Today I put the finishing touches on the birthday card I made for my nephew Lars. He will be 14 years old in just a few days. I love cupcake images and have lots of them. I think making a birthday card using a cupcake image is suitable for both male and female. I also think that the age does not matter. No matter the age who does not love receiving a cupcake card? :)
Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Design purchased from Stamping Memories and Fancy Flexible Phrases from Stampin'UP!
Ink: Chocolate Chip from Stampin'UP!
Card-Stock: Real Red and white. Designer paper from Making memories. All were purchased from Stamping Memories.
Embellishments: Brads, red button and Brocade Blue ribbon all from SU. Small white tag from an Antique shop.
To make this card I used my Nestabillities that I purchased from Ellen Hutson. I paper pieced the bottom of my cupcake to match the background paper. I really love using this technique. It's so simple to do and I think it makes an image stand out more. I used a brown Prisma coloring pencil and Gamsol to make the chocolate frosting. I could have made it a darker brown but chose not to. I used pop up dots for my squares so that it would look 3-D. And that is it. :)
As I write this post I am drinking my very last coffee. :( I am savoring every last sip of it too. I was told I had to quit drinking it. UGH! I love coffee. It is the only vice that I have. But on the brighter side I will be saving 2.48 per day by not buying a coffee. That is a grand total of 17.36 I will be saving each week. Even better I will be saving 69.44 per month. WOW! That is a lot of money just from buying one coffee each day. I'm sure I will be just fine without coffee once it is all out of my system. I will have to find a healthy drink to replace it with. Any suggestions? I was thinking some type of juice. I bought some tonight. I will also start drinking lots of water too. Boring but better for me then coffee. Why is it that the things that taste so good like chocolate or coffee are not very good for us. I will be allowing myself one piece of 72% chocolate each evening! Maybe that will help to make me feel better. :)
Oh one more thing to share. Tonight I had to go out so I stopped off at Michaels. They are still having a clearance sale on the Martha Stewart Christmas products. I picked up a set of 9 acrylic stamps that were 9.99 for only 2.99. Then I noticed that they had gotten in a pad of papers from Foo-a-La. It cost 19.99 but I used my Jo-Ann's coupon that I received in the mail today. It was a 50% coupon so I got it for 10.00. They are awesome papers. Just thought I would share in case your looking for some new designer papers and some Martha stamps for 2.99 :)
I sure hope that all of you are having a productive but fun evening. Stay warm, stay safe and smile. :)
Wow! I luv your card Mary! He's going to luv it. Your right about the paper piecing making this card pop, it's beautiful!
Posted by: Rita | January 17, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Looks Yummy to be sure!!
I am getting used to the Prisma pencils and Gamsol finally.. starting to "get it" not great by any means but slowly if you know what I mean.
Looks like another few inches over night and freezing rain.. Wonder if we will have School.. It's a half day tomorrow here in my lil town of 9,000 folks anyway! Night.
Posted by: Kimmiek | January 17, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Oh, the coffee. I just read the whole entry. SO sorry! Caffienne?
I drink a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke a day............I had to switch to decaf and the headaches were terrible & migraines too so be prepared, best of luck. Lay low for a few ays. 72% chocolate is good stuff by the way!
Posted by: Kimmiek | January 17, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Oh, no, so sorry, no coffee !! Can you drink tea or is it NO CAFFIENNE ?? Just think of the extra money for stamps ha ha ha Water is actually the best and try putting a slice of fresh lemon in it. I drink way too much coke and should quit too. :o( Luv the card. Take care, Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
Posted by: Lynne | January 18, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I've weaned myself off caffiene a few times. What I love to drink now in place of my daily dose of coffee is Rooibus tea. It's a wonderful, naturally decafinated tea from South Africa. In the US it is often called Red Bush tea (the literal translation) And there are MANY flavors! I like it because it still actually tastes like tea (unlike herbal teas) but has NO caffeine!
Love the card...that plaid paper is perfect for a boy card!!
Posted by: Jana Weaver | January 18, 2008 at 05:33 AM
your card looks good enough to eat !!! Love it !!!
Posted by: tyrymom29 | January 18, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Hi Mary. I think your cupcake card on plaid is so handsome (I sound like Carol Duvall, but I couldn't say cut for a 14 yr old boys card. I have a 14 yr old girl at home and I know how sensitive they are!LOL) With regards to your coffee, while I admit I still drink 1 cup of home brew each day, the only other thing I drink is water. You will find you will come to love it and nothing will be quite the same. But you have to get used to it!
Posted by: Laurie | January 18, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Mary,
No Coffee, I totally understand your apprehension. I've had to stop also but did find this. Silk it's a soy based drink, it comes in a ton of flavors my two favorites are mocha and chai. What's even better is that you can drink it cold or hot! I can't do chocolate either cause of the milk part but you're right anything over 72% is okay. You have to try lots of differnt brands. I get mine from the Whole Food Grocer. Not sure if you have one in your area. If you need more tips let me know, I just found out I can't have wheat, yeast, milk, eggs, & green beans. So for a month now I've have been finding some very yummy substitutes. Take care and fantastic card. I love how you made it totally masculine. He'll love it!
Posted by: Cheryl | January 18, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Hi Mary, Suggestion-try propel water, it's flavored. Cheapest price I've found is Walmart. Love them especially peach - I don't like peaches. Go figure!!! I drink decaf tea had to cut back on caffeine also. Love the plaid cupcake card. Looks yummy!!!! I'm sure he will love it. We got snow (4 inches). Now I don't need anymore for the rest of the winter. :)
Posted by: Dottie K. | January 18, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Mary,
I love the cupcake card! Your nephew will love it too! I will pray for you that going off coffee will be easy...I love Snapple...they have lots of flavors and are so refreshing...
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Buschur | January 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM