Birthday Blitz

From November 21 to November 28, four of my family members have birthdays; in addition to getting ready for Thanksgiving, I also had to find time to make four cards.
                   For my sister and my daughter, I cased a card from Sandi MacIver.

      For my sister's card,  I used SU's retired DSP Razzleberry Lemonade and accented it with SU's Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo paper.

My daughter graduated from Duke, so I thought a blue and white card would be perfect for her birthday.  I used SU's retired Brilliant Blue DSP and accented it with Brilliant Blue and Whisper White.  I also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder because I thought it complemented the design on the DSP.

I entered both of these cards in Top Tip Tuesday's "Layer upon Layer" challenge.

I also had to make two masculine birthday cards--very hard for me because I can't add lots of ribbon, glitter, or bling!
       For my brother-in-law, I continued my series of map cards.  At our library's recent book sale, I was able to add another atlas to my card-making collection, and I found the perfect map of Illinois.  I cut out one of the cars, added some Crystal Effects, and popped it up with some dimensionals. 

For my son-in-law, I purchased Graphic 45's A Perfect Gentleman papercrafting paper.  It is an absolutely fantastic collection of antique cars, watches,  golf scenes, and patterns that match perfectly!  However, for my background paper, I used SU's Autumn Spice DSP!  I added some buttons and printed out "Happy Birthday" on my computer, cutting it out with Marvy Uchida's scalloped oval punch.

Now that I'm done with these birthday cards, I'm getting ready to begin making Christmas cards!

Pick A Cause--American Heart Association

Update:  My card received an "Honorable Mention Cup of Tea" for The Shabby Tea Room's Challenge #37!

The Shabby Tea Room's Challenge #37 is "Pick A Cause," and I have chosen the American Heart Association for several reasons.  My son-in-law is a cardiologist, and because of his advice, my husband and I are trying to lead a more "heart-healthy" life.  In addition, several of my family members have had heart procedures that have improved their quality of life.  I made this card for a family member who will undergo a heart procedure in early December and plan to give it to her before her operation.  I've also entered this card in Top Tip Tuesday's  "Layer upon Layer" challenge.

The card is a variation on a bi-fold card, and it opens up to reveal the message inside.

Paper:  SU's Sending Love DSP (retired), SU's Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla; Stamp:  SU's Three Little Words; Punches:  Martha Stewart sunburst and lace scalloped heart; Spellbinders Labels 4 and hearts; Ink:  SU's Real Red; Accessories:  Doodlebug boutique brad, ribbon and flowers from AC Moore.

Anniversary--Happiness Always

My daughter and her husband are celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary so I created a criss-cross card for them.  I used some Fancy Pants Designs paper that my daughter gave me.  Even though the paper is designed for Christmas, I thought it made a wonderful fall anniversary card.

Paper:  Fancy Pants Designs, SU's Very Vanilla; Stamp:  SU"s Whimsical Words; Punches:  SU's Round Tab, Scallop Circle, Heart to Heart; Ink:  Tsukinenko Pearlescent Crimson; Accessories:  Button, Fancy Pants Designs; ribbon and brads from Michael's.