Birthday card

This is Magnolia, a design by Julie Rocas, downloaded free.  The card itself I created from a backing paper design, also downloaded but I have long forgotten where it was.  I used My Craft Studio to change the colours.

The actual embossing etc I did while away in the caravan last summer, and really enjoyed working at it.  It does not take up too much space and is easily put away and continued later - the ideal craft for holidays.  I had only a very limited range of tools, a small embossing tool, a mini shader, a large embossing tool and a small pair of scissors.   My tools are mainly PCA with one or two odd Pergamano. 

This was my first attempt at cutwork, so I was not too displeased with the result, especially as I had done no parchment work this time last year.  Now I am hooked.  The only trouble is that it takes a long time, especially in comparison with other techniques, so it is not something to be done in a rush for a birthday tomorrow.

I felt the card needed something on the front to finish it off, but I am not certain if the butterfly was the right choice.  The jury is out on that one.  The insert is also parchment, using the border and the little flowers.  Then I printed the design again but this time with the sentiment printed in the centre.  From the front, I traced the words with a quickie glue pen, allowed that to dry off a bit, then dabbed it with Martha Stewart glitter, rubbing it with my finger well into the glue.  Then I turned it over and embossed the words from the back.  The difference is incredible when the glitter has been embossed, the shine really stands out.  That is a technique I saw Pauline Loweth demonstrating on Create and Craft on a Christmas card.
 
Anyone who saw my Wednesday blog last week would not recognise my room this week.   The spare room had to be cleared out ready for the new carpet and redecoration, and we found lots of things I had forgotten.  They ended up in my room for resorting.  Then we had a date for removing the fireplace and putting in the new one.  That means lots of stuff has to be removed out of the dust etc.  That stuff includes all my embroidery threads (8 boxes) and other assorted sewing bits and pieces.  Now my floor has vanished again.  Another week or so of trying to move stuff around to find it all a home again.