3x3 Birthday For Him

One of the type of cards I like to make are 3x3.  They make a nice tag for a gift bag or present.  Right now I'm working on a set of all occasion ones and today's is a birthday card for him.  I got the idea from my December Stampin' Success Demonstrator Magazine.  I made several changes so it is not an exact duplicate.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Well Worn Designer Series Paper, Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks; Accessories & Tools:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Brights Brads Pumpkin Pie, Neutrals Brads Early Espresso, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

There will be a total of eight cards, all for a different occasion and they'll come in their very own little box.  Once I have them all done, I'll show you the set.  It may take a while since I'm working on an upcoming class and that definitely takes priority.  I only have a 100 cards to prepare!

And, if you have any questions, just contact me and I'll be happy to find the answer for you.

A Week Full Of Birthdays

For the last two days, I've been working on birthday cards for three of my grandsons.  Their birthdays follow one right after the other.  A tradition I started a few years ago, was to take the birthday boy or girl out to dinner at a real, sit down restaurant of their choice.  Since I don't eat fast food, I don't allow that as an option.  :-)  After dinner, we go shopping.  I let them pick out their own gift.  That's right!  There is method to that madness.  By doing so, I know it is something that they want and will like.  For those grandchildren who live in other states, I just send them a check and they get to spend it on something they want.  So far, it has worked out well.

So, for today's post, I'm sharing Devin's card.  His birthday is today and he is now eleven.  If all goes well, he will spend Friday night with me and I'll take him out to dinner and a movie.  On Saturday, we'll go gift shopping before I take him home.  I'm really looking forward to it!

Stamp Sets:  Outlined Occasions, Swirls & Curls Verses (retired); Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper, Glossy White, Red Glimmer Paper, Whisper White; Accessories:  Big Shot, Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die, Hearts Collection Framelits, Vanilla Scented Stampin' Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, waxed paper, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

Devin is my on his way to computer guru and a game player.  Put him in front of a video game and he will play it for hours.  It will be interesting to see what he selects for his gift.

Until we meet again...

Happy Anniversary Sparkle

It was fun to finally get a chance to be creative.  It's been a busy time since Thanksgiving and I feel like I've just caught my first deep breath!  I made three cards Friday afternoon using one sheet of Blushing Bride card stock and, over the weekend, I'll show you how I used it.

I love Stampin' Up!® Glimmer paper!  It shimmers and sparkles and grabs the eye.  When asked to design an anniversary card,  I knew I wanted to use it to add some glitz to the card. On the inside of the card in Regal Rose, I stamped the sentiment, "You're in my thoughts; You're in my heart," from the Word Play stamp set.

Stamp Sets:  You Are Loved, Language of Friendship, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Word Play; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Regal Rose, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker; Card Stock:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper; Accessories:  Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Jewels Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

If you would like free instructions for making the Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border square, e-mail me at the address above and I'll send it right out to you.

Blessings from Marsha

Always Thankful

I love Autumn.  It is my most favorite time of the year.  Leaves are changing, crops are harvested and the evenings have just a touch of crispness to them.  And, it won't be long before the holidays will be in full swing. Personally, I can't wait.

Maybe that's why most of my designs of late have been reflections of the upcoming holidays.  Today's card is a perfect example of a fall harvest.  Pumpkins and squash and corn from the garden, all destined to be part of a Thanksgiving dinner.

Stamp Sets:  Always Thankful, Teeny Tiny Wishes;  Inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, River Rock, Basic Gray; Stampin Write Markers:  Old Olive, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Daffodil Delight; Card Stock:  Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper; Accessories:  Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Blender Pen, Sponge Dauber, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Dimensionals

On the inside of the card, the two sentiments from the Always Thankful Stamp Set were stamped in VersaMark, then embossed using Clear Emboss Powder.

Don't forget to sign up for the Christmas Card Class to be held Monday, October 17 and the Card Buffet on Thursday, October 27.  Check the Events tab for a complete schedule of what's brewing at the Stamping Cafe.

Blessings from Marsha

Don't You Love Getting Gift Cards?

I know I do!  I think we all have those hard to buy for people in our lives.  What better way to ensure they get what they want.  While there are those who think gift cards are too impersonal, I think they are a great alternative to selecting a gift that winds up never being used.

What is so great about them, is they fit any occasion.  Whether you want to say thank you, I love you or happy birthday, gift cards are a perfect gift.

Here are several I have designed for different occasions. I used various stamps, inks and card stock.  If you want more detail, e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com.

Over the next several weeks, I'll be sharing more gift card holders with you.  The holidays are just around the corner and what a wonderful  way to decorate your Christmas tree than with gift cards for everyone.

Blessings from Marsha

Saturday Morning Errands

Saturday has always been reserved for errands.  I don't remember when that started but I'm sure it had to do with the fact that I could leave my boys home with their dad and have a few hours of freedom.  They would rather have the fun of running and playing than being confined to a car and restricted to their best behavior while out in public.  And, they got to help Dad do whatever guy things he had planned for the day.

The card I'm sharing this morning, before I run those errands, is a tribute to my three sons.  It is also one I designed for our current llama blog hop.  Christmas has always been celebrated with great joy in my family.  Celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus, is the focal point but anticipating a visit from Santa was high on the list for my boys.  They would hang their stockings, head to bed and be awake for hours too excited to settle down and sleep.  Eventually, it would quiet down and Santa would make his appearance.  Such fun and happiness.  I loved it and I miss those days now that the boys are grown with families of their own.

When I first saw the Holiday Mini Catalog and the Stitched Stockings Stamp Set and the Stocking Builder Punch, I knew I had to have them.  Now, I usually don't get excited about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but this year Stampin' Up!® has too many fun Christmas products for me to wait that long.  So, here is the card I made in remembrance of the three stockings that hung in my home when the boys were small.

Stamp Sets:  Stitched Stockings, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Early Espresso; Card Stock:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper; Accessories:  Stocking Builder Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, White Baker's Twine, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Dazzling Details, 3/8" Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon, Early Espresso Neutrals Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Okay, now that I have Christmas somewhat out of my system, I'm turning my focus to Thanksgiving.  I have so very much for which to be thankful.

How about you?  What makes you thankful?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I would love to hear from you.

Blessings from Marsha