A Special Birthday + Many RAKs

Wow, I thought I would've posted this much earlier but I'm sure you'll understand since it was my husband's birthday today. :) You would be shocked if I didn't use at least one bike on his card, right? I thought I'd make more use out of the three Hero Arts bike sets that I do have. Yup, I said three. Well, it's actually two sets, plus a single. ;) I love one-layer cards because they are the easiest for me to make and this 3.25" x 6.5" size is a new favourite of mine.

Today, I received a big box of goodies from Donna (see her RAK below) and one of the sets was Sassafras' Stitchery. I was so excited to have my first faux-stitching stamps so I put one of them to use immediately. I never use new stuff immediately. I usually have to admire them for days and think about how I want to use them. I've never used Sassafras anything before (I sense a new addiction) and I love these! Even my husband thought they were real stitches. He ran his finger along it and said, "Wow, cool ground!" and double-checked that it wasn't real thread. I wonder if he'll use it on my Mother's Day card? LOL

This next card is one that I helped my son make. For those of you who are new followers, Baba is the word for "Dad" in more than a dozen languages around the world including Chinese (many dialects included). We didn't intend on him using Baba but when he learned to talk, he said Baba instead of Dada and it stuck. In fact, I may have mentioned that my husband thinks it's really cool and wants to be called Baba so he can be in on that bit of my heritage. Also, my son bursts out laughing whenever I say the word "Daddy" in reference to my husband!

My son picked out all the cardstock and ink colours. I helped him do the die cutting and stamping of the vehicles but he used the track wheel all by himself. I love his attention to all the little details like colouring in the lights and buffers. Actually, he was very upset that the trains didn't have front and back buffers like his trains! I continue to be amazed by his fine motor skills. I asked him where he wanted the 'happy birthday' sentiment and he told me it also had to say 'to you, Baba!" He recently learned about exclamation marks and finds them fascinating. He told me I had to curve the sentiment up and down, up and down. It was so funny. My husband thinks it's so cute how he coloured in the 'B'.

Now I have a bunch of cards from blogland to share. I love getting cards in the mail! It's one of those little things that means so much and there's nothing like holding a card I've admired on the computer in my own hands.

Lindsey's embossed bunny is adorable and I love the clean and simple design of her card (blogged HERE). She included some stamped squirrel images and my first (squirrel) stamp from A Muse!

Angela's card is covered in gorgeous embroidery patterns and A Muse stamps (and a die) that I would love to own!

Erin sent me the most beautiful card using Core'dinations cardstock (blogged HERE). Her package of goodies included a bunch of Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags die cuts as well as some beautiful Core'dinations cardstock just because I'd been admiring her use of it!

As mentioned above, I received Donna's blog candy as well as the most beautiful Lawn Fawn card (blogged HERE). The box was big, there's so much for me to play with and she even included a box of Hawaiian chocolates!! Oh my, are they ever delicious! Donna is the sweetest!!

Thank you, ladies, for all of your beautiful cards and goodies! I wish I had 48 hours in a day so I can play, play and play some more!! Speaking of mail, I need to get a few RAKs in the mail myself. ;)

Sources my card: Gina K Designs 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Sassafras Stitchery; Hero Arts Joy Ride, Bicycles, Classic Bike & Essential Messages; SU Old Olive, Basic Gray & Night of Navy inks; Vivid! ButterScotch ink

Sources for my son's card: SU Tempting Turquoise & Bashful Blue cardstock; SU Right on Track; Papertrey Ink Train Tracks (and coordinating dies) & Boy Basics: Truckin' It (and coordinating dies); Hero Arts Essential Messages & Typewriter Letters; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; SU Summer Sun ink; QuicKutz Epic Six; pencil crayons; Stampin' Dimensionals