Shoshiplatypus

Today is a special friend’s 60th birthday, and yesterday I finally got round to making her a card. Life has been so busy lately, and in between, I have been so fatigued that it has been hard to do anything much.

Recycled materials

Some time ago, my friend introduced me to “Who Gives a Crap” toilet paper which is environmentally friendly and plastic free. Each roll comes individually wrapped in very pretty paper. I have been saving this paper, thinking it would be useful in the studio.

I thought it would be really fun to incorporate some of these wrapping papers into her card, and see if she recognised them!

To begin with, I cut one-inch strips from them, and glued them onto a base card. Then I embellished the stripes with doodling, using gel pens.

I lightly distressed the edges with some Picked Raspberry distress ink.

More recycled materials

For my birthday recently, I received a box of chocolates. Between the layers were some padding papers that I thought were rather pretty. I managed to separate the slightly metallic paper from the corrugated padding between without too much difficulty. The padding had such an interesting texture that I was sure I could use it. This paper padding is slightly shiny, with an alternating pattern of embossed and debossed dots. The decorative upper layer was not suitable for this project, because of the colour and pattern, so I put it into my stash for future use. The textured inner layer was what I was after. I like the fact that it is slightly damaged, because this adds to the texture.

To bring out the texture, I inked it with Picked Raspberry distress ink and added a little gold gilding wax.

To get a softer edge, I carefully tore out the heart shape from the textured piece, and then inked it. The plain white heart was a left over from an earlier project.

Flowers and leaves

I had quite a few flowers left over from a previous project, and I chose a few of these to embellish the heart. I also found a pack of tiny bows that someone had given me a while back, and included one of those.

Here are all the materials together on the desk, ready to assemble the card.

Completing the project

Finally, here is the completed card, with all its embellishments and colours.

I added the “60” text by hand with gel pens, and I found the stamped sentiment in my stash. I matted and layered the card onto a piece of pink cardstock, and distressed the base card with more Picked Raspberry distress ink. Inside the card and on the back, I used the same ink to distress the edges lightly. This softened the hard whiteness of the base card. I wanted a fresh, feminine and spring-like appearance for this card, with the half-hidden joke of the loo paper wrappers, to celebrate her special birthday.

Out for lunch with my friend today, and I hope she likes her card!