Secret Garden Friendship Card

Hi! Annette Green here today with a 5 x 7 card made with the beautiful Secret Garden papers from Graphic 45 with the help of a few Alterations dies by Tim Holtz.

It seems that I cannot make cards any smaller than 5 x 7 inches anymore. The larger size allows for more space to embellish and it really makes the card seem extra special for the recipient. I started with a base cardstock from the Graphic 45 Signature Series - Lights. I am so fond of the Signature Series cardstock because it's textured and has a core that's a few shades lighter than the cardstock color, so when sanded it shows more depth and dimension. And, of course, the colors all match the famous Graphic 45 color scheme in their paper packs. Bonus! (The eP store currently carries the original Signature Series cardstock pack in the bolds but I'm betting Kim will get you what you need if you just e-mail her sweetly.)

For those of you not familiar with how the Alterations Movers & Shapers dies work, here is a good example. I started with the Cameo Frame die and set one of the Oval Movers & Shapers dies inside the metal area. The oval is magnetic, so it holds in place nicely. Of course you can use either of these dies independent of each other, but it's pretty cool how you can combine them.

I cut two from thick mat board and one from a piece of the Secret Garden paper in the 8 x 8 pack.

I adhered them together with strong glue stick then inked the paper's edges with Dusty Concord ink. I didn't worry too much about the sides and inside the oval...

...because I covered those areas with coordinating thin grosgrain ribbon. I used Tacky Glue for this.

The ribbon really finishes it off nicely.

For the inside of the oval, I cut an image of this sweet girl from the Secret Garden paper and layered it behind the opening. Some faux pearl strings dress up the inner oval for added embellishment.

This card is for a special friend of mine, so I chose this "Friends" chipboard piece as an accent. (Graphic 45 Secret Garden)  I inked the edges with Vintage Photo and flanked each end with some Graphic 45 metal brads over a strip of lace.

The flowers cut-outs are from the Secret Garden paper also. Hand-cut with love and inked with Vintage Photo. 

A big fluffy bow finishes off the top. It's weaved through a chipboard button.

This card came together pretty quickly and has such impact with those gorgeous papers and a few dies. My friend deserved a really special card and I thoroughly enjoyed making it for her. Thanks for stopping in today. Hope you enjoyed it!