Celebrate Card ~ Guest Designer Today

The first Monday of every month I am a Guest Designer on Sassy Lady's BLOG.

I am going to a weekend crop with my Sister-in-law and her mom this weekend.  The mother of our hostess is celebrating her 80th birthday.  She cooks and serves the meals at these crops.  We are giving her a card shower and I made this card for her!

I used Lacy Labels to make the card and Straight From the Nest for the birdcage and sentiment.

Here is the inside of the card.

On Lacy Labels, I used the label from the middle row, the third one from the left.  I put one on the screen 4.79 w x 4.18 h.  I copied it and flipped it so it was a mirror image, then welded the two together.  I copied a second label to use with the patterned paper inside the card.

At first, I wanted to use the patterened paper on the outside but the paper I cut out looked too busy that way so I put it on the inside.

I sized and cut out celebrate from SFTN.  To size it, I opened a second layer and put the word on the card showing through from layer 1.  I increased the size to 3.62 w x 1.31 h.  I wanted it as big as possible because it was a delicate cut.

I used the same sizing process for the birdcage.  When I added the birdcage layers, I added all three at the same time and kept them grouped (all blue on the screen).  I sized the largest piece which is the shadow piece.  Then I ungrouped the pieces and arranged them on the mat by color of paper I was going to use.

Taking care to put the paper on the mat with the arrow on the LEFT (don't ask why I remember this!!!),  I cut out the pieces and the card.

I scored the card using my Martha Stewart Score Board.

I creased the fold with the bone folder to give it a crisp edge.

I inked the edges of the card.  I did not like the look of the front of the card blank, so I found some paper that had some vintage-looking writing on it.  It is subtle and pleasing to the eye!  I inked the edges of that paper too and glued it to the front of the card.

I used a Fantastix tool to help ink the birdcage.  I would have preferred to use the pointed tip, but I did not have one dedicated to brown (or a blank one), so I had to use a  bullet tip.

I wanted to add a little color and texure so I glued a ribbon to the outside of the card.  I will just tie the card shut and not use an envelope since I am not mailing it.

Here is the birdcage assembled.  I used a small pearl for the bird's eye and a decoration on the top of the birdcage.

I lightly inked the word Celebrate.

And here is another look at the front of the card. 

It is always an honor to Guest Design on Sassy's blog, she has been such an inspiration to me!!!