Birthday Kitty

Happy Monday, everyone!

Sorry I wasn't around more last week, I've been feeling under the weather. Nothing like a good summer flu to kick you in the pants, especially when it's your children's first week back to school! Well, at least for the younger two. Chaztin doesn't start back until after Labor Day. I can't believe he's going to be a third grader already!

Anyway, I do have a new card to share with you. Yesterday was my step-mom's birthday, and she loves cats.

The image I used is from Penny Black. I love these adorable little animals. I stamped it in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored it with Copics. The image didn't actually have any bushes, just the flowers, and a couple leaves, which didn't look quite right to me. I created the bushes myself by "stippling", or dotting the tips of five or six shades of green until the shapes I wanted took form. 

I mounted my completed image on some kraft cardstock and stamped the "Happy Birthday sentiment from the same set in Colorbox fluid chalk ink in Chestnut Roan.

I folded another piece of Bazzill kraft cardstock into a standard sized card, then covered it with this bright, festive patterned paper from Fancy Pants called "Roasted Sun". I trimmed it down to the same size as my card front, cut it in half off-center, then flipped the smaller piece over to the striped B side.

Then I put down two strips of Tacky Tape over the seam, and ruffled a strip of chocolate ribbon from The Ribbon Boutique over top. It's a technique that I saw over at Xiumaiyuki's blog, and wanted to try out myself. She passed along this link to Ashley Newell's blog, where there is a great video tutorial. Hers looks much better than mine, believe me.

I hope you enjoyed my card today! I hope to get back in my craft room a little more this week and have some new things to share with you soon. Until then, take care and be crafty!