Hello there!

I've been up to my knees in DT work! Plus it's Science Project time, and although my son's only in Kindergarten - and it was not mandatory - he insisted on doing one. Will share more about those things another time. Today, I wanted to share some B-Day invites I made for my niece, Paige. She'll be 10 on March 24th. {She was born on my wedding day :D. So, I will also be married for 10 yrs on March 24th.} She's having a pool party with just a few friends (5) and my kids at my mom's house (she lives with my mom) and asked me to make her invites. I proudly accepted! Here's a look:

As you can see by the fun - precisely cut - images, I used my Cricut. The "Create a Critter" cartridge just seemed perfect! I got this cartridge for my birthday last year and haven't even given it a try yet, so I was happy to finally get/take the opportunity to use it. It has so many cute and fun critters to play around with. Paigepooh picked the sweet whale as the main star of her invite, which I think is an awesome choice!! The "Splash" sentiment and the balloon are also from this cartridge.

So, I started out with American Crafts Cardstock (as the base - which measures 7" by 4 & 1/2 - and then cut all of the images in different bright/fun AC paper. I LOVE this cardstock! It's so lush, the texture is amazing! I chalked around the edges with purple Colorbox chalk ink to add a little pretty. Next I laid out the images and got an idea where my stamping would need to go. Then I used Lawn Fawn's Jessie's ABCs stamp set to finish off the sentiment. For fun I used added pretty bakers Twine in "Caribbean" and then painted Stickles onto the "splash" with a paint brush for good coverage.

Now, here's a look at the back: As you can see, I used AC cardstock (The base of the back measures 6 & 3/4 by 4 & 1/4), and again chalked it in Colorbox purple chalk. I also stamped/paper pieced a this Lawn Fawn banner from the Bannerific set, and used Jessie's ABCs for the sentiment again. The banner is stamped onto Bo Bunny paper from my stash. Before I forget, the black ink here is archival, not dye, which is what I usually use. The archival is a little wetter/stickier, which helps because for the party info stamp, I heat embossed it with Stampedious' Kaleidoscope embossing powder for added sparlke. I finished it off, with "Pink Sorbet" bakers Twine (both colors of twine are from the Twinery - doesn't twine just make everything better... I sure think so!)

I made six invites total (one of which is for me to keep. What? I had to, they're so cute... plus my kids are invited, hee hee). I love how they came out.

What's MOST important is, Paigepooh loved them. She said it made her feel special that I made them for her. That makes my heart happy. She always supports my "art". Did you know, she happens to think I'm an artist (which to me is still strange - to think of myself as an "artist", but she says my papercrafting IS my art, so that makes me an artist). One day, I hope to see myself as she sees me. I'd probably be a lot kinder to myself.

I can't believe she's going to be 10. She's been living with my mom for 9 and a half of those 10 years. We've raised her like a "village" my mom, Sal & I. She may not have her parents at her concerts, birthdays, plays, principal breakfasts, honor roll parties... but she has 3 people who adore her who are always there. 3 people who support and care for her all the time. She's one of the things I live for, one of my most favorite people on this Earth. I love her as much as I love my own babies, and I make it a point to let her know all the time how loved and special and amazing she truly is. Sometimes I think she needs to hear that more than my own kids do.

Anyway, thanks for peeking. I hope you have a great day! xoox