Birthday Cone

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   Today is the second-to-last day of 2016 and my last post of the year.  The year has brought sadness and struggles.  I've been heartbroken over the deaths of some giants in show business, science, and a few people I hold near and dear to my heart.  I've been saddened by tragedies locally (my hometown, Ellicott City, suffered devastating flooding) and in our country (floods elsewhere and fires that took the homes of people I love) and in the world (the heartbreaking tragedies of war).

But through the sadness and struggles I saw people whose faith carried them through and who passed that faithful strength and resilience onto those of us who were fortunate enough to be spared from tragedy.  I hope I can be a faithful example when my time comes to face struggles in life.

As I look back over the year, I choose to think about the good things and to count my blessing--my twins are finishing high school and looking forward to heading off to college in the fall of 2017.  My family is healthy and happy.  My church is strong and faithful and full of people who minister to our community.  I have a job I love and people I love to work with.  And I have a hobby that makes me happy and allows me to share happiness with others.

Last year, I followed Shannon West's lead to bring back birthdays. #imbringingbirthdaysback  And I sent many more birthday cards in 2016 than I'd sent the previous year.  I'm still bringing birthdays back in 2017.  If you would like a birthday card in the mail, send me your birthday and address and I'll put you on my list.  My contact information is above. I'd love to DOUBLE the number of cards I send out in 2017!!

Here's a really pretty birthday card made (again) with the Cool Treats Bundle (145182, page 32 in the Occasions catalog).  I started by stamping the sentiment from the "Cool Treats" stamp set on a 2-3/4" by 3-3/4" Whisper White panel, once in Crumb Cake and twice in Watermelon Wonder. 

Next, I embossed a 4" x 5-1/4" Watermelon Wonder panel with the Lucky Stars Embossing Folder. I adhered that to a Crumb Cake card base.  I added the stamped panel to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

To build the ice cream cone element, I cut a Crumb Cake scalloped oval and a Whisper White oval from the Layering Ovals Framelits.  I cut a Watermelon Wonder ice cream scoop and the Crumb Cake cone and waffle element with the Frozen Treats Framelits.  I adhered the waffling to the cone using the Fine-Tip Glue Pen and adhered the cone directly to the oval element.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the ice cream scoop.  I tousled some Gold Metallic Thread and adhered it to the back of the oval element before adhering it to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.
To add some more sparkle to the card, I colored the ice cream scoop with Clear Wink of Stella and added three gold stars from the Metallics Sequins Assortment. 

I hope you have a wonderful New Year.  Remember to count your blessings!

tams# 10630

Product List

Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Foam Adhesive Strips [141825] $8.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00
Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [133739] $7.50	Window Sheets [142314] $5.00	Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00
Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00	Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102128] $8.00	Tasty Treats Cardstock Pack [142771] $8.00
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50	Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad [138323] $6.50
Cool Treats Photopolymer Bundle [145181] $48.50