Ode to the 1920's.....and the '80's?!!

Windows are open. Cherry trees are blooming.  Short sleeves are becoming the norm.

Somehow it is hard to fathom that most of the country is blanketed in snow when it would seem spring has sprung here!!  While I looove the warm temperatures, we are so going to regret not getting any moisture this winter once all this new growth starts to brown and burn!!

I really didn't pop in today to gloat  talk about the weather we are having.  I actually made a card.

Twice, in ONE month.  

Miracles never cease!!

Oldest Kiddo once again needs a birthday card for a classmate's celebration later this evening. Once again, it would seem the card request is for a young lady.

I'm beginning to think that only girls at this age have birthday parties.  It would appear to me that the guys just pound on each other, give a fist pump and figure that meeting at Del Taco is a good enough celebration.

Or, maybe, it is because 17 year old boys can not be bothered to "plan"  events.  Events would require thinking beyond what their next meal/snack is going to be. And possibly moving from the sprawled position on the couch.  

I digress.

 I usually try to make birthday cards for the young ladies a bit more CAS (clean and simple) and not overtly girly, so that the Kiddo doesn't cringe in giving the card.  Now, "A" is a young lady who likes the drama. Not drama as in "roll your eyes AGAIN" drama. But as in, the theatrical presentation of everyday life.  One can count on "A" to not be afraid to step out on the stage and PERFORM! LOL!

Case in point.  Tonight's birthday theme is the 1920's.  Everyone is to dress from the '20's and be prepared for a dinner/mystery party.

"A's" catch?  She has assigned each guest a role to play.  BUT! The guest isn't suppose to dress up as that role. They are to dress up representing the 1920's.

Example:  Oldest Kiddo is to pretend for the evening that he is an '80's hairband rock star.

Yeah.  Not sure how that is suppose to work, but I'm not 17 any more so I expect I'm not suppose to figure it out!!

So, I had the idea to step out of my little CAS girly box and be a bit more dramatic in the presentation.

I must have succeeded. I got a "Whoa!  Now THAT's cool!" reaction from the Kiddo himself.

This card is a collection of hoarded supplies.  I've challenged myself to use up my vast supplies versus buying new stuff that I no longer have the space to store. While it pains me to cut into papers I just love to look at and use embellishments that other's might not appreciate, it is beyond ridiculous that I fight using it.  Plus, if I actually use the stuff I already have, that means I can buy NEW stuff, right?!!  

This paper pack, from Graphic 45's Curtain Call, is probably one of my all time favorite lines from this company.  I am so sad to be down to only a few scraps.  I actually combined it with a couple of hoarded sheets of Bo Bunny paper for the background and flower. I have had this paper stashed away for so long that I no longer recall the paper line as it would seem I had trimmed off that information at some point in time. I even dug out an old antique brad from my SU days and used my treasured film strip ribbon.  

The feathers?  Another hoarded craft supply from who knows what kiddo project!!

I'm going to go finish another card that uses more treasured supplies.  I just might need therapy after this weekend to get through this painful trial of letting go! 

'Till next time................

XCth Birthday

Ahhhh!!  A nice long weekend to sit back and relax!

Ok.  So the sitting back and relaxing is more of fantasy than reality this weekend, but, you can't blame a gal for dreaming!!

One of the events on the schedule for this weekend was the 90th birthday party for a long time client of the Toad.  This gentleman has just been giddy with the wish that his grandson and The Oldest Kiddo meet at this party as they share the same first name and both play basketball.

Reality was the boys met, shook hands, posed for a picture and that was about it.  The Oldest Kiddo actually ended up hanging out with another young man his age who has taken to the birthday gentleman and helps him with yard and home projects.

It worked out, not as the birthday gentleman might have imagined, but, it was good.

The Toad requested a birthday card for this gentleman, as that is supposedly what I do.  Make cards.

Did you know that making a milestone event card for someone you have never met personally is really rather difficult?!  The Toad's helpful insight was, "he was a principal for many, many years and used to play a lot of tennis".

OoooKaaaay!!  No problem!

When I get really stumped for card ideas, I usually head to SCS, click on the gallery link and then do a search for the theme of card I am mulling over and see what comes up.

BINGO!  I hit the jackpot with this particular search as I found the perfect vintage image for my project!  The image is a digital image from McMahon 5 Designs.  

I re-sized the image and altered it with a sepia tone in PSE.  Light sponging was done with Distress Brushed Corduroy.  The image was matted onto BoBunny's Time Piece collection, and then again, on the Roman Numeral design paper from the same line.  This was adhered to a base of Gina K's Pure Luxury Ivory, cut to 5 1/4" square.

The sentiment panel was cut and embossed using Spellbinder's Classic Circle dies.  While the paper was still in the die, light sponging was again done with Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy.  I masked the retired Stampin'  Up sentiment, so that I could border the old scrapbook stickers I pulled from my stash that states what special birthday is being celebrated.  The sentiment was adhered using dimensionals.

Being true to my status of Queen of Procrastination, I was trying to snap off a quick picture before having to walk out the door!!  LOL!  

Now, I just need to find some inspiration for a birthday card for the Oldest Kiddo.  Vintage guitars?!  

'Till next time...............