Pier 1 Inspiration

 Sometimes I get inspiration for my cards from the strangest places.  This time I got my inspiration from the Pier 1 Imports Christmas Penguin.  The little penguin with his foot in the cupcake was just too cute to pass up.  I thought it would make a great birthday card for winter if I altered it just a bit.  To alter the original to give it a more vintage look: I chose some soft and feminine colors.  Even the penguin is not solid black.  I used distress inks, lace, distress file for the paper edges to complete the look.

1.  I needed a chubby little gal like the one in the Pier 1 penguin so I got her from Jolly Holidays.  So that just goes to show ya that Jolly Holidays ain't just for Christmas! :)
2.  I hid the face using the Gypsy and drew eyes and eyebrows like the Pier 1 penguin.
3.  The little feet were attached right at the tummy so I cut them off (ouch!).  I cut thin pieces of cardstock to make legs and attached the feet.
4.  The bow is from Paper Pups.  I added glitter to add a little texture and fun.
5.  The cupcake is from From My Kitchen.  I added glitter to layer because the frosting layers were white on white and wanted it stand out a bit.
6.  The pennants are hand cut and were added onto the twine with Glossy Accents.
7.  I added the crochet ribbon and distressed the edges of my paper.

Designed by ~ Lori Sjogren
Machines Used ~ Cricut Create
Supplies used ~ Cricut: Jolly Holidays, From My Kitchen, Paper Pups. Paper:  Prima and Webster Pages.  Other: Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Pad, Tim Holtz Black Soot, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Marker, Webster Pages Crochet Ribbon, Donna Salazar Pralines & Cream Fairy Dust Glitter, other glitter and twine from my stash.

Shabby Chic Birthday Card

Well, I wasn't supposed to but I bought the Simply Jane collection from Papertrey Ink.  I couldn't resist.  Just about anything Jane Austen calls my name and it is hard to say no.  The Simply Jane collection includes the stamps (with Austen quotes!), matching die-cuts for the stamps and cardstock with pages from her novels.  Swoon! :)

I used the cameo and frame die-cuts.  The paper in the background in is Melissa Frances.  I can't bring myself to use the Simpy Jane cardstock yet.  I'll get over that soon. ;)

I used Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edge Punch for the beige ribbon of paper that goes across the card.  The sentiment is from Simply Jane.

The most complicated thing - but worthwhile - was dyeing the seam binding.  I used equal parts Close to My Heart Soft Pink Re-Ink and Ranger Red Pepper Alcohol Ink with lots of water.  I am really pleased with the different hues of soft pink that developed so I will definitely use that combination again :)  The kraft colored button is also from Papertrey Ink and I sewed that onto the ribbon.

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” ~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Clean and Simple Birthday card

I wanted to make a masculine birthday card that wasn't too fussy and this is what I came up with. I figured it was time to pull out the Lifestyles Letterpress because the images are clean and simple. I used Lifestyles Letterpress Celebrations to make this card: the circles plate and the sentiment are both from the set. The dark brown ink I used is also from Lifestyles. I added a chartreuse ribbon (a little color wouldn't hurt... right?) and Voila! Here's a close-up:

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. ~ Voltaire


Live well today! :)