at SCS and start jotting down some of your faves. I dont use other people’s Layouts in my book-only my own. WHY? Cause if you intentionally CASE someone you should give proper credit. I dont really ever CASE anyone, and if I did wouldnt want to forget who if I did. IF you do copy someones things-make sure you jot down their info. Its just common courtesy! Also DONT submit it for contest/publication. These are unwritten rules.

OK now that I shared that- I just got some Kraft color taffeta ribbon from SU! So HAD to incorporate that as well. What a great color of ribbon-FINALLY they added colors like that one. Im in love with the taffeta ribbon and have barely used grosgrain since the Martha Stewart stuff and now SU!

The sentiment is Absolutley Fabulous (ordered accidentally in place of Fabulous Flowers). I like it.

I liked the versamagic in yellow on the chocolate. Simple touch of detail that keeps with the flow. The piercing was done with my Onare Template.

Thats pretty much it.

I’ve been playing with my Bellas lately too. More on them tomorrow!!!

I have a little time for fun now. I just finished my last month on the SCS Dirty Dozen. Its sad for it to be over. I will miss it. I will especially miss the reveals, and excitement each month. All the girls are just amazing. Everyone works so hard-you’d never even believe the work that we put into each piece. This last month was difficult for me with the theme and family obligations and whatnot, so now there will be less stress as far as that goes. It was truly an honor to even be considered, let alone part of the team.

I really want to thank ALL of you, for making that possible, supporting the site, all your comments, and sharing. Thanks for visiting me here, and following me on this crazy journey.

Finding SCS is when I really began to grow as a stamper/artist. It cost me more money that I care to even acknowledge too! It also helped me “meet” so many wonderful PSF’s like you.

Stampers are wonderfully amazing people So thanks!

Till tomorrow……………………………………………………………………………………..

I wanted to make some quick and cute cards for my kids to give to their teachers for the First Day of School! Sort of a Welcome Back. I know Im excited cause this is the first year ALL 3 kids will be in school! Bad for my stamping budget (School shopping time), great for my sanity!

Click images to view larger

      Alexa  1st grade        Noah  Pre-K              Amber  Pre-K

That means 6 hours a week of MOMMY (aka MYTIME) time! Is that bad that I am so excited? I really dont feel guilty about it either . Im sure you can guess WHAT I will be doing……….(insert evil grin)

Alexa (God willing) will be in school full time, and back after 1 1/2 years off for her chemo treatments. Im praying she stay healthy! She will still have treatments throughout the next year, but we are hoping her immune system is stronger.

I am generally NEVER able to even think of doing stuff like that, but since having the Team Spirit theme for the SCS Dirty Dozen I was able to be in the mode to create these.

I was not into going ALL OUT! In other words making them dirty worthy. I wanted SIMPLE SIMPLE SIMPLE, and CUTE. I especially hate reproducing cards so that was another reason for my design. AND if you want to make this for your kids or class room-its very easy!

When I saw the Daphne and Donald Back to School set I was giddy! I thought it was a way cuter version of Crayon Kids. At least thats what I thought.

So I went with the lunchbox theme.

Wanna make one?

All I did was make my card base-fold at the top.

Round the corners of the base, and inner mat.

For the handle- I used my Key tag punch. Simply punch the end of your cardstock first ( so inner handle part) then turn punch so you can see, punch the key tag shape. This will allow you to evenly align that hole for the handle.

In other words-dont just punch out the keytag shape then expect to be able to get the center punched out perfectly-wont happen! At least not stress free! make sense??

For the metal lunch box clip-I used a Making Memories decorative clip. Each clip matched the little shape on each of the kids back packs-cute eh? Its the little details!! No one probably even noticed that-but I do.

All the back packs are cut and on dimensionals. Very cute IRL!

I had these alpha stickers and they totally inspired by lunch box colors.

For the kids-I stamped them on the layers, then separately stamped the faces, colored/cut/pasted.

These took a maximum of 45 minutes for ALL 3! Now that is cool.

Hope the teachers like them.

FYI-You dont want to really WOW the teachers on the first day of school with an ultra awesome card or handmade gift item because that will set the bar high for the rest of the year! Not good.

So start simple that way if you have time, in the future the gift can get better and better. Unless you dont want to even let on you are crafty cause TRUST me they can suck the talent out of you through the year asking for you to make X cause you are SO CRAFTY!

Next thing you know you are sewing 22 Halloween treat bags for 3 year olds who upon receiving them try their darnedest to rip the cute handle off the bag, and pick their name off the front-

Yes I had a harsh experience!

Also-dont spend HOURS making tons of bag-a-lopes for that age group either, they dont care-they just want to rip it to shreds for the candy anyway! Save it for the adults! They are at least gracious enough to wait till you leave to rip it open

Only 2 weeks and counting!

See you tomorrow. I have a sample done using my True Friends set-OMG! I LOVE that set!

I talk ALOT about INSPIRATION here on my blog. I constantly say get inspired by life and the things around you. Alot of you email and ask “Where do I begin to do that?” So I hope this post gives you the INSPIRATION (wink) to get INSPIRED!

I have made cards based from colors and patterns seen my daughters dress to  her undies! It really is everywhere! You just have to think how you can transform your source of inspiration into a CARD!  Heck I even got inspired by a Tissue box a while back!

Anyone remember THESE CARDS?

Click the link below-scroll to the very bottom on left, you will see the box I used to inspire my cards!

http://www.puffs.com/en_US/pages/products_plus.shtml 

Pretty cool huh? (stamp set was Looks Like Spring and Take Three by SU!) I used the versamark resist technique, on glossy white paper to recreate the box pattern to make my own patterned paper! Card on the left is simple, the one on the right is a stepped up version.

So to show you what I mean, again, I am taking a simpler way out by showing you this card.

I was totally inspired by my paper. The paper is gorgeous enough to stand on its own. In real life it sparkles like crazy! The Jolies Fleurs was perfect for this recreation because many of the stamps are similar to this paper (by K & Co.) I didnt over embellish and add all sorts of ribbon cause the glitter on the paper is enough. This card took less than 15 minutes. Cutting being the time consuming part. Again clean simple yet interesting.

Now for another bit of inspiration from my paper!

 I LOVED this paper by K & co.

So I used it as the focus of my design. Its a flat postcard style. The flap where the dragonfly is, opens to reveal your message. This set is Au Naturale. I stamped the dragon fly wings on another layer of vellum to make it 3D and shimmery! A lightly stamped flower image is behind the sentiment.

Now time for my card that was inspired by the card above.

I also want to show you its all about the photo! I am showing you the SAME card photographed twice-

Once in Natural Light

Here in a professional Photo Box set-up

close up leaf detail

What a difference a photo makes eh? I think I like the natural one best maybe cause its a nature themed card! LOL!

Now while its not exactly like the above patterned paper it was INSPIRED by it. So its all about inspiration-not always exact duplication.

I stamped the leaves from Au Naturale on glossy white cardstock in versmark ink, then sponged river rock, soft sky, and a shimmery light beige. I then stamped the leaf in beige brilliance ink.

I love the soft vellum overlay with the cutout on this. I colored this with my brilliance inks and my Fantastix brushes <—–click for tutorial. I love using that technique.

So that is the bottom line-get inspired by anything you like. It could be a commercial, laundry detergent-whatever. Be open to ideas from all over. Inspiration doesnt JUST have to come from a stamping magazine or another card someone else did-although that is perfectly fine too.

I guess I just want you to look around you, and learn how to incorporate your daily life into your crafting.

Sketch your ideas or colors of inspiration the moment you get a chance. I find this particularly helpful if Im in a stamping rut!

And that about does it for my “inspirational” post.

Tomorrow Ill share some School Themed cards that Im sending off with my kids the first day of school. Super cute, and super fast!!!

See you then

My opinion on a great Christmas card is SIMPLE and CLEAN.This was our family Christmas card LAST YEAR! I LOVED it! And plan on doing a similar style THIS year.

I liked our kids photo and worked from there using Peaceful Wishes. Alot of people spend alot of $$$ on those photo cards. We just scanned our photo and printed 75 pictures. I made these in an HOUR! GO LAUREN!

I think a cool thing to invest in which keeps a professional look is a stamp (like above) with your names! Mine was from SU! It says

With Love, Jason, Lauren, Alexa,  Noah, and Amber.

This helps decrease the writing, and keeps it clean. I have messy handwriting! Especially after 75 cards! And I can use it year after year on ANY card. Cool huh? And IMO if people complain you didnt HAND sign it-YOU MADE THE CARD! What more could they want? Then you erase them from your Christmas list!

Oh and another thing-print your envelope addresses. You create a file and save it-even less writing!

OK more cards!

 I have a ton of awesome designs getting published this holiday season using some sets by Lizzie Anne, Green Grass Stamps, and MFT . I’ll get to share those at a later time.

You know the ones that got picked? Not the fancy ones, but the SIMPLEST ones! My point PROVEN! I had alot of success with my holiday submissions, as only 2 were rejected! Considering Im not one who submits alot-ever- that pretty good. And its going to pay for my kids Christmas this year!

Here are 2 rejects that were my favorites! LOL! Go figure!

 Wreathful Wishes

This one was my all time favorite! I LOVED it! But while it has a clean look its not necessarily SIMPLE to recreate. The window has acetate behind it, and inside you can see the Christmas tree! I used little A Muse stickers for the tree lights! How could this one be rejected? Oh well! It is posted in the Lizzie Anne Sketchbook too.

Sets are by Lizzie Anne Designs Christmas in the City (LOVE that set), and Glad Tidings.

here is the other one-Tree for Sale

This was simple, but maybe too funky for the mag’s to handle! Or maybe they didnt like it! GASP! You never want to think someone looks at ANYTHING you make and says YUCK! I loved it and thats all that matters! RIGHT?

 Hues of Gold

Now to this card! I HAD to HAVE Season of Joy! I just loved the look. I made the above card in less than 10 minutes. Now that is a Christmas card! The longest part was picking my design layout/idea! To recreate it would be maybe 3 minutes each-I swear!

It wont be my Christmas card for our family cause I like to use a photograph, but it could be made for a gift set!

I used RIVER ROCK! Holy non Christmas color-but with white and gold it totally works!

I love my flourish as the snow. Isnt it so purty?

Now onto the next one. I like to call this Blue Christmas!

Another super fast and simple design. The hardest part was the snow hill, and even that was super fast! I just used my CM wavy cutter-done! Another 15 minute card-again due to design idea taking the longest.

I plan on doing MORE with this set, but I think Ive given you some good ideas for now.

I am in a holiday mood-in AUGUST! Probably cause I swear I will NOT be running around like a mad woman getting gifts done last minute this year. I will say proudly that I did use alot of my alter-ables and made everyone a hand made gift last year! Given Alexa’s Chemo and stuff I think that was pretty awesome of me! (Patting myself on the back)! OK I know I sound horrible but when you accomplish a goal, its important to give yourself the good ole’ pat on the back you deserve! Nothing wrong with it!

And I ahve NO SHAME!

So I hope you get done whatever you need to this holiday season early! I am getting the kids Christmas photos done early September so I beat the rush of all you crazy other parents in November! And of course our cards will be designed, sealed and ready to go by Thanksgiving! I may even save some postage and hand deliver them to the family after dinner!

OK maybe thats too tacky.

Enjoy the day.

I thought this would be a simple yet fun sketch!

I used the Make A Wish set by Gina K. I love how it can be elegant, or fun and funky! I like this card alot. I was thinking teen girl! The paper you have seen here before! Its Hippie Chick by SEI. I really LOVE SEI! Its probably my favorite company for paper.

I basically stamped my image, colored with Copic Markers, and then added stickles. This was a quick card-like 12 minutes!! Now that is pretty good I think all the layers make it look like it took longer. Thats the key to a great card-make it LOOK like it took forever!

Im big on tying ribbon like this. I just love the look. I did it on one card like a year ago and have loved it ever since. I used a pink, and aqua sheer organdy ribbon from Michaels for this one. HAD to add silver cord.

I hope you try this sketch. I would love for you to share it here if you do. We would all love to see your take on it.

I would also love for you to share a wish YOU have with me. It can be anything-for a product, your family, a goal- whatever you want. I totally LOVE hearing form the people who stop by here to check in, and getting to know them.

My wish

I would LOVE to get a card/project on the COVER of a magazine. It was my only goal that I did not accomplish for this year. That and losing more weight, but hey its an ongoing battle right. I will say though (while time is ticking) that Im OK with NOT accomplishing that because I have accomplished many other things that I had not set out to do! Its been a great year!

 I was the inspiration for the cover of one Stampin Success magazine! It just wasn’t MY creation, it was their version of mine. So it doesnt count.

Your turn!

 I have alot of insight I think for this post as I share my shooting stars cards.

Alot of times we all feel like we want and need acceptance in the stamping world. Its natural to want others to love what we do, and be validated. When I created these cards I was thinking of my own goals, hopes, and dreams for my future. After all, the set is called MAKE A WISH. When you buy it $7 from every set goes towards making a sick childs dreams come true.

Dreams are important in life. Everyone should have them.

Anyway, back to dreams and needing validation, alot of us may feel like we need to be published to be recognized amongst our peers in this industry. Then I thought about it a little more. I get more recognition PUBLISHING my OWN stuff on MY blog and SCS thanfrom any magazine! I also think I touch just as many people! Im not saying that I dont love seeing my creations in print, they always look better there! LOL! Im just saying sharing in this was is important and we are ALL recognized.

THINK ABOUT IT! Everytime you share a card you ARE PUBLISHED! Just not in paper format that people pay to see LOL! But still, think of how many people do see it and get inspired. Just a thought.

I also feel that alot of companies are seeing the power of blog posting as oppose to advertising in magazines. ONLINE is the way the world is going.

So next time you upload realize you are publishing yourself everytime. And I guarantee at LEAST one person is inspired by your creation. And that is awesome.

So about today-I was suppose to publish a entry earlier.

Sorry I was MIA all day! I was chatting on the phone with AmyR, for so long my phone battery DIED! We were chatting about all the cool new items that are coming out since CHA. I think we are a bad match cause we enable eachother WAY TOO much! LOL!

Speaking of enabling-Melody (aka lacyquilter) had me order a butterfly set from Hero Arts and it arrived today too! YEAH!

AND I got a card from a super busy, and super cool friend nominating today PSF day! So to all my PSF’s (pretend stamping friends) BIG HUGS!

Anyway-I was also busycause I got my Stampin Up order in and was so upset cause I ordered the wrong set! Instead of Fabulous Flowers I got Absolutely Fabulous! GRRRRRR!

Dont you HATE when that happens? Anyway Im sure Ill use it since Im a sucker for sentiments, and it was totally on my list, but when you expect ONE thing, and get another-its awful. Oh well. Another order to place Im sure.

Now for what you came here for. Im sure it wasnt my BABBLE! Let me share a card here with you.

 Wishing on a Star

This one (as are both) VERY simple. I used my Glue Pad, and Martha Stewart glitter. Wrapped some silver cord around the top, and tied on a star (very glittery) that I made using my Cuttlebug star die, and DCWV glitter stack white paper. It was hard to get a descent photo of these.

  Shooting Stars

OK I gave up on even trying to get a perfect photo. All the bling between the glitter and the star it was impossible. I tried my photo box but it just wasnt workin for me. Just believe me when I say its very sparkly!

Tomorrow is my Saturday Sketch! Dont miss it! I have ANOTHER Make A Wish card to share, and a pretty Princess one too! I may save that for Sunday-depending on weather or not Jay watches football tonight and I get to stamp!

ALSO I have become part of the Scor Pal team! Yeah! I created a cool Window Box that will be shared there SOON, and an envelope tutorial. Told you I have been busy

Now its time for a a vanilla bean chiller. MMMMMMMMMMM

What are you doing this weekend?

All the cards you are seeing here are done with the Gina K Make A Wish set.

I am so excited about this set (obviously I have made tons with it) because not only is it great for any style, and occasion but $7 for EACH set goes to the Make A Wish Foundation. How amazing is it that by purchasing an item to create great hand stamped items, for sale, family, or friends that YOU can make a difference at the same time.

Anyone who knows “me” will know that this is an organization close to my heart, as my family has personally benefited from this organization.

On my blog you will see Alexa’s Story and her Make A wish page. Feel free to read it at your liesure, and put a FACE to the cause.

This card is my favorite with this flower so far.

 Birthday Wishes

I love the colors and softness this has. I was going for simple elegance with this one, and anytime I can incorporate butterflies you know I will.

Thanks to lacyquilter ( a behind the scenes enabler) I have a beautiful butterfly  set arriving (SOON I HOPE) from Hero Arts Let me share with you, what she shared with me! Thank you!!! I cant wait to get them.

http://heroarts.stores.yahoo.net/cldebu.html

Many of you asked HOW I emboss vellum. Well the bottom of this card, is vellum cardstock. I run it through my cuttlebug (thestylized embossing folder) and DONE! Vellum CARDSTOCK is heavier than vellum PAPER so make sure you use the right thing. I get mine from Stampin’Up! The ribbon is from Michaels craft store.

I used a brilliance ink for this one-Crimson. The stems is aversamagic ink in Pesto. I use the versamagic ink ALOT! I love the coverage and look. I have and use lots of ink, but I think I turn to these the most.

I used some liquid applique for the dots. I thought it was similar to the actual flower.

The butterflies are my Martha Stewart punches. I just color the centers with a Copic marker, and then punch from the vellum cardstock.

The swirl is an Onare piercing template that I ahve yet to find available any longer! Its so sad cause I LOVE mine!!!!

Flower of Joy

  This one uses some patterned paper by Chatterbox I have hoarded for like 2 years! I dont even know what the name is any more. I felt the flower matched the white bloom in the paper.

So I had to make another with the paper

Garden Flowers

 These were stamped on the scalloped circle. I used a scrap acetate circle to overlay them. I LOVE that idea I had a while ago from THIScard. Got some use from my Photo Corner punch by SU! I will say its pretty cool!

 Comfort and Peace

 Here is another card I thought Id share. What I LOVE about this one, is the the flowers were stamped on a pale pink cardstock by Martha Stewart. I then applied a vellum overlay where I stamped the flower again (using the crimson ink) to make it POP against the others. I think its such a pretty sympathy card. I LOVE vellum cardstock!

Last but not least

Peaceful wishes

 I have NO IDEA why this one is blurry. Maybe too much coffee!

All I did was punch a scalloped circle in some scrap cardstock. Used a dauber to add some saffron to the card base. I then stamped my flowers! For the center flower the bud was done with the Glue Pad, and then sprinkled with my MS glitter.

Quick, soft and simple.

I hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned tomorrow where I will share MORE! Yes MORE with this set! I went nuts when I got it. Plus my hope is to share some various styles and looks, the one set gives, in hope that you will consider adding it to your collection.

I also have a tutorial that is going to be shared VERY soon, for a idea I designed. You wont want to miss that let me tell you!

Thanks for sharing the love! Off to stamp!

 Upon a star

Make a Wish! How amazing is this set? I love that it is ALL OCCASSION.

Can you believe how awesome Gina K is for doing this project? A woman, a mom, with her own stamp company, working hard, using what she has avaliable, to work to make a difference in so many lives.

When I was asked to be a part of this team, I was beyond excited. I was so moved by the fact that Gina was doing this to help an organization that is not only amazing but has directly affected my family! You truly have NO IDEA how amazing this organization is for families of these children facing life threatening illnesses, and I hope you never how to have a wish granted, because that would mean someone you love, a child, has a serious life threatening condition.

You can read my daughter Alexa’s Make A Wish story HERE!

I have SO MANY samples with this set to share with you. I wanted to start with the shooting stars, as I think they are my favorite.

This is a close view

 This was my very first thought upon first viewing the sketch. Wish upon a star. I stamped the shooting star image in silver ink. I then used some paper tape to mask off my area on my card, then baby wipes technique to make a shooting stream of color.

I added stickles to the open lined stars. I stamped the larger star on some DCWV Glitterstack paper, and cut out a star. I also used my cuttlebug star, and the same glitter paper in white for the larger star image.

Its a simple yet STRIKING card I feel.

Next up-Many Wishes

 Well I love sparkle! So this star is PERFECT for my Martha Stewart glitter!

I first used my cuttlebug embossed star image on the bottom portion of this card. With my stamp-a-ma-jig (yes I use mine) I used my Glue Pad and stamped the shooting star, then added my MS glitter.

For the top portion-I used Soft Sky cardstock. I first stamped the larger Make A Wish sentiment. Using my stamp-a-ma-jig again, I made my bkgd paper stamping the smaller make a wish sentiment in white craft ink. Its a soft and very pretty look.

I felt simple was best. Tied it off with a soft sheer ribbon ribbon.

Arent they SO pretty! Its a set that is gender and age neutral. I think letting someone know what the set benefits is a gift in itself.

 Big Birthday Wishes

I have had this DCWV patterned paper for quite some time now. When I saw this set I knew it was the perfect time to put it to use! With my daughter Amber turning 3 on August 13th how could I not use it.

Its perfectly girly-glittery, purple and fun.

This set is Make A Wish by Gina K. $7 from each set benefits the Make A Wish foundation.

I started with the card. Colored it to match the paper. Stickles were the perfect touch.

Now what kind of birthday card would this be without a super cute bag to match?

So here is my matching gift bag.

I basically took a white lunch bag, and covered it using my Xyron 900 for adhesive.

Yes I strategically and painstakingly cut the patterned paper on the panel so that the “happy birthday” would be visible at the bottom panel. THAT my friends is what you may call anal. “I” call it attention to the little details.  And yes, I also made sure my polka dots were perfectly placed around the tag!

I had this tag from Bare Elements. I had been dying to use it, and now was the time.

So I traced it out on my paper, and cut. Used my Xyron 900 to adhere to the tag. The acetate cut out was done using a stylus to trace, then a hobby blade. My super-awesome file kit by Basic Grey, allowed me to gently and perfectly file the edges of the tag! YEAH! I love that thing. Rubbed some versamagic ink along the edges.

Stamped my sentiment on the bottom portion of the tag.

 a little closer lookey.

I stamped the cake on the acetate part of the tag with StazOn. I turned it over, and colored it with my Copic Markers. WOW! Do those beauties work like a dream!

I then tied some MS ribbon.

Now onto my STAR. Again my cuttlebug star die cut was responsible for this purty touch! I also used my favorite-Red Tag Alpha for #3. DCWV glitter stack in the purple for the star and #3.

I traced the star to cut a solid white panel.

Attached it and voila. All it needed was ONE more sentiment on the side, then-done!