My father-in-law turned 78 yesterday and we got together with some of the family for a nice birthday dinner. I think it is fun to make cards with the exact age sometimes - particularly since you can usually only buy them with ages that end in a "5" or "0." When you are young, you are always "going on" the next age and a card with the exact number seems special. For much of your adult life, the number isn't as big a deal and then when you are getting older, you start to brag again. I remember my Grandmother who was 89 when she died but would always tell people she was "in my 90th year!"
I used Cardstock from this DCWV "Cotton Bloom" stack. This was a recent find at Marshall's for just $5.99 for 48 sheets. I am not sure when this stack came out but I suspect it was a couple of years ago. If you check the DCWV blog, Erin posts the Ultimate Stack List from time to time as new stacks are issued. I found a listing for "Cotton Blossoms" as a Michael's exclusive - eventually the exclusives appear for sale elsewhere (I am guessing that this is the same stack since the name is so close...).
I decided to use part of this striped sheet for the card. I like the plaid for a man's card and I thought the elegant gold swirls and green would make a nice overall effect. I usually cut layers for a card front but this time I simply cut a piece at 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches to completely cover the card front.
I chose to use the dotted striped with the zig-zag edge as the top of the card so I trimmed the cardstock along that line and then cut 4 1/4 inches below in the green section. Designs in stacks often have edges that are slightly darker (to look "inked") and I don't like to work from the edge and have one side that looks different than the other. Since the sheet is 12 inches across and I need only 5 1/2 inches to cover the card front, I can shift the cut over to avoid the "inked' edge. In this case, I trimmed 1/2 inch from the left side to create my card cover.
I cut the numbers for the age with my Sizzix "Fun Serif" dies that I have had for years. I sometimes think of getting rid of these because they do take up an entire drawer but I find that I still use them for quick and easy individual letters and numbers. The green glittered cardstock is also from the Cotton Bloom stack. I backed the number with a circle cut from Core'dinations cardstock with the Nestabilities "pinking circle" dies. I used these to match the top pinking edge on the card. I used Scor-Tape to adhere the ribbon (from my stash, I bought it many years ago when we lived in Germany) to the pinked circle and then used foam dots to adhere the circle to the card.
I stamped the sentiment on the front and then went over the letters with a Sakura Stardust Clear Jelly Roll pen.
On the inside of the card, I added a pocket for a gift card. I cut a strip of the same blue Core'dinations cardstock and used the Martha Stewart "Arched Lattice" border punch on the top edge. I chose this punch because it also has a "pinked" top edge. I put Scor-Tape on the sides and bottom of the cardstock and placed it on the back of the top flap of the card. If you make sure the fit is a little snug, the card should stay in even though it will be upside down when the card is folded. The sentiment is a Studio G stamp from Michael's.
Remember that 1/2 inch strip I trimmed from the striped paper? I used it to decorate the envelope. I also used a strip of the same blue Core'dinations cardstock and cut the letters from the same green glitter cardstock as the number inside. Pretty coordinated, eh?!
The card was a hit with Dad - here is a father and son photo (in case you couldn't just tell by looking!).
Here are the card and envelope together - a birthday "ensemble" to make a nice presentation for the gift card inside.
There may be a bit of a break in the weather today - it poured most of Saturday. We'll be finishing the painting and trying to move some things in to the apartment so we have fingers crossed for some breaks in the weather! I hope you are having a nice weekend.
Subscribe to Capadia Designs
 |  |  |
Nice job with your Father-in-law's card. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, masculine card. I agree with you about the numbers. Once you hit a certain age, you'd better celebrate each year because it's an achievement! Giving a personalized, handmade card is such a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeleteI love the fun colors on this card and how you coordinated the envelope with the leftovers. Beautiful card!
ReplyDeleteFantastic card. Happy bday to your father-in-law.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a pretty card Diane. I'm sure it's a keeper for your FIL.
ReplyDeleteI don't always comment but I ALWAYS read your blog. Thanks for sharing all that you do, I always learn something new. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMCF's Mimi from south of Atlanta
I really like the card and how you decorated the envelope to match!
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love it when you get a bargin. I love the colors. Great card. I love the flowers. I am reading the blog when I can and have to take the time to comment. I love comments .. Great Job...