Happy Birthday, Ruth!

Today is Ruth’s birthday! Ruth is truly a wonderful human being – she is the type of person who senses when you are down and gives you a huge hug, she has an infectious laugh and she can make you feel happy just by being in her presence.

She’s up visiting us for a few days right now (we live over 10 hours away from each other by driving, so visits are highly anticipated and always over too soon), so I had to make her card, take pictures and write this post before she arrived on Wednesday. I, of course, left it to the last day, so here I sit typing away feverishly 45 minutes before I have to leave to go pick her up at the bus terminal. Luckily, I had already decided exactly what I wanted to do for her card, so after a last minute trip to Michael’s this morning for supplies, I was able to craft this pretty and glittery greeting for our dear friend.

Supplies:

·      Sheet of 8 1/2” x 11” black card stock

·      Sheet of 8 1/2” x 11” silver text weight paper

·      Two sheets of 8 1/2” x 11” white text weight paper (to catch glitter)

Equipment:

·      Computer

·      Printer

·      Paper trimmer

·      Bone folder

·      Glue stamp pad

·      Clear stamp mounting block

·      Clear acrylic stamp (I used a rose patterned one)

·      Hot pink glitter

·      Glue runner

Directions:

1.     Create a new 8 1/2” x 11” document in a design layout program. Make a text box in the upper left hand corner (approximately 3” wide) and write the words, “Happy Birthday” in the font of your choice. Print the document.

2.     Use the paper trimmer to cut the black card stock in half to get two pieces, measuring 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” each. Set one aside for future projects. Trim the silver text weight paper to create a small rectangle around the “Happy Birthday” text. Trim a 3 3/4” x 5” rectangle from the remaining silver paper and set the rest aside for future projects.

3.     Fold the black card stock into a 4 1/4” x 5 1/2” card with the bone folder.

4.     Use the glue runner to attach the 3 3/4” x 5” rectangle to the inside right panel of the card.

5.     Place the card on one of the sheets of white text paper. Mount your stamp on the stamp block. Tap the stamp on the glue pad to coat the stamping surface with glue. Stamp four roses on the front panel of the card, positioning them in the four corners (make sure to coat the stamp with glue between stamps).

6.     Pour glitter over the stamped images. Once completely covered, pick up the card and tap it on to the white paper to get rid of the excess glitter. Use a small paintbrush to brush any bits of glitter that remain on the card (that aren’t part of the stamped image, of course!).

7.     Wash the stamp and stamp block before the glue dries.

8.     Put the uncapped bottle of glitter on to the other sheet of white paper. Take the paper with the excess glitter on it and funnel it over the glitter bottle to return the excess glitter to its container.

9.     Use the glue runner to attach the “Happy Birthday” sentiment to the middle of the front panel of the card.

Have a wonderful weekend , everyone (or long weekend, if you are in Ontario or anywhere else that has a very much needed long weekend this week!). See you next Friday!