Cardmaking series

Welcome to summer!  Ha ha ha, I know it's been summer for a bit, but really, I've only been on summer break for two weeks, and they've been busy ones!  I can't wait to have more time to spend crafting and baking!  During the next few months months I'd like to to share some cards in a cardmaking series on Wednesday, when I share my usual craft projects.
I got into card making when my cousin-in-law joined our family and would always send me such beautiful cards.  I'd been bugging her to teach me for over a year, and when we got a visit in last December, I finally got to learn the basics of cardmaking, which you can read about in my Visit To Madison.  Handmade cards add such a nice touch.  I think people appreciate the extra time and effort in making a homemade card.  I also like making cards because I think everyone should have a little "fun mail" once in awhile - such a nice break from bills!
I'll be sharing a new card or two with you every other week or so.  I'm still working on sewing projects and other craft projects and will share those with you too as I get them finished up.  Stay tuned :)

Here's the first card I wanted to share, I made it using my O-town friend's circuit (she's awesome about sharing!).  I used the Create a Critter 2 circuit cartridge to cut out the happy birthday and the layered elephant.  I couldn't resit the blue Hawaiian print paper from Michaels.  And a wonderful customized birthday card was born.

Happy Wednesday!

Linking up:
Wednesday
Create and Share, Sugar and Spice, What I Whipped Up, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Show me what ya Got, Lil Luna, Wow me Wesdnesday, {Wow Me} Wednesday, Cast Party, Your Whims Wednesday, Fluster's Creative Muster, Wednesday Whatsit, Show and Share, Dream to Reality, Wow Us Wednesday, Super Linky Party, What We Wore, Read, and Made, Whatcha Work-Up, A Little Bird Told Me, And Sew We Craft Together, We did it!, We Made that!, Two Girls and a Party
Thursday
Hooking up with HoH, Catch a Glimpse, Creative Juice, Chic and Crafty, Thursday Favorite Things, Live Laugh Linky, Creative Princess, Share your Cup, , Linky Party, Link it Up, Made you Look, Inspiration in Progress, Blog Stalking, Wildly Original, Showcase your Talent, Somewhat Simple, Keep Calm and Link Up, Five Little Chefs, Commercial Break, Lamberts Lately
Friday
Show and Tell Friday, Friday Favorites, Simply Create, Lovely Crafty Weekend, EBKTS, Weekend Wander, Weekend Show Off, Weekend Bloggy Reading, Flaunt it Friday, 504 Main, Friday Favs, Fancy This Friday, Flash Blog Friday, Finished Friday, Freedom Friday, Show off Friday, Happy Hour, I <3 Friday, Keep Calm and Link Up, Weekend Wonders, I'm loving it, Fiday Favs, Pity Party, Dare to Share, F Friday, Craftionary Link Party, Do Something Crafty, Get Crafty, Shine on Friday!
Weekend
Weekend Wrap Up, Say G'day, Saturday Spotlight, Strut Your Stuff, Check me Out , Show and Tell, Saturday Spotlight, Great Ideas, Show and Tell Saturday, Your Great Idea, Simply Sweet Saturday, Share it Saturday, Saturday Show and Tell,  No Rules Blog Party, Craft Create Inspire,  Sunday Scoop, Sunday Showcase, Think Pink, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Not Baaad Sunday, That DIY Party,  Overflowing with Creativity Party, A Bouquet of Talent, Weekend Creative
Monday

A Round Tuit, Masterpiece Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Pink Hippo Party,Motivate Me Monday, Made by You Mondays, Made with Love, Craft-O-Manic Monday, Monday Funday, Sweet Sharing Monday, Marvelous Mondays,  Make it Pretty, Mop It Up Monday, Busy Monday, I gotta try that, Mad Skills
Tuesday
Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Homemade Tuesday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Take a Look Tuesday, Too Cute Tuesday,  One Project at a Time, Tasteful Tuesday, Tell me Tuesday, Trick or Treat Tuesday, Whatcha Whipped Up, Tuesday Talent Show, Two Cup Tuesday, Memories by the Mile, Totally Tasteful Tuesdays, Tuesday Confessional, Time for You Tuesday, Gathering Spot, Take it On Tuesday, You're Gonna Love it Tuesday, All my Bloggy Friends, Tuesday to Do, Pin it Tuesday