Bright Blossom Thank You

Happy Tuesday!

MAN, where does the day go?  It's 1:30 pm and I feel like it should be 9:30 am!  I guess I HAVE accomplished a lot today but it's just hard to believe I have to go get the girls in an hour!  Aside from grocery shopping, laundry and walking the pooch I DID escape to my craft room for an hour to make a project I have been wanting to make for a few days now.  I figured the dishes could wait ... and dishes I can do with kids around whereas being creative ... well, that takes complete silence for me!  Before I share my card I'll share my VERY quick and easy Thank You cards that I whipped up for Rebecca's birthday Thank You notes.  (I INSIST the children write thank you cards for all their gifts - even to their friends - it's not up for discussion!)  I made 20 of these in under an hour - seriously!!

They are a little smaller than standard - they are 3 1/2 x 3 1/2" .. after all, how much is a 9 year old going to write?!  I simply folded them in half and ran then through the Big Shot with the Designer Frames emboss folder then I used the Bright Blossom stamp set and colored it directly on the stamp with my markers - Pacific Point, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Real Red.  The sentiment is from the Curly Cute set in Pacific Point.  Wa-low!  Quick, easy and CUTE!

Now .. on to my card.  I could sit and stare at this one for hours.  I can't take complete design credit for it, though.  I found this stack-of-books idea on Pinterest that was designed by Joan Robertson, fellow SU Demonstrator   (joansdailystampede.blogspot.com)

Isn't it great??!!  I just KNEW I would use her idea to make a birthday card for a VERY long time friend (notice I didn't say OLD friend?!) who has a passion for books.  She is an amazing woman who I'm proud to call my friend.  Yes, Laura, I'm talking about you :)   Laura and I met in Calgary in 3rd Grade.  Our mom's became friends and our families became very close.  We moved to Edmonton a few years later and then Laura's family moved here as well.  Although we ran in different circles (Laura was, and still is EXTRAMELY athletic .. where as I am ... well, let's just say I can't walk and chew gum at the same time!) we remained friends and our families spent every major holiday dinner together for many many years.  Fast forward to adulthood.  Laura had the confidence (and guts!) to emigrate to Australia!!  She now has a beautiful family and just last year started her own company which specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of innovative custom made book accessories - including magnetic ribbon bookmarks and book labels - in original artwork designs.  Check out their website:  www.pagebuddy.com.  I have a few of their magnetic bookmarks and I LOVE them!  I haven't lost my page (or my bookmark!) since I got them :)  Right - back to my card ... so I know Laura's birthday is fast approaching and I wanted to send her a special card that reflects her passion ... here is what I came up with:

 I really like how it turned out (although I think my re-sizing scewed it a bit ... it looks more like a stack of books in person!)  I sued Very Vanilla cs and the Mocha Morning DSP (SOOO love that paper!)  I simply used my word window punch to punch out 2 of each pattern of paper  and taped them together.  I then used my Large Oval PUnch to curve the end so it looks like the cover sticking out over the pages.  I used my finger dauber and Soft Suede ink to sponge the edges of each "book" and then taped each strip to a scrap piece of card stock for stablity.  I then made a bow out of Crumb Cake seam binding and taped it on.  The background is very vanilla run through the vintage wallpaper folder and is popped up with dimensionals.  I popped the books up on dimensionals as well.  The sentiment comes from Happiest Birthday Wishes (in soft Suede).  That's it!  I can't wait to mail it to her - I truly wish her the happiest birthday ever - she is such an inspiration to women everywhere - she's a brilliant wife, mother, business owner, and friend.  Happy Birthday Laura - I hope to see you in person one day soon XOXOX

OK - enough fun for now ... back to laundry ... that goes for you too!

Tam