sweet treat

Shirley has chosen Sweet Treats for our Seize the Birthday challenge this week. I love this martini die but I've never used it to make an espresso martini so thought it would be a good time to use it - I definitely think of espresso martinis as dessert! The tone on tone cream looks better in real life - especially like it with the embossing in the background.

Hope you can play along with us! Please check out the blog give some craft love to Surprise Party Guest Kathy, previous winner Stef, and the rest of the design team.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful upcoming weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting,

Glenda

Card details:

sweetest day -  4½" x 5 ¼"   

Stamp: Unity

Paper: cream, espresso and kraft card stock

Ink: Distress Vintage Photo

Accessories: Spellbinders dies

glorious green

Happy Thursday crafty friends.  JoAnn has picked our Seize the Birthday topping for this week and it is Use Green as Your Main Colour. Green is one of my faves so really enjoyed this JoAnn. (Full confession - this is my second card for this challenge.  Wasn't completely happy with the first one - lol).  Got out my long neglected alcohol inks, put on a wee bit of gold and this is how it turned out.  There is a close up just to see the gold on the edge and the texture on the leaf.

Be sure to head over to the blog to give some crafty love to our new Surprised Party Guest for March and April, Jennie M (welcome Jennie!), previous winner Valerie (congrats on winning my challenge!) and the rest of the design team.

I'm also entering this into our sister challenge, The Color Hues Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a terrific day and a wonderful upcoming weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

celebrate - 3⅛" x 5 ⅜"

Stamp: Spellbinders

Paper: Yupo, white and green cardstock

Ink: Ranger Alcohol Ink Limeade, Versafine Black

Accessories: Tim Holtz/Sizzix Artsy Leaves dies, gold marker, ProvoCraft embossing folder

CAS + dies

It's the first challenge in February for Seize the Birthday and it's my turn to pick the challenge.  If you visit me a lot, you know one of my favourite styles is clean and simple (CAS). I decided to spice up the CAS topping by adding dies. Used some abstract shape dies and one of my favourite colour combos for my card.  Hope you like it!

Hope you can play along with us! Be sure to check the blog to see what our Surprise Party Guest, Helen, previous winner Valerie, and the rest of the design team came up with!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Always appreciate the comments,

Glenda

Card details:

Happy Birthday - 4¼ x 4¼

Stamps: Ellen Hutson/Julie Ebersole Totally Random Saying Vol. 3

Paper: white, red, kraft and black cardstock

Ink: Versafine Black

Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder, Tim Holtz Abstract Elements dies

extraordinary embossing

It's September... so hard to believe! I'm not ready to let go of summer yet so I'll be wearing my sandals and skirts for as long as I can ... I'm laughing because it is a running joke here in Canada that we talk about the weather A LOT! 

This week Jenny has picked embossing for the Seize the Birthday topping. It may be hard to see but I've used a Swiss dots embossing folder for the sections on this.  I got this fabulous die set recently and it was the best way I could figure out to incorporate embossing.

Hope you can join us for this fun challenge! Be sure to hop over to the blog to see the other excellent creations by the rest of the team and welcome our new Surprise Party Guest, Johanna Rundell, and previous winner Rachel.

Always so grateful for the comments.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful upcoming weekend.

Take care,

Glenda

Card details:

You Make a Year Older Look Fabulous - 5" x 5"

Stamps: MFT Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2

Paper: white & gray card stock

Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Oxides

Accessories: enamel dots, ProvoCraft Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders Reel Color dies

stunning stencils

Hey crafty friends!  So hard to believe that it's getting towards the end of April.  Spring has arrived here on the west coast of Canada... I'm just hoping it sticks around.  Gotta' hate 'fake spring' - lol!

Shirley has picked stencils as the topping for us this week at Seize the Birthday.  I used a new-to-me stencil from Lavinia (with 2 different white inks) and also a new-to-me Spellbinders foil plate (shout out to my local-ish craft store - Crafty Capers - where a purchased these). Confession: I made a card for this challenge back in January but looked at it earlier this week and thought "uh nope". Haha. I'm not sure if this counts as 'bokeh'? Oh well, even if not, pretty happy with how this turned out.

Be sure to head over to the blog to check out the stunning creations from the rest of the team, our Surprise Party Guest Leslie and previous winner Claire! Hope you can play along with us - using the topping isn't mandatory but I think the "challenge-chooser" gets an extra warm fuzzy when you do (I know I do!).

Always so grateful for the comments.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful upcoming weekend.

Take care,

Glenda

Card details:

birthday wishes - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: none!

Ink: Hero Arts Unicorn pigment ink, Memories white

Paper: white & green card stock, vellum 

Accessories: Lavinia white orb stencil, Spellbinders Curved Everyday Sentiments Hot Foil Plate & Die plus matte gold foil, stitched circle die, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

stamp free

Today Jules has a super fun challenge for us at Seize the Birthday - no stamping!  I feel like I can do no stamping without thinking about it but when I have to think about it - feels like way more pressure (LOL). I decided to just focus on the sentiment and pull out some alcohol inks.

Hope you can join us! Please be sure to check out the blog and give some crafty love to our Surprise Party Guest Amanda and previous winner Chris.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Always appreciate your comments.

Have a wonderful day,

Glenda

Card details:

Celebrate You - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: None!

Ink: Ranger alcohol inks

Paper: white & black card stock, 

Accessories: gems, SU! dies, Provocraft embossing folder

birthday heart

It's JoAnn's turn to pick the topping at Seize the Birthday and she wants us to add at heart to our card. I have a couple on mine.  The hearts are both dark purple but as usual, it's hard to photograph.

Be sure to check out the blog for the rest of the lovely designs from the rest of the Design Team as well as our Surprise Party Guest Amanda and previous winner Julia.

Hope you have a terrific day.

Take care and thanks for stopping by,

Glenda

Card details:

Birthday Love- 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: CZ Designs

Ink: SU! Blackberry, Versafine black

Paper: white & black card stock, SU! Blackberry Bliss

Accessories: gem, Tim Holtz/Sizzix heart die, embossing folder

new year new crafty stuff

 Welcome to 2025 crafty friends! Hope everyone had a peaceful and relaxing holiday season.

With our first Seize the Birthday of the year, we say goodbye to long time team member Colleen (we'll miss you!) ! I missed saying goodbye in November - some unexpected events kept me from getting my last post up (nothing too serious - some travel plan disruptions - everything worked out. We welcome our new Surprise Party Guest - Amanda Mertz! So glad to have you join us.

Cathy's challenge for us it to use something new. I've had this martini set from Spellbinders for a few months but this is only the second time I've used it (*gasp*!).  The sentiment is also new and also from Spellbinders. 

Be sure to check out the blog for the rest of the new & sparkly designs from the rest of the Design Team as well as Amanda and our previous winners Valerie and Denise.

The world is a bit chaotic at the moment... wishing everyone peace and safety.

Take care and thanks for stopping by,

Glenda

Card details:

celebrate - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Spellbinders Typewriter Adventure Sentiments

Ink: SU! Real Red

Paper: white & black card stock, silver paper, SU! Real Red card stock

Accessories: Spellbinders Olive Martinis etched dies, SU! Maths embossing folder

fine feathers

Welcome to another Seize the Birthday Challenge! Vicky chose feathers as the topping this week. I don't have any feather dies or stamps so I went with a bird. Tried to just make it simple and elegant. The card base is a dark purple - oh purple, how I love you but how difficult you are to photograph.

Be sure to stop by the blog and check out the fabulous creations from the design team, our Surprise Party Guest Fran and our previous winner, Leslie.

Thanks for stopping by.  Always appreciate the comments,

Glenda

Card details:

Sending Birthday Wishes - 5½" x 4¼"

Stamp: A Muse (bird)

Ink: Distress Uncharted Mariner

Paper: SU! Blackberry Bliss, white and red card stock

Accessories: Spellbinders Glimmer hot foil system and sentiment, SU! embossing folder & enamel dots

sensational stripes

At Seize the Birthday this week, Linda has challenged us to stripes! I love stripes but I decided to incorporate my stripes a little differently this time.  They are subtly in the background, thanks to a embossing folder. I'm still always a little surprised when I don't use a stamp on a card - lol. Does that happen to you?

Be sure to stop by the blog and check out the spectacular creations from our Surprise Party Guest Karen, previous winner Helen, and the rest of the design team.  Hope you're able to play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Glenda

Card details:

Happy Birthday - 4¼" x 5½"

Stamps: none!

Paper: SU! Real Red, white, black & gray card stock

Accessories: Provo Craft Distressed Stripes embossing folder, Spellbinders Sweet Happy Birthday wax seal & silver pen, Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems dies, Honey Bee Stamps black wax, SU! fine metallic string in red, silver & black

elegant embossing

Happy 2024 crafty friends!  Hope the new year is treating you well so far.

Cathy has chosen wet or dry embossing for the first Seize the Birthday Challenge of the year. I inked up an embossing folder with some distress ink.  Love how it turned out!

Be sure to stop by the blog and give some love to the team as well as our Surprise Party Guest Loll and previous winners Marina and Karen.

Wishing you and your family & friends all the best for 2024.

Thanks for stopping by,

Glenda

Card details:

Today is all about you - 4¼" x 5½" 

Stamps: Essentials by Ellen - All About You

Inks: Distress Oxide Mustard Seed, Versafine Black

Paper: white and black card stock

Accessories: black gems, Essentials by Ellen - you die, Crafts Too Daisies embossing folder

make it pop!

The Seize the Birthday Challenge this week, courtesy of Ashwini, is make it pop! I popped up my die cut sentiment using some alcohol ink letters.

Hope you can play along with us! Check out the blog for the rest of the marvelous creations from the DT as well as our  Surprise Party Guest Bonnie and previous winners Lisa and Deepti.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Hope you have a terrific day.

Glenda

Card details:

Happy Birthday - 4½" x 3¼"

Ink: Ranger Alcohol Ink

Paper: Yupo, white and black card stock

Accessories: MFT Happy Birthday Die, Sizzix Connect the Dots embossing folder

elegant embossing

Happy Thursday friends! Our theme at Seize the Birthday this week, thanks to Ashwini, is using an embossing folder. Not sure if this worked exactly as I expected exactly as I hoped... however, I used one of my favourite sets, Sketchbook Florals, from Taylored Expressions/Lori Craig and that always makes me happy.

Be sure to check out the blog for our surprise party guest, Melanie, and the rest of the team's embossed beauties. Give the some crafty love!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day and terrific weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

birthday wishes

Stamps: Taylored Expressions Sketchbook Florals, Mama Elephant (sentiment)

Ink: Versafine Black, Versafine Clair Black

Paper: watercolour paper, A Muse retired Foolscap, coral and kraft card stock

Accessories: Tim Holtz/Sizzix embossing folder, tag punch, Derwent watercolour pencils, clear embossing powder, EK Success binding edge punch, washi tape, mini paper clip

naturally nautical

Wow - I feel like the months are flying by.  How did it get to be June already?!? We've had a few hot days here and hopefully there will be more soon... summer is definitely my favourite season.

My friend Lindsey has chosen a nautical theme for this week at Seize the Birthday.  I usually don't put red, white and blue together but definitely works for a this theme. Was thinking afterwards that I could have used a wavy embossing folder for the waves... oh well.  Next time.

Please welcome Melanie Hungerford as our Surprise Party Guest! Looking forward to having her join us!  Be sure to check out the blog for the rest of the team's nautical treasures.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day and terrific weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

belated birthday wishes

Stamps: Paper Smooches

Ink: Versafine Black

Paper: SU! Real Red, Crumb Cake & Night of Navy, white card stock

Accessories: wood veneer cloud, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Lawn Fawn wave dies, Copic grey marker

terrific textures

I'm currently pretending there isn't a week left in October... how did it go by so fast? We are playing with textures over at Seize the Birthday - thanks to Shirley for the terrific challenge! It took me a few tries to get one that I liked... and I'm still not positive I love this one! However, I got a second opinion from Lindsey and she assures me it's fine. ;)

Hope you can join us :). Be sure to check out all of the terrific texture creations from the team and our Surprise Party Guest Angie!

Thanks for stopping by.  Always appreciate your comments.

Glenda

Card details:

Best wishes - 4 ¼" x 4 ¼"  

Stamps: A Muse Best Wishes (retired)

Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Inks Twisted Citrus & Mermaid Lagoon

Paper: white & grey card stock

Accessories: SU! ribbon, Cuttlebug large dots embossing folder, Tim Holtz stencil, Texture paste, A Muse pearls, MS glitter

cream & gold

Playing along with Color Hues #3 - gold and cream.  I was inspired by this card from the CAS guru Jen. One thing I realized with this card is that gold is really hard to photograph!  LOL.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends - a little strange this year! A bunch of my family were together last year and this year we'll be having a Zoom get together on Sunday - family from BC to Ontario.  Looking forward to it!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

hello friend - 4.25" x 5.5"

Stamps: Ellen Hutson/Julie Ebersole Totally Random Sayings 2, Taylored Expressions/Lori Craig Field Notes

Ink: VersaMark

Paper: cream and black card stock, A Muse gold shimmer 

Accessories: Concord & 9th Butterfly die, Cuttlebug Swiss Die embossing folder, Nuvo dots, gold embossing folder, vellum

bodacious balloons

We are being very celebratory this week at Seize the Birthday... it's all about balloons! I have to admit that I have a hard time with balloons.  Luckily, when I was working on my cards, I had access to my friend's stash of balloon goodies.  I could decide which one of these to post so am sharing both of them... which one do you prefer?

Hope you can join in! Be sure head over to the blog and the team some crafty love.

Hope all is well in your world crafty friends.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

happy birthday (blue & white) - 3.75"x5"

Stamps: A Muse

Ink: Versafine Black

Paper: SU! Soft Sky, white card stock
Accessories: SU! balloon punch, SU! maps embossing folder, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots & Swirl embossing folder, SU! word window punch, EK Success corner rounder punch, twine

Card details:

happy birthday - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: A Muse sentiment, SU! Balloon Celebration

Ink: SU! Lucky Limeade & Gorgeous Grape, Hero Arts turquoise ink

Paper: white card stock
Accessories: SU! balloon punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, SU! word window punch

terrific texture

Greetings crafty friends!  Hope your week is going well so far. I was lucky enough to have a four day weekend last weekend.  Three days is the normal Easter weekend but some places give the Monday off ... and my office was one of those places. We don't celebrate Easter but we did had a somewhat-productive, somewhat-lazy weekend. Hope you had a great weekend... whatever you got up to.

This week we are playing with texture over at Seize the Birthday. I used an embossing folder for the background and then layered the die cut for some extra texture. Blue isn't my favourite colour but I am pretty happy with how this turned out!

Hope you can play along with us this week!  Be sure to check out our special party guest, Tenia Nelson, to see her fabulous creation.  It's been great having her join us.  Also, give some crafty love to the rest of the STB DT and check out the blog for the rules.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the comments! Have a great weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

happy birthday to you - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Memory Box Best Life Typewriter Sentiments

Ink: SU! Denim

Paper: SU! Soft Sky, white & scraps of blue
Accessories: SU! embossing folder, My Favourite Things die

Big bunch of... neutrals!?

Hey there and welcome to another Seize the Birthday challenge! Kind of wild how quickly two weeks go by... yikes!  Anyway, this week's topping/option is 'neutrals'.  I must confess I made this card ages ago and did not keep track of where my random bunch of neutral patterned papers came from (hence the description below - random bits of patterned papers).  This worked really well as a masculine birthday card.

It's a bit hard to see in the main photo but thought I would liven up the black card stock by using an embossing folder.... you can see it in this photo better. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you can play along this week.  All the other fabulous design team creations, as well as details on how to play along, are found on the blog.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

Wish Big - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Paper Smooches Birthday Sampler

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: white & black card stock, random bits of patterned paper

Accessories: Cuttlebug, SU! penant die, embossing folder, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher