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.