Birthday card my way

Hello to everyone this fine snowy day. Actually it is snowing this very fine icy crystals, so it really is a 'fine snowy' day! Did you like the pun?? Oh, it wasn't that bad, was it?? lol I guess it probably was that bad, but that's what happens when I've seen way too much snow too many days in a row. Now enough of that, let's get on with the stamping stuff.

This month during our downline meeting, we always have a card swap. (When do demonstrators ever get together and not swap!!) Anyway, my sister sent me her swap cards and I really liked her idea. I had a workshop coming up and thought I'd twist it up a bit and make it mine. Here is her card first...

Isn't this cute? It was made by Connie Seifert. I'd link you up to her blog, but she hasn't started one yet. Come on, Connie! Give it a try, it's fun!! Here's the info on her card:

Stamps: Whimsical Words

Cardstock: Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, and Whisper White with Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper

Ink: Rose Red

Accessories: Curly Label Punch, Scallop Border Trim Punch, Big Shot with Movers & Shapers Holiday Windows Die

Isn't her card cute? I loved the colors she put together and the layout too. Did you notice she cut out all her candles and flames individually? Good job Connie! Now on to my take of her card. First of all, I didn't want to cut out candles and flames at a workshop, especially when I have the dies that can do it for me - plus we sell them! My card idea also would be meant for a boy, so the colors needed to be adjusted a bit too. And I thought the sentiment layers looked a little feminine, so that got changed too.

Here's my version. As you can see, the layout is still the same, but that's about as far as it goes! It's so much fun taking a great idea and changing it around to suit your own purposes. Hope you like mine, Connie.

Stamps: Whimsical Words

Cardstock: Taken with Teal, So Saffron, Old Olive and Very Vanilla with Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

Ink: Taken with Teal

Accessories: Big Shot with Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits, Tag and Small Tag Punches, Vanilla Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Can you see the similarities to both cards? Both are a 4 1/4" square card - my new favorite size to make! And both use candles as a focal point, have a layered sentiment on the bottom half, and use a DSP to coordinate.

There you have it. Now you can take this same layout idea and create your own masterpiece with it. If you do come up with your own version, I'd love to see it. Please let me know in the comment section and give me a link to your card!

Happy stamping, and stay warm!

Sharon