Janelle and I met in middle school, became good friends in high school and became great friends in college. I moved to Atlanta, and she is settled in Pittsburgh. Four years ago, Janelle and Jason (her amazing husband) welcomed twins – Jude and Jonas. When I call to chat with Janelle, the two boys always chime in to say “hi, BK!” and “I love you, BK!” I love it!
CUTE STORY ALERT: Jason is probably going to disown me for sharing this story because tens of followers will read it. But I can’t resist. When the boys were born four years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were finishing the playoffs and were headed to the Superbowl (that’s a football game). A Pittsburgh news station popped into Janelle’s hospital room to interview the couple on the birth of their sons so close to the Superbowl (still not sure why that’s a news story, but…). After a long night of supporting his wife during her delivery, Jason was tired and emotional at the same time. The station crew filmed him saying, “I look forward to having the boys home so I can sit on their laps to watch the Superbowl.” That’s right. HE would sit on THEIR laps to watch football. The station either missed that during editing or caught it and loved it. Either way, it aired – and all their friends, family and coworkers were able to watch Jason in his moment of glory.
As I set out to design birthday cards for Jude and Jonas, I knew I wanted to make colorful cards that a four-year old would love, but I wanted to give each his own card. THEN, the thought crossed my mind to make the cards as mirror images of one another. What better way to honor twins?
Here’s Jude’s card: 
And here’s Jonas’:
Just to be gratuitous about the whole thing, here are the cards together. See how they are mirror images of one another?
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
You’ve already read a lot, so I’m going to be quick about this.
- Layout. Each card base is 5″ x 5″ in Island Indigo, followed by a 4-7/8″ x 4-7/8″ piece of Summer Starfruit, followed by a 4-3/4″ x 4-3/4″ piece of Sycamore Street. I then cut another piece of Sycamore Street at 4-3/4″ x 4-3/4″ and then cut it corner to corner. Here’s a quick look a the papers I used:
- Painting on the stamps. The sentiment on the face of the card is from Make a Wish, a wonderful set available in the Spring Catalog. I painted the candles with my Stampin’ Write Markers using three of the colors featured in the Designer Series Paper – Tangerine Tango, Summer Starfruit and Rich Razzleberry. I gave them a big “huff” and then stamped those on Whisper White and trimmed around them. I stamped the entire image in Island Indigo and then glued the trimmed, painted candles over top of the ones in the image.
- Add shape. After I had the pieces layered together (just the pieces shown above and the complete sentiment. Something was missing. I decided to repeat the circles from the patterned paper by punching some large circles in corresponding colors. The circles add a nice diversity of shape to these cards.
Stamp sets: Make a Wish Inks: Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Write Marker, Summer Starfruit Stampin’ Write Marker, Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Write Marker Papers: Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Tangerine Tango, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, Whisper White Accessories: 2-1/2″ Circle punch, 1-3/8″ Circle punch, Apothecardy Accents Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Brilliant Story……but even better looking cards. HOW FUN to make the twin mirror image cards. Brian….you are the Super Bowl of Card Making….. Thanks for sharing (all)!
Fun, Fun, Fun!! I appreciate every thought of detail you put into this materpiece – So special – I am sure the twins will love them. Happy Birthday Jude and Jonas!!!!
You are such a great guy to carry on a long distance friendship with your Married Friend from School! The story cracked me up! Tears running out of my eyes what a great laugh! (sorry Jason) But Happy Birthday to the twins Jude & Jonas your cards are Fantastic!!
Here is word over use….Love it …love it….love it . What a fun story and the cards are just as fun. I am like Patti ….I laughed not only about Jason`s comment but the mirror image finale until I had tears .. What a super saturday present on a cold winter day ….Thank you !! And Happy Birthday Jude and Jonas !!!
Love the story which made the cards even more meaningful. The mirror image cards was a brilliant idea. Those little boys may never fully appreciate your painting the candles, but we do!
Those cards are adorable and perfectly bubbly for 4 year olds! Loved the hospital story 🙂
You are so lucky we love you BK. we are so glad you called this morning. The twins love their BK and can’t wait to see you. The cards are amazing and hopefully they are delivered through the snow today. Regardless we can’t wait to get them. I am glad you all liked my story. Not gonna live that one down. Keep up the great work BK.
Yay! A celebrity on my blog! Woo hoo! Can’t wait to make it up to Pittsburgh for a visit…hope the cards get there and that the boys have a wonderful day!
Oh Brian, what a wonderful story. I’m not to fond of “that team”, you know? I’m a Dallas Cowboy fan since age 15 but I can say also, that I’m really LOL, my dear, reading that awesome piece of news. That must have been really fun to watch that interview. Now, just so you guys know, that Super Bowl Brian is talking about was number 43 back in 2009, with the Pittsburg Steelers vs. the Arizona Cardinals. Pittsburg won 27-23. (Grrrrr!!)
Brian, the cards are amazing, you come up with the most awesome ideas and designs. I’m sure your friend’s little twin boys will love them. And don’t worry, when they are teens, this funny anectdote will surely bring smiles to their faces. I hope their parents video taped it, that’s a keeper.
Brilliant idea!!!!
Mirroring….I will remember…I will remember….
ooh Brian those colors are so supper cute , love it , great job !!,there going to love there cards ,
have a nice day ,
frenchie
What great, happy cards!
I am stealing this idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have twin grandsons and I’ve tried to give them some similar but not exact, and this year they can get used to receiving mirror image cards from now on. Although ….. they are turning 19 this year ….. so I can’t go with brights. But I can go with neutrals and other DUDE-friendly themes. What? You don’t believe I could have grandchildren that old, or a great granddaughter from their 20 year old sister? Oh! You are just too kind BK! Just. Too. Kind!!! Love ya! Mean it! 😉
Celia – I was saying those words as a I read your comments, but I didn’t have time to write them down. I cannot believe the words you say. Cannot.
Knowing you face-to-face now really makes me want to respond to your blog posts but not seem like I’m stalking you. Although, being subscribed to your posts makes me a legal stalker, right? Ha ha! See you tomorrow!
Lovely ‘same but different’ cards Brian and a lovely story too! Have just seen Tired Jason’s comment-that was a surprise! I assume he just follows your blog or is he a card maker too??!!
Jason and Janelle subscribe to my blog. I called and talked with them this morning and told Janelle to not look at the blog until the cards come (so much brighter and sweeter in real life). I “let the cat out of the bag” that I shared the story on my blog, so Jason logged in immediately. 🙂
Great story! Love the bright mirror image cards – perfect solution. I am going to steal this!
Having birthed three children on different days, I could so see this happening as both mom and dad get a little weary. Jason knew what he meant even though it came out kind of funny. It probably will be a few years yet before he can sit on their laps. I am laughing so hard right now, this is as good as a blooper! Now for the beautiful cards and the way you composed them, genius! The same, yet different, and they have a little BK mixed in them. Thank you for the inspiration and the entertainment this Saturday morning. Jason is a great “sport.” To Janelle and Jason congrats on be parents to twin boys!
Oh I don’t know why but this card really affected me~it is beautiful and so much fun! I wish I lived near to you so I could learn all of your tricks and be around your sunny personality. But I will just look forward to your cards each day Thank you so much:))
Oh Brian, those bright colors look magnificient! AND, I know kids just love getting mail. My great, great, niece and nephew get so excited when I send them a card. They are 3 and 5 and I surprise them with little gifts and cards in the mail all the time. Their Dad tells me they jump up and down when they get mail addressed to them. Kids are just so much fun.
Brian, bwahahahaha! I just loved that story! I bet Jason couldn’t believe you would actually post that, which is why he logged in right away! Happy Birthday to You, Jude and Jonas!! I hope you enjoy the story, too!
The next note is: Superb idea for twin cards! I love the colors and the circles! And so sweet you colored those candles…the extra mile for sweet twins! I know they will save these and look back at them and think of you each time!
Hugs!
Haha! I love it! I just did a similar thing for my cousins twin boys…flipped the placement of the DSP :-). I am happy to be one of your hundreds of readers (I am sure there are more than tens….). Jason should take a silly picture sitting on his kids…it would be fun to place next to the article in a scrap book and say “finally…..!”
Brian, what a great story….and the cards are, as always … SUPER! What a wonderful idea to make them mirror images for the twins. Jason and Janelle have not only a great friend in you, but a card making star for sure! Thanks for sharing!
What a cute story and even cuter cards! I like how you gave each one their own version. Super fun and colorful cards, thanks for sharing.
You rocked these cards, Brian! And what a great story…don’t worry, Jason, we won’t tell anyone else!
Super idea–I have twin granddaughters and never know if should make the cards the same or different– genius to,use mirror images