Set of Hockey Cards

They're not collectors' cards but they could be. :P As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I had to make a set of four gender- and occasion-neutral hockey cards for my sister. I didn't have time to finish them while she was here over U.S. Thanksgiving so I'll be mailing these to her tomorrow. My sister wanted to have a bunch of special hockey cards to give to her hockey friends, male or female, for any occasion that comes to mind. These would be appropriate for celebratory events, like birthdays and congrats on the win, or many thanks for this and that. At first I thought it would be too hard to keep the colours gender-neutral but after I got started it wasn't that difficult. I made an all-American set and an earthy set. I hope she likes them!

I wasn't in the mood to use my chalks around the labels so I decided to make the images snowy. I also off set the images so I could tie an actual bow or ribbon to add more pizzazz to the card since there would be no sentiments. I briefly thought about creating a bunch of sentiments for each card which would allow my sister to mix and match and attach them using dimension squares but at the time it seemed like such a huge undertaking. Perhaps I'll do that for a future set. ;)

Sources: SU Bashful Blue & Ruby Red cardstock; SU textured Sahara Sand cardstock; DCWV Green-Frame cardstock; AC textured earth tones cardstock; TPH 111lb matte white cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Local King Rubber Stamp Ice Hockey; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Copics; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder; QuicKutz Epic Six; Celebrate It ribbons; SU Chocolate Chip double-stitched 1" grosgrain ribbon

Hockey Birthday

A while back, my sister asked me if I had any hockey stamps. Being Canadian and the fact that my sister plays hockey, I think we were both a little appalled that I didn't have any hockey stamps. LOL I've always considered getting some but never actually did. I guess they weren't a priority but it was then that I realized I really should have at least one. So the search began and I briefly considered getting Hockey Riley until I found this one at the CreativFestival. I had good intentions of making holiday cards with it but never felt any inspiration from the image. When my sister ordered four gender- and occasion-neutral hockey cards I knew I had to get my thinking cap on.

I inked up this image for the first time as practice for my sister's set and made this card for a friend whose birthday is coming up. I'm sorry I can't tell you where the sentiment is from as it's more than a decade old and doesn't have a label on the side of it. I also used another one of my new nesties but it looks a little amateur since I didn't realize I needed a special embossing pad to emboss with my Epic Six. I ended up using some chalk to give the nestie a border. I also wasn't sure what to do with the ribbon but this was the first thing that came to mind. It's a bit frustrating to have tools that I've been coveting for so long only to hit a creative block when I finally have them. Sigh.

Sources: SU Bashful Blue & Chocolate Chip cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Local King Rubber Stamp Ice Hockey; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Copics; Stickles Black Diamond; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One; QuicKutz Epic Six; standard hand held hole punch; Pebbles chalks; Dashes, Dots & Checks ribbon

Happy Birthday, Grandma

I hope Christmas was as wonderful for you as it was for me and my family. Happy Boxing Day to those of you out there celebrating! I hope you find some good deals if you're planning on shopping but I'm not a fan of crowds so I'll be staying away from the shops today. ;)

Today I have a birthday card to show you. I used the Pink Cat Studio digital image Lily in her winter coat to make a birthday card for my mother-in-law whose birthday is coming up. In the past we've addressed her cards 'Mother' from her son, my hubby, but since she has a grandson now who can call her by name it's more fun to address the cards to 'Grandma'. As I hinted before the holidays, I knew I was getting nesties because they were on my wish list. These ones were from hubby and being my first time experimenting with them I think it looks okay. I wouldn't say it's the greatest as it looks slightly off kilter to me but perfectly fine for my first attempt!

Sources: SU Bashful Blue & Ruby Red cardstock; SU textured Black cardstock; DCWV Green-Air Words & Flower Dot cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Pink Cat Studio Lily Winter Coat digital image; Imaginisce All Kinds of Happy 'Happy Birthday to You!'; Verve Because of You 'Grandma'; SU Ballet Blue ink; Memories Black ink; Copics; Spellbinders Nestabilities in Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Fiskars Nostalgia corner edger; Zig Emboss Writer; Ranger Ancient Gold embossing powder; Hobby Hot Boss; dimension squares

Made For Me

As I posted on my birthday, I love receiving cards and especially handmade ones. I always say that the card means more than the gift itself which is essentially true because in most cases my friends and I have gotten away from exchanging gifts. Since it's Christmas Day I thought I'd share three sweet cards made for me and my family. Merry Christmas Everyone!

From Joan:
From Lexy:
From Hubby:

A Very Merry Christmas

This card for hubby is pretty much an all die cut card. We've been house hunting for over 10 months now and when we started in the spring we had hoped to be in a house for Christmas but alas we will have to wait. We came close once but lost in a bidding war. I sure hope there's more inventory on the market in the spring. When it's meant to be we'll be ready! So one of the things we want in a house is a squirrel-friendly tree. We have a soft spot for critters, our cat loves watching them and our son says 'gwirl' everytime he sees one. It's all very cute! So of course I designed this card with our Christmas wish in mind.

Sources: SU Very Vanilla, Basic Grey & Going Grey textured cardstock; Bazzill Basics textured red cardstock; AC textured earth tones cardstock; QuicKutz house & tree; Sticky Note Mini Alphabet Set; QuicKutz Epic Six; The Japanese Paper Place silver origami foil; standard hand held single hole punch; Gutermann metallic silver thread; dimension squares

This card for my sweet boy features a dog! Ever since I cut out a bunch of these, he's been trying to climb up on the table to get at them. Yup, he's at that stage where I really have to watch him or he might have a terrible fall. A couple of times he's managed to get a hold of them and with a big smile on his face says 'wo-wo-wo' as he does whenever he sees any dog, real or not. I love those moments! I can't wait 'til he sees his card tomorrow.

Sources: SU Ruby Red cardstock; The Paper Company white weave cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Aitoh origami foil; SU tearing edge; ColorBox Verdigris pigment ink; Hobby Hot Boss; Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder; The Old Island Stamp Co. 575-A sentiment; Pink Cat Studio Dog Elf in Present digital image; Copics; Stickles xmas red; QuicKutz Epic Six; dimension squares

We're going to have dinner at my parents' house tomorrow and I could've given them any of my leftover Christmas cards but I felt like making another one. They haven't put up a tree since I moved to San Diego in 2004 so I thought I would use some of my leftover trees from making these cards. It's also tradition that we don't exchange gifts because we don't really need anything but love. We just bring food to enjoy and exchange cards. I've made their cards ever since I was a little girl and so it continues. That's what makes them happy!

Sources: SU Ruby Red cardstock; The Paper Company weave white cardstock; AC textured earth tones cardstock; Halcraft smooth white cardstock; Sunshine Designs CG030 Christmas Trees; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Copics; The Old Island Stamp Co. 575-A sentiment; Rubber Stampede Red pigment ink; ColorBox Verdigris pigment ink; PSX Red & Malachite embossing tinsels; Hobby Hot Boss; SU scallop edge punch; dimension squares

I hope everyone has an absolutely splendid Christmas! :)

So Sorry for Your Loss

I needed to make a sympathy card for a friend whose grandfather passed away. I'm not comfortable making sympathy cards and the Verve set Forever in Our Hearts has the perfect phrases and images. It took longer than expected for my set to arrive in the post but I'm glad I finally have it. I kept this card very simple - no embellies, no stitching, no dimension. What I've never done before is to set my layers off to the side. I can't believe I've never done it before. I had a great urge to add ribbon or buttons, to get out the sewing machine and stitch something but I held back thinking that simple is best. Have a great day!

Sources: SU Rich Razzleberry cardstock; AC textured cardstock; Basic Grey Indian Summer russet dp; Verve Forever in Our Hearts; SU Elegant Eggplant & Pink Passion inks

Customized Cards

Are you all ready for Christmas? I quickly wanted to show you how I customized two cards for my friend's nieces aged 3 and 6. I made these cards a while ago without the thought of having to add names so it took a little planning to find the right spot for the names. Finding a spot for Elise's name on the sugar plum fairy card wasn't too difficult but I thought I'd have to rearrange elements of the bunny princess card in order to fit the name. It's quite busy! In the end, I managed to find the perfect spot for Kira's name. I hope my friend makes his nieces' Christmas very special. :)

Sources for Elise's card: SU ruby red cardstock; AC textured earth tones cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Basic Grey Nook & Pantry fruit salad dp; Pink Cat Studio Sugar Plum Fairy digital image; Copics; AtYou Spica glitter pen; Fiskars Threading Water border punch; EK Success large heart punch; Darice hemp cord; Basic Grey button; dimension squares

Sources for Kira's card: SU kraft & ruby red cardstock; Paper Reflections coloured cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; TPH 111lb matte white cardstock; Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses snow globe dp; Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly dps; Pink Cat Studio Lily Winter Princess & Princess Bunny digital images; Copics; AtYou Spica glitter pen; Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder; QuicKutz Epic Six; Zig Emboss Writer; PSX Snowflake embossing tinsel; Hobby Hot Boss; SU scallop border & large oval punches; Martha Stewart Stamp and Punch Polar; Aitoh Silver origami foil; dimension squares