60th birthday card

 Today's post is about friendship. Yesterday I celebrated my childhood friends 60th birthday. Rosalyn and I meet when we were 9 and have been friends ever since over 50 years! 😱 Although it wasn't her actual birthday we had arranged to have lunch with another long time friend, only 38 years this time, we did a little crafting and a lot of chatting 😀 as you'd expect! It was such a lovely time. We even had birthday cake 🎂 😋.  

Not all friendships are that long standing some are very new! Last Friday and Saturday I made some new friends at #backstage@home. This was a Stampin' Up! Event that even though it took place on-line had lots of break out sessions where we got put into smaller groups of 4 or 5 to brainstorm and chat . As SU is a global company I  got to chat with fellow demo's from north America, the south Pacific and Europe! I was even fortunate enough to be in a group with Shelli Gardner the founder of the company! I love that my crafting passion gives me the opportunity to meet new people and create connections and community with so many diverse people! 

But one thing I did find time for in my busy weekend was to make a card to celebrate my friend Roz and with her permission I'm sharing it today.

I have used the Beautiful Layers of beauty stamp, die and mask bundle to create the focal point on the front of the card. The colour palette was dictated by the pattern papers chosen for the inside of the card.

A special birthday deserves a special card and the rich gold and chocolate colour palette works wonderfully with the Nature's Sweetness patern papers. The candles are simple 1cm by 6cm strips of the gorgeous paper and the flames are made with a gold glimmer paper,sadly retired, and the Bough punch. Super easy which is very good when you need to make 60 of them!

To create the space for all these candles cut 3 panels 10.5cm x 29.7cm and score each at 14.85cm.  Next use a stip of the coordinating paper to attach the panels together . These 2 strips of pattern paper measuring 10.5cm x 6cm scored at 3cm act as a hinge on the reverse of the panels. Then cut 2 panels measuring 14.85cm x 10.5cm.  These are attached to the front and back of the concertina portions. 

I decorated the back of the card as the place to write my personal message because no space goes un decorated! 

To keep the card closed cut 3 lengths of gold twine which are secured behind the back panel. These then wrap around and tie in a fun bow.

Making and giving a card is a great way to share not only your creativity but also a way to show that you care and value the recipient. So make a card and give it to a friend these little pieces of artwork hold far more value than you think and strengthen the bonds of friendship. 

And here is my dearest friend Roz with her yummy cake.