we're sorry

It's not everyday that I'm asked to make a "We're sorry" card.  That's right, not an "I'm sorry", but we're sorry.  Makes me wonder if "Group Apology" should be a section in the card aisle at Target or CVS.  Anyhoo, I didn't ask any questions (though I was really curious), and I came up with this.

Since I wasn't really sure about the nature of the apology, I made another card.  My friend who made the request for the card noted that it could be lighthearted.  She even suggested that I use remorseful looking elephants.  But, all the elephants I had in my stamp collection were so darn happy.  I then remembered the fabulous card made by Donna Mikasa of 3 Umbrellas (seen here), and turned the single bird into two apologetic birds.  If you look close enough, you can see that I put glossy accents on the lower half of their eyes.  They look like they're on the verge of tears!  I would accept their apology.

This card (first one) will be submitted to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where we were asked to use a rubber or clear stamp.

I'm going to spend some time shopping around this Group Apology idea.  Maybe it's more common that I thought.  Hoping that all is well and all is resolved!

Supplies:

Birds and Typewriter
Stamps: Mama Elephant Type It; Papertrey Ink Merry Little Christmas
Inks: Memento Luxe (grey flannel); Memento (tuxedo black); Copic markers

Birds and Boo Boo
Stamps: Paper Smooches Spring Fling
Inks: Copic markers; Mister Huey's color mist (calico white)
Other: glossy accents

congratulations danny!

This card is a special one.  It's for my friend, Danny, and his business partner, Mike, who just opened up a new spot called Juke Bar in NYC's East Village.  I met Danny in the same way I met many of my NYC friends -- on the dance floor.  He's an actor, comedian, firefighter, DJ, and overall cool guy.  Even with all his jobs, for years he's dreamed of opening up his own bar, and finally -- with all his hard work and the support of his friends and family -- his dream has become a reality.  Congratulations!

When I was unemployed over the summer, I volunteered at Juke Bar a bit.  On my first day, I cleaned the kitchen and packed a bunch of glasses the previous owner had left behind.  I also pulled out screws and nails in preparation for a new ceiling to be put in.

The following times, I sanded, painted, and made trips to the hardware store.  And closer to opening night I framed photos and washed those same glasses that I had packed away a few months prior.

I recently attended Juke Bar's grand opening and I had a great time.  The music was fantastic, the crowd was in good spirits, and of course I found my home on the dance floor.  But, more than that, the Juke Bar has heart. I experienced this each time I came by to volunteer before the grand opening...friends that Danny has known for years (some from his childhood) were always around to lend a hand -- from working on the plumbing or painting the logo to providing consultation on the bar and kitchen menu.  It was like all these folks who Danny had helped out before came around to return the favor, and all these folks who wanted to support Danny's dream came through and chipped in.  That same energy was present at the grand opening.  It was a true celebration.

Congratulations Danny and Mike!  I'm thinking of making Juke Bar my new happy hour spot, and that's a big deal for me...for one, I don't really drink and secondly, I'm a Brooklyn snob and try not to leave my borough unless I absolutely have to.  Ha!

This card will be entered into  the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge and CASology (cue card is "crisp").  I thought about crisp air, apple crisp, crispy bacon...and, then I thought of a nice crisp and refreshing glass of sparkling wine.  So fitting for a "congrats on the opening of your new bar" card;)

                         

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Midnight Letters; drink stamps (manufacturer unknown)
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Copic markers
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear), glossy accents

happy ten/ten, jenn jenn!

The other night when I was taking the subway into the city to attend the grand opening of my friend's bar, a familiar-looking man sat next to me.  We did the "how do I know you" thing, and within seconds realized we had danced together at a few parties.  Then when I got to my friends bar, I experienced the same thing another 4 times...running into fellow dancers, who's names I didn't know, but who I had met once (or more times) before on the dance floor.  Truth be told, I love to boogie...and even as I approach my forties, I can still shut a place down.  However, I've met my match in Jenn.  She can out-dance me and out-last me, and for that I give her much respect.  Jenn, I salute you.

October 10 is her birthday, so I made her this card.  Happy 10/10 to Jenn Jenn!

We're celebrating Jenn's birthday at my place this Sunday with a potluck brunch and game day.  I'm certain that dancing will take place, and I'm almost positive that at some point we'll be doing the electric slide.  Here were are at the neighborhood spot, Frank's, for Jenn's birthday a few years back.

This card will be entered into the CAS-ual Fridays challenge. Happy birthday, Jenn!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Party Animal; Lawn Fawn Milo's ABCs; Stampendous Tiny Alphabet.  Disco ball was found in a discount bin; manufacturer unknown.
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Memento Luxe (rose bud); Copic markers
Other: pattern paper, sequins, Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

peekaboo

It's been a pretty busy week...a nasty bug was going around at the chocolate store where I work part-time.  Some folks called out sick and those who were able to make it in were barely functioning.  All this means I was very exhausted from working extra hours and pretty much crashed as soon as I got home each day...so unfortunately I missed out on quality card making time.  Even missed out out World Card Making Day:(

Hoping that I'll have more time to craft and blog, as it does bring me much joy.  Found some time today to take part in the 10 Minute Craft Dash hosted by Pretty Pink Posh.  Here's a fun little Halloween card I made.

I love mixing up my stamp sets; for this I used two of my current faves - Lawn Fawn's So Thankful and Mama Elephant's Bootastic.

I finished the card in 8 minutes and 48 seconds.  I could have taken the extra time to clean up my coloring, but I have had some bad luck in the final seconds of the craft dash and just wanted to play it safe...

Yup, I had another mishap in my first attempt in the Craft Dash, as I've had before.  Was just finishing up my first card, turned it over in the final seconds and saw that it had a couple noticeable black ink splotches.  See them above the witch's hat?

Figured I could cover it up with black bats since they would totally work with the scene, but then I heard my timer go off and went over time.  Boo.  Not bootastic:/

Oh well, I cut down on the time considerably in the second attempt and am quite pleased with the outcome.  Yay!

Thanks for stopping by:)

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn So Thankful; Mama Elephant Bootastic
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Hero Arts (field greens); Copic markers 

thank you.

I'm catching up some thank you cards that I've been meaning to create and send out.  This one is for my good friend and former boss, Supriya.  She's brilliant and beautiful, and has one of the biggest hearts on the planet.

Supriya helped me to get my new job (which I love, love, love!).  She has always been supportive in helping me achieve my professional and personal goals. And, over the past couple of years, she has really helped me to think about transitioning my creative and culinary interests into something that's more than a hobby.  To really dedicate my time and heart to what I'm most passionate about.

Thank you, Supriya, for always keeping it real and for helping me to do the same.  I'm truly thankful and blessed to have you in my life.

This card will be entered into the CASology challenge; this week the key word is harvest.

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals; Lawn Fawn So Thankful; Mama Elephant Type It
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Tim Holtz Distress Ink (antique linen, frayed burlap, tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain); Copic markers
Dies: Lawn Fawn So Thankful
Paper: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

feeling good and so very thankful

It's been a fantastic week... I'm feeling so very thankful.  Finished my first week at my new job, and its been great.  Wonderful people, fun work neighborhood, free coffee and snacks (!!!!), and it just feels so good to be back in the swing of things.

This card, which is being entered to CAS-ual Fridays and CASology, reflects exactly how I feel.

I was inspired by this yummy card by Pamela Ho.  Flawless.  Her sepia tones reminded me of the camera I had in college.  You could take a regular picture, or make it black & white, or sepia.  So when I wanted my photos to have a sophisticated look, I made them sepia.  And yes, by doing so, I thought I was all that. Ha!

This card was enjoyable to make...I finally got to dust off and use all these brown distress inks that I won on eBay several months back.  And, I got to use this super lovely wood grain paper that came in my goodie bag from Damask Love Live.  Yay!

Let's keep this good feeling going.  Thank you for taking a look!

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap, spiced marmalade, tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain, wild honey); Memento Luxe (dandelion, espresso truffle)
Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Journaling Card
Paper: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods; LCI Paper Wood Grain

birthday cupcakes

This a sweet little birthday card for a sweet friend named Lisa.  Lisa is a really cool lady who lives on a farm full of chickens and goats.  She has named each and every one of them and can actually tell them apart.

Why the cupcakes?  Because Lisa has been a strong voice of encouragement for me in starting my own baking business.  She may have not been one of the first to nudge me in this direction, but she was definitely one of the most assertive.  On a visit to her neck of the woods she drove me to several different bakeries in her small town, asked for menus, and then told me to make me own.  Now, this exercise is something I could have easily done myself in the hundreds of bakeries around NYC...but, I didn't do it.  Lisa kinda kicked me in the behind and got the ball rolling.

So with these little cupcakes, I celebrate Lisa.  Happy birthday to you!  This card will be entered into the 10 Minute Craft Dash hosted by Pretty Pink Posh.  I stopped my timer at 9 minutes and 58 seconds to take pictures (seen above) before the 10 minute time limit.

However, I felt like the card needed more work (e.g., one polka dot wasn't colored, messy coloring in general), so I continued to work on it...fixed the coloring, added glitter, shadows, sequins.  The version below is what was sent to Lisa.

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Sweets and Treats; Lawn Fawn Milo's ABCs
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Copic markers
Other*: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear), enamel accents, sequins
*Only on final version, not being considered for 10m Craft Dash