I’m terrible. As you may know, I make at least seven original cards a week – the Fungeon is a card-making production center. At the same time, I find it so hard to recognize birthdays or special occasions. My calendar tells me when these days are approaching, and I often times make the card. Then, it just sits there, waiting for me to write something inside and drop it in the mail. I need to do better.
Today I am sharing a belated birthday card for Suzie that I’ve paired with a Create with Connie and Mary color challenge. Suzie’s birthday was August 5. I remembered it on August 4 and then again on August 6. I have thought about how I missed her birthday every day since. Every time I sit down to create, though, my mind jumps off in different directions. Now, on August 17, there’s a card in the mail to Suzie, and here it is:
And here’s the challenge badge that inspired the colors in Suzie’s card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Add a little shine with Stampin’ Emboss Powder. It’s difficult to see this in the picture, but the dahlia was heat embossed with Smoky Slate powder. The subltety of the Smoky Slate powder allowed the flower to blend in with the softness of the card, but the shimmer of the embossed image gives a teeny tiny pop. I trimmed around the flower and matted it on a Blushing Bride cardstock.
- Don’t forget about the inside. Not only am I not always great about getting a card finished and in the mail, but often times I don’t finish the inside of the card. When I do, I might repeat an image from the front of the card (like a flower in the corner). The dahlia was a bit overwhelming inside – even when I had her just peek onto the card from the bottom corner. The complete sentiment seems to work well here – with an added border of Pistachi Pudding cardstock.
- Stampin’ Write Markers and Stamp-a-ma-jig. This card is made with two sentiments – one says “I remembered and thought” and one says “but then I forgot! Happy Belated Birthday”. I decided to mix these on the front of the card for a complete thought. With my Stamp-a-ma-jig and a Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker, I created my own arrangement of words to put the birthday wishes on the front. It’s not until the inside that I admit that I forgot. 🙂
Stamp Sets: Regarding Dahlias, Remembering Your Birthday Inks: Smoky Slate, Pistachio Pudding, Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write Marker Papers: Smoky Slate, Pistachio Pudding, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, 2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack Accessories: 3/16″ Corner punch, Smoky Slate Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Hi Brian, Great card. My first thought on seeing it was “soft” and you said so too. It must be even more beautiful in person, using the embossing powder. And . . . I love the layers of course! Thanks a bunch.
I Love this card and this sketch! I’m sorry, you totally #fail at getting out cards on time, there were the sweet twins and you didn’t account for the Postal Service possibly loosing them, and the poor little guys didn’t receive them on their Birthday nor on the same day! I’m sure they’re scarred for life. Oh and well there was my own Birthday Card, I think I could go but but I will hold my tongue. No doubt Suzie will finally get this beauty in her hands and scream for Joy that you made her a hand made card! Better late than never! 🙂
So softly subtle you will easily be excused for being late!! Love the luscious layers too Brian!! And aren’t you tricky switching around the sentiments!! 😉
Brian, I’m sure Suzie will love this card, even if it’s a bit late. The colors in the challenge are magnificent together and give your beautifully snipped Dahlia a fantastic center stage. I love this birthday set, it’s on my wish list for September and your idea of switching the sentiment is super clever. Thank you for sharing that little trick.
I think the card is beautiful enough for the recipient to overlook the fact that it’s late! Great layout and that Dahlia is so nice embossed in Smoky Slate! 🙂
Happy Birthday (belated) Suzie !!
Brian(Mr. Sweet Stuff) picked your fave new color( Smoky Slate ) cause that`s the way he is ! And what a pretty card …heat embossing gray of all things .
Again, a beautiful card. I love the colors and yes you are the “king” of layering.
O.K. Brian – I have to ask you – how many pair of scissors do you go through in a year? LOL
Great card.
Oops – I should have said “wear out” rather than “go through”.
Love this card — maybe because your comments strike a little too close to home — see birthday on calendar, forget birthday, remember birthday, forget birthday, remember birthday…..
Dont you know the birthday celebrations go on till the last card is received?? You have just extended the special time!!
What a wonderful way to look at a late birthday card. Had never heard that perspective before, and I like it. I like that I’ve (unintentionally) helped Suzie to extend the celebration.
Such a beautiful card. A late birthday card is a sweet gift.
Doesn’t heat embossing just “make” the card! Love it.
Your card is so lovely the recipient won’t care that its late. One of my first SU stamp sets had a little toad that said “sorry, I froggot” and I just loved that little guy. I used to send birthday cards late on purpose so I could use that set. Happy Stampin’!
I’m terrible about sending out the cards I make, too. I always say I’m going to be better and then… I love how this card looks! So clean looking! Love that you embossed the flower! Thanks for playing the challenge at Create with Connie and Mary!
Love your card, Brian, & I love that set. I need to make myself a stack of belated b-day cards…
Hi Brian~ Try birthdayalarm.com! I get an e-mail a week before the birthday… then a few days before the birthday (set it up however you want to). You have to send out Birthday Alarm’s e-mail to get your friends to register in it but most people do. Then when a year goes by and you send them a personalized, hand-stamped card they think you are AMAZING and THOUGHTFUL (which you are) for remembering their birthday… tee hee hee! This company prompts you to send their electronic cards but I never do… how could I… I’m a STAMPER!
Well, I have to agree with most of the comments/compliments on lucky Suzie’s very belated card…I also agree that she will love it! Like the idea of the belated card.com…. Have a super week and know you don’t have the guilt feelings about Suzie….how nice! Also agree on the color combo…sweet!
What a FABULOUS card! I love how you pulled together simple elements into a totally WOW card! Great use of the colors! I’m with you…make tons of cards…but they seldom actually make it out the door and to the recipients! Thanks for playing along this week in the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge!
Perfect execution on this card! The design is amazing, and the crisp attention to detail and cutting skills! So glad you joined us for the Thursday Challenge this week at Create with Connie and Mary!
Great how you added the tiny sliver of layers using the 3 colors. The DSP layer really makes the colors pop and the flower image looks great! Thanks for playing with us this week at Create with Connie & Mary!
Oh my gosh, Brian! I LOVE IT! Thank you so very much for this beautiful dahlia birthday card! My husband, our grandson, and I went on a walk through our local arboretum in late July and I took some pictures of their lovely dahlias. And I love that Pistachio Pudding was one of the colors you used on the card. “IF” I remember correctly, Pistachio Pudding was introduced when our kids were young. And I loved it! Thank you, again, Brian, for such a lovely birthday card! 😉
Ah, the Dahlia is one of my faves and you’ve showcased it beautifully with your layout and by heat embossing it too! The background dsp and words are just perfect with this and the inside looks so nice finished as you did. Suzy won’t mind it being late when she sees this!! Thanks for playing with us at Create with Connie and Mary this week!
Oh Brian…I completely agree…I make PLENTY of cards, or at least the outside of cards, but having a tough time MAILING them! What is up with that? Your card is lovely with all the layers and chevron background. And you know it never is just a birth DAY…it’s the entire month! So…any cards during the birthday month aren’t late! (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! lol!) Thanks for playing along with the color challenge this week on Create with Connie and Mary!
I love how the flower is framed with layers of cardstock – This shoulf be haning on the wall! Thanks for joining us in the color challenge this week at Create with Connie and Mary!