Stylish Shapes Part 1

Today’s birthday card is one of those happy accidents that occurs when I’m just playing with stamps, ink and paper. In fact it started out as a simple idea using the colours of the paper as my inspiration. It was only after I stamped the sentiment that more interesting things started to happen. I could have simply used one of the Stylish Shapes Dies to cut a separate mat layer for the sentiment. However then I wondered what would happen if I let the card base do the job instead.

COUNTRYSIDE INN PAPER

I began by choosing one of the larger and lighter patterns from the Countryside Inn 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. First I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece and fixed it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Then I trimmed off the excess with my Paper Snips, using the edge of the flap as a guide.

Next I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card along with a 1″ x 3-1/2″ piece of the same DSP. Using liquid glue I fixed the DSP to the Basic White layer (in the centre and 1/4″ from the top edge).

Next I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Misty Moonlight Card to create an A2 card base. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. With that done I glued the Basic White layer on the inside.

Finally I cut a 3-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ piece of the DSP and glued it to a 3-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ piece of Basic White Card.

Now it was time for the sentiment and I chose “Happy birthday” from the Days To Remember Stamp Set. Then I stamped it onto some Basic White Card using Misty Moonlight ink to match the card base.

It was at this point that surprising things started to happen…

STYLISH SHAPES

From the Stylish Shapes Dies I chose the #3 circle to cut out my sentiment (counting from the smallest up). Then as I looked at my scraps of Misty Moonlight Card I realised I didn’t have a piece big enough to die-cut a mat layer for the sentiment. I’d have to pull out a brand new piece of cardstock instead. Or would I?

Nope, I decided to take the #4 circle die and use it to cut a hole right in the centre of the mounted 3-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ piece of DSP instead! Having done that I set the die-cut circle aside and attached the rest of the layer directly onto the front of my card base using liquid glue. Then I fixed the die-cut sentiment inside the cut out area with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Next I added three small silver embellishments from the Festive Pearls pack to the faux mat layer. Then I tied a small bow using silver cord from the Simply Elegant Trim pack. Finally I attached the bow to the faux mat layer diagonally opposite the pearls using a little liquid glue. With that my birthday card was complete.

I love how this experiment turned out and especially the little details like the faux-stitched edging created by the Stylish Shapes Dies. As well as avoiding the need to cut into a new sheet of card, that cut out circle meant I had the start of a second project. I hope you’ll come back tomorrow to see what I made with it.