One of my best friends just had a big birthday.
She’s also a card-maker, an artist, and generally crafty lady. She does not, however, like to drive and avoids all “big roads.” One of our favorite places to go is a stamp store in Buffalo. It has a great selection of product, and offers a wide selection of classes. I decided that giving her a trip to Buffalo, class and lunch at our favorite Greek restaurant there, would be a good gift.
She chose the Memory Box Surprise class, and we went on Saturday. The new Memory Box products were nearly all dies so the cards we made were heavy on die-cutting. As always we had a great time, learned a couple of new techniques, and had a lovely day together. After lunch, we made a quick stop at Penzy’s Spices which we do not have here in Rochester. All in all, a great gift (you have to love a gift that gives to you as well as the recipient.)
The first card we made was all die cuts. The original card had clusters of flowers, but it was too busy for me, so I kept it a bit simpler.
The next card involved a lot of detail. The little bee (there were supposed to be two) was so difficult to glue together I decided one was enough. The second one was even smaller. If I’d had my sticker maker with me, it would have been much easier. To the original card design I added some yellow pearls and glittered the bee’s wings when I got home.
I really like this next card. It’s cute and was very easy to put together. I don’t think I’d use the window die enough to justify buying it, but it was fun to play with it.
The last card was the simplest. We “watercolored” the strip of paper using one of the sprays, but applied it with a brush. Then we sprayed the piece with “Pearl” giving it a shimmery look. Finally the stamping was done.
Not only did we have a good time, it’s nice to have a few cards in the box awaiting the right occasion.
What a lovely birthday gift – just the kind of thing any crafter would love.
As always, your cards are wonderful. I especially love the one with the little blue flowers. Well worth all that detail work
I love all the cards – the butterfly on the first one is great – but my fave is definitely the window… and thinking you could change out the color/style of those curtains to suit any occasion… even use navy or tan or brown to make it masculine… so many possibilities! Are you sure you don’t need that die?
And I love “experience” type gifts – like giving my Mom a crop weekend in Corsicana TX for her 70th – which meant I got a vacation and got to meet Melissa too!
Your cards are lovely!
Oooh these are so pretty, Karen! And I think it’s awesome that your gift to your friend included a day spent together doing what both of you love. What a lovely way to celebrate a birthday!
Hi Karen..have just popped over from Sian’s after reading your guest post! It sounds like you and your friend had a lovely day…and the cards are fab!
Alison xx
Oh Cheri is such an enabler isn’t she?!
The top birthday card is so simple and elegant and I really like the b&w scheme – what a great day out the both of you had!
Seeing you over at Sian’s was lovely – the layouts were fabulous, the photography on the birds one was so striking and of course, the lemon one was adorable!
Your birthday day out sounds great fun – I’m pretty sure anyone who reads your blog would love a day out like that with a friend. A really lovely idea.
The cards are all great but I think my favourites are the top one and the window one. 🙂 x
Karen, what a wonderful gift for your friend. I read your blog as I love the cards you make, very talented! I must have just missed you at Sharon’s as I came in after the class. Would loved to have met you!
What a fabulous gift for your friend. as always your cards are beautiful, I like the last one best it looks so simple and I just know I would make a hash of it!!
Wow, they are all beautiful! I love the first card with the dp behind the die cut holes and the window card! Memory Box has a lot of beautiful dies!
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