Happy Birthday 2014

I'm all about making my life easier this year. One of my first steps toward that goal is to send everyone the same birthday card for the entire 2014 year. Before anyone gets all judgmental, let me just say that they are homemade birthday cards, which I think totally makes up for my not spending hours in the aisles of Hallmark searching for just the right card. Spoiler Alert: If you want a hint of what your card will look like keep reading. However, if you want to be surprised you should exit now.

For those of you still with me, I'll admit to spending hundreds of dollars in cards each year, probably closer to a thousand. Sigh!!! Sometimes I go cheap, and sometimes I go very pricey; it's amazing how much certain stores charge for what amounts to a piece of paper. The expensive cards usually get sent when I procrastinate and wait till the last-minute. I feel an immense sense of guilt wash over me whenever I forget someone's special day. Those beginning of the month birthdays always sneak up on me! I've cut back on gift giving over the last couple of years, but if you're a close friend or family member you can always count on a birthday and Christmas card from me. If you're really close, you'll also get Easter, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day greetings from me as well! I love holidays, and want to share my joy in them with everyone.

Party in a Card

I'm totally going to admit to stealing the idea for this card from someone else. My sweet friend Glennie gave me a similar card a couple of years ago. As soon as I saw it the light bulb went on in my head! Finally a card that works for everyone; men, women, kids, co-workers, and those people who invite you to a last-minute birthday party. I think my version turned out better; sparkly star confetti makes everything better! If you want to steal my idea, which I stole off of someone else, here's how it's done.

2014 Birthday Cards

Supplies:

• 4 x 5.5 Cards & Envelopes - This is where you can make the card your own. I used white cards with matching envelopes from Michael's, but you can pick any color or colors you choose; just make sure that they are made out of a high quality paper that doesn't resemble construction paper! Paper Source sells some amazing quality blank stationary that allows you to mix and match colors, textures, and sizes.
• Small Clear Zip Lock Bags from Amazon - I now have enough of these to last me a lifetime! If anyone needs some for any reason, please don't hesitate to contact me.
• Crinkle Paper Shreds in Various Colors - These are available at most dollar and party stores. I bought mine at Michael's, combining several bags of different colored paper shreds to get the look I wanted. I also used a pair of scissors to cut the shreds down into smaller pieces.
• Mini Stars Silver Confetti - Available on Amazon, but I purchased several packages of these from Michael's. The clear zip lock bags look much better when you add lots of stars...sparkle makes everything better!
• Birthday Candles - I purchased mine from Dollar Tree, why spend a lot of money on something if you don't have to?
• Celebrate! Printed on White Cardstock - Use Microsoft Word to print as many Celebrate! quotes as you can on one page of cardstock, leaving enough room around the edges for a border. You can cut them out with scissors or a cutting board if you're OCD like I am! Cardstock can be found at all craft and office supply stores.
• Balloons - I used water balloons from Target, which are no longer available. You can find them at any dollar or party store. Water balloons are smaller than normal balloons, and look nicer in the clear zip lock bags.
• 3M Double-Sided Tape - Available pretty much anywhere, and one of those things I can't live without. It's always on my to buy list, because I use so much of it.
• Birthday Hat Rubber Stamp - I used mine from a Susan Branch set that I purchased many years ago, but you can find rubber stamps at any craft store. Just pick one that is small and birthday related.
• Black Ink Pad - This particular ink pad from Amazon gets the greatest reviews. Don't buy cheap ink pads, or you will get crappy results when you try to use them. An ink pad is worth the investment, and if you care for it properly you will be able to get many years of use out of it. Check your local craft store to see what brands are available.
• Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Permanent Marker - If you have Amazon Prime purchase them through that...such a great deal! You can use any high quality fine point black pen or marker of your choosing.

Birthday Card Backside

Instructions:

1. Stamp a birthday hat onto the backside of the card.
2. Place your initials and the year under the birthday hat using a Sharpie. You want people to know that you made the card just for them!
3. Place crinkle paper shreds and mini stars silver confetti inside of the clear zip lock bags.
4. Add a birthday candle and a balloon to each bag.
5. Place a Celebrate! quote in each bag and seal the zip lock bag.
6. Place a strip of 3M Double-Sided Tape at the top backside of the bag and adhere it to the frontside of the blank card, making sure to line everything up evenly.

Sparkly Stars