Happy Birthday, My Nella!

Today is Janelle’s birthday (I fondly refer to her as “My Nella”), and I made a special card for my special friend.  Janelle and her family live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  I don’t mean to be critical, but that’s just way too far away from me.  Janelle was raised in sunny Charleston, South Carolina (with me), so I always like to send her a pick-me-up birthday card since the weather in Pittsburgh is less-than-sunny.  Here’s the card she’s [hopefully] receiving in the mail today (I’ve asked her to NOT check my blog today until she receives her package):

Another Great Year, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, birthday card

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Bright, Beautiful Colors.  When I think of bright and beautiful colors, I often reach for my flowery papers (Gingham Garden and Fresh Prints come to mind almost immediately), but I Am Me Designer Series Paper is tops with the bright colors.  Not a flower to be found in this pack of paper, but it certainly delivers the cheer.
  • Layered Banners.  This stamp set comes with two banners that overlap the word “birthday” in the middle.  I simply stamped the complete image on the polka dot paper and then stamped the complete image on the Pool Party paper with tiny chevrons (also found in I Am Me Designer Series Paper).  I snipped the Pool Party banner out and then lay it down over the image stamped on polka dots.  Simple as simple can be – but quite effective in the end, don’t you think?
  • Working with Large Stamps.  Large stamps are great, but they can be overpowering and leave you with not much else to do on a card.  Think of the Swallowtail stamp – when that guy is stamped on a card, there’s not much else you can do unless you trim him down or let him fall off the side of the card.  This Happy Birthday to You sentiment is really large, so I made my card larger.  Score!  Rather than allow the sentiment to swallow up a standard-sized card front, I made a 6″x 6″ card front to allow me the clean space to shine (even though my clean space is filled with tiny, bright and cheery polka dots).

Stamp Sets:  Another Great Year  Inks:  Jet Black StazOn  Papers:  Real Red Core’dinations, I Am Me Designer Series Paper  Accessories:  Stampin’ Dimensionals

Please help me wish Janelle a very happy birthday.  I was able to surprise her last year for a landmark birthday (what fun!), but this year I won’t get to see her on her birthday.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

CLICK HERE to order Stampin’ Up! products 24/7.

New products.  Stampin’ Up! has announced a lot of new products this week.  Please click on any of the pictures below to see more about any of these.

 Circle Monogram Stamp Texture Boutique Embossing Machine Gift Bow Bigz L DieHip Hip Hooray Card Kit - by Stampin' Up!Untitled

 

 

22 Comments

  1. Another Birthday! Wow seems just yesterday we were celebrating Janelle’s Birthday! Happy Birthday Janelle and I hope the sun will shine on your world today! Opening this special card should be a treat from the South! Nicely done Brian!

  2. Beautifully thought out card, Brian. Perfectly stamped and the fussy cut banner is a pretty surprise.

  3. I was thinking the same thing, Patti! Can it be Janelle’s birthday, again, so soon?
    She is going to LOVE this card, Brian! It is so “happy” and big! I love that you made a
    6 x6 size. Happy Birthday, Janelle!

  4. Love the card….Happy Birthday to your friend Janelle too!!

  5. Fabulous and cheerful card, the snipped banner really pops against that cute polka dot background. Happy Birthday Janelle, what a treat to receive a card from Brian!!!

  6. Happy Birthday Janelle! Brian, I love this bold and bright card. It will definately pick her up in the midst of winter. P.s. Sonny will love that you spelled the phrase “less than Sonny” as she spells her name. :-).

  7. Brian , I can`t believe that it`s Janelle`s BD again . Are we in some weird time acceleration thing ? Love your snipping idea and I agree about that beautiful Swallowtail ! Your “Nella” will love this card since it`s so “Sonny” ! Between me and Kelly we`ve got you covered ! Giggle !
    Happy Birthday ,Janelle ….we will take you back in the south anytime !

  8. Oh this is beautiful. Love everything about it. Thanks a bunch. 🙂

  9. Great card as always Brian! I spent a summer in Charleston when my husbands ship was in port there. Went to the Spoleto Festival…it was wonderful! : )

  10. Such a great happy birthday card! Love the 3 DSP’s you used, too, with nary a flower to be seen! You have such a nack for blending patterns, could you please send that mojo to me? Lol.
    Happy birthday to Janelle, with many happy returns!

  11. This card is the epitome of happy. Love the colors and the big ‘birthday’ image. Wonderful card, Brian! Happy birthday, Janelle 🙂

  12. Love how you layered portions of the stamp to stand above the rest. I’ll have to give it a try!

  13. Absolutely love this card – it’s bright, happy, simple and outstandingly beautiful! Lucky Janelle to have such a thoughtful, talented friend. Fantastic job yet again Brian. Janelle is going to love it.

  14. Happy Birthday Janelle! Enjoy the day, have a fun time and just keep smiling!!!

  15. What a beautiful card! I love that stamp set!

  16. Thanks for all the bday wishes! I LOVE my card.

    My BK never ceases to amaze me. So beautiful and it
    totally brightened my day in this dreary climate.

  17. Happy Birthday, Janelle! Great card Brian. I love how you stamped the image twice and cut it out to “match”. very cool…. I have no doubt that Janelle will stop thinking of the cold for at least as long as it takes her to open your card….

  18. What a a BEAUITIFUL card for your friend Brian , she’s going to love it !!!
    Your a great friend Brian ,
    Hugs frenchie
    Congrats on your trip , well deserve !!!

  19. Stripes and polka dots….so much fun! Most definitely ‘your Nella’ will love it.

  20. Love this… especially the banners!

  21. Pingback: “My Crafty Friends Monday” – 45

Leave a Reply to September Gray Cancel reply