If I think about the number of cards I make each year, Christmas cards would be #1, followed by birthday cards, and then thank you cards. Even when I'm creating cards for a challenge, I have a recipient in mind, so I never really have a backlog of cards to draw from. The few I have never seem to match the person I'm sending the card to and end up in the file for way too long. So here are a few thank you cards that have gone out, but never gotten shared on the blog. 

The first two use the same die fro Papertrey Ink. Add it to some patterned paper, and you've got a quick and easy thank you note.

Can't be much easier than that. Although this one might have been even easier:

I found a cute set of tags at a shop in St. Petersburg last year, and saved them for times when I need a card pronto. I added it to a piece of striped vellum cut with a stitched rectangle die and adhered them both to a bright yellow card.

And one last that required only one die cut. I started with one of the papers from a Papertrey Ink card set (no longer available) and added a Wet Paint sentiment cut from metallic gold paper. 

This gives a better idea of the flashy metallic of the card:

After nearly a week of spring-like weather, winter has returned. I'll miss the daily walks outside, but the weekend is a busy one with lots of creating that needs to happen as well, so the weather shouldn't be much of a factor. Hope your weekend is a good one!

 

In December I received the most wonderful invitation to guest design with a talented group of women who host The 12 Kits of Occasions each month. Michelle Leon and I knew each other only from blogland despite living within a few miles of one another. One of the pleasures of this invitation was getting together with her, and making a new friend. Thank you, Michelle, for thinking of me! I had a ball creating with your kit.

The kit was filled with bright, spring colors with lots of great die cuts and patterned papers to play with. I laid it all out on a table, and started picking out pieces to play with. It was a whole new way of creating for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made seven cards, and still have a sizable bag of goodies with which to create more cards. 

The first card I made was one for Easter. As soon as I saw the cute die cut bunnies, I knew just what I wanted to do. Michelle included quite a few tags as well and the bunnies looked so cute on the pink and white tag.

I lightly added some pink to the bunnies' ears and a sentiment from Papertrey Ink's "Bunny Basket." The flowers and leaves were part of the kit as well. It's nice to have a head start on Easter.

Next up, is an encouragement card. I loved the patterned paper, and fussy cut the umbrella and tiny flower from stamped images in the kit. I used a banner die to cut the sentiment, also in the kit. The tag was another included in the kit.

Michelle included a sheet of seed packet designs which I loved. It took me awhile to figure out how to use them. I also loved the white die cut with scallops. Once I found the sentiment in an older set from Papertrey, "Floral Frenzy," I knew what I wanted to do. The gingham patterned paper worked perfectly, too. I fussy cut a couple more of those cute flowers as an embellishment and added two tiny pearls.

The focal point of the next card was also a preprinted piece in the kit. All I had to do was die cut a scalloped card with the die from Papertrey's "Don't Forget to Write" kit, and added a tiny stitched square of contrasting card stock. It's been awhile since I played with flowers, but these were the perfect embellishment.

There was a cute bird cage and a tiny bird die cut in the kit. I colored the bird (and the die cut flower embellishment) with some Distress Inks, and adhered them to yet another tag in the kit, tied with the perfect twine and die cut sentiment. I added the two stamped word from Winnie & Walter stamp sets. I scored the white card base at every 1/2 inch for a little texture.

This card is probably the simplest and fastest one. The pretty flowered patterned paper was just too nice to cut up, so I used it as the main event. The die cut "Hello" and some Nuevo dots that Michelle made for the kit fit right onto the stitched oval from the "Don't Forget to Write" kit.

And although it ended up pretty CAS, the last card (and probably my favorite) took the longest to create. I colored the cute birthday cake with Copics, and then made a mix of pink Perfect Pears and Glitter Glue to add some oomph to the cake layers. Then I was stumped, and there were several variations of the card that hit the circular file before I came up with this. I added another oval of patterned paper from "Don't Forget to Write," which perfectly coordinated with the colors in the kit. Once again, I die cut the stamped sentiment provided in the kit with a banner die. Three clear sequins added a bit of glamour to the card.

This gives a better look at the texture on the layers of the cake.

I'm off now to see what the Design Team has created with the kit. You can find all the inspiration at the 12 Kits of Occasions blog. Thanks again, Michelle, for letting me play with such a fun kit.

 

Happy Valentine's Day! Tuesdays are now a little busier since I've started volunteering at two different agencies–one in the early afternoon, and one after school. Before that I got a needed new haircut. And a little later we're meeting friends at a new sports bar/tavern for Valentine's dinner. As he often does, Tracy sent me gorgeous flowers. He really outdid himself, sending cut flowers and a stunning orchid which will last well beyond Valentine's Day.

You can see the purple hyacinth tucked in the bouquet which smells so wonderful. We got about 6" of snow today, so the spring flowers are really appreciated! My favorites are the freesias.

Of course I've been busy making valentines for the last few days. I posted one earlier this week, but here are the rest of them.

For Matt & Betsy. . . the pick-up truck by Honey Bee reminded me of Matt's truck for his landscape business, although his is white (not a very interesting color for a card.)

The sentiment is from Simon Says "Sending Happy Thoughts," their July 2014 Card Kit.

For Sarah and Adam . . . the hedgehog is definitely for Sarah who collects them. I found this cute stamp at Paper Source when we were in Chicago in January and couldn't resist it.

The die cut hearts are all from Spellbinders Nested Hearts; the patterned papers are from Echo Park, Carta Bella, and Pink Fresh.

For Caleb . . . some monster hugs from "Silly Monsters" by Your Next Stamp. I have to admit, my collection of fun stamps has definitely expanded now that I have grandchildren old enough to appreciate them.

The fun eyes are from Doodlebug. They were out of stock for weeks on end, but Tracy managed to find some for my Christmas stocking. (Granted I didn't get them until January when they came in, but I didn't have to keep searching for them.) The heart die cut is from Concord and 9th. I found it in my pile of pre-cut die cuts and it worked out perfectly.

For Baby Hannah . . . another polar bear card from My Favorite Things, "Polar Bear Pals." The sentiment was cobbled together with a Cocoa Daisy stamp set and one from Avery Elle.

The heart on this card was also in the pile of pre-cut dies, the paper is from Papertrey Ink. You can see the metallic heart in the close-up.

And for the man of my heart . . . 

The die and stamps for this card are from Simon Says' newest release, "Love." It's the first die cut set I've bought that comes with the shadow background and the script. Love it. I don't usually use a die cut for the inside message, but I did this time.

I also made a couple valentines for friends.

This is also a new die that came in my Christmas stocking. I have all kinds of ideas for it, but die cut it this time in a variety of bright colors for an inlaid heart. A few enamel dots and it was done.

And just one more . . .

I bought this stamp set,"Be Mine, Valentine," last year when Papertrey Ink released it, and I'm actually surprised that this is the first time I've used it. There are all kinds of great images and sentiments in the set so I think it has potential for much more than just valentines. The background is an older impression plate from Papertrey called "Book Print." The heart is from My Favorite Things.

It's been lots of fun getting ready for Valentine's Day, but now I have an equally big project ahead of me. More to come about that later this month.