Welcome to the April Inspire, Create, & Share blog hop! Our theme is ‪#‎iambringingbackbirthdays‬ inspired by Shannon West one of the trainer’s at Stampin’ Up! Back in January, she posted on Facebook that she felt like Facebook was making it too easy to just post a note on someone’s birthday and that she had gotten away from the joy of sending (and receiving!) birthday cards; and she wanted to fix that.

I have heard stories of people getting tons of well wishes on Facebook but only a card from Grandma in the mail.  And I, myself, have been guilty of not sending or even giving in person a birthday card… and I LOVE making birthday cards!

Shannon invited everyone to send her their address and birthdate and this year she will mail out a birthday card.  She also carved out a stamp to use on her cards that says #I’mBringingBirthdaysBack. Well let me tell you the idea really caught on-betting the post office is lovin’ her! Stampin’ Up! took that carved stamp and made one we could all have too!

Let’s Bring Birthday’s Back – Send a card, Get a card!

I LOVE Shannon’s idea and plan to start up my own program to start sending out birthday cards again and sharing the love with my friends, family, and customers… and I encourage you to join me!

I’ll be announcing how you can join my Birthday Card program on my next newsletter later this week, so if you are on my mailing list, make sure you watch for that and send me your info! 🙂   But you don’t have to wait for me, start looking at who you can send a card to in the meantime and share the joy with others!  And if you have a demo, check with them, they may be doing something too!

To get you started, here is my project to share for the Birthday Blog Hop!

I LOVE the Number of Years stamp set and matching Large Numbers thinlit dies because it makes it so easy to create custom birthday and anniversary cards.  Like in this case, I made a card for a 5 year old.  But change up the colors and the number and you can have a card for an adult, a girl who loves pink, or a silver anniversary!

And that balloon paper?  I made it myself using the Balloon Celebrations bundle!  Just mixing and matching balloon shapes and outlines, you can create a really festive designed paper as a background for your sentiment.

TIP – don’t put your balloons covering the words though… it makes it really hard to read…. ask me how I know 😉

I added just a bit of the Sahara Sand lace trim on one side and some gold glitter paper to balance glitz and softness.  And of course, add some dimensionals to really pop it up and make it a party!

See it step-by-step with this Video Tutorial

If you want to make this card yourself and want to see how it all comes together, I put together a video tutorial to share and have lots of tips along the way!  So check it out and stamp along with me!

(if you are reading this in your email, click here to see the video)

So, I hope that got you thinking about what birthday projects you can create.  Continue hopping to get even more ideas!  Next up is the fabulous Deb Naylor who has another great card idea for you.

And don’t forget!  The colors I showcased in this card use the RETIRING In Colors.  These colors will officially be on the retirement list and while supplies last starting April 18th and I know the reinkers and some products are going to sell out quickly, so don’t delay and consider getting your shopping done early and save yourself the stress.  🙂   As a quick visual, here is what is going away:

See all the Retiring In Color products here
or if you are hopping from your demonstrators blog, talk to them to stock up on your favorites!

Product List