Crafter's Cafe Challenge #202 - birthday and/.or buttons

I used buttons on this birthday card, but if you enter the current challenge at the Crafter's Cafe you may choose one or the other - or both, as I have.   I know many of you have a button collection around there someplace!  This image is part of a set available from one of our sponsors, Sparkle n' Sprinkle.   The birds in the background are a part of the set as well.  Actually, I have also had it in my collection as a freebie from Beccy's Place - thanks to both of you.  It is a favorite of mine - so versatile as it can be a masculine birthday card, as I have done here, or it could be a thinking of you or sympathy card.
Sketch:   Tuesday morning sketches
Embellishments:  Beccys Place
Wings:    Star Stampz
Die cut circle:  Happy little stampers
Tic tac toe (metallic ribbon, button, off the edge):  House that stamps built
Any:  Crafting with an attitude 
          Jo's scrapshack    
          Patties creations
          Polkadoodle
  

Silhouette Christmas 2017

I am still experimenting with my new Nativity die.  I used a center step card bas.  The mat is dark blue, and washi tape was just the right width for the next layer.  The die manufaturer is unnamed.  The swirls are from a Spellbinder set.  The sentiment is from QKR Stampede.  I used a star stencil and chalk for the sky. I hope this qualifies for the pop up theme.  The star stencil has been in my stash a long time- first time I used it.
Pop it up:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
More than 1 fold:   Tuesday Throwdown
Unused item (stencil):    djkardkreations
Any:    Chalk n Stock

Silhouette Nativity

I have been looking for a Nativity die, and just got this - now I realize I am not sure how best to use it.  Your suggestions/references/links are most welcome.  I embossed the bg. with snowflakes and distressed stripes.  I cut the die in black, then used a small piece of shimmery old gold to back the rays at the top. I used a circle die the right size, and cut a half circle.  I then trimmed a bit so it would not show behind the frame of the stable, leaving enough of the gold to back the star.   Alternatively, I could die cut the star and place it in the opening - and have no gold behind the rays.  Hubby suggested cutting the rays in gold, but that is too much delicate cutting and gluing for me!  The base mat is a deep red, almost burgundy and the ribbon is metallic gold.
Sketch:  Sketch Saturday
Shimmer     Simon Says Stamp Monday
Silhouette CAS:    Happy Little Stampers
Die cut:   Clean and Simple on Sunday
Christmas:     Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge 
                        Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2.

Inspired background

I attempted a background I saw demonstrated on a video - using pens and a spray bottle.  I am not sure where my sprayer is right now, so I tried an aqua pen - which did not work at all.  As you can see, the result is sharper lines than I anticipated - but I decided to go with what I had.  I used washi tape in similar colors for the strips.  The stamp is Stampabilities, and the embossing is Woven by LifeStyle crafts.  My original inspiration was the silhouette look.
Sketch:        https://joannamunster.com/2015/11/15/ibsic-100/
Inspiration:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Emboss:       http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:              http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/

Silhouette birthday

You may notice that I tend to have several similar cards - if there is something on the corner of my desk, left from a previous card, it is handy to use it again!  This is a silhouette from Antique Images, and the sentiment from Your Next Stamp.  The DP is nearly an antique - I have had that Costco cs for a very long time!  The textile embossing folder was selected  for its vintage look.
Sketch #3:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
New/Vintage (silhouette image)  http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/:  
Any/Girlie:  http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/
Texture:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Never used - sentiment:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/