Challenge...wait for it...

I'm part of a creative group called Pie, Piano, and Poetry. Once a month, we gather together and share what projects we have been working on. The talent ranges from drawing and painting, to performance pieces, to card making. Okay, that last one is just me, but the point is that there is a wide variety of talent within the group. I enjoy going because the group is supportive and up-lifting. Oh, and there's pie.

Anyway, last month, one of the members challenged me to make more male-centric cards. I must admit, a lot of the cards that I create are a bit on the feminine side. Even unisex cards are scarce in my collection. So, in my mind, I told myself:

 

Here are the first of what I hope to be many man-y cards to come:

The photo frames are from a Tim Holtz stamp on vellum. The three brads in the bottom right corner are also from Tim Holtz and the sentiment are Amy Tangerine Thickers.

This card is really for a younger man, maybe to congratulate him on getting a driver's license or graduating. The patterned paper and car stamp is from My Mind's Eye Boy Crazy collection. The tires are just buttons and the black dots to convey the car moving are Crystal Elements Stickers.

Here is a cute card to give to boys of all ages. Both the patterned paper and the robot stamp are from My Mind's Eye. The robot is embellished with Crystal Elements stickers and the sentiment is done with October Afternoon's Mini Market Green & Cream stickers.

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day! This year, my family has two new moms to celebrate. My cousin's wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in January and last month my sister adopted an adorable 4 year-old boy from Colombia. I would like to give a shout out to both as they celebrate their first of many Mother's Day!

Of course, I have my own mother to than you, too. She has been there for me my whole life and I am lucky to have her and am eternally grateful for her.

To all moms and grandmas out there, thank you and enjoy this day!

This Mother's Day card made with Fancy Pants Designs paper and embellished with Bazzill Basic Paper brads, Crystal Elements stickers, and American Craft Ribbon.

The tag (where a private message goes) is decorated with 3 kinds of washi tape.

Two new favorites

I've recently become obsessed with the color sea foam green. I don't know if it's because it's started popping up in the stores that I frequent or what, but I just can't seem to get enough. Besides my wardrobe, the other area the color is leaking into my life is my card designs. Several paper designers have sea foam green papers out; Teresa Collins and Fancy Pants Designs (hereto known as FPD) are just two of my favorite examples.

Here is a card I made with Teresa Collin's Tell Diamonds paper from the Tell Your Story collection:

Mom asked for some sympathy cards so naturally I had to incorporate the color into her request. Here is the sympathy card I made with FPD Park Bench paper collection:

My other new favorite thing that's been cropping up in my closet and card supplies is the chevron pattern. Imagine my giddiness when finding a paper that incorporates both chevron and sea foam green. Here is the first card I made with it:

This, too, is FPD Park Bench collection. And for those curious minds, here's a look at the inside:

Those matching brads come from Bazzill Basic Paper. Aren't they perfect?

Finally, here is a nice card that mixes FPD's Park Bench and Trend Setter collections:

As always, the above cards can be purchased at my etsy shop, except the sympathy card.

So thankful (I guess) - week one

Many of my friends on Facebook are posting one thing they're thankful for each day. I missed the memo on this one so I don't know if it's just until Thanksgiving or if it's for the whole month of November. Either way, people are sharing their appreciation for things great and small.

So what do I have to be thankful for? Plenty, that's for sure. But being thankful isn't funny, nor does it really get the creative juices flowing (unless you start running out of things and then you have to get a little creative). A good friend suggested that instead I should share things that I am "thankful" for. (The quote marks are to indicate sarcasm.)

Each day I tweet something I'm thankful for, which I will replicate here. Now, I started late on this so I'm going to cheat with the first few days. In a week I'll post another seven thanks and will continue until December rolls around. If you don't want to wait, follow me on twitter @sarcasm_inc1.

Day 1: I'm thankful for euthanasia.
Day 2: I'm thankful that teachers have so much free time and extra money for lavish vacations.
Day 3: I'm thankful that the Bible is solid evidence of God's existence.
Day 4: I'm thankful for cheaply made goods.
Day 5: I'm thankful for puppy mills.
Day 6: I'm thankful that, after years of oppression, rich white men can finally vote.
Day 7: I'm thankful that, in most states, if two people love each other very much but have the same genitalia, they cannot wed.

Boobs schmoobs

October brings to mind many things: leaves changing color, Halloween, breast cancer awareness. But did you know that it is also National Sarcastic Awareness month? No, I didn't either because ladies' headlights keep stealing the spotlight. Football players don't wear pink shoes to show their support for sarcasm awareness; they wear it to show their support for healthy boobs. (Insert your own bra joke here.)

Well, I say that we need to rise up and let the public know just what sarcasm is all about! Did you know that sarcasm affects 100% of Americans? We all need to get our inner sarcastic voice checked by professionals once a year and self exams should be done every day to unsuspecting friends and coworkers. Should you find that your audience responds with a hurt expression because she thinks that you're sincere, seek immediate medical attention. Prolonging help will result in decreased levels of sarcasm and increased levels of genuine kindness. Don't let this happen to you or your loved ones. Spread the sarcastic word today!

Mmmmm....Coffee

The first thing I do every morning upon waking, is start a pot of coffee brewing. It is my lifeline. If I haven't had my coffee for the day (or not enough of it) then look out!

Naturally, I wanted to incorporate my love of coffee (and lattes) into my cards. It wasn't until I was at the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo in March that I finally found the perfect coffee stamps. Of course, I wanted to buy more than the four I did but I was on a budget and there were so many other great things to buy. (The expo was truly a test of my will power for two reasons: (1) I'd just received my tax refund, which was a hefty sum and (2) I had no friend with me to tell me, "Liz, you've spent enough already.") All of the coffee stamps I bought were from Endless Creations. Here are just a few of the cards I've made with the stamps so far:

Perk Up!

Thanks a Latte!

I also have my eye on Paper Smooches' "Hot Concoctions" stamp set. I especially love the "Need to venti?" stamp! (One of the reasons I love Paper Smooches Stamps is because of all the puns!)

Happy drinking!

Sarcasm Not Included

When I first started making cards, my mother asked if I could make some nice ones for her. Certainly, as I knew I was capable of being nice (although my natural state is sarcastic). Since then, I have made several "nice" cards. I call the collection "Sarcasm Not Included" and they range from baby cards to birthday cards to personal stationery. Check out these cards:

The two cards above were done for a friend who requested cards with her initials.

Happy Birthday

Just know...

(the inside says, "I WHALEY love you," to which my boyfriend rolled his eyes)

Bon Voyage

Inspire

You're sew nice