Birthday Balloons Masculine Card

This past weekend, we went to a small birthday party for my eldest nephew in the park.  I designed this card for a custom order but I really liked how it turned out.  So, I decided to use it for my nephew too.  The original is on a Tri-Shutter card.  This one is a regular side-fold card.  I liked the design of the paper layout on the Tri-Shutter, so I made it fit for this card.

We will be making this layout in my workshop on the weekend.  I haven't settled on the final colours yet, though.

I used glitter on the balloons.  I also did a version with plain cardstock or patterned paper for the balloons and a version with buttons.  I don't have many buttons large enough though.

For his birthday, my nephew went to see the live show of "How to Train Your Dragon" (really cute movie).  I'm glad he got to have an evening out.  We gave him money for his birthday so that he could bring back a souvenir since the ticket price was a lot for his parents.  He bought himself a Toothless, the dragon toy.  He and my sister bought be a plush Toothless.  I wasn't expecting anything.  He's very cute!

ACEO and ATC Envelope Tutorial

My most recent custom order requested some mini thank-you cards with a baby theme.  I don't usually make envelopes for my mini cards because they are smaller than the minimum mailable dimensions.  Of course, custom orders always push me to do things I normally don't!

Since my mini cards are 3.5 by 2.5 inches, they are the same size as an ACEO (artist's card, editions and originals) or ATC (artist's trading card).  So, these envelopes will fit those cards.

Start with a piece of paper that is 4.75 by 6.75 inches.  You can cut two of these from an 8.5 x 11 inch paper (North American letter-sized paper).  I use paper that is thicker than copy paper but thinner than cardstock.  I have no idea what the actual weight is but it's very nice for envelopes.  It has weight, but folds easy and is completely opaque so you can't see hints of the contents through the envelope.

Score at 0.5 inches from each side of the 4.75 inch width.  Score at 2 inches from each end of the 6.75 inch height.  Cut away the top and bottom skinny half-inch flaps, leaving the part in the centre.  Angle cut the remaining flap pieces to make them tab shaped.  (Click photo for larger view.)

I like to corner round my top and bottom flaps.  I think it helps it to look more finished.  I used my 2-in-1 corner chomper to do a half inch round on the flap and a quarter inch round on the closed bottom.  To seal the envelope, I use tape where the backing is half an inch wide, but the tape is a quarter inch wide.  That makes it easier to peel off the backing when it's time to seal the envelope.  (That tape is a little pricey though, I have to say!)

Hope you find this tutorial helpful.

Not-So Lazy Days of Summer!

Normally, summer is slow for me at work.  Last year, it was so slow, I took a week off for the heck of it and didn't work a second over our 35-hour work weeks.  Well, here comes the new firm.  Work weeks are 40 hours like the rest of the poor working world and there's no slow time anymore.  I am jam-packed with stuff to do.

You know what they say too, right?  When it rains, it pours!  I've had three custom order inquiries come in while I am still struggling to meet my original order.  The good news is, my original order customer is contemplating further designs.  (Have I said how much I like this customer?  Very responsive and laid back about delivery times.  Sweet!)  The other orders might not pan out.  It will be blessings in disguise, I'm sure.  I am squeezing one in for mini baby-cards though.

I finally did another page in my wedding album.  This album has been in the making for over 5 years.  I'd say I'm about half way through it.  Maybe I can show it to my husband in its entirety for our 10-year anniversary!  LOL.  Even looking back on it now, I can see how much I've aged.  (sigh)

This is my dad giving his speech at my wedding.  I tried to make these pages masculine by using hard lines but tried to make them interesting with off-centered placement.  I wasn't sure whether I really like it until I put the two father's speech pages together.

I used a colour on each page that matched the bow-tie/tie of the father.  Together, I think it looks kind of "newsy" announcement type.  So, I like them now.

I will be working on this book in September.  My creative crew ladies and I are going to a self-made retreat!  I'm a little nervous about how much I actually plan to pack.  I will have to go through my wedding album and plan a few pages ahead in "page kit" fashion.  Then I will know what to bring!