Today is a very special day for three reasons:
- Today is the tenth day of the year (not so special)
- Today is the first day of Stampin’ Up!’s Leadership Conference (kinda cool)
- It’s my Mom’s birthday (super cool!)Â
I’ve told you this before, but any ounce of creativity I have came directly from my Mom. Since I can remember, Mom has always had some sort of crafty project going on – sewing doll dresses for the neighbor’s daughter, creating gorgeous cakes for our birthday parties, pouring and painting delicate ceramics, making jewelry for my neice. She is super-talented and has always been really good at whatever she does. The woman can paint a detailed eyeball on the tiniest ceramic figurine. Now that she’s retired (for a little over a year now), she has more time to devote to her crafts (JEALOUS!)Â
I also want to believe I have my Mom’s compassion and thoughtfulness. I am thankful she raised me to know the difference between right and wrong, but she also taught me how to love those around me who are different from me. She has the biggest heart. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that Mom has a tremendous sense of humor, so I guess you can thank her (or blame her) for my witty repartees. Mom also has the patience of Job – I am extremely impatient, so she’ll tell you I got that from my Dad.
Anyway, here’s the birthday card I made for Mom: 
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- Create a toile. I used the single flower from You are Loved to make a toile pattern on Very Vanilla card stock. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up all the pieces perfectly. I was going to use the toile as the background and repeat the pattern in the flower, but it was TOO much, so I had my art work behind other layers of card stock. I quite like the way it looks in the end. Hint: start with the complete image in the center of the card stock and add around it, making sure you fill in the inside so you aren’t left with a gaping hole in the middle – it’s easier to fill in the sides than the middle.
- Pretty Blossom. I punched the toile pattern with the Blossom Punch and again with Baja Breeze card stock. I snipped the petals on the Baja Breeze flower and glued them to the toile flower (scootched out a bit) petal by petal. Adds a nice frame to the toile flower.
- Matching up the center of the flower. I simply stamped the image of the flower a couple of times and punched until I got an image that would exactly match the toile underneath. Makes for a seamless look between the center of the flower and its petals.
Stamp sets: You are Loved, Bring on the Cake Papers: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze Inks: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse Accessories: Blossom punch, Circle punches, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Please wish my Mom a Happy Birthday! She reads my blog entries every morning and has so enjoyed “meeting” you all. When we talk each night, she talks about Patti and Sonny and Maria like they are her neighbors. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
Celebrity Endorsements. Mom was the first celebrity endorser of my Designer Series Paper Swatch Books (read what she had to say here). Look who’s commenting on them now (she posted this comment on my Swatch Books page):
I’m fortunate to already have my swatch books from Brian. So convenient because I can make decisions on what to use in my paper crafting projects without dragging out all my 12 x 12 paper and pieces! Thanks, Brian, for a wonderful crafting tool! – [the incomparable] Mary Fish
Does it get any better than that? If you have put off ordering your swatch books, click the picture below to order them now.
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What a lovely card and a lovely tribute to your Mom. Happy Birthday Brian’s Mom! You’ve got a very talented son!
Good morning! I would love to wish “Mom” a Happy Birthday! I hope you’ve already received this beautiful toile card while Brian is away! It’s just precious! I like the relationship you two have! Brian you make this Blog such a joy, my first read in the morning. Have a fantastic time in Orlando, can’t wait to hear all about Leadership.
Happy Birthday to Mom….cha cha cha……great card! Have a blast at Leadership and take lots of pictures.
Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIAN’S MOM!!!!! You have one talented, kind, funny, witty, creative son. Thank you for passing on to him your love of crafting, among other things, all of us here are ripping the benefits. (by the way, the blooper video you help create, was a total riot and I personaly want to thank you for laughing first). Brian, your mom’s card is beautiful, love the tip on how to make the center line up perfectly and how to make the little edge of the big blossom, it really gives this pretty flower lots of dimension.
Happy Birthday to “Brian’s Mom”! Hope you have a wonderful day! Looks like it is already off to a good start with Brian’s blog tribute to you to read over your morning cup of coffee 🙂
Love the card! I am new to this – can you please explain a little more about the ‘toile’? I am not quite sure what I am supposed to be seeing/doing. Would like to have a go at this technique, but need just a little more help! Enjoy leadership!
.
Hey Angela,
The image from You are Loved is a flower with some leaves and a couple of stems. I stamped that down. Are you familiar with how the Stamp-a-ma-jig works? It allows you to position images EXACTLY where you want them to go. I stamped the image on the clear sheet that comes with the Stamp-a-ma-jig and then positioned the flower over and over to get it just where I wanted it. That way, I had a page filled with flowers that don’t overlap with one another. Does that make sense? I know there are a lot of newb stampers out there, so maybe I’ll do a video when I’m back in town. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your mom ! This card is so special ….each and every flower is like a love note to her , Brian …This is a real treasure and look at all the thoughts and planning that went into it. I like what you did behind the large flower with the extensions… I have been trying that with various labels and images…can`t get it quite right yet … you say you aren`t patient or not as much as mom….it took patience plus to do this card But, then this was a labor of love !!! I love this card .
Happy Birthday Brian’s Mother! Wishing you a day filled with lots of “HAPPY” and endless “SURPRISES”. Mom’s birthday card is simply gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and Enjoy your time at Leadership!
Happy Birthday to you…happy birthday to you …happy birthday dear Mary…happy birthday to you !!!! You will have to add the birthday music because Brian hasn`t rigged up his blog to do that yet!!!! Have a wonderful day…. and please post a comment on the blog every now and then we would love to hear from you!!!
Happy Birthday, Brian’s Mum!
Love the clever trick with the Baja Breeze flower, adding it petal-by-petal to make a frame. I’ll be trying this. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Birthday Wishes “MOM”! Here’s wishing you a lovely day! 🙂
Brian ~ I love learning something new everyday. I really need to get this punch and use that technique of “scootching”! I have so enjoyed coming across your Web site. You are now my second stop while having my morning coffee! Mary has always been my first stop for well over a year now. I have many sites I follow but faithfully visit a handful each and every day. I love your sense of humor that comes across and I thank you so much for that! You are a wonderful inspiration and a breath of fresh air!!
What a lovely card and lovely words for your Mom. Happy Birthday Mary! I am sure you are so proud of Brian’s accomplishments, and since you are a crafter, you can appreciate them even more. We hope to see more of you on his blog! I hope your day is as special as you are. Blessings!
Happy Birthday Mom and hope you have a blessed day. Keep on crafting.
Happy birthday to Brian’s mama and I love the Baja and MM together! Soon you can create your own Baja blog I think.
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, Mary! Have a wonderful birthday! The birthday card Brian created for your special day is so lovely! You already know how talented he is! (And thank you so much for all you did to help foster that talent as he was growing up!)
It was so nice to “meet” you on Brian’s blog. It is always so nice to put a face (and a laugh) to a name. 😉
Brian’s blog is my first stop in the morning with my first cup of coffee as it is with many of his faithful blog followers. His enthusiasm is only superseded by his amazing talent.
Again, Happy Birthday, Mary! Have a blessed birthday!
Suzie
Happy birthday to Brian’s mom. You MUST be a fabulous woman because your son is delightful and I am certain you had something to do with that.
I will be looking for you in Orlando today Brian.
Well Happy Birthday “Mom”. What an amazing birthday gift Brian’s expression of love and thanks is to receive. Better than anything that could be bought in a store no matter what the price. AND how wonderful to have a son that isn’t afraid to express his feelings for you. Whatever you did raising Brian you certainly did right. He is such a talented and expressive young man with the gift of wit and humor. We all just love him. Have yourself a day as special as you are.
Happy Birthday, Brian’s Mom! Wishing you many happy birthday wishes!
Have fun in Orlando Brian. Can’t wait to hear about your trip.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Brian’s Mama! This means Happy Birthday Brian’s Mom in German!
Thanks for sharing Brian, i like your Website!!!
Many greetings from Bavaria
Sabine
Happy Birthday, Mom! Love your son and his work. Hope you are coming to Convention this year so we can meet you in person. Wonderful card, Brian. Thanks for all the tips!
Happy Birthday, Mary! Absolutely stunning card your wonderful Brian made for you! That you will cherish for many birthdays to come…and so proud of him you should be, I know! ;D He is my first breath of fresh air in the mornings with my coffee…and so love the laughter he gives us each and every day! Tell him I got my swatch books in yesterday and am tickled pink {or rather, Baja Breeze…LOL!}! I am so glad I ordered them, such a very handy tool! He’s just the most talented person I know {next to you, of course!}.
Hope your birthday is a very happy one today, lovely lady! God bless you and Brian!
Hugs,
Sharon
Happy Birthday Brian’s mom! Enjoy your special day and that beautiful card he made for you.
Dear Brian’s Mom, my 3 year old great niece just said to her mom, “Thanks, mom, for keeping
me.” We have no idea where that came from. But, the point is, “Thanks, Mom, for keeping
your wonderful and talented son, Brian!” May you have many more delightful and happy birthdays. The world needs more like you! Have a great day.
Happy Birthday “Brian’s Mom” !!!! May all of your wishes come true. Lovely card, once again.
Happy birthday to Brian’s mom! Brian’s card and description of you are both beautiful tributes. He’s lucky to have you and you’re lucky to have him! And Brian, love your celebrity endorsement from Mary too!
Happy birthday Brian’s mom!!!!!!
Happy birthday Mom have a wonderful day!!
Hi there again. Sabine gave me the idea to say Feliz Cumplean~os, querida mama de Brian. Que todos tus deseos se hagan realidad.
That means: Happy Birthday, Brian’s mom. May all your wishes come true.
Indeed, what the world needs now is more sons like Brian King.
Love the card Brian, you are so blessed to have such a great relationship with your Mom. Happy Birthday to her and enjoy your trip to Orlando! Keep blogging, you’re the first thing I read every morning!!!
Well only the best have January 10 as their day, right??? We share this birthday! I was to meet a childhood friend at a town an hour away to play “catch up” all day but she renigged because it snowed last night and she’s afraid of a little snow on the highway. No problem…my other friend just 20 more minutes farther away has invited me for an entire day of card making so I’m OFF to enjoy the day. You have a VERY Happy Birthday young lady and I’ll be thinking of you as I enjoy our day!
Thanks for sharing the news of your mom’s birthday, Brian…you’re a good son! 🙂 Pretty card btw!
Nothing more to add except to wish Brian’s mom the best birthday wishes! I echo all of the other comments about Brian and this most special card and tribute to his mom!
Happy Birthday Colleen ! Hope your day is turning out to be lots of fun with your friend !!!!
Thank you Sonny…I got back home after midnite! Spoiled rotten and we worked on projects all day. Drove home in a blizzard half way then got to bare and dry roads…they say about Montana weather “You don’t like it? Stick around 10 minutes and it will change!”…and so it does lol. ‘Twas a memorable day and sure hope “Mom”‘s was, too!!!
Happy Birthday to Brian’s Mom!! Hope you enjoy your day and spend some of it crafting!
Happy Birthday Mary!!, May your day be filled with cake and ice cream! Love the card your son made for you, thanks for passing along and fostering those creative genes!
Happy Birthday to Brian’s Mom! How lucky you are to have your Mom to craft with. She sounds like a very talented woman.
Happy Birthday Brian’s mom!
Mary, I hope you had a fantastic birthday! Although Brian is in Orlando, I know he has you close to heart! I admire your dedication to the “arts” and appreciate your support of your son’s craft! His creative gentleness is a reflection of your love! Hope it is a great year!
Happy Birthday Brian’s mom!
Happy Birthday, Brian’s mom! You’d have to be a wonderful person, coz that son of yours sure thinks you’re special, and he is fabulous!
Your birthday card is lovely, too–hope your day was amazing!
–Terri Orr
Happy Birthday, Brian’s mom! I hope you are still up: you can’t go to bed THIS early on your birthday! Your son Brian has so many good ideas, and he makes us laugh every day! Thank you for having such a fun son.