Elegant Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card - Happy Anniversary - Royalty in the House

Peek at My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

One type of card I have not created in the past is a handmade card specific for a wedding anniversary. I've made cards about love and romance like my tattoo art card, my various teddy bear cards, my Moxie cards, and my valentine cards. However, I've never made cards specifically for anniversaries and I thought it was about time I gave it a whirl. With that said, I decided to use the same design that I developed for my pink poodle fabulous card. Change the image and the color scheme and I have a handmade anniversary card.

Now, I wanted my wedding anniversary card to be suitable for any wedding anniversary, but I also wanted it to have a silver anniversary flavor to it. That's where my handmade card's color scheme came into play. I used pastels, cream and a silvery grey that reflected a silver anniversary flair to me. I added a little lace and glitz to my card to give it panache.

The World Around Me

Anniversaries are a time to spoil that special someone and to celebrate the wonder of love. Here is how my two mousers celebrate.

My Two Spoiled Cats - Bingo and Gracie

Bingo and Gracie are such spoiled cats and spend a lot of time here on their "throne." It's not uncommon for me to be working on the computer and hear soft snoring behind me.

As you can tell, Gracie is the queen and often times tries to convince Bingo that he should find another place to perch. On this particular day she stretched out and left Bingo just enough room to look out the window without touching her. Gracie seems to think that just sharing space with him demonstrates her love.

My Cat Bingo on the Edge of His Seat

You can't get much closer to the edge than Bingo is without falling off!

Queen of the House - My Cat Gracie

I guess Bingo is lucky that Gracie's foot is sticking off the file cabinet so that there was enough room left for him.

Life is Good for My Cat Gracie

This is what I call spoiled contentment!

My Love of Papercrafting Challenges

I follow many challenge blogs and my handmade wedding anniversary card reflects the following challenges.

• Cupcake Craft Challenge: Sparkle - I have sparkle on my flowers.
• A Muse Studio Challenge: Use a technique that you find grungy or messy - I used blending for the edge of my image and sentiment panels (always get ink all over my fingers and my craft mat).
• A and T Emerald Faeries Challenge: Bling - I have sparkle on my flowers and pearls.
• Craft Your Passion Challenge: Add an odd number of embellishments - I have 11 embellishments (8 mini flowers, 2 pearls, and a piece of lace).
• Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything goes.
• Through the Craftroom Door Challenge: Anything goes.
• Party Time Tuesdays Challenge: Die cuts - All the circles of my card are die cut.
• Loves Rubberstamps Challenge: Anything goes.
• Stampin' For the Weekend Challenge: Use lace.
• Paper Playtime Challenge: Anything goes.
• Challenges 4 Everybody: Anything goes.
• Corrosive Challenge: Use sparkle or glitter - I have sparkle on my flowers.
• The Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge: Spring or pastel - I used pastel colors.
• 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge: Die for dies - All the circles of my card are die cut.
• Delightful Challenge: Buttons, bling and embellishment things - I used bling embellished flowers, pearls, and lace.
• Totally Papercrafts Challenge: Use dies and/or punches - I used circle dies and an edge punch.

Handcrafting My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

Card Statistics

• Final Card Size: 5.5" tall x 4.25" wide
• Tools: circle dies, scallop edge punch, mini flower punch, cake stamp, scoring board, blender tool, blending stumps, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, computer, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, tape runner
• Materials: cardstocks, designer paper, cover stock, adhesives, silicon adhesive, gamsol, colored pencils, inks, stickles, lace, pearls
• Card can be Purchased in My Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

Front Panel of My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

Angle Right - My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

To create my wedding anniversary card I started by constructing my card base from silver grey cardstock (11" x 4.25"). I scored the cardstock at 5.5" so that my handmade card opens vertically from the bottom to form a tent card.

Next I built my topper panel. I used peach cardstock for the base of the panel (5.25" x 4"). For the top portion of the panel I affixed a piece of peach pastel tie dyed designer paper (3.75" x 3"). On the lower portion of the card panel I affixed a piece of silver grey cardstock that I border punched the lower edge with scallops (3.75" x 2.5" prior to edge punching).

At the interface of the designer paper and grey cardstock I attached a piece of cream lace (5"). I wrapped the ends of the lace around the edges of the panel and secured them on the back. I attached this portion of my topper to my card base using my tape runner.

For the focal point of the card I stamped my cake image on cream cardstock and colored it using gamsol and colored pencils. I colored it in such a way to give it a velvety textured look. After I colored my cake I die cut it out (2.5" circle) and used my blending tool to apply peach ink around the edges. I matted my image with peach cardstock (2.75" circle) that I die cut. To add a little pizzazz to my cake I decorated it with several miniature flowers that I punched from silvery grey cardstock and added a drop of stickles to each of their centers.

Once my cake image was completed I constructed my front sentiment. I printed "Happy Anniversary" on cream cardstock in silvery grey ink using my computer. I die cut my sentiment (1.25" circle) and applied peach ink around the edges. I matted my sentiment with peach cardstock (1.5" circle) that I die cut. I positioned my image panel and sentiment panel on my card front and attached them using silicon adhesive so that both panels are popped from the surface of the card.

Image Panel - My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

I like the velvety texture I achieved for my cake using the colored pencils.

To finish off the front of my wedding anniversary card I affixed two ivory pearls at its lower scalloped edge.

Angle Left - My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

You can see all of the dimension my wedding anniversary card has from the different elements on it. The one thing that is difficult to see is the sparkle on the centers of the flowers. You can see the sparkle better on the close up picture of my cake image, but they really shimmer in the light as you move the card.

Inside Panel of My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

Inside Panel - My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

I kept the inside of my anniversary card very simple. I constructed a panel from cream cardstock (5" x 3.75") and matted it with peach cardstock (5.25" x 4"). For a little decoration I affixed a strip of the peach designer paper (3.75" x 0.5"). I attached my completed inside panel to my silvery grey card base using my tape runner.

I used heavy cover stock (8.5" x 8.5") to construct my handmade envelope and decorated it with a strip of the peach designer paper down its left edge.

Final Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card and Handmade Envelope Set

My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card and Envelope Set

So this is the same design as my pink poodle card, but has a very different feel to it because of the different image and color scheme.

This card set is available in my Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card.

Card Recipe Specifics for My Handmade Wedding Anniversary Card

• Cardstock: Hammermill, Wausau
• Designer Paper: Unknown
• Cover Stock: Staples
• Cake Stamp: Studio 12
• Lace: Weintraubs
• Pearls: Studio 112
• Stickles: Diamond
• Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities standard circles large and small
• Punches: Martha Stewart double scallop edger, Dollar Store mini flower
• Inks: Stazon jet black, Versamagic pink grapefruit
• Prismacolor Pencils: putty beige, peach, goldenrod
• Tools: blending stumps, computer, scoring board, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, blender tool, tape runner
• Misc Materials: adhesives, gamsol
• Techniques Used: gamsol, die cutting and punches, blending

So ends another jaunt along my handcrafting card journey with my handmade wedding anniversary card. A unique card for that wonderful couple celebrating a very special day. Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to share my handmade card and photography with you. I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! 

Don't forget to show a little "Moxie" love and hit the Polished Moxie like button on my sidebar or to the right of the Polished Moxie logo below :)

Page Content © 2013 Polished Moxie Concepts and Designs

Handmade Whimsical Owl Card - Hoo Loves Ya Baby - Backyard Bird of Prey

Peek at My Handmade Owl Card

Today I heard an owl in the early morning hours so I thought I would share a handmade owl card with you. Although I truly love these little creatures, this is the first owl card I have made. My handmade owl card is very whimsical in colors of pink, kraft and blue. I adorned it with ribbon and a pink heart button to add that touch of panache. I decided to use the sentiment "Hoo loves ya baby?" because it makes me smile and is such a wonderful play on words. The owl image I selected for my card fits my sentiment since the little owl has out-stretched wings as if to ask the question "Hoo loves ya baby?"

Inspiration for My Handmade Owl Card

Like many people I have a fascination with owls. They are so cute and appear to have a lot of personality with their big expressive eyes. Growing up I spent a lot of time on my Grandparent's farm and there was a little barn owl that lived in a tree near the house for many years. My Grandmother called him "Rusty" and you could hear him calling during the night and early morning hours. Little Rusty was the inspiration for my owl card and my Grandmother absolutely loved him (I often heard her talking about him with great affection).

These days I have my own owl. Although I have not seen him "in person", I have seen him at night on my night vision video camera when he swoops down near our bird feeders during his hunting expeditions. Sometimes I see him landing on the ground or in our gardens. We also have heard him in the early morning hours just before dawn. I have the feeling that my handmade love you owl card is just the first of many.

Now this is the first owl card I have made, but it is not my first "Love" card. A few other posts of my cards for romance include: Tattoo Art Love You card, I Love You Teddy Bear Card, You Float My Boat card, Perfect for Me card, Robots in Love cards, and I Love You Always card.

Skip nature photography and challenge list and go directly to the detailed handmade card information.

Skip nature photography and go directly to the challenge list.

The World Around Me

As I mentioned, I haven't seen my owl, but I have seen many other birds of prey during the day in my backyard. They seem to think that I put bird food out just to attract their lunch for them. Here is one of my sneaky hawks sitting on my garden fence. He's behind the butterfly bush.

Hawk Perched on Garden Fence Looking for Lunch

Here's a closer look at him via my zoom.

Hawk Perched on Garden Fence

Hawk on Perched on Garden Fence in Profile

Hawk Wiping Beak on Garden Fence

My Love of Papercrafting Challenges

I follow many challenge blogs and my handmade owl card reflects the following challenges:

• Stamping with the Dragon Challenge: Anything goes.
• Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge: Use a digital stamp. My sentiment is a digital stamp.
• A Gem of a Challenge: Button it.
• Catch the Bug Challenge: Anything goes.
• Make it Monday (MIM): Anything goes. I saw this cute little piggy get well card in the MIM gallery that I thought I would share. It has a nice use of distressing on it.
• Mygrafico Challenge: Anything goes.
• Love to Create Challenge: Pick 2 of the following die cuts, ribbon/twine, pearls, distressing, sentiment. I used a die cut and ribbon on my owl card.
• Crafty Sentiments Challenge: Pretty in pink.
• My Heart Pieces Digital Stamp Challenge: Use your 3 favorite things. I used die cuts, ribbon, and buttons.
• The ABC Challenge: I is for in love.
• Creative Card Crew Challenge: Use ribbon.
• Divas by Design Challenge: Buttons and bows.

Handcrafting My Handmade Owl Card

Card Statistics

• Final Card Size: 5.5" tall x 4.25" wide
• Tools: scalloped heart die, owl stamp, computer, blending stumps, scoring board, paper cutter, Cuttlebug machine, bow easy, non stick craft mat, tape runner, ruler, scissors, detail scissors, sponge pieces
• Materials: cardstock, designer paper, cover stock, ribbon, silicon adhesive, tape adhesive, gel adhesive, colored pencils, ink, spray sealer, button, jute, gamsol
• Card can be Purchased in My Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Love You Owl Card

Front Panel of My Handmade Owl Card

Angle Right - My Handmade Owl Card

I used kraft cardstock (4.25" x 11") for the base of my handmade owl card. I scored the cardstock at 5.5" so that my card opens vertically from the bottom to form a tent card.

For my front card panel I started with a piece of pastel pink cardstock (4" x 5.25"). The first thing I did was determine the placement of my sentiment and then printed "Hoo Loves Ya Baby?" in brown ink on it using my computer. Once my sentiment was in place, I affixed a piece of striped designer paper (4" x 2") on the lower portion of the pink cardstock panel.

To add a little panache to my owl card I attached a ribbon across the interface of the striped paper and cardstock (5"). I wrapped the ends of the ribbon around the edges of my panel and secured them on the back. Once the ribbon was in place I affixed the panel to my card base using my tape runner.

For the focal point of my card I stamped my owl on kraft cardstock and colored him using gamsol and colored pencils. When I finished coloring him I fussy cut him out (he's about 1" tall x 1.25" wide). Next I die cut a scalloped heart (1.75" wide x 1.5" tall) from kraft cardstock. Leaving the die in place on the heart, I sponged pink ink on the heart. When I removed the die, it left a nice kraft border around my heart.

After completing my owl and heart, I positioned them on my card front and affixed them with silicon adhesive so that they are popped up from the surface. I like the added dimension they give my card.

Close up View of the Image on My Handmade Owl Card

To finish off my card front I added a bow and heart button. I used a piece of jute on the button and attached it to the center of my bow. Using gel adhesive, I attached the bow to the card front on the ribbon.

Angle Left - My Handmade Owl Card

You can see the nice dimension that the bow and popped elements add to my owl card. I find it simple, but also interesting.

Inside Panel of My Handmade Owl Card

Inside Panel - My Handmade Owl Card

I kept the inside panel of my owl card very clean and simple. I cut a piece of white cardstock (3.75" x 5") and matted it with pastel pink cardstock (4" x 5.25"). For a little decoration I affixed a strip of the striped designer paper. I attached my completed inside panel to my kraft card base using my tape runner.

I also constructed an envelope from heavy cover stock (8.5" x 8.5"). As decoration on my envelope I stamped an owl in the lower left corner and colored him to match the owl on my card. I sprayed my colored image with sealer to protect it in the mail.

Final Handmade Owl Card and Handmade Envelope Set

My Handmade Owl Card and Handmade Envelope Set

My finished project is a whimsical owl card with a smile maker of a sentiment. I really like this card.

This card set is available in my Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Love You Owl Card.

Card Recipe Specifics for My Handmade Owl Card

• Cardstock: The Paper Company, Wausau
• Designer Paper: Paper Essentials
• Cover Stock: Staples
• Ribbon: Michaels
• Owl Stamp: Hampton Art
• Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities classic scalloped heart
• Ink: Stazon jet black, Colorbox pigment pink
• Prismacolor Pencils: sunburst yellow, dark umber, pink, peach beige, blush pink, powder blue, blue slate
• Tools: tape runner, Cuttlebug machine, scoring board, paper cutter, ruler, blending stumps, scissors, sponge pieces, detail scissors, computer, bow easy, non stick craft mat
• Misc. Materials: gel adhesive, silicon adhesive, tape adhesive, gamsol, jute, heart button
• Techniques Used: gamsol, die cutting, fussy cutting, stamping, digital stamping, stenciling, sponging

So ends another jaunt along my handcrafting card journey with my handmade owl card. A unique hooter card perfect for a lighthearted "I Love You.". Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to share my handmade card and photography with you. I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! 

Don't forget to show a little "Moxie" love and hit the Polished Moxie like button on my sidebar or to the right of the Polished Moxie logo below :)

Page Content © 2013 Polished Moxie Concepts and Designs

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Feminine Handmade Pink Poodle Card - Monochromatic - Spoiled Cats

Peek at My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

I finished listening to the sound track for "Pretty in Pink" and the music keeps running through my head and scenes from the movie flash before my eyes. Why on earth was my next thought of a pink poodle wearing shimmering jewels? Funny how the creative mind works sometimes. Well, I went with it creating a very feminine handmade pink poodle card. Now my poodle is no ordinary poodle. She's a diva dressed to the nines in her shimmering gold accessories and pink curly coiffure. She looks fabulous and knows it. With her attitude she is not afraid to be the focal point of a very pink, very girlie handmade monochromatic card.

The wonderful thing about my poodle card (besides the fact that it is pink, pink, pink) is that it is versatile. I think it can be used to wish a special lady happy birthday, say hi to a fabulous friend, extend a thank you for a fantastic deed, or just send a playful note. How great is that!

Skip pet photography and challenge list and go directly to the detailed handmade card information.

Skip pet photography and go directly to the challenge list.

The World Around Me

Oh my gosh! Talking about a diva and pink...my cat Gracie.

My Cat Gracie Napping on My Pink Snuggie

Pink Snuggie Hijacked by My Cat Gracie

Gracie decided to hijack my clean snuggie and take a nap on it. I didn't have the heart to dislodge her, so I'll be washing my pink snuggie again. Poor Bingo had to settle for a not so cushy cat blanket that needs to have its turn in the washing machine.

My Cat Bingo Napping on His Blanket with Catnip Toy Close at Hand

Bingo Keeping an Eye on the Camera Activity

Both my babies are worn out from all the card making activities!

My Love of Papercrafting Challenges

I follow many challenge blogs and my handmade pink poodle card reflects the following challenges:

• Scrappy Frogs Challenge: Use red or pink.
• Creative Inspirations Paint Challenge: Anything goes.
• Make It Monday (MIM): Anything goes. I also saw this cute running baseball card in the MIM gallery.
• Whoopsi Daisy Challenge: Add a sentiment.
• CASology: Circle.
• LEJ Designs Challenge: For a lovely lady.
• Ooh La La Creations Challenge (OLLCB): Sparkle and shine. I have sparkle on my poodle's necklace and bow along with the pink pearls on my card.
• Kaboodle Doodles Challenge: Use any bling. I used bling on my poodle's necklace and bow along with the pink pearls on my card.
• The Shabby Tea Room Challenge: Pink party.
• Celebrate the Occasion Challenge: Girl's birthday and must use pink.
• Through the Craftroom Door Challenge: Anything goes.
• Bearly Mine Challenge: Anything goes.
• Party Time Tuesday Challenge: Anything goes.
• Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge: All that glitters. I used stickles on my poodle's necklace and bow.
• Crafting for all Seasons Challenge: Dies and punches. I used circle dies and a scallop border punch.
• Paper Crafting Journey Challenge: Bingo. I used the row of lace, gems, and sentiment.
• Simon Says Challenge: Anything goes.
• Divas by Design Challenge: Anything goes.
• Crafts and Me Challenge: Dies or punches. I used circle dies and a scallop border punch.
• Cute Card Thursday Challenge: Something old. The lace on my card has been in my stash for several years.
• Moving Along with the Times Challenge: Lovely ladies. Made for a female.
• Totally Gorjuss Challenge: Anything goes with pink.
• Allsorts Challenge: For a lady.

Handcrafting My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

Card Statistics

• Final Card Size: 5.5" tall x 4.25" wide
• Tools: circle dies, scallop edge punch, poodle stamp, scoring board, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, blending stumps, computer, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, tape runner
• Materials: cardstock, designer paper, cover stock, adhesive, silicon adhesive, gamsol, colored pencils, ink, lace, stickles, pearls
• Card can be Purchased in My Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Pink Poodle Card

Front Panel of My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

Angle Right - My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

To create my pink poodle card I started by constructing my card base from pink cardstock (11" x 4.25"). I scored the cardstock at 5.5" so that my handmade card opens vertically from the bottom to form a tent card.

Next I built my topper panel. I used pale pink cardstock for the base of the panel (5.25" x 4"). For the top portion of the panel I affixed a piece of tie dyed designer paper (3.75" x 3"). On the lower portion of the panel I affixed a piece of pink cardstock that I border punched the lower edge with scallops (3.75" x 2.5" prior to edge punching).

At the interface of the designer paper and pink cardstock I attached a piece of pink lace (5") that I have had in my stash for many years. I wrapped the ends of the lace around the edges of the panel and secured them on the back. I attached this portion of my topper to my card base using my tape runner.

For the focal point of the card I stamped my poodle image on cream cardstock (2.5" circle) and colored her using gamsol and colored pencils. After I colored her I die cut her out and matted her with pale pink cardstock (2.75" circle) that I die cut. To add a little glitz to my pink poodle, I applied stickles to her necklace and hair bow.

Once my poodle image was completed I constructed my front sentiment. I printed "You Are Fabulous" on cream cardstock in pink ink using my computer. I die cut my sentiment (1.25" circle) and matted it on pale pink cardstock (1.5" circle) that I die cut. I positioned my image panel and sentiment panel on my card front and attached them using silicon adhesive so that both panels are popped from the surface of the card.

Closer Look at the Image on My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

To finish off the front of my pink poodle card I affixed two pink pearls at its lower scalloped edge.

Angle Left - My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

You can see all of the dimension my pink poodle card has from the different elements on it. The one thing that is difficult to see is the sparkle of my poodle's necklace and hair bow. They really shimmer in the light as you move the card.

Inside Panel of My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

Inside Panel - My Handmade Pink Poodle Card

I kept the inside of my poodle card very simple. I constructed a panel from cream cardstock (5" x 3.75") and matted it with pale pink cardstock (5.25" x 4"). For a little decoration I affixed a strip of the pink tie dyed designer paper (3.75" x 0.5"). I attached my completed inside panel to my pink card base using my tape runner.

I used heavy cover stock (8.5" x 8.5") to construct my handmade envelope and decorated it with a strip of the pink tie dyed designer paper down its left edge.

Final Handmade Pink Poodle Card and Handmade Envelope Set

My Handmade Pink Poodle Card and Handmade Envelope Set

From the movie "Pretty in Pink" to a very feminine handmade monochromatic pink poodle card. Strange how a creative mind sometimes works!

This card set is available in my Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Pink Poodle Card.

Card Recipe Specifics for My Handmade Pink Poodle Card 

• Cardstock: Hammermill, The Paper Company, Wausau
• Designer Paper: Paper Adventures
• Cover Stock: Staples
• Poodle Stamp: Snag 'em Stamps
• Dies: Nestabilities standard circles large and small
• Punch: Martha Stewart double scallop edger
• Ink: Stazon jet black
• Prismacolor Pencils: crimson lake, spanish orange, warm grey 50%, white, pink, blush pink, hot pink, metallic gold
• Lace: Weintraubs
• Stickles: Diamond
• Pearls: Michaels
• Tools: blending stumps, computer, scoring board, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, tape runner
• Misc Materials: adhesives, gamsol
• Techniques Used: gamsol, die cutting and punches

So ends another jaunt along my handcrafting card journey with my handmade monochromatic pink poodle card. A uniquely feminine card fit for any diva. Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to share my handmade card and photography with you. I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! 

Don't forget to show a little "Moxie" love and hit the Polished Moxie like button on my sidebar or to the right of the Polished Moxie logo below :)

Page Content © 2013 Polished Moxie Concepts and Designs

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Whimsical Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card - Thankful Birds

Peek at My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Today I'm sharing a whimsical handmade polar bear birthday card with you. I have to admit that when I look through birthday cards, the colorful and whimsical ones call out to me. If they're amusing, that's even better. My polar bear birthday card falls into that category...whimsical and a smile maker. It features a comical polar bear sitting in the grass holding a red balloon. I selected the bright color scheme for my handmade card based upon a curl cascade ribbon I have. My card design is clean and simple on the outside and inside.

The nice thing about the image and design of my polar bear card is that it doesn't have to be used as a birthday card. It can be used for any happy occasion or just to say "hi."

Inspiration for My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Ribbon Inspiration for My Handmade Birthday Card

 
I like the bright colors of this ribbon and the quirky nature of the bouncy spring curls. Such a simple ribbon design with a light-hearted, cheerful feel about it. 

I decided to give my handmade birthday card a similar vibe as that of the ribbon. The image of the polar bear holding a balloon and the colorful polka dot paper fit the bill.

If you have visited my blog before, you know that I have used bears on a variety of cards. These cards include: a bear dancing in the spotlight card, a sleeping teddy bear baby card, a lace embellished teddy bear card, a teddy bear and roses birthday card, and I love you teddy bear cards in burgundy, teal and yellow. I guess I got my love of bears from my Mom who had quite a collection on them.

Skip nature photography and challenge list and go directly to the detailed handmade card information.

Skip nature photography and go directly to the challenge list.

The World Around Me

The nice thing about working on a bright, colorful and happy card is that it takes your mind off of the terrible weather outside. We just survived the blizzard of 2013 with about 28 inches of snow in 24 hours. It took us 2 days to clear the snow and we have had a couple of snowstorms (including a nor'easter) since the blizzard. The snow keeps piling up, but I'm doing a happy dance now because we can finally relax a few days. 

The birds are celebrating the fact that we cleared the bird feeding area and they have plenty of food to eat. 

Cardinals and Finch in the Snow

Cardinal on My Rose of Sharon

Cardinal and Sparrow Peeking Out from the Snowy Butterfly Bush

Variety of Birds Getting Food During the Snowstorm

Trio of Birds Waiting for Space on the Hanging Feeders

Variety of Birds Grabbing Food from the Ground

Several Birds Trying Out the Different Menu Items

Cardinal and Finch Having a Snack

Two Cardinals Sharing a Meal

Cardinal and Woodpecker Dinner Companions

Sunflower Seeds are Popular with the Birds

Diversity at the Bird Feeders

Dove Stretching Her Wings After Sitting Awhile

The last picture of the dove stretching her wings is how I feel after a long snowy day that I spent sitting in front of my computer or curled up in a chair reading. Doesn't she look like an angel?

My Love of Papercrafting Challenges

I follow many challenge blogs and my handmade Polar Bear Birthday card reflects the following challenges: 

• Frosted Designs Challenge: Be Bold...use bold colors and bold patterns.
• Raise the Bar Challenge: Anything goes.
• Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge: Feature a bear.
• QKR Stampede Challenge: Anything goes.
• Whimsical Designs Challenge: Include the color green.
• Make It Monday (MIM): Anything goes. I also saw this cute card in the MIM gallery for this week.
• Gingerloft Challenge: The color red.
• Little Red Wagon Challenge: Feature a teddy bear. I decided to make my bear white instead of brown.
• Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge: Use red.
• MilkCoffee Challenge: Make it cute. My polar bear is soooooo cute.
• ABC Challenge: H is for Happy Birthday.
• Card Makin' Mamas Challenge: Card for a birthday.
• Here Come the Boys Challenge: Lots of layers. My card has 6 layers.
• Creative Card Crew Challenge: Birthday.
• Oldie But a Goodie Challenge: Bright Colors and use something at least 6 months old. The ribbon on my polar bear card has been in my stash for way over 6 months.
• Digistamps4Joy Challenge: Birthdays are fun.
  

Handcrafting My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Card Statistics

• Final Card Size: 5.5" tall x 4.25" wide
• Tools: polar bear stamp, rectangle dies, scallop die, scoring board, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, blending stumps, computer, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, tape runner, Photoshop Elements
• Materials: cardstock, designer paper, cover stock, tape adhesive, silicon adhesive, pva adhesive, gamsol, colored pencils, inks, artists tape, ribbon, spray sealer
• Card can be Purchased in My Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Front Panel of My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Angle Right - My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

To create my polar bear birthday card I started by constructing my base card from red cardstock (11" x 4.25"). I scored the cardstock at 5.5" so that my handmade card opens vertically from the bottom to form a tent card.

Next I built the topper panel. I used yellow cardstock for the base of the panel (5.25" x 4") and layered it with polka dot designer paper (5" x 3.75"). I like the fun big polka dots because they give off the same vibe as the springy ribbon I was inspired by. 

I punched a strip of apple green cardstock (4" x 1.5") to resemble eyelet lace and affixed it to my panel base. Over the top of the green "eyelet" I attached a thin textured red and yellow ribbon (5"). I wrapped the ends of the ribbon around the edges of the panel and secured them on the back.

For the focal point of the card I stamped my polar bear image on white cardstock and colored him using gamsol and colored pencils. I used neutral colors to shade the edges of his fur to add depth to him and bring him out from the white background. When my image was complete, I die cut it out (3 3/8" x 2 5/8") and matted it with red cardstock (3 5/8" x 2 7/8").

Image Panel - My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

See how my shading gives dimension to my bear and separates him from his background, but still says he's a polar bear.

To complete my topper panel I affixed the image panel with silicon adhesive to pop it from the surface and add dimension to my card. I then attached the topper panel to my red card base using my tape runner.

Angle Left - My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

In the picture above you can see the dimension added to my card by the popped image panel and the coloration of my polar bear. The thin striped ribbon adds just a touch of panache.

Inside Panel of My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

Inside Panel - My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

I kept the inside of my birthday card very simple. I constructed a panel from cream cardstock (5" x 3.75") and matted it with yellow cardstock (5.25" x 4"). For a little decoration I affixed a strip of the polka dot designer paper (3.75" x 6/8") matted on red cardstock (3.75" x 1"). I attached my completed inside card panel to my red card base using my tape runner.

For my handmade envelope I tried something new. I cut my heavy cover stock (8.5" x 8.5") and scored it, but left it flat for the time being. Lots of times I will cut a strip of the designer paper to embellish my envelope. This time I scanned a piece of the paper into my computer and printed it on my envelope.

I used Photoshop Elements to position the polka dot strip where I wanted it along the left hand edge of the face of the envelope. Before printing it on my envelope paper, I affixed some artist's tape along the outer edge of the upper and lower score lines. This way when the decorative strip was printed on my envelope paper, clean lines were left when I removed the tape. This also gave me some wiggle room on the placement of my decorative strip in my Photoshop program.

Once I had printed the decorative strip on my envelope I finished constructing it and gluing it together. I like the cleaner look of my envelope with the printed embellishment. I did spray it with sealer to protect the image should it be mailed.

Final Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card and Handmade Envelope Set

 

My Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card and Handmade Envelope Set

I think my polar bear birthday card set achieved my goal to reflect the vibe of the ribbon cascade. With its amusing bear, fun polka dot paper and bright color combination it speaks happy to me.

This card set is available in my Polished Moxie Etsy Shop: Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card.

Card Recipe Specifics for Handmade Polar Bear Birthday Card

• Cardstock: Hammermill, Wausau
• Designer Paper: Recollections
• Cover Stock: Staples
• Polar Bear Stamp: Cowtown stamps
• Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities classic rectangles large and small, MFT Die-namics scallops
• Ink: Stazon jet black
• Prismacolor Pencils: cool grey 10%, blush pink, pink rose, peach beige, cream, apple green, crimson lake, scarlet lake.
• Ribbon: Michael's Textured
• Tools: scoring board, paper cutter, scissors, ruler, blending stumps, computer, Photoshop Elements, Cuttlebug machine, non stick craft mat, tape runner.
• Misc Material: artist's tape, silicon adhesive, tape adhesive, pva adhesive, spray sealer.
• Techniques Used: gamsol, stamping, digital stamping, die cutting

So ends another jaunt along my handcrafting card journey with my handmade polar bear birthday card. A unique card inspired by a colorful, fun ribbon and great for sending a celebratory note to a friend. Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to share my handmade card and photography with you. I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon! 

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