T he Stylized Birthday stamp makes a quick and easy birthday card.
Project Recipe
I used the colors from the Global Design Project Challenge (#GDP057) as inspiration for my card and went with an easy layout for a fast, fun, gorgeous birthday card.
I started with a square of Whisper White cardstock, just one that was laying on my desk. I knew I wanted a watercolor-look(ish) background behind my "Happy Birthday", so I did that in Blushing Bride. But I've had little luck with actually stamping this image on watercolor paper without it looking blotchy, so to get the watercolor wash look(ish), I dropped 3 drops of Blushing Bride re-inker onto a clear block (Clear Block C). I spread the ink around the block with an Aquapainter that had plenty of water in the brush, turned the block over, and smushed the ink onto the cardstock while moving it quickly across. I did it twice more until I had the look I wanted. Tip: make sure the block is in motion when you smush it down, meaning don't just push it onto the cardstock, but push it while also swiping side to side. Otherwise you get square edges and don't get that watercolor wash look.
After I was happy with the background, I stamped the Stylized Birthday sentiment in Rich Razzleberry ink. My sentiment was a little off, so I just trimmed the cardstock down a little.
I added a rectangle of Blooms & Bliss designer series paper (on sale now!). I love this piece of paper, because it's mostly Blushing Bride (in varying intensities) with just a hint of faded Rich Razzleberry here and there.
I added a rectangle of Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper on top of the DSP (designer series paper), then put my sentiment on top using dimensionals. Few adhesives actually stick to the Glimmer Paper, so for the dimensionals that would go on the Glimmer Paper, I also added Crystal Effects (retired, but you could use the Fine-Tip Glue Pen or even the Multipurpose Liquid Glue) to the dimensionals.
Do you LOVE this tassel? ME TOO. I was so excited when I accidentally did this. I decided to rip apart the 5/8" Mint Macaron Mini Striped Ribbon to see what the frayed ribbon would look like (I can never visualize it until it's done), and the half I ripped off came out like this. All these fine, beautiful hairs! So I folded them in half, then tied some Silver Metallic Thread around the top. I left the thread long so it would blend in and accent the tassel. IN LOVE with this. And now I need this ribbon in the other colors. I'm thinking Delighful Dijon for my fall birthday and thanksgiving projects.
I finished off the card with more of those fabulous Fancy Frost Sequins, because they're delicious.
I finished the inside of my card using Whisper White cardstock and the Confetti Celebration stamp set. I stamped the lights in Mint Macaron, and I stamped the single happy balloon in Rich Razzleberry. Tip: Adding a layer to the inside of your card helps to balance the weight of the card so it doesn't fall down when your recipient displays it.
This card is so fast and easy to whip up! I recommend making up a stack of 20 and keeping them on-hand for birthdays throughout the year. You can vary the colors, the DSP, the color of glimmer paper, the color of tassel (this ribbon comes in all 5 of the 2015-2017 In Colors!). Change the sentiment and this can be used for baby cards, wedding cards, Christmas -- it's an easy design for any occasion.