Mo Manning - Eileen

I was not feeling all that creative when I first sat down to do my October birthday cards -- I had 6 birthdays to do for October, so I selected the images, coloured them then set about mounting each.  I see in retrospect that I didn't vary the design that much, but the chances of the recipients sitting together and comparing their cards is slim. Likewise the chances of them looking at my blog!  Regardless, this card is for my sister Jenny, who loves to garden.  And, I do believe that Mo Manning has an image for almost every occasion - which is perhaps why I did 5 of the 6 cards using her images this month!
Materials:  Digital Image: Mo Manning; SU Dies: Memory Box corners; Sizzix embossed dots; Colour by Copic

Mo Manning - Hoping

My friend Colette is currently on a health improvement change in her life, and part of that may involve losing some weight, although she constantly struggles -- in fact, she looks pretty darn good at the weight she is, but who among us is ever happy with their appearance?  Anyway, I have had this image for quite a while because I liked it, and this seemed like a good opportunity to use it -- Hopefully she isn't offended!!  It is a birthday card, and as I see birthdays as being a start to a whole new year (regardless of the date) I thought this might be good - and it makes me smile!
Materials:  Image:  Mo Manning: Spellbinder Dies; Embossing Folder - Shells Sizzix/SU: Memory Box Swirls; Bow by Boweasy; Colour by Copic

Ragged Romeo

Mo Manning, if you haven't already figured this out, is one of my favourite artists.  It also never ceases to amaze me how much I love digital images as I used to think I'd never waver from my addition to rubber!  The nice thing about digital is you can make them any size you  need.  This card was an anniversary card for my sister Debby and her husband Jim.  As it turns out they had forgotten about their anniversary until they got the card, so it served 2 purposes.  I had initially bought this stamp at Valentines Day time so I could make a card for my husband John, and decided it also made a nice anniversary image.  They liked it!  I had to stick the flower on the right hand side of the image because after I was all done colouring and mounting, I dropped a marker on it!!!  I wasn't about to let the image be trashed because of clumsiness!!!

Materials:  Image: Mo Manning digital image; Spellbinder Die; CTMH Bling; CS: SU: DP: SU: Colour by Copic - Flowers by Prima -

LOTV - Fairies on Tip Toe

I think this is a very nice bright and cheery card - which is a birthday card for yet another friend who hates her birthday -- what is the matter with these people?  Barb has overcome some pretty big challenges in her life, cancer being one of them, so I think my cards to her should always be bright!  Unfortunately, my work life is sucking all of my will to live lately so I don't get out as much as I should to see her, and since she winters in Florida, that cuts down my time even more!  I'm hoping that when I retire in a couple of years, we'll be able to resume our activities.  In the meantime, hope she likes her card.
Materials:  Stamp:  LOTV; CS: SU: DP: ??: Big Flower: ?? - Colour by Copic

Whippersnapper - Domestic Angel

My cleaning lady's birthday is in September and I have always loved this little Whippersnapper Angel and thought it might be perfect.  I hope she won't be offended and think I think of her only as a cleaning lady!  She says she doesn't really like birthdays, but I think - what's not to like -- it's a day all about you - you get to revel in your accomplishments; ignore your shortcomings and celebrate surviving another year!  I love my birthday.  Anyway, this is not about me (damn), it's supposed to be about Karen, who is cleaning my house as I type this - I hope I don't get caught before I give her the card!
Materials:  Stamp:  Whippersnapper; CS: Bazzil; Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Mo Manning - Young Love

Yes, Mo Manning again!  This image is for friends of mine who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year -- quite the accomplishment at the best of times.  I wanted to make something pretty, and although they don't look quite as old as Tom and Tilly above, they are still very much in love - so the Young Love image suites them.  I also got to use my new SU embossing folder - shells -- I like the effect and speeds up the work I'll tell you!
Materials:  Digital Image: Mo Manning; Spellbinder Dies; Sentiment; SU: CS: SU: Colour by Copic; SU Embossing Folder

LOTV - Rosy Posy

I just love these Lili of the Valley images! This one is Rosy Posy and is perfect for sending good wishes, etc. In this instance, this is a birthday card.  I used to feel compelled to put the accompanying sentiment on the front of the card, but no longer feel the same.  I think it has given me a little more freedom.  I have had so many birthday cards to make this month that I have been feeling a little overwhelmed.  Thank heavens I was on vacation so got to catch-up -- sort of!
Materials:  Stamp: LOTV: CS: SU: DP: K&Company; Bow by Boweasy; Flowers by Pima; Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Whippersnapper - Angel of the Morning

One of my colleagues recently has begun having a lot of sleepless nights - female issues!  While I do feel sorry for her, this image just seemed to describe exactly how she must be feeling first thing.  I haven't been using my Whippersnapper Images much lately, so when I was routing through my stamps (and do I have a lot!) I found this one and picked it.  I quite like the soft mauves as well and her green slippers really pop!  I also got to use my new Memory Box swirls which I quite like!
Materials: Stamp: Whippersnapper; CS: SU: DP: ??: Swirls: Memory Box; Colour by Copic

Kraftin' Kimmie - Raymond the Golfer

I'm not too sure about the green I used to ink over the embossed background, but otherwise, I'm quite pleased with the image.  I tried that technique where you cut outside the spellbinder die (notice on the golf club) and it worked out pretty much - although it is a very small portion of the image!  One of my colleagues has gotten into golfing big-time this year, so he's getting this golfing card. This Kraftin' Kimmie image represents a very dapper golfer, which is perhaps not quite the same build as my friend, but there you have it!
Materials:  Image: Kraftin' Kimmie; Embossing Folder: SU: CS: SU: Golf Ball Brad: Eyelet Outlet; Colour by Copic; Sentiment: LOTV

Oddly Sweet Curiosities

I first saw this little image when I was browsing somewhere and loved it.  So I hunted and found it is available at Susana's Custom Art and Design . So, even though I appear to be switching to digital, loved these rubber images so much I bought the set!  They are fun to colour and you can use some pretty wild background paper to jazz them up even further!  This is, as usual, for one of my work colleagues - I think she'll like it along with the sentiment!
Materials:  Stamp: Oddly Sweet Curiosities; Swirls by Making Memories; Spellbinder Dies; CS: SU: DP: My stash; Colour by Copic

Papercraft Inspirations

One of the digital magazines I receive on my new iPad is Papercraft Inspirations -- and one of the handy things about that magazine is that they provide (not just for subscribers) free digital downloads.  This is one from their January issue, and I've used it a couple of times.  (The link is above).  This card is for one of my colleagues, for whom I usually create something relative to diving, but I couldn't find anything new this year, so used this reliable image!  I think he'll like it.   And, there is always something so elegant about black and white!
Materials:  Digital Image: Anne Poole - Papercraft Inspirations; CS: SU: DP: Me & My Big Ideas; Spellbinder Dies

Mo Manning - Computer Guy

Well, I can just imagine your surprise! Another Mo Manning image -- obviously she's one of my favourites!  This card is for one of the guys at work who spends an inordinate amount of time on the computer --- not through choice I suspect!  He's also folically-challenged (bald) hence the skin-coloured head!  I had a hard time choosing the background paper this morning - don't know why!  Regardless, I'm fairly happy with the overall image!
Materials:  Digital Image - Mo Manning; CS: SU: DP: ??: Sentiment: SU: Colour by Copic

Grammas - S.W.A.L.K.

This card is also for Cathie for having her first grandchild only this one is for my boss to send to her.  I first saw this stamp at Scrappin' Great Deals a few years ago when we had gone down to London (Ontario) for a Kraftin' Kimmie craft day - her first one.  I loved this stamp - and everything else that weekend, so I bought it.  Note the grandmother has no grey hair -- as Cathie makes every effort to maintain her non-grey look!

Materials: Image: S.W.A.L.K. DP: SU: CS: SU: Spellbinder  Die; Colour by Copic; Bow by Boweasy

Mo Manning - Date Night

My daughter Sarah and her husband Steve just celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary at the beginning of August.  We were down there for Katie's first birthday (the day before) so for an anniversary gift we gave them the time to go on a date by themselves - albeit in the afternoon and only for a few hours since Katie is still nursing and quite a mommy's girl!  I think they had a good time, and told Emily that indeed they had shared a smoothie and drank from two straws romantically; and they even held hands!!

Materials: Digital Image by Mo Manning; CS: SU: DP: SU: Spellbinder Die; SU Ribbon; Colour by Copic -- Flourish by somebody!

Miles & Maisie - Birthday Cake

My sweet little Katie was the big "1" at the beginning of August.  One would think that I would have been able to produce a spectacular card for such a special occasion, but I have been running out of steam lately.  I did want to demonstrate that the card was from both her Grammy and Poppa, and I had to find somewhere to hide the "twonie" (under the flower) but that was about it.  I did get to use my new SU Embossing folder so that at least was a good thing...and I figure at 1 you aren't likely to be able to critique a card and are just happy people are there loving you --- that I can do in spades!

Materials: Image:  Kraftin' Kimmie; CS: SU: Embossing Folder: SU: Colour by Copic

Mo Manning's - Biker Babe

Cathie, one of the girls I work with just became a grandmother for the first time.  She now has a lovely little grandson.  Cathie and her husband are avid motorcyclists -- belonging to a few bike clubs, etc.  When I saw that this image was called Biker Babe I thought of Cathie instantly.  Hope she gets the connection!  The baby was actually born July 1 - I'm just a bit behind in sending these puppies out.  I don't know where my time is going lately, but not on any thing productive that's for darn sure.  I can't wait to retire - maybe I can catch up in a year or two!

Materials:  Digital Image: Mo Manning; DP: SU: CS: SU: Spellbinder Dies; Sentiment: CTMH: Colour by Copic