Here we are, almost at the end of summer fun. Well, that does not stop those of us who make cards. We can have summer, winter, spring, or fall fun all year with whatever cards we choose to create that make us and others around us happy. With vacations almost over and the kids getting back to school, its the right time to make time for you to enjoy your passion for card making. Holiday planning and card making are just around the corner so get your ideas for those special holiday cards you will be creating before you know it.
Chantilly, VA brought us a great card created by Mary Poggemann. She did not monkey around with her card making (well, maybe just a little). The friendly monkey on the front of the card is giving you a special “Just For You” greeting. When you open up the card you are greeted with beautiful floral elements with layered flowers and a special message just for you. You will be swinging from shimmering palm tree to shimmering palm tree with the beauty of her card. A matching envelope also came with her card. Mary was a “Most Appreciated Card” winner.
Janelle W. was our other “Most Appreciated Card” winner in Chantilly this year. This beautiful card made of blue paper is filled with special birthday wishes. The card has an elegant blue lattice background paper with a die cut flower and ribbon to complete the front of the card. When you open up the card, it has a wonderful floral pattern embossed “Happy Birthday” message with room to write those special birthday wishes. I love all of the card dies that we have now that have all of those special flaps and folds to add even more special wishes or messages to the person you are sending your card to.
Our next stop was Kansas City, MO. Our card swap was right before the week of the 4th of July and we had some wonderful red, white, and blue card creations like this winner of our “Most Appreciated Card” contest. Bobbie Bettis dazzled the swappers with her patriot-themed card with a fun pinwheel made of a straw and paper. When you pull the card open it sends that special “Happy 4th of July” message. The card is made to look like the flag and that really adds style to the card.
This next card comes to us from card swap guest Carol Regan. She told us that she has a love of barn doors so she added her special “spin” to this card. It’s a card of encouragement filled with special messages behind every door! The card was created from the Stampin Up’ Barn Door Bundle. You start with the door with the wreath on the right side of the card with the message “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more,” then slide the door to the left and it says “and nothing but happiness come through your door.” This was a “holy cow” moment for me with such a heartfelt message of love and compassion. The slider was made with pop dots similar to cards you may have seen before using pennies. The inside of the card is left to write a wonderful message. I love when you use your passion to create your cards; it’s always special!
Next month’s blog will feature amazing cards from our show in Santa Clara, CA and Schaumburg, IL. I get so excited to see all of your cards and see the joy they bring to the other card swap guest at the shows.
Happy card making!
Dave
