Some birthday cards - creative criticism please

It's time to start making some birthday cards. First of all, my mother's birthday is 29th January - she will be 87 this year and she is so proud of the cards that I make myself. I want to make her something pretty special if I can.

Then there are the cards for two of my groups' Birthday card exchanges the year. The first one is due 1st February. I want to do all the cards and mark the dates of the birthdays on the envelopes so I know when to post them.

I've been experimenting with birthday card designs pretty much along the same line, using my border punches, embossing folders and diecuts to get a feel for what I want to do for Mum, and to make some cards for the card exchanges as well. I am terribly slow at making them though - I do hope I speed up as I become more experienced!

I am showing them to you here even though they aren't all completed. After my back treatment today I need to go shopping (if I can manage it) for more 'bling' and bits to add to cards, as well as some more cardstock.

Okay, so #1 is navy on white, approx 6" x 4" when folded. I hope the embossed pattern on the white sheet shows up, though I'm fairly sure the little holes in the scallops around the navy circle won't. The flowers need something added in the centre.

Good heavens! What on earth has blogger done to the 'post photos' function? The photo is just showing up as the computer command, I can't see the photo itself in this draft form. YUCK!!

Plodding on. #2 is a square card, 5 1/2" each way when folded. I have made these first two based on Sketch #131 from Card Patterns. Heres' the sketch:

and here is #2 card. It is a burgundy colour on cream. The cream background is textured.

#3 uses a ready-made hot pink card, 4 1/4" x 6". I embossed the white cardstock with dots, cut the edge with a border punch, added flowers using my dies and pearls in the middle. The other pink pieces and the sentiment are also cut with dies on the Cuttlebug.

Next, #4 is another cream card with a purple cardstock. All the details including the 3-d butterflies are done on the Cuttlebug, the border is done with a border punch.

My love of blue and white is reflected in #5, a Royal Blue and white combination, again with a 3-D butterfly.

#6 still needs the writing added, and I'm not sure whether to do it in the dusty pink of the ribbon or the darker green of the border. What do you think?

And finally #7 is again on the cream square card, with a grape background overlaid with a lighter purple that is embossed with 'happy birthday' and spots. Do I need to make the words stand out more? I thought maybe coloured stones in the flowers, or clear or pearls? Suggestions please.
I think I've posted the same photo twice but don't have time to adjust it now because it is time to leave for my back treatment. Will fiddle more later but I do want your opinion.

And did you notice that the lovely banner and signature are here now too?