Happy Happy Happy Birthday

Whilst I was eating breakfast this morning I was thinking about what card I would make today. I didn’t have my challenge list in front of me, but came up with this idea based on a few that I remembered, and inspired by a new to me stamp set that was sitting on the table near me. Of course it turned out that most of the challenges I was thinking of had already ended, but never mind!

First I stamped and clear heat embossed the “happy” and “birthday” stamps from Happy Little Stampers‘ Bold Birthday Sentiments set (which I believe is now retired as I could not find it in their shop to provide a link) onto a snippet of watercolour paper which I had trimmed to the size of a card front. I had planned to make this a one layer card but despite measuring everything I managed to leave too much of a gap between the bottom “happy” and the “birthday”, so I changed my plan.

Next I started working on the smooshed background. I first used Spun Sugar Distress Ink, then added Milled Lavender, and finally Seedless Preserves. I used my heat gun to dry the colour between each layer.

Once I was happy with the coverage, and had left the panel to dry, I trimmed it down to a square just a bit larger than the words. I also trimmed away the “birthday” and was going to ink blend over it but ended up not liking it.

Instead I used one of the off cuts from the panel to create a new birthday word. I stamped it with Peony Purple VersaCraft ink. I then added clear embossing powder and heat set it. I was going to flag tail the ends to make a little banner, but when I laid it onto my card base I decided I actually liked it as a long strip. Good thing I’d unintentionally stamped it fairly centrally!

I chose a purple card base because it went nicely with the purple tones I’d used. Plus the white watercolour paper is a different white than the card I usually use for card bases! I used my tape runner to adhere the long strip across the card front, then used foam tape to pop up the smooshed panel.

As I said this card didn’t exactly go how I had planned, but I think I’m glad it didn’t! The card turned out really well and I’m very pleased with it. It’s simple but pretty. I probably could still have added some more layers of smooshing to brighten up the colour, but I quite like the softness of it.

Love,

Lady Joyful

Challenges included:

AAA Cards – Words Take Centre Stage

Seize The Birthday – Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes