Peek Of The Week - Hubby's Birthday Card

Today I thought I’d show you the birthday card I made for my hubby recently… this card also featured in my blog about making a lightbox.

Sometimes it can be difficult making a card for someone who lives in the same house as you because there’s always the danger that they might see it before it’s ready. Luckily I had no such worries – hubby always stays out of my craft room because he knows if he wanders in there is every chance I’ll give him a job to do!

I used an eight inch square card base – I know it’s larger than usual, but it’s become my favourite size.  I used a nice cream colour as I was looking for something muted - I just wanted to avoid the harshness of stark white.

I cut a black and cream mat layer and embossed the cream layer using a watch embossing folder.   Then I applied my Rare Earth inks – Desert Sand and Henna Brown – to my blending mat, dusting these over the embossed images to enhance them. I added a little bit of black to give that ‘shabby chic’ look.

The large pocketwatch and cogs were cut from Tattered Lace dies and gilding wax was added to these.

The focal point of the card was, again, a black and cream mat layer but this time I embossed the cream layer with the Tattered Lace script embossing folder.

The key and ‘Happy Birthday’ are pre-bought wooden embellishments which I coated with Rare Earth black pigment ink before applying their clear embossing powder and heat setting.

Then it was just a case of layering up all the elements and adding some metal cogs I had lying around to further enhance the ‘shabby chic’ look.

The die across the centre is Tattered Lace Love Birds die.  I used this as I thought it was a good contrast to the other more ‘Steamed Punk’ elements – and I like the two little birds!