Tuesday 23 July 2013

Under pressure

I was asked, very last minute on Thursday, to make a Birthday card for a friend's daughter. So far so good - and then, like Topsy, it sort of grew. Could I use a photo of the recipient's beloved horse, could I include her name, could I include the horse's name - and so on. With only 24 hours in hand I had a few wobbly moments, especially as (I bet you all know this) working with coloured photos on cards/layouts takes a lot of colour co-ordination or at least avoiding clashes - and frankly stresses me out. Anyhow, this was the end result:
And, as the card is being smuggled on holiday by the recipient's daughter 'cos they will be sunning themselves abroad for the celebrations, I thought a sturdier envelope than usual was a good idea :)
I used:

- 6" x 6" square cream card stock

- a photo of 'Teddy' which was hurriedly emailed to me. Cropped a bit, re sized and then a canvas effect applied. At this point my printer started to play up, sigh, so I had to use Len's printer (thankfully using wi-fi) but of course there was a bit of trotting to and fro to collect the printing :(

- Core'dinations card for the backings and the strip of card underneath the ribbon, punched using Martha Stewart's 'Lace Heart' edge punch

- a snippet of ribbon across the punched strip, little tie of ribbon then a brown cord bow to fasten a butterfly charm in place

- sentiment banner is probably a Lakeland Limited one from the days when they did a range of craft stuff

- peel offs to spell out 'Michela' (and it's the correct spelling!) and 'Teddy' - isn't he a splendid chap too?!

- at that point the card looked a bit bare but I'd kept the punched out hearts from the lace edging so just popped some of those here and there as well as at either end of the sentiment banner

- the envelope was made using a 12" x 12" sheet of card/thick paper - a lucky find really, topped with two ovals for Michela's name when her Mum writes the card

When I'd finally finished Len said 'Now I think you ought to brush your hair and come and have a glass of wine in the garden'. What a fright I looked, in the heat I'd been running my hands distractedly through my hair as I fretted and worked - it looked just as if a couple of birds had been trying to build a nest!

Di
x

15 comments:

  1. Great job when you were so under pressure!!!
    Great idea to save the punched out hearts to sprinkle across the side of the page and on the sentiment flag...Brilliant!

    I have redone an image into a canvas look...I am so non computery...this is a wonderful effect and looks great here.

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  2. Ten out of ten Miss and go straight to the top of the class cos you not only saved the snippets hearts but used em too.
    Hugs Mrs A.

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  3. I'm sorry you were stressed, Di, but golly what a brill card you turned out under pressure, including wonky printer! Well done!! Good Len for knowing just what you needed!

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  4. Beautiful card, love the design and layout.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  5. Fab result Di - and if she loves it - like she should - it can be mounted straight onto a scrapbook page!!! Mxx

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  6. Sometimes a little stress added into the mix makes the project look sooo good and sometimes it does not help. In this case it has worked wonders. It is gorgeous and so personal to the recipient. Well done you.
    Are you sure that blinkin' parrot hadn't been sitting in your hair?
    Hugs
    xx

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  7. Great card in spite of all the stress! I think sometimes a bit of stress/pressure helps!!

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  8. Fabulous card Di, love the canvas effect on the photo really makes a statement. I stopped making cards for others when they started asking for all manner of stuff for the next day, was making myself quite stressed and it took all the pleasure of a relaxing hobby away, now I play all day and never get anything finished lol. Hugs, Amanda x

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  9. I sympathise with you being put under pressure to produce a card for someone else. But the girl did good . . . it's FAB.

    You EARNED that glass of vino!

    xxx

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  10. Cheers Di, have a couple of glasses! Job well done :) Cathy x

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  11. Great job, gorgeous horse and I love the card
    hugs Tamara

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  12. Requests like that can often make you wish you had never been asked! Good job though Di, the recipient must be pleased with that and the clever canvas effect helps the 'photo' look which I'm not too keen on. I'll try and pinch that idea soon. Dee xx (have emailed you today!)

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  13. Its absolutely beautiful Di and she will love it x

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  14. Well, you rose to the challenge brilliantly, Di. I think I'd have headed to the hills when the request to include the horse's name was made! I like the canvas effect on the photo ... your friend will be so pleased you may have opened the floodgates :))Oh, and the envelope is super too. Bet that glass of wine went down a treat :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  15. Just perfect - you obviously work well under pressure x

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