LRW #137 & Sketchbook Saturday #64

Good morning!  Just popping in to share a sweet, little, birthday card with you all.  Funny enough, Ezekiel loved this one so much, he claimed it for his own.

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I started this card by stamping the vintage notepad background, as well as the stars, which were later given a dose of Lemonade glitter, in Daffodil Delight ink, on a piece of white cardstock...

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and trimming it, across its bottom edge with a bright blue, graphic, patterned paper, which I stamped, in Basic Black ink, across its top edge, with the "OH my STARS!" phrase.

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I then stamped the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, in Basic Black ink, on a white, cardstock, die cut banner, which I adhered flush with the bottom right side of the prepped piece, before framing the entire thing with Bashful Blue cardstock and machine stitching, with bright-blue-threaded, straight and zig-zag stitches, around its edges and to either side of the papers' horizontal connection.  It was then adhered to the kraft, cardstock, card face, before anchoring the right side of the sentiment banner with a blue, star button, laced with hemp twine.

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The rocket was then paper-pieced with a variety of color-coordinating, patterned papers; hand cut out; adhered, with foam tape, to the card face; and dressed up with blue gemstones and a little Crystal Effects, to complete the look.

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Inspiration for this card came from Little Red Wagon's Challenge #137: Boy's Birthday and Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday: Challenge #64.

And before I run, I couldn't help but share a couple of pictures from my hubby's Father's Day.  This first one is of the poster my kiddos made to welcome their Daddy home from his short-term mission trip to Mexico (See yesterday's Casas Por Cristo post.), and the second was just to remember the blessed day we had.  After church, we just stayed home and grilled steaks and asparagus to pair with baked potatoes.  Then, we rounded out our delicious lunch with homemade ice-cream.  After that, believe it or not, between his trip and my being a single Mom for a week, we ended up napping for two hours, while Adina slept and Ezekiel read quietly.  We were exhausted and had just the low-key Father's Day we both needed.

Oh!  And I just have to share a little story.  During BJ's week away, he decided to grow a goatee.  So, when we picked him up at the church, Adina wasn't even sure that he was who he was supposed to be.  She kept rubbing his chin.  Then, on the way home, she asked, several times, "Are you the same Daddy, because your face looks silly?"  Well, he got home late.  So, he helped give her a bath, before we put the kiddos to bed; and the whole time, she's still looking at him with questioning eyes.  Then, as we were all cuddling in our bed, she led a conversation that went something like this.

Adina: Daddy, let me see your tummy.
BJ: Why?
Adina: Just let me see your tummy.
BJ: (Hesitantly, he lifts up his shirt.)
Adina: Yep, you're the same Daddy, because you have a good tummy.  You have a hairy tummy.  You're the same Daddy.

You can image the tears of laughter that followed.  She's such a vibrant spirit!  Thanks so much for stopping by, y'all!  Oh!  And don't forget that you have until the close of tonight EST to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #136.  Then, I'll be back, first thing tomorrow morning, with a brand new challenge from Papercraft Star.  Until then, happy stamping, and be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Blast Off - rocket, "OH my STARS!", & stars, Vintage Notepad, & Simple Salutations (MSS) Paper: White & Kraft (Wplus9); Bashful Blue & bright blue graphic (SU); light blue weave & multicolored stripe (Nikki Sivils); yellow (Crate Paper); orange distressed (Basic Grey) Ink: Basic Black & Daffodil Delight (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: bright blue thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Banner Trio die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); Lemonade glitter (Pink Paislee); Crystal Effects (SU); blue gemstones (Want 2 Scrap); blue star button (Wal-Mart); hemp twine (May Arts)