Happy Birthday, Sue!

Today is Sue’s birthday, so Happy Birthday Sue! Your card is on its way but you know what the Christmas post is like.

Sue is my "great-grand-downline" if you like and an enthusiastic member of our team. Not sure if I mentioned it at the time but I was lucky enough to win a free ticket to Convention in a Stampin’ Up!® competition and, as I was already booked in, I offered it in a prize draw to my team. Sue was the winner and was delighted to join us.

Anyway, this may or may not be her birthday card. Incredibly, there are four members of my team who have birthdays in the next week, and I confess I can’t remember if I sent this one to Sue or to Tricia, whose birthday is on Christmas Eve.

I am loving this colour combo at the moment – Pool Party and Real Red. I began by stamping the foliage from Hopeful Thoughts onto Confetti White cardstock. Yes, it’s a sympathy set but the images are too lovely to save just for sad occasions. I stamped one of the bird from Aviary onto a branch in Real Red. I really wanted it to stand out so covered it in Crystal Effects®. 

Now here’s a weird thing: when you use Crystal Effects® on top of Real Red, the ink goes a bit orangey. I tried to rectify this a little by going over the top of the bird with a red Sharpie but I’ll know in future. If I want the same effect again, I’ll use Cherry Cobbler embossing powder – don’t know why I didn’t think of it before!

The line is hand-drawn; you’ve probably guessed that this is my technique of the moment – I love the effect it creates.

Stamps: Hopeful Thoughts, Aviary, Happiest of Birthdays (hostess)

Cardstock: Pool Party, Real Red, Confetti White

Ink: Real Red, Pool Party

Accessories: Crystal Effects®, Real Red marker

All products by Stampin' Up!®