Saturday, July 9, 2011

A Birthday Card for a Friend

One of my crafting friends turned 70 today so, of course, I made her a card. It just so happens that earlier this week I received an order from Chocolate Baroque which contained three sheets of their new stamp releases, so what better way to try some of them out.
I knew my friend likes butterflies so it was easy to decide which stamp to use as the main image. I wanted to work mainly in one colour, so I cut a 14cm square of white card and used a sponge to add some Memento rhubarb stalk ink, making it darker around the edges. Using the same ink pad I stamped the main image and added a little extra colour with copic markers. I then chose a large swirl stamp from a second sheet of my new stamps, and used sections of it to stamp all around the card. I mounted this onto a dark burgundy base card, and used pink and plum stickles to highlight the spots on the butterfly's wings.

For the corner embellishment I had a go at making some boho flowers. This was only my second attempt and I was very pleased with them. The larger one was not too difficult though the tiny ones were a bit fiddly. I made them from layers of pink card and white heavy paper rubbed with the rhubarb stalk ink pad. While they were still wet I wiped them through some of the ink that I had put on my craft mat, and then when they had dried I added a touch here and there of the darker stickles glitter glue. I could tell you how I made these flowers but a lady called Carole Claxton has kindly put an excellent tutorial on her blog which you can find here, so there is no point in my repeating it all.

Using the off-cuts of the base card, I cut two 'forest branches' with a Marianne die and using the back of one of them so that they both curved inwards, I glued them from the bottom left corner, and then glued the flowers in place over them. A small greeting in the same ink, added to the top right corner, finished it off.

I am linking this card to these challenges:
Scrappy Frogs Challenge: Summer Flowers.
Creative Craft Challenge: Pretty Blossoms.
Ooh La La Creations Challenge 83: Summer Flowers.
Make it Monday 44: All Papercrafts
Joyful Stamper: Inspire me Fridays 14 linky party.

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14 comments:

  1. Mona`s Bittelille ScrappekrokJuly 9, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    OMG!!! You have done such a fabulous job on this. Love the distessing and stamping. Looove those flowers too. It is a gorgeous monochromatic card. Hugs...Mona

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  2. DiJuly 10, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Hi Kate

    Fabulous work! Here I am sitting in Hampshire, meant to be in bed long ago, yet I've found both this and your other blog fascinating. For some reason favourites aren't appearing (my blog is also playing up that way - did it a few weeks ago then cleared itself up) but I'll be back to add myself! Do keep crafting and writing! Di xx

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  3. KerrieJuly 10, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Beautiful card, lovely colour and layout, the flowers are so sweet!


    Thanks for sharing your creation with Make It Monday.
    Don't forget......... if you leave a comment on another entry, mention that you saw their card on "Make It Monday" for a chance at second prize. The more entries you comment on the more chance you have of winning second prize.

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  4. veronicaJuly 10, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    lovely card Kate - glad you tried the flowers, they look great!

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  5. Lisa JaneJuly 10, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Stunning card - gorgeous colours and fabulous butterflies
    Thanks for linking up to make it monday
    Lisa x

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  6. HannahJuly 10, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    wow there really pretty. :) i love them
    love hannah xx

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  7. DiJuly 10, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Hi Kate, Di again! Your followers have reappeared, mine have too! Goodness knows what Bogger is playing at - am adding myself to yours while the going is good!! Di xx

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  8. JeanJuly 10, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    This is gorgeous Kate, beautiful colour and lovely flowers.Jean x

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  9. Melissa S.July 11, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    This is a beautiful card. Your friend is very lucky.

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  10. Glenda AtkinsJuly 11, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    Ok, way to go, this is my FAVORITE style of card. Your card is just so wonderful - wow!! Love it..

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  11. Angy BJuly 11, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    such a pretty card Kate. I love the colours you've used too. Angy x

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  12. sandra's crafty cornerJuly 12, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    OMG i bet she loved this card, i sure do, love the style and colours you chose to use, perfect thanks for sharing with us at creative craft challenges and the best of luck,
    hugs sandra DT

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  13. SaskiaJuly 12, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Lovely card! Your friend will be very pleased. Great flowers, must be fun to make.

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  14. dragonllewJuly 16, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Great card thanks for joining our Pretty Blossoms challenge at Creative Craft Challenge hope to see you again next time.
    Jenny x

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