Back in the saddle again, as the saying goes! - Janice Baranowski

It was so much fun to get a chance to finally spend 2 days crafting (in between dealing with weird computer issues again. At least I have internet!). I had been sketching and clipping tons of new card ideas over the last 3-4 weeks that I wanted to create. Decisions, decisions, where to start first?

I decided to start with my ideas sparked by the Stampin’ Up! birthday cards examples using the 2015-17 In-Colors. I pulled out all the colors onto my craft table and started playing with stamp sets and embossing folders I wanted to try. I chose embossing folders that were “birthday” like, a different one for each card. Plus I’ve been dying to try my Butterflies Thinlet dies, so that became the theme of my first card!

It has a Watermelon Wonder base with Whisper White accents. I embossed the square front piece with the new Fluttering folder and layered 2 butterflies on top. But when I stepped back to look at the card, it was blah and all blended together. Don’t you just hate when you’re first idea just doesn’t quite look right? But it’s a great opportunity for more creativity! I gently tore off the embossed square and added a white layer underneath to make the overlay stand out. Then the card needed some bling to make it pop so I added Watermelon Wonder lace ribbon (isn’t it beautiful?), a lot of pearls to my butterfly and popped my birthday tag up on dimensional. Not quite what I pictured when I start, but happy with my first card from the weekend. For an instruction sheet, click on the “supply list” tag at the bottom of the list.