Handmade Birthday Card Featuring Penny’s Paper Doll Family

 

Hello, G45ers!

 Celebrate each loved one's birthdays with unique and personal handmade Birthday Cards.  Today Kathy Clement shares a delightful easel card along with 6 excellent paper crafting tips.  This showstopping card was created with our Penny’s Paper Doll Family paper collection.  Before we jump into this card makers dream card, we have our weekly blog contest winner to announce.  

 

Weekly Blog Contest Winner!

This week's lucky prize winner will win a FREE Club G45 – Vol 5 – Floral Shoppe kit, a $50 value… And the winner is… Heather Park!  
 

Heather had this to say on our [3 Video Tutorials] Club G45 – Vol 5 blog post: "I really enjoyed watching the policy envelope mini album tutorial, I absolutely love floral shoppe. I was so happy when I saw these papers, the colours are so fresh and summery. " 

We want to thank everyone who participated in this contest, it is always such a pleasure to read your comments and tips.  Heather, please email info@g45papers.com to claim your prize.  

 

Birthday Card

By Kathy Clement
 

“One of the things I love the most about creating cards is the opportunity it gives you to send a truly unique and personal greeting.  My husband’s sister celebrated a significant birthday in April, and I wanted to make her a real keepsake card. After digging through my scrapbooks, I found this black and white image of Becky and Dale.  The two of them have always been best buddies! I knew immediately that Penny’s Paper Doll Family Collection would be the perfect collection to pair with this cherished image. The wonderful sentiments just work so well on a family birthday card.

 

I really love the way this adorable photo taken in 1956 pops against the vibrant colors and patterns found in Penny’s Paper Doll Family.  This 5” x 7” easel style card will look great on a shelf, mantel or side table.

 

Tip: Scan old photos into your computer and print out on photo paper, or take it to a photo developing booth to make a copy. This way, you preserve the original.  

 

Tip: Easel style cards are a great design choice for cards that feature a cherished family photo because they can stand upright for display.

 

Tags and pockets are a quick and easy way to add a designer touch to a card.  I folded the green buckle around the side of my photo to hide an unattractive feature in the photo background.  Then, I cut the Forever Friends Pocket in half, using just the flap to decorate the card front.
 

 

Tip: Don’t be afraid to alter, fold or cut pockets, tags and ephemera cards to make them work with your design.  It was easy to cut this pocket right along the pre-scored fold line. Then I was able to use the other half on the inside of my card.

 

 

Tip: When choosing embellishments like flowers and ribbons, let the color palette of the paper guide you.  I chose buttery yellow and faded blue flowers for this card based on the colors in the chipboard frame.  I knew all these colors would work well together, because they look great on the papers I used.
 

 

Tip: Create a “stopper” or a “brake” to keep your easel card standing upright.  I did this by adding a layer of waste chipboard to the green striped paper layer. Then I topped it with this lovely chipboard wreath and just like that, my work was done!

 

Tip: You can extra color and design to the inside of your easel card by covering the top half with complementary papers.  Just be sure not to adhere papers over the fold line, or the easel mechanism won’t work. Don't forget to add a spot where you can write your own personal birthday wishes!  The reverse side of this 3” x 4” ephemera card fits the bill just perfectly!

 

 

And where did the other half of that pocket end up?  Inside the card! I backed the edges with small foam tabs, punched a little thumb hole, then turned it on its side to be used as a chocolate pocket." ~Kathy

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

 

• Penny’s Paper Doll Family 12” x 12” Paper Collection
• Penny’s Paper Doll Family Ephemera Cards
• Penny’s Paper Doll Family Tags and Pockets
• Penny’s Paper Doll Family Decorative Stickers
• Penny’s Paper Doll Family Chipboard
• Graphic 45 Staples Ornate Metal Keys

   

Other Supplies:

• Navy/Burgundy Cardstock
• Yellow and Blue Flowers, Yellow Satin Ribbon
• Tiny Black Buttons from my stash

 

Thank you for another week full of amazing inspiration, and to Kathy for sharing this Penny's Paper Doll Family card!  We are honored to have such a wonderful and loving G45 Community, keep sharing your projects and tips, and have a wonderful weekend!

 

Happy Papercrafting!