More Birthday Love

Friends who know me well know that I tend to celebrate my birthday for a whole month. In these days of technology, we don’t normally check our calendars, so you don’t see birthdays until they pop up on social media. By then, it’s too late to send a card that will arrive on time (unless you’re really super organized). To combat this, I start celebrating August 4 and continue through October 4. That way, no one feels like their card is late. I’m that thoughtful!

Miss Amelia’s birthday is six days before mine. She was actually due on September 11, a week later than mine, but she was very long/tall and her mommy is…not. In height, Amelia takes after my side and her paternal grandparents’ side. Of course, she is brilliant, so, obviously, that comes from my side too. 🙂 Height-wise, I honestly think she ran out of room and kicked her way out. (Her mom will agree with me. I know that’s what it felt like!). Because we had so many festivities for Amelia’s birthday – breakfasts, lunches, ice cream, parties, and more! – when my birthday came around, she thought the presents were for her. (I love you, Sweetie, but back away! Those colored pencils are all mine!)

Today was another celebration. I’m not sure if it was for her or for me, but we went to Chuck E Cheese’s. We were supposed to go to the zoo, but the weather here is a little iffy. Last year, it rained cats and dogs and elephants and zebras at the zoo, so we wanted to have a sunny and dry day this time. Today was not that day. (Thanks, Florence. Can you just go away now?) Chuck E Cheese’s won – and we had so much fun. I’m not sure which one of us had the most fun.

So now that I’m home, I wanted to show you a few more of my birthday cards.

This is from my friend Merrilee Mager who is a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator in Oregon. Isn’t that gorgeous? Merrilee used the Healing Hugs set for the flower. I don’t have this set yet, but it’s really high on my wish list. I have lots of Bonus Days coupons to use, so maybe this is the month! It’s a beautiful “DistINKtive” stamp. She paired it with the Tropical Escape Designer Series Paper (DSP). I love the funky, modern DSP with the DistINKtive stamp. So fun!

I met Merrilee last year at the November 2017 Stampin’ Up! ® OnStage in Salt Lake City. She was all alone, and one of the ladies in our condo invited her to join us for meetings and dinner. I’m so glad she did! Merrilee was so much fun, and she’s an awesome crafter!

Speaking of the Tropical Escape DSP, this card is from Rose Siemer. I may have shown it to you already. (Yes, I did. You can read more about the card and about my dear, sweet Rose here.) It’s so gorgeous! I love how that sentiment just pops out.

Rose is one of my downline, and she’s one of the sweetest people I know. This was my first birthday card this year!

This card is from Sandy Moriarty. Sandy is my oldest downline. Not in years (she may be surprised to know that she’s not my oldest in years!), but the one with the most tenure. Sandy is celebrating eight years with Stampin’ Up!® this November. Sandy is so funny. Every month, she would say, “I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be active.” Eight years later, she is still going strong. Sandy used the lovely Paper Pumpkin kit from August. It’s such a beautiful and elegant card!

This card is from Susan Horr in upstate New York. According to Susan, they have two seasons – Winter and July. That’s actually how I “met” Susan. She wanted something to put on her car to advertise her Stampin’ Up!® business, but it had to be something inside the car because of the upstate New York winters. I had several Stampin’ Up!® clings that I didn’t need, so I sent her some. The payment was a card. I was WOWed by Susan’s card (and that continues every day now), and I was so happy to meet her at a Leadership convention years ago. We’ve been cyber (and real life) BFFs ever since. You’ve probably also figured out that she’s the “S” in the BS&J Friday Stamp-Off Challenges. She and Jackie are my besties – and they’ve inspired me so much.

Susan used the Broadway Birthday set on her card, as well as the Broadway Bound DSP. I’m pretty sure she also used some of the July (I think) Paper Pumpkin kit that coordinated with the Broadway Bound Suite. Look at the inside.

YES!!!! It’s a pop-up. I think it’s a twist and pop card. These aren’t too difficult, and there are lots of videos on YouTube. But there’s also a die that is much, much easier. Google “pivot twist pop up” and see what comes up.

Thanks to all my friends for the gorgeous cards – and thank you for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a lovely day!