Undefined Birthday

Earlier this week I mentioned that it was my son’s birthday on April 1st. Over the years, I’ve often wondered if the joke was on me since our son has given me an education through the years as his interests have changed that I didn’t expect. I’ve made up bed time stories about building a gazebo with Norm, learned all the names of the tools in my local Sears, and the difference between a backhoe and a front loader. Not exactly things that I’d ever thought I’d need to know – but motherhood is full of surprises.

What does this have to do with an Undefined Birthday? Well, when Stampin’ Up! introduced the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit I knew it would be something that I could use. In this house we don’t always have the image I need for that someone special.

So this year I knew I had it knocked and could create what I needed with the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (item133402).

Here is what I came up with for our son, Johnathan’s birthday. I started with the cake since I knew that that would take some time to dry. (I used royal icing to create the design. It didn’t dry completely so you’ll notice it cracked a bit.) And the special cake is really his favorite part of the day.

Undefined Johnathans birthday 2014 cake

I simply went online and found an image that I thought would be fairly easy to recreate for both the cake and the stamp carving.

It took a little bit of time and there is nothing like waiting until the last minute, but I had just what I needed and knew my son would love it! Really I was surprised how quickly it went once I started carving. (I just kept reminding myself as I went along that what I left would show up as the black and what was gone wouldn’t show up.)

Undefined Johnathans birthday 2014 card

And here is the inside of the card, notice the bullets at the bottom that I carved also? Larry wasn’t sure he thought they looked like bullets, but Johnathan said he knew what they were from the context of the card. LOL

Undefined Johnathans birthday 2014 card inside

And I’m sure those of you who watched movies in the 70s recognize where I took the sentiment from. LOL

Johnathan’s gift consisted of a new shirt, (since I know he won’t buy his own) and a DVD set of guess who.

He didn’t say it, he just did his usually grunt, but I know he was tickled when he saw the cake since he immediately took a photo and texted it. With that quick move I knew I’d made the kid’s day!

Undefined Johnathans birthday 2014 cake and card

Do you need that special image you can’t find? Why not give our Undefined Stamp Carving Kit a try? Bring out the inner artist in yourself. It is easy to do – just draw or google an image, trace, and carve. Remember our old art class days from school? I know I did one of these for printing back in the old days. Hmmm…. I’ll have to dig that out of my school day stash and share with you one day.

And better yet you can get refills for the kit. Yippie! I believe I need one for my daughter’s birthday at the end of the month. Try and find a flute!

Birthday Card Contest banner

Since birthdays are a big deal here in our house during the spring I’m holding a Birthday Card Contest. Joining in the fun is easy. Just send me a handmade birthday card and be entered to win a cute birthday stamp set from my stash!

I’ll be sharing these cards here on my blog and on my face book page Stamp with Jini – so why not stop by and like my page?

Here are the details:

1. Contest ends April 29th, 2014 (My daughter’s birthday, yikes!)

2. Make a birthday card using Stampin’ Up! or My Digital Studio (Or even a combination of both!)

3. Place a sticky note on the inside with your name, address, email, and phone number so I know how to contact you when you win.

4. All cards will be donated to my Caring with Cards program which includes Hospice, Ronald McDonald House and Operation Write Home.

5. Mail the card to me

Jini Merck

2320 Dooley Rd.

Clarkesville GA 30523

On May 1st I’ll be announcing the winner of my Birthday Card Contest here on my blog!

Supplies:

Inks: Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad (101406) and Pumpkin Pie (126945)

Paper: Basic Black (121045), Pumpkin Pie (105117), and Whisper White Card Stock (100730)

Accessories: Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (133402)Circle Collection Framelits (130911), Blender Pens (102845)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

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